From Capulalpam we headed back to Oaxaca to re-charge our batteries and take in some of the local touristy hotspots, including some Mayan ruins, indigenous tapestry (more interesting than it sounds), and the crème de la crème, Hierve el Agua - stunning mineral formations, framed 360 degrees by mountains - breathtaking.

So, from here we headed south to Puerto Escondido, known by the locals as 'Surfers Paradise' - we were craving some sun, sea and sand - what better way to relax and feel like we're on 'holiday'!?

We arrived tired and grumpy after an 11 hour overnight journey, sandwiched between seats, with our knees by our ears - the cons of being lanky! However, our spirits were lifted when we realized that we'd arrived on the day of the International Surfing Championship Final, so we hit the beach. Whilst James drank himself into a stupor while snapping the surfers, I busied myself by feeding and watering half of Battersea Dogs Home…so many strays it's really sad to witness.

After a few days lazing around, getting drunk and generally not doing much, we needed to move on - time is not on our side in Central America. We headed north to Palenque, where the most beautiful Mayan ruins in Mexico are housed. We stayed just outside the national park in a little shack and spent most of the night wide awake, listening to the strange sounds of the jungle. The lack of sleep was worth the visit, the ruins are breathtaking…set in deep jungle, they are spectacular - huge and overpowering. Visitors are allowed to climb all over them and explore the vast site…just a shame that we were constantly harassed by street sellers to buy shoddy 'Mayan memorabilia', such as plastic ruin replicas and embroidered hankies…strangely all for 'just 1 dollar'!