Day 46 – 47 : Campeche

The bus ride from Palenque to Campeche took 6 hours, and was meant as a stop, instead of having to take a really long bus ride direct to Merida.  It would also be easier to get to Edzna ruins from Campeche than from Merida.

About 45 mins before arriving into Campeche, I started to see glimpse of the sea again!  It’s been a while since I was near the coast, and it was also nice to feel the warmth (perhaps maybe a little too much here!), after being in a colder climate the last few days.

A laid back colonial seaside town (but with no beach and very dirty waters), Campeche is famous for its few existing forts and bastions left from the days when it was still occupied by the Spanish. 

Some sections of the bastions are still walkable, which is a nice way to view the city from the top. 

It was also classified as a UNESCO site in 1999.

Arriving on a Sunday, the historic centre was very quiet during the day, with most shops closed.  There was more activity in the night, mostly taking place in the Zocalo (town centre), with a light show as well as a band playing when I was there. 

Mass at the church was also on, and with the constant chime of a hand bell, I was attracted to pop by to have a look and saw the priest “blessing” individuals with a special “tool”.  I got “blessed” as well, as I happened to arrive when the priest was making its way around.  Hopefully it brings good luck!

It was more bustling on Monday, with mostly residents going about their daily affair.  Shops in the historical centre was also mostly catered to residents rather than tourists, such as furniture stores, apparels, and some small mom and pop stores. 

This was also one town I noticed where there were hardly any travel agencies, and very little hostels, which represents the little tourism they get through here, due to lack of attractions.

In my personal opinion, there are many other cities which I like in Mexico more than Campeche.  The historic centre is very small with not much attractions to offer, and with the city’s growth in recent years, it had lost its charm that it may once had. 

Food wise, I did managed to try a few different specialties here, which I had not seen in other cities, as it’s my first stop of the Yucantan region. 

Daniel really hates me right now, as I keep sending him pictures of Mexican food, when he is based in Singapore :P

These included :

Pan de Cazon : a casserole dish in Mexican cuisine that is prepared in the style of lasagna using layered tortillas with shark meat such as dogfish shark, black beans or refried black beans and spiced tomato sauce

 

 

Papadzules : A traditional dish from the Yucatán Peninsula resembling enchiladas, and consists of corn tortillas dipped in a sauce of pepita filled with hard-boiled eggs, and garnished with a cooked tomato-pepper sauce.

 

Sope : A thick tortilla made from fried masa, then topped with refried black beans and crumbled cheese, lettuce, onions, some meat and mushrooms.

 

They were all very yum!