These long distance Mexican buses are very comfortable, offering a much greater leg room that we would expect on our own buses, plus air con and video (Spanish subtiltles or dubbing on some of the videos shown). There were a number of stops en route, but by the end of the journey, we were tired and in need of a shower.

Los Mochis turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Though billed as one of the premier resorts in Mexico, we couldn´t seem to find much to do,so we booked a train journey through the Copper Canyon, another 17 hour journey, though we decided to break overnight at Pocada Barrancos, a hotel perched on the Rim of the Canyon.

The Copper Canyon is a series of canyons, four times longer and (allegedly) deeper than it´s US counterpart. Having visited both, I don´t think the Americans have much to worry about. Although boasting some fine scenery, Copper Canyon does not mactch up to the Grand Canyon in any way. Neverthless, the hotel we stayed in was fabulous.

Though we were only there overnight, the hotel offered a number of trips, including a horse back trek through the mountains of around 5K. Most of you will know that I have never been on a horse, and I know more about likely winners of the 3.30 at Kempton Park, than I do about actually riding. (in fact, I don´t even know about backing horses, not being a betting man - see email re: Las Vegas!). Anyway, Lynnette talked me into going on the trek. As it turned out we were the only two from the hotel doing this, but boy was it fun. Well it was after the first few minutes of total fear - it looked an awfully long way down from, the saddle to ground, and of course, the horse only understand Spanish - though I thought my screams would have been sufficient to let it understand.

Anyway, we had a great time, and the photo´s will be uploaded in due course.

We boarded the train in mid'afternoon and headed to our current destination, Chihauhau, arriving here just after 10pm. With no hotel booked we relied on a local taxi driver to take us somewhere reasonable. Big Mistake. Never in all our travels have we felt so unsafe in a room. Although we had checked in for two nights, we decided next morning (yesterday) to find ourselves a better hotel.

In addition, we decided that we hadn´t done sufficient work researching Mexico and that it would be better if we were to head for somewhere where we have proper plans in place. to this end, we have booked flights to Quito (capital of Ecuador) tomorrow - Monday 30 June. Rather bizarely, the cheapest flights are routing is back to George Bush Int airport in Houston, Texas, with an onward connection to Quito! this was by far the cheapest option. Hotel there has been pre-booked and we know how much to expect to pay the taxi-driver, so at least we shouldn´t be ripped off. Lesson learnt.

However, we did find one very local bar yesterday where they made us very welcome. We went back today, and they really welcomed us, with a patron buying us a drink, and then arranging for Lynnette to be serenaded by a duo. This isn´t a tourist bar, and it was a very nice thought for the man, for whom we bought a drink in return!. Certainly it restored our faith in human nature. Clearly, they were not used to tourists dropping in (the bar is in a back street, miles from the centre, and we found it totally by chance, and i think they were surprised when we went back again today.

Anyway, we are still enjoying our trip, and will keep you all updated.

I will try to update the blog site soon as there are a number of stories yet to be told - for example, we were almost denied the flight out to the States after the wedding, and, but for a heldful security guard, we would not have been allowed to travel at all! Wait for the rest of this story to appear.