我愛火山 I love volcanoes (II) - Nevado de Toluca

Another volcano sat nearby Mexico City is Nevado de Toluca （4690m), México's fourth highest peak.  It has a 1.5-km-wide summit crater and attracts many tourists.  I have a Mexican friend living in Toluca and thus I visited there after staying overnight at their house.  With them, I can really feel the kindness of Mexicans towards friends!
另一個在墨西哥城附近的火山是托盧卡火山（4690米），墨西哥的第四最高峰。它有一個1.5公里寬的火山口，並吸引了眾多的遊客。我有一個墨西哥朋友住在托盧卡，因此我在他們的家留了一晚，再去參觀。他們讓我真正感受到墨西哥人的好客熱情！

The plaza at night

My friends

I also took the chance to see around the city Toluca which is an industrial city but also got something good to see for a day.
我也趁機城市周圍看看，雖然這是一個工業城市，但也有足夠一日遊的景點。

Cosmo Vitral Jardín Botánico built in 1909 

With 48 stain glass frames designed by Leopoldo Flores

Inside the church with a wedding ceremony

Metepec

==============Practical Information===================
1. It takes only 1 hr from Toluca to Mexico City (if for airport, add up 30mins) by bus.  
The frequency is around 1 per hour.

2. To go up the volcano from Toluca, it was MXN 500 (round trip) by taxi in Jan 2012.
If you want to drive by yourself, take Highway 134 then Highway 3.

3. Best season to climb is dry season Nov to March.

4. For food, the simple but famous La Gloria Chocolateria y Pan 1876 is good to try some tacos al pastor.  If you like hot chocolate, dont miss the traditional ones there.

我愛火山 I love volcanoes (I) - Popocatépetl

Living in Mexico City, you will get used to have some slight shaking motion daily with the nearby volcanoes.  After the serious earthquake in 1985,  many buildings are required to be earthquake proof.  During the days when the volcano is less active, it is allowed to get closer to see the beautiful summit of Popocatépetl (5452m)

在墨西哥城生活，你會習慣每天因附近火山而有一些輕微的搖晃震動。在1985年嚴重的地震發生後，許多建築物都必須經過抗震測試。當火山活動少的日子，可以更接近地看到美麗的波波卡特佩特火山（5452米）

I have visited the easily accessible Amecameca to do a day trip but you may also choose to stay there for 1 or 2 nights with camping along the hiking trail from La Joya.
(Of course, dont forget to hire a trekking guide if you want to climb the volcano).

我就到過交通方便的Amecameca，玩了一天；但你也可以選擇在那裡留上1或2晚，從La Joya沿登山步道露營。
（當然，如果你想攀登火山，不要忘了聘請一個當地行山的導遊）。

Plaza

stuff selling in Market

The seed is kept in winter for planting

The man sleeping on the tomb!!!!

=================Practical Information 實用資料 =======================

1. Amecameca is the popular access point to Popocatépetl from Mexico by 2 hours in bus.

And then you may take shared transport or taxi to Paso de Cortés (3650m) to appreciate the summit.

2. Shared van is available only occasionally, so car rental or taking taxi is necessary.  (I tried bargaining and taxi return price is around 300MXN at Feb 2012)

3. The plaza in Amecameca is with a market selling many stuff and many food stalls where the beautiful church stands under the beautiful scenery of volcano.  A typical food made is Cecina.