We were a bit tired the next day after our terrible night at the concert.  So we thought what better way to relax than to go sit by a natural hot spring….

Along with my one of my aunts, her daughter and granddaughter we drove through a winding highway to Tecozautla, Hidalgo.  There is a natural geyser in this area where pools have been set up for visitors to swim/sit in the warm waters.  

You can easily stand in the area where the jets of steam shoot from the earth.  From my understanding the contraption was placed over the geyser as an attempt by some corporation to harness the power – it didn’t work.  

The smell at first is a little repugnant but you soon get used to it and feeling the warm (sometimes scalding) water on your skin is wonderful.    It basically becomes a case of waiting for the hot steam and then running away as quick as possible if it gets too hot to handle.

Since my last visit a couple years ago they have built some structures along the hillside where from what we observed they would be serving drinks and food.  There were also areas for small pools, which I am guessing will be filled with some of the warm waters.  It didn’t seem to be fully functional yet but we were able to climb the steps to the top.

When we left the geyser area we stopped by a local restaurant that was cooking rotisserie style chicken.  We were so hungry we about 4 whole chickens and it tasted delicious…

We got back to Tequisquiapan around late afternoon and spend the rest of the time relaxing and going to a local café in town for a late snack.  The town plaza was a bit more active at night but still tranquil...

Dr. Suess meet Salvador Dali.  This is what looks like happened at Las Pozas.  A two hour drive south from Valles, Las Pozas is nestled in the rainforest near the town Xilitla.  Las Pozas is the brain child of an eccentric English millionaire Edward James.  James spent 25 years transforming this former coffee plantation into what can be described as surrealistic art come to life in the form of reinforced concrete.  Las Pozas was still under construction when he died in 1984 after spending 7 million dollars on the transformation.  After his death his dream was to turn it into a public attraction.

We arrived at Las Pozas at midday and walked around the grounds.  We found a waterfall to repel down.  The place is amazing.  It is very hard to describe, so i will just post many pictures.  After everyone repelled, it was time for me to head back to Texas because I had to work, boooo.  Joe, Chase, and the Brits stayed behind and booked an ecclectic room on the grounds.  Byron, Ben, and I started the long journey back.  But first, Ben had to visit a business partner back in Valles.  So, we had dinner yet again in Valles at a taco street stand.  I am quite proud of my gastrointestinal tract for taking a beating like that and keep on keeping on.  I thought for sure I was going to have hot snakes.

So after the several hour delay in Valles we hit the road once again.  I drove all throughout the night, until I could not drive anymore.  Noone wanted to take the next shift, so all 3 of us passed out on the side of the road until morning, not recommended.

8-hour layover in Mexico City = side trip!