Leave Nuevo Vallerta reasonable time heading east but needing to avoid Guadaljara & Mexico City.  

 We are soon away from the coast winding up roads in to the hills we are in Jalisco tequila country. Everywhere guava is being grown along with sugar cane.  
We cross through towns with cobbled streets and where the most popular mode of transport is a horse.  
 
Very hot stop for refreshments could not find a cafe or similar so stopped in the country to enjoy the view. Took my jacket off for a second and was attacked by every type of insect you could think off. We all got bites.
 
South is a lake natural apparently however the amount of water taken from it for Guadalajara and others means the health of it is questionable. Follow the lake round looking again for a place for the night Chapala is near the end if the lake after a bit of a drive we find Q&Q owned by Rob from Gosport Hants but now an Aussie. Which was odd to find a former Brit here. The hotel is part of a very old condo complex, Rob looks after the place until the snowbirds (owners who escape the cold weather back home) return normally end of October. The rooms are all separate apartments or bungalows some with themes. All surrounded by a beautifully kept garden lush plants with ferns and palms intermingled with pools and fountains all helping to keep the place cooler but very damp. We had arrived fortunately before the storm, which blow in just as we are going to dinner. A shame as there was a town celebration going on and the storm sent everyone looking for shelter. Did you ever wonder where all the old fair ground rides went to from the 60's & 70's well we found them. All sorts Bumper cars spinning tea cups and a very naff haunted house.
The Lightning show was incredible with the loudest thunder. We found a restaurant but had to move indoors as monsoon wind and rain buffeted us.