Relaxing in a pool of hot spring water in a subterranean dome, we watched the last rays of sunlight shining through a long tunnel that has been designed to align exactly with the Winter Solstice sun. The Mayan Baths were designed and built by a man from Connecticut who only opens them to a handful of people one night a month, so we were very privileged to have been able to visit on such a special evening. It's in an idyllic setting, and I drank my first ever tequila in the outdoor pool watching large butterflies and brightly coloured birds flitting between the trees and cacti.

This was a perfect end to any day, but this one was no ordinary one. Our morning started by milking a cow. After handing the milk over, we set off down into the canyons on Hercules and Brandy, two horses from the ranch. It was very cold, but the ride soon warmed us up. The great thing in Latin America is that they are not afraid to let you "open the throttle". They call it galloping; technically it's cantering, but either way I had my first experience of being on a running horse, along the edges of the canyon and through the water at the bottom.

When we returned to the ranch, the sun had come out and lunch was ready. We were given typical ranch food, including diced cactus and cheese made from the milk we had acquired earlier. What a great experience, and the family who have been running this ranch for generations were genuinely very grateful for our visit, as the contribution makes the difference between staying open, and closing down.

Unfortunately, neither the back of a horse nor being submersed in water are ideal for taking photographs, but our horse-riding guide took my camera and tried his best, and we attempted to use Helen's dive camera in the baths.

Fortunately I didn't realise until later that my horse had the same name as Steptoe and Son's.

Posted from Mineral del Chico, 22nd December 2015