Day 5 - A visit to La Gruta
The morning of Day 5 had the boys and girls split into 2 different directions: The girls to do more looking through shops and chasing bargains whilst the boys had the responsibility of securing return bus tickets and researching activities for kids. There were 3 successful results from this: 1) bus tickets secured; 2) information about La Gruta and all it's swimming pools and 3) the girls spent no money (ha ha ha).
Zac and I visited the information kiosk and found out about La Gruta. Whilst there an extremely friendly tourist guide then escorted us to a small museum that depicted the battle between the insurgents and the Mexicans that resulted in independence. The good part was it was a touch and feel exhibit so Zac got to wear and play with replica's from the Insurgents. The photo's below say it all.
In the afternoon we visited La Gruta which is a water park based around hot springs. When we arrived, we again had the same challenge of us not speaking Spanish and the lady behind the counter not speaking English. Interestingly the fact that we did not understand Spanish did not deter the lady as she continued to tell us what we could or could not do whilst on the premises (well at least that's what we think she was saying). Basically we took the approach that we would do what we felt and wait for someone to tell us if that was wrong. As the pool that links to the hot springs was closed at first we spent time in the other pools just relaxing and playing around. The water temperature would have been around 32 degrees Celsius so quite warm. When the hot springs pool opened, we made our way toward the hot springs. To get to the springs you had to make your way through an underground tunnel (think Raiders of the Lost Ark) which led to an underground cavern. In the cavern a 12 inch pipe protruded from the wall pumping in hot spring water. It was extremely oppressive in the cavern as the water temperature was around 38 degrees Celsius and the air temperature around 40 degrees. The key was to make your way under the water falling from the pipe and receive a hot water massage before making our way back out into the fresh air to recover.
It was an excellent, relaxing afternoon prior to heading back into town for a nice meal and a revisit of the light show on the Parroquia.
Zac and I visited the information kiosk and found out about La Gruta. Whilst there an extremely friendly tourist guide then escorted us to a small museum that depicted the battle between the insurgents and the Mexicans that resulted in independence. The good part was it was a touch and feel exhibit so Zac got to wear and play with replica's from the Insurgents. The photo's below say it all.
In the afternoon we visited La Gruta which is a water park based around hot springs. When we arrived, we again had the same challenge of us not speaking Spanish and the lady behind the counter not speaking English. Interestingly the fact that we did not understand Spanish did not deter the lady as she continued to tell us what we could or could not do whilst on the premises (well at least that's what we think she was saying). Basically we took the approach that we would do what we felt and wait for someone to tell us if that was wrong. As the pool that links to the hot springs was closed at first we spent time in the other pools just relaxing and playing around. The water temperature would have been around 32 degrees Celsius so quite warm. When the hot springs pool opened, we made our way toward the hot springs. To get to the springs you had to make your way through an underground tunnel (think Raiders of the Lost Ark) which led to an underground cavern. In the cavern a 12 inch pipe protruded from the wall pumping in hot spring water. It was extremely oppressive in the cavern as the water temperature was around 38 degrees Celsius and the air temperature around 40 degrees. The key was to make your way under the water falling from the pipe and receive a hot water massage before making our way back out into the fresh air to recover.
It was an excellent, relaxing afternoon prior to heading back into town for a nice meal and a revisit of the light show on the Parroquia.
