It's not possible to see everything Mexico has to offer in one trip or to write it in one blog so what follows is a collection. First up are the Rivera and Orozco murals. The painters emerged from the Revolution and transformed Mexican painting into an enormously powerful and populist political statement through the medium of the mural. Rivera in Mexico and Orozco in Guadalajara. The chief patron of both artists was the state hence you see loads of their w...

Ever since first going to see Cotopaxi in early 2008 it had been an ambition to go back and try and attempt to get to the summit.No mean feat given it has an elevation of 5,896 m (19,344 ft), making it the second highest volcano in the country.To put it into perspective Quito the capital is some 2800m above sea level. That's twice as high as Ben Nevis the highest mountain in Scotland - but only half as high as Cotopaxi! Although not the highest volcano in Ecuado...

If I was to think of my life as a series of lists then the Galapagos Islands would definitely make it onto my top 10 of any number of these lists. Top 10 natural wonders of the world, top 10 amazing experiences, top 10 best holidays of my life, blah, blah, blah. It was everything people said it would be and more. Bloody marvelous, truly incredible, amazing. I think by now you can tell that I loved it. If you ever get the chance to go then grab your credit card an...

March saw 'Travels With My Father' Part II. The plan had been to be a bit more chilled this time and not tear all over the place but not sure we really did this. It was pretty much non-stop for the whole three weeks. The trip included a multitude of activities from Zip Wiring to Kayaking to Horse Back Riding. There was some downtime as well, promise! Mind you it just proves there is life in the old dog yet - despite what he wrote on the beach in Ayampe! It...

Carnival saw us escaping Cuenca. We headed south to Ñamarin a small indigenous community just outside Saraguro. Despite not really being sure where we had to get off the bus it all worked out because Jose our host was there at the bus stop waiting for us! From the main road we headed up the steep hill to the village. It was a world away from Cuenca and thankfully anyone playing Carnival kept it to themselves. I still don't get what is exciting about chucking...