January 3rd, 2014
On the road but with family in Veracruz
On Christmas morning we drove the Land Rover to a secure long-term parking facility and jumped on a shuttle to the San Antonio airport where we boarded a flight to Mexico City. Once checked into our hotel we visited the bus depot at the airport to make arrangements for our bus trip (five and a half hours) to Veracruz the following morning.
Arriving in Veracruz after the long journey by road (mercifully the raucous video system was broken down for half the trip which afforded us some peace and quiet) we were met by daughter Rachel and whisked off to her home. The following even a magnificent barbecue of different, impressive slabs of beef was cooked up by Roy (Rachel's husband) at his mother's house. The days slipped by quickly with trips to the country and a nearby fishing village, Alvarado, where we selected fresh-caught fish for frying at a local restaurant. Pelicans, musicians, fishermen and shoppers provided an endless stream of entertainment and we returned home to dine on additional bounty from the sea - shrimp, crab legs and yet more fish.
Before long it was time for us to catch a flight to the Pacific Coast of Mexico and the small resort/fishing town of Zihuatanejo where the weather is almost perfect year round. Sad to say goodbye to Rach and Roy, Roycito and Valentina but the week we spent with them was a great opportunity to catch up on family news and enjoy being with family for at least part of the holiday.
More Images
Martyn and Roy playing soccer and Marg and Valentina checking the view!
Rachel and Valentina shopping at Alvarado
Valentina and a catch of crab
Martyn, Roy, Valentina and Marg at the fish market
Selecting the fish for lunch.
Instructions for filleting the fish.
Fillets and whole fish are ready for cooking.
A Roving Minstral to entertain us!
New Year's Eve with Rachel, elegant as always in her cracker crown!
New Year's Eve Sparkler fun!