Malinalco on a Monday - driving the Catholic Pilgrims route

I recently learned of a small puebla near to Cuernevaca, in the state of Mexico, that has been named one of the "Pueblos Magicos" - towns of immense charm that beckon people like us to explore them...and if they are a bit off the beaten path...well that makes it even better. 

So after a night of rain, which always comes as a surprise and a refreshing reminder of life back home in Canada, we took the advise of Roberto and plotted a course through Cuernevaca to one of the smaller roads that cross the state...The GPS optimistically noted the distance as 23 kms. and gave us an arrival time approximately 45 mins. from departure....well such was not the case. 

The road was a breathtaking "camino sinuousa" that wound through the pine tree covered mountains just to the West of Cuernevaca.   We enjoyed views out over well kept farm fields and marvelled at the odd luxury hacienda enroute.  After approximately 1.5 hours on the road, we stopped to take a break and let Cori smell the fresh air at this little mountain church.  

Back in the car, and a few steep bends later, we emerged at a roadside attraction where we were one of the many cars stopping to buy "coronas de flores"...when I asked "que es la significa?" in my best Espagnol...I received a rapid response that seemed to indicate that if we wanted to be safe we better buy one for our car too - I always have found that Catholics use a lot of scare tactics to free up your money in the name of God. 

Gene is far too practical for that, instead we joined the throngs of Mexicans soaking in this fresh water stream that seemed to emerge from a giant Pine tree along the roadside...I optimistically had hoped for a steam bath as the temperature had dropped to 11c higher up and I was feeling the chill...but Gene felt the water may have had more to do with the church banos on the opposite side of the highway and on closer inspection, it did seem like selling entrances to banos was a popular moneymaking activity at the roadside attraction. 

Optimistic that we could now complete the trip to Malinalco in under 3 hours...we continued on and are very glad to report that like all Pueblo Magicos...this one has the charm that we love to sense here in old world Mexico.   With the clear mountain air and a decent altitude of 1600 meters, the warm sunshine brings out the best in plants and people.  

This town is clearly on the cusp of being the "go to spot" for upscale Mexicans, perhaps tiring of the crowds in Tepoztlan...The dogs are even stratified into the "haves" and "have-nots"  - it's amazing what wearing a collar can do for a dog.  

We enjoyed a fabulous lunch at La Placeres Restaurant - a little treasure of good food that we intend to return to in this month of our "vacation".   We noted the local archeological site and like Tepoztlan, we have vowed to return with hiking boots on and see the views from the high up location.  

  

But with dark storm clouds brewing, we headed for the return trip, choosing to not take the alternate route, but staying with the one we knew.   Enroute home, the temperature dropped to a shocking 7C and rain pelted the road, but we arrived back to a semi-sunny and cozy bungalow here at Bellasvista...happy to have experienced more of the pleasures Mexico has to offer us around every turn and in every part of the country.   Gracias a dios and my flower crowns for a safe trip home!