Merida to Villahermosa

Post date: Jun 11, 2010 4:00:10 PM

Got my camera Monday when I returned from Ikkil and Chichen Itza, so Tuesday morning I left for Tulum. Got a hostel there, met an Israeli who upon return to Israel is going to begin his mandatory 3 year enlistment with the Army. Snorkeled the second longest reef on the planet (the first being the Great Barrier Reef of Australia), and I saw some beautiful fish, including a pufferfish! The beach was so cool and calm compared to the interior’s oppressive heat. I even did some backflips on a trampoline there. Just had to check that it was still in me. Forgot my sandals at the hostel in the morning (my first pair I left at my sister Tammy’s), then headed for Palenque. Halfway there I hit a bump that shook something loose because my bike took on a wild vibration. I eventually made it to Escarcega, 45 miles away, moving 20-50 mph instead of 70-80. The mechanic the next day told me nothing I didn’t know and hadn’t checked, but referred me to a larger city for repairs. I chose Villahermosa because A) it would allow me to avoid Belize’s entry/exit taxes and time, and B) it was closer to Mexico City and the United States in case something really bad was found. On my way to Villahermosa, I reached a new level of understanding of how driven I become to have things go my way. Then my motorcycle quit on my way to get it repaired! Right there on the side of a narrow highway, as cars flew by, honking at the dangerousness of my “chosen” parking position. I stood in the shade, staring at the bike, wondering what I had to do to fix it. It quit the way it does when it runs out of fuel, but the tank was filled 30 miles back. I tried run-starting it, a trick Tim showed me, but that failed. I thought I’d double check the spark plug, since the previous mechanic had cited that as a possible cause of the vibration, in spite of the fact I changed it earlier this week. Standing in the shade, fuming at my luck, I decide on a price of 70,000 pesos to sell the bike and gear. Then I recheck the bike and find a loose fuel hose! I reattach it, tip the bike to get fuel in the right spot, and voila! I’m on the road again. In Villahermosa I pay way too much for a nice hotel in downtown to rejuvenate and prepare my next steps. The breakfast was surprisingly great. I found a Kawasaki repair shop that I’ll head to shortly.