Mexico’s biggest freshwater lake-Chapala
The travel bug has latched on to me pretty late in life and it is embedded like a leech now. Travelling is actually a vice; drains your pocket, is addictive, imperious but nevertheless is a virtue as it imparts fresh vitality to the mind and body temple. While I was doing my Gma duties, I managed to sneak away to a few places close by. Chapala town with a namesake lake is around 50 km from Guadalajara. It is a popular weekend getaway. Mexico’s largest freshwater lake with a town population of around 50000.
Most of them are ex-pats from the US or Canada and thrive in the near-perfect climate of the place. I took an Uber from Guadalajara in the morning and got off at the landscaped median which divides Calle Madero past the plaza with its delightful bandstand.
It was around Christmas and the promenade was vibrant with poinsettias, huge Xmas trees, life-size nativity scenes, and festoons. I took my time walking down the huge tree-lined avenue taking in every little detail. The fountain in the center and the fake gift boxes under the sky touching Xmas tree all added to the charm of this quaint lake town.
Mexico’s biggest freshwater lake-Chapala
With its lakefront and picturesque pier, boat rides, and restaurants, Chapala is a charming place to explore. The boat ride seemed pretty steeply-priced to me but it was well worth it with the view of the hills, the island in the centre and the ducks pirouetting in the waters. The friendly boatman was wearing the usual sombrero and I wanted to talk to him but we didn’t understand each other.
After the boat ride, I was hungry but all the restaurants were mainly non-vegetarian and I moved to the plaza. Almost every town in Mexico has a central plaza which is the heart of the town. I find the large shade trees and wrought iron benches very appealing and useful for tourists to take a breather. The street musicians are very innovative and one-man band was what I saw.
Market and Plaza
There were small stalls on the sidewalk selling all types of things around the covered market; from fresh food, fruit to shopping for toys, garments, and souvenirs. The center of the open plaza has a typically covered bandstand where live bands play on weekends.
Looking at the rides and ponies for kids I wished I had brought my grandson along. There was a carousel with live ponies and for the grown-ups two giant-sized horses.
Mexican Food and Bloopers
Food stalls are all over the place and the variety of foodstuff is mindboggling. Now I am an ovo-vegetarian and I had to confirm more than a couple of times to make sure what I was being given is meatless. My daughter-in-law’s mom was with me and we communicate through Google translate as I don’t speak Spanish and she doesn’t speak English. She knows that I do not eat meat and while I was clicking pictures she offered me a plate of fritters; absentmindedly I picked one and put it in my mouth and to my horror, it was fried dried fish. I almost puked and burst out laughing.
The shops were good and the prices reasonable and I picked up a few souvenirs to take home. The culture and art are preserved zealously and encouraged by the government.
Mexico’s biggest freshwater lake-Chapala
We walked by the church where many people were in Christmas cheer and exchanging greetings. If you are walking on the road random people will wish you Buenos Dias or Buenos Tarde’ which shows the genial nature of the Mexican people.
It is a visually stunning lake flanked by hills that offer spectacular views and the landscaping of the picturesque shoreline walks and parks is a feast for the eyes. I had to drag myself back to the cab and head home exhausted but with a satisfied mind.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Queen’s Brigade
Check out other blogs on Mexico -Guadalajara-Mexican City of the Future, Tourist’s guide to Soologico Guadalajara,
Loved the way you have captured the sights and experience of the place. I haven’t visited Mexico but after reading your post, my heart yearns to go there. Praying that the pandemic gets over soon and we are allowed to go wherever our heart pleases. Keep writing such fabulous posts, it took my mind off work for a while and allowed my imagination to soar.
Thank you so much, Mayura. Your words are so encouraging. I have more posts on Mexico.
The street musician seems to have created a musical instrument out of a bicycle. I see something that looks like a bicycle seat.
I’m not much of a traveller but posts like yours make me want to visit these places. 🙂
Wow Harjeet, very beautiful pix and video. Just loved the blog❣️ would love to go one day there after reading your lovely post!
I am a travel freak and when I can across your post I couldn’t hold back reading bit by bit. Mexico is certainly a place that I would like to visit in future. I am too much drawn by lakes and Mexico’s fresh water lake seems to be mind boggling
Lovely post. Besides, I liked the line travel empties pockets 🙂
I really enjoy your travelogues, Harjeet. I haven’t been to Mexico yet. But my grandchildren’s nanny who was a Mexican used to tell me a lot about it. The place, the cuisine, the customs. She used to cook a lot of Mexican food for us, and taught me quite a few Mexican dishes.
I haven’t visited Mexico yet, thank you for giving a visual treat like you always manage to do with the way of your presentation 🙂 I so crave to move out, go somewhere and have fun with my little one 🙁
I never been to Mexico and really want to visit the place. Didn’t know about the place and the lake, thanks for sharing your experience.
The pictures and your description both are just amazing. The way you’ve explained the minute details of the place, that’s quite interesting. I have never been to Mexico, but your post is instigating me to plan a trip whenever everything will be normal. Let me bookmark the post for future reference.
Never been to Mexico but your video and photos are very beautiful. You look so beautiful in the photo! The difficult part going abroad for vacation is getting good vegetarian food. That’s where we have to compromise. You have explained all details so well. It’s almost like living the experience with you.
I loved the way you have shared your personal experience and likings. I love mexican food. Something that I learnt from a Mexican and can atleast treat my family to the authentic food is not travel. Plan to visit my friend there once.
Lovely that you are traveling and enjoying it as well. Me and my husband decided to quit a proper 9-5 job & business and work part-time at our own pace to enable us to travel. So I understand when you say it is a virtue. The culture, the experience, the food etc., bring so much learning and enjoyment. I am a vegetarian too….and one of the main concerns is that the concept of vegetarianism doesn’t exist anywhere else as it does in India. But I am not a fussy eater and always manage to enjoy the local veg cuisine at the places I visit. Wishing you more travels – keep enjoying and sharing the experiences with us!
I always love your travel oats as you tend to cover most of the stuff. Mexico has been on my list for so long. Now your post has rekindled that desire to travel there
I really enjoy reading your travelogues, Harjeet. It feels as though we have joined you on your trip around town, and I particularly love the titbits you share. I haven’t visited Mexico yet but I heard so much about it from my niece who visited the Aztec before the pandemic.
Travelling teaches you so many things that you can not even imagine. I have not visited Mexico yet but heard a lot about this place. Loved reading your travel experience. I would love to see this place with my daughters.
I have only heard about Mexico.. and all the good things. I toolove such local experiences of the place wherever I visit. Your writing is superb. It reminded me of the times I spent on the local trains of Paris..
The post is a perfect blend of words and picture. I liked the way you have taken me to the lake. Would love to visit the place. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Nice post Harjeet.. I’d love to visit this place. When were you there?