Geo: 7.28446, 80.6375This was a beautiful first stay for 2 nights, with time to appreciate a tastefully renovated house that an Indian earning good money overseas had restored with his parents. I had a swim every morning, we had breakfast in thr garden and supper each night in the living room. Our bed was at the top of a tall look out tower, reached by a dangerously steep flight of stairs, but beautifully breezy,with a good view of garden and pool, when you got there.The first thing to get used to is the warmth. For the most part this is an attractive summer temperature, with cool early mornings and warm evenings, but walking around between 12.00 and 4.00 can be a lttle sweaty. Having an air con car helps. Our driver Christopher is a nice guy ... read more

Geo: 13.0615, 80.2478... read more

Geo: 23.1168, -82.3886Cuba is something different - the poorest country we have visited in terms of its infrastructure and development in the last 100 years, enhanced by a wonderful climate and setting in the Carribean sea.But before this adventure we were able to relax on the Yucatan coast of Mexico, back in the small town of Akumal where we'd stayed before in some proper hot beach weather, swimming in a lagoon ( an inlet from the sea) with shoals of tropical fish, just like an aquarium and visiting the attractive Mayan ruins of Tulum on the coast before swimming on the best beach ever, white coral sand shaded with coconut palms, with gentle seas lapping the shallow shore and wonderful warm water. Helen and I were in our element and also enjoyed exploring the Coral Reef ... read more

Geo: 20.4161, -87.3043I've been (Liz talkng here) meaning to say something about colour. Mexico is full of vibrant colours, not the subdued and pastel shades found in the northern hempishere, but shocking pinks, reds, yellows that shimmer in the sun. Flowers, clothes and even buildings are painted in shocking pinks, orange, bright blue and yellow. Churches are decorated with great flower arrangments, sometimes over 20 displays in a church for a wedding or festival. Bright red Poinsettias, native to Mexico, are everywhere,growing like weeds, or planted on borders in public gardens. Geraniums and pink Bourganvillia decorate courtyards, white calla lillies, gladdioli and agapanthus proliforate and one tree is blossoming with a bright yellow flower the size of chrysanthumums. No wonder the women embroider their clothes with these flowers and their crafts and pots.... read more

Geo: 19.0468, -98.2092The Monarch Butterflies were indeed awesome, but our spell in the mountains was the nearest we got to a 'Homestay' and interesting for the people we met and the stories they had to tell.We stayed with Joel, aged 34, and his large family of 9 siblings and his parents. They were all involved in developing this Butterfly Tourist business, which only runs for Nov to March at most and is subject to the falling Monarch population. But Joel was building more rooms for guests with his Mother and sisters cooking more meals next door and his brothers providing the horses and assistance for the arduous mountain climb. This business was also greatly helped by Ellen, an American from LA, living with Joel for the last year, who knows what visitors want. But Ellen is ... read more