Mexico 2007 - Day 7-8 - Down to the Jungle, Biosphera Cielo
The traditional oven in Mexico and across latin America is called a horno...

When Gabriel and I were in Peru in 1998 we saw signs everywhere with "Al Horno." We couldn't quite figure out what they meant until our guide Jose told us.
Jose  thought it was really funny that my dog's nickname was "Horno" (shown at right in New Mexico.)
The next day we drove down from the mountains and desert to the coastal range, at which point the vegetation changed dramatically as we entered the jungle.

It was nice to see green again.


Right: Outside our hotel in Gomez Farias, near the Biosphere Cielo Reserve.
On day 8 (Friday), Kerry and I rode up into the biosphere reserve while Gabriel and Pascal went down to a town on the plains to take people pictures. (and missed out yet again)
We shared the truck with another group from Houston.
Farmhouse outside of Gomez Farias.
Taking in the view as we ascend higher into the mountains.
Road construction on the jeep track.  I'm taking my 4Runner here next time.
A new modern hotel had been constructed recently in Gomez Farias that catered to affluent Mexicans.

The hotel rents out 4 wheelers to their guests, even though it is illegal to drive them into the reserve.

Our Driver/Guide/Hotelier said that a local politician had recently driven 4 wheelers up into the reserve with his buddies and were doing doughnuts in the high meadows (land which is owned and preserved by the local people that live in the reserve)

Evidently the locals didn't like having their land torn up and banded together with machetes to drive the politician away.
Looking down at Gomez Farias (on middle ridge) from above. The lowlands can be seen in the distance.
Our driver would stop every once in a while to let us walk and look around.
Finally after a couple hours we make it to the first village in the reserve, Alta Cima, a very beautiful place surrounded by mountains and cloud forest.
The Hotel Alta Cima, where we were supposed to stay for the night if Gabriel and Pascal hadn't bailed.

Kerry and I both agreed that it would have been a wonderful place to stay.
I spent a few minutes scouting the back yard of the hotel.  There were many photo opportunities and I could have a field day here with my nature photography!
After about a half hour in Alta Cima we move higher and deeper into the jungle...
The trail above Alta Cima got much rougher and the forest became more temperate.
After cresting the next ridge we entered a nice grassy meadow with pine trees and cabins for rent.
After another hour or so we entered the valley of San Jose, a picture perfect little village straight out of a storybook.
There was something really extraordinary about San Jose, the mist, soft light, bright green grass and mountains on all sides.
Our Driver/Guide/Hotelier led us up to one of the village homes.
Inside there were 2 locals preparing our lunch. 

Nice roof.  I guess my roof at home isn't so bad after all.
The grandmother prepared our food on the traditional oven.  She made my favorite, cheese enchiladas, and they were some of the best and most authentic I've ever had.
Kerry and I hired a villager to take us on a hike into the jungle. I didn't know what to expect but it turned out to be one of the best hikes I've ever taken.
The thick forest would open up into birght green meadows with all sorts of rock formations.
I began to feel as though I was in an Indiana Jones movie.
Approaching a cave entrance...
The cave entrance.
A vast cavern awaits us...
and an underground stream.
At this point the only way was down.  I used the rope to lower myself down about 60 feet.
Kerry and I at the bottom.

Unfortunately, because of time constraints we had to turn back but the cavern kept on going.
Venturing down a side trail.
The sun had come out while we were in the dense jungle.
Ants had carved a highway across the grassy meadow.  See them carrying leaves?
More ants.
Arriving back to the Shangri-La, San Jose.
That night after coming back to Gomez Farias we had a campfire at the hotel.