The Americas including North, South and Central America are on our truck-the-world list. Senior Expert Service SES is a nonprofit foundation of the German Economy for International Cooperation and cooperates with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. CAFA is one of the biggest Mexican construction companies building Panama channel in those days and located in Auguascalientes, centre of Mexican Automotive industry.
Ten years ago CAFA built Aguascalientes Ovalo, a race track for US American NASCAR series.
Aguascalientes Proving Ground Overview Including Ovalo Race TrackView over Augascalientes Ovalo
Since the track was abandoned because of security concerns, CAFA recently designed a project converting the track into a professional vehicle proving and testing ground for Mexican automotive industry. Mexican Ministry for Technology and Development supported the project and asked SES for testing and evaluation expertise.
As a lecturer at Berlin Technical University, see www.kfz.tu-berlin.de/menue/lehrangebot/fahrversuche_im_automobilbau/ and Springer author on Automotive Testing and Evaluation science books SES asked me to consult and to train CAFA on automotive testing standards, technology, data aquision and analysis.
Wolf D Käppler: Smart Vehicle Handling – Test und Evaluation in der Fahrzeugtechnik, ISBN 978-3-662-464-168 | Springer 2015
During work at CAFA headquarters in Aguascalientes I went traveling to several Colonial cities North of Mexico City. After finalizing the consulting contract we drove around Yucatan peninsula by car. 8.000 km were covered overlanding Mexico.
CAFA CONSULTING
As a start of 3 weeks consulting several overviews over ISO vehicle handling test standards, procedures and testing technology were presented. CAFA personnel was educated and trained on vehicle dynamics and real time data measurement, sensor technology and data analysis. Training on the job including the organization and realization of testing execution and evaluation of results was given including safety and security aspects.
Meeting at CAFA with Boss Carlos, Project Manager Fernando and Carlos plus Visitor | Aguascalientes
In several meetings test standard requirements in terms of surface, slope, track length and curve radii were analysed, compared and selected from hundreds of tests.
Example of Selected ISO Vehicle Handling Test Standards
Test rides according to selected ISO test standards were executed in order to make sure that required testing speeds, 100 km/h, e.g., were attained by standard vehicles and that braking distances were safe. Furthermore, safety zones were evaluated.
Personal ISO Steady State Curve Driving Test at Ovalo
Suitable ISO test standards were selected and documented and time and business plans including concept, personnel and finance for what CAFA called „Vehicle Test and Design Centre“ were developed.
CAFA Vehicle Test and Design Cente“ Project Business Pan
AUGUASCALIENTES
…is a historic Spanish Colonial city with 700.000 inhabitants at an altitude of 1.800 m. Restored Colonial buildings are located around central Plaza Patria. Adjoining is a nice but small historic center with a limited number of pubs.
Quality Inn Hotel**** at Plaza Patria for 3 Weeks | AguascalientesGovernment and Municipalt Palace next to Hotel……with Impressive Inside Loggias……Cathedral de Nuestra Senora left of Hotel……Selling Veggies at Side Entrance……Theatro Morelo next to Hotel……with Modern Art……Jacaranda……Dancing and Music each Night at Plaza Patria……Hair Dressing at Plaza Patria……Concerts……with Pubs and Music at the Bar Mile………no Tesla Cars but Power Stations | Aguascalientes…Public Transport is Cheap in Aguascalientes……Autobuses are Comfortable and Basic Transportation between Cities……Goodbye Dinner at Rincon Maya Restaurant with fine Native Maya Food, Recommended……next to Templo del Senor del Encino at Jardin del Encino……with Wedding Ceremony | Aguascalientes
ZACATECAS and GUADALUPE
These are famous Colonial cities 600 km North of Auguascalientes at an Altitude around 2.000 m.
Bus Trip Alignng Cactus at 2000 m Altitude to Zacatecas 600 km North of AguascalientesMy Fiesta Inn Hotel**** Run by CAFA Owners | ZacatecasColonial City Hall and Main Road… | Zacatecas…with Houses Colonial Style……El Cubo Aquedukt……and Quinta Real Hotel……Preparing for Wedding Party in the Former Bullfighting Arena | ZacatecasIglesia Santo Domingo and Museo Moderno Francisco Coronel | ZacatecasTheatro Fernando Calderon……Museo of Masks Rafael Coronel……Mezcala Style……Pre-Hispanic Style……Spanish Colonial Style……and Ceremonial Elephant |ZacatecasMina El Eden Silver Mine Entrance | ZacatecasMexican Hero Pancho Villa at Cerro de la Bufa……Watching Zacatecas and Cathedral from AboveConvento de Guadalupe… | Guadalupe…next to Guadelupe Museo of Art with Coaches of the Cardinal……and a Cadillac | Guadalupe
GUANAJUATO
… is another rich and beautiful Colonial city North of Mexico City and full of life, sightseeings and tourists, and worth to visit.
Art Nouveau Theatro Jurarez | Guanajuato…Stage……Seatings……Ceiling……Foyer | GuanajuatoTemplo Valenciana | GuanajuatoBasilica Nuestra Senora | GuanajuatoCallejon del Beso – Ally of the Kiss | GuanajuatoAlhondiga de Granaditas, Former Granary but Regional Museum Today | GuanajuatoMercado Eiffel……still a Market | GuanajuatoAfter Sunday Concert in El Parque del Jardin | GuanajuatoStart of the Night Walk for Tourists around Old Town……Tourists Listening to the Guide……Cervantes Museum……and Teatro Cervantes | GuanajuatoHouse and Museum of Diego Rivera… | Guanajuato…his Parent’s Bed……and one of his Famous Wall Paintings Today in Mexico CitySupreme Court of 1st Republic of Mexico | GuanajuatoSupreme Court Assembly Hall……next to House of Alexander von Humbodt……in1803 | Guanajuato
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
…is another Colonial City next to Guanajuato and quite touristic, too, but smaller, UNESCO World Heritage and worth to visit.
My Casa Oratorio**** Hotel in the Centre | San MiguelPlaza Principal around the Corner with La Parroquia and……Templo de San Rafael……Theatro Angela Peralta built early 20th Century……Nightlife at Umaran Main Street……Hat Sellers……San Francisco……Main portal of the Nuestra Señora de la Salud Church……“Guardian“ at Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez next to Museuo Historico Casa de Allende Entrance……Monumental Gate at the House of the Counts of the Canal…….Built in 18th Century and currently Owned by Banamex Bank……Views over the City and 2-Floor-Buildings……Public Transport uphill……Music Band……and Old Guitar Playing for a Dime at Restoran Los Milagros | San Miguel
MERIDA
After completion of CAFA consulting our trip around Yucatan Peninsula started in Merida, political and economical centre of Yucatan with historic Colonial centre around PLaza Grande. We did a 3-week-tour counter-clockwise around the peninsula by car and stayed in many hotels close to the sea.
Flight Auguacalientes – Merida over Mexico City…Merida University…..with its Teatro Uiversitario Felipe Carillo Puerte……and Teatro Daniel Avala……and Art Nouveau Teatro Armando Manzanero……Roman Catholic Cathedral de Merida at Plaza Grande……and Camara de Comercio……and Policia at Centro Cultural Olimpio……and Museo Casa Montejo with Wealth and Culture of those Days on Display…,,,but there is Real Life at Mercado San Benito……and at Chaya Maya Restoran at Parque Santa Lucia, Major Barmile at Night……with Friendly Service in Maya Dress……and Fine Cocktails And Maya Food | Merida
CELESTUN SISAL
..yes, correct, that is where Sisal comes from, made from Agave fiber for clothing, hats, carpets, ropes…
First Stop at Castillito Kin-Nah Hotel Run by Unfriendly German Expats, note the Fence | Celestun…Tasty Wine instead of Corona Beer at Celestun Beach……Boat Trip through Mangrove Forest of Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Celestun……Watching Few Flamingos……and Tourists | Celestun
UXMAL
Uxmal is an ancient Maya city of the classical period in today’s Mexico around 9th century, UNESCO World Heritage. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture, along with Palenque, Chichén, and Calakmul in Mexico.
View over the Archaeological Site of Uxmal with Nunnery and……Pyramid of the Magician | UxmalBall Game Playground……and Iguana | Uxmal
CAMPECHE
…was next stop at Yucatan West Coast, another attractive Colonial city with a lot of tourists and a big Plaza, quite nice.
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción at Independence Square……and Typical Street with 2-Floor-Houses in the Centre | Campeche
CIUDAD DEL CARMEN
The route from Campeche to Vilahermosa in Tabasco state touches boring Ciudad del Carmen but follows the Caribbean beach most of the time. Thanks to many bridges it crosses several islands off shore and passes lagunes for almost 400 km.
Route 180 South Aligning the Beach Populated by Hundreds of PelicanesFresh Fish at the Beach | Ciudad del Carmen
VILAHERMOSA
…is the Capital of Tabasco state and quite industrial but comes with one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico.
Olmeca Plaza**** Hotel | Vilahermosa…Municipality and Empty Plaza at Night……but Jaguars in the Parque-Museo……and lots of Olmeca Statues, among them this Colossal Olmeca Head in Open-Air Parque-Museo de la Venta, one of the most Important Archaeological Sites in Mexico | Vilahermosa
PALENQUE
…a former Maya state blooming in 7th century AC in today’s Chiapa state close to Guatemala is a must-see archaeological site and most beautiful in the middle of the jungle, UNESCO World Heritage.
Outside WIndow View of our Paraiso Inn*** | Palenque…Banana Blossom | PalenqueFamous Temple of Inscription in the Jungle……wit Palace and Observation Tower next……and Temple of Sun | Palenque
PUERTO AVENTURAS & TULUM
On our route back North we aligned Belize border and joined West Coast. Puerto Aventuras is a retort city for the Elderly, you should have money and own a boat. This was our base for a visit of Tulum site.
LM by Inmense**** with Artificial Port and Real Dolphins Included……Beach Acccess for Hotel Guests only | Puerto AventurasTulum is a Maya City Facing the Caribbean Sea and its Harbour, Established 13th Century…with Masses of Tourists, Small and Big, Young and Old | Tulum
PLAYA DEL CARMEN
On our way to Chichen Itza we stayed in lively and Mallorca-like Playa del Carmen – not quite worth it although tourists here do not own boats nor houses and are much younger.
Playa del Carmen is an Extreme Tourist City with a Nice Accessible Beach and Speed Boats to Cozumel Island……and Good for Shopping and Dinner | Playa del Carmen
CHICHEN ITZA
…was one of the largest Maya cities between 8th and 12th centuries, UNESCO Wold Heritage today and is one of the most important archeological monuments in Mexico today.
Romantic Hotel Oka’an**** with outside Rest Beds in the Jungle | Chichen ItzaEl Castillo | Chichen Itza…again Ball Game Playground……and too many Tourists | Chichen Itza
IZAMAL
…was passed on our way back to Merida airport, a Maya as well as Colonial city, founded between 7th and 2nd century BC and abandoned with the rise of Chichen Itza around 10th century AD.
No Tourists at Great Pyramid of Maya Sun God Kinich Kak Moo Founded BC and left 10th Century | IzamalArcada Principal del Atrium del Convento Franciscano 16th Century | IzamalTourists are quite Rare in Izamal
MERIDA
We returned back to Merida for a final Good Bye to Mexico and Yucatan and flew home…
…Final Fresh Fish at Parque Santa Lucia…GOOD BYE MERIDA & MEXICO
