Three Amigos Go To Copper Canyon
12 February 2012 | Sinaloa, Mexico
Joel, Tom and Kim set out on an inland adventure tour to the States of Sinaloa and Chihuahua to experience authentic Mexican culture and see the spectacular sights of the Copper Canyon, which many like to call the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.
We started our trip from Puerto Vallarta on a 13 hour bus trip to Los Mochis, where we hopped on a second bus for a mere 2 hour ride to El Fuerte.
Some of us arrived in El Fuerte (our first destination on the way to the Copper Canyon) a bit dazed by lack of sleep, but others managed to sleep through the distractions during our trip. (Guess who slept and guess who didn't!!) Our travel accommodations were the antithesis of what many may have expected... no rugged country-style public transportation for us with livestock, chickens, and supplies... rather, we travelled first class on a TAP bus to Los Mochis, which had large cushy inclining seats, movies played on LCD screens, snacks, and a washroom, and then the Norte de Sinaloa bus to El Fuerte.
While it was much more comfortable than we first imagined, there were many things to keep the insomniacs among us awake during our overnight trip. Many fast turns made using the washroom a major challenge... and there were a few stops along the way. Overhead lights turned on spontaneously throughout the night for no apparent reason, and on 3 occasions we were boarded by inspectors and/or policia (complete with automatic rifles) who, according to other more experienced travellers, were searching for stowaways, mysterious baggage and weapons. There were many interesting sites to peer at through the window: small commercial buildings were gated and locked up for the night, men sat on plastic outdoor chairs shooting the breeze at all-night outdoor food kiosks, and stretches of road were lit by flashing red and blue lights where police and/or military engaged in searches and apprehension of people on the wrong side of the law. It was fascinating to watch all of the activity along the highway in the middle of the night, and comforting at times to be sitting inside a comfortable bus that whizzed past it all.
By now we're accustomed to seeing heavily armed police in public places, and seeing army trucks loaded up with armed, fully uniformed soldiers riding in the truck beds, some with identity concealing balaclavas. While unsettling at first, their presence becomes almost comforting, particularly amid the negative media stories about crime and violence in this magnificent country.
We added a few photos in the gallery...