MEXICO

It's the world's most complete holiday destination, it's just got everything, from fine beaches to stunning historical sites to breathtaking nature, it's Mexico, the land of my mother. After the hectic holidays with lots of food and presents, we started off with a visit to Teotihuacan, the Aztec holy site which pyramids many say are more impressive than those at Chitzen Itza on the Yucatan peninsula. And then we welcomed two visitors from Holland, aforementioned Uncle Tom Smit (which was changed to Tomas Herrero) and his girlfriend Marloes (which the Mexicans changed to Marluz to make it easier to pronounce), with whom mummy and daddy travelled around central Mexico, leaving me with my abuela and abuelo, and the string of cousins, aunts and uncles I have here...needless to say, a great time was had by all. At Teotihuacan, in front of the pyramid of the sun. A rare pic of the three of us, because I don't like posing for pictures.

And back in San Luis Potosi, at a barbecue at Uncle Juan's and Auntie Erika's house, where we were treated to the most scrumptious meat I have ever eaten, inside skirt from Canadian beef...cor blimey, this meat almost melted on your tongue it was so tender.

Uncle Juan had arranged for some mariachis, as a special treat for his Dutch guests. They were brilliant...and after they left, I went home to sleep and the men stayed behind and got hammered...Uncle Tom and Uncle Miguel became very good friends...and many drinking stories were shared back and forth, with Don Jorge's story about how he had drinks with Pele in Guadalajara during the 1970 World Cup trumping all others.

Then on to the colonial gem of Guanajuato, in its entirety declared Unesco world heritage site, one of the most beautiful cities, in a dramatic setting, in the world.

Followed by Patzcuaro, a small town on a big lake, with a very peculiar, unique look, with low-rise dark-red and white buildings.
Patzcuaro

And from there it's only three hours to the Pacific, leaving the chilliness of the high plains behind, and sweltering in the tropical climes of the coast, in Zihuatanejo in this case, on Playa La Ropa (see below). With a small hotel right on the beach, and it being the off-season, a very relaxing time was had there. The pelicans outnumbered the tourists...

Next we travelled along the coast down to Acapulco, with a stop at the lagoon of Barra Potosi, where we had fresh coconut water and huachinango (a pink version of the red snapper)...and chilled in hammocks before heading down to Acapulco.

This was our hotel in Acapulco, with a view of Acapulco bay.

And to wrap things up, we spent a couple of days in the world's largest city, the megalopolis named Ciudad de Mexico. Daddy and Uncle Tom visited the Azteca stadium, where the tour guide was so kind to take a picture of them in front of what has become to be known as 'El Arco de Maradona', i.e. Maradona's goal, as that is the goal in which he scored the greatest goal ever scored, the one where he outplays the entire England side (apart from Gary Lineker, because he was goal-hanging on the other end, as ever) by himself.

Tom and Marloes on top of the Torre Latinoamericano in Mexico City.
Statue of Cuauhtemoc on Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, the Aztec warrior whose name I carry with great pride.