HUATULCO

Huatulco, on Mexico’s southernmost coast, has existed for only 25 years, although there are older towns inland and along the coast. The town was planned for tourism and is ecologically friendly (all water is recycled for watering). It stands on the edge of a Nature Reserve which is where most of our bird-watching has taken place. We are in a little hotel in the centre, frequented mainly by Mexicans. A mile or two further east are a number of big, luxurious “all-included” hotels owned by international chains and full of gringos… Our companions in the bird-watching group, a nice French-Canadian couple, are in one (which came as a packet with their flight) and have suffered a week of party-animal neighbours banging doors at 2 or 3 in the morning. This has been especially taxing as our bird-watching has involved an early start every morning – the earliest was 0445 and the latest 0600!

Our guide, Eric, is very knowledgeable and comes from Oaxaca, where we are headed next. We have seen a great variety of birds (over 120 species) in a variety of habitats. Yesterday we went out to sea to see marine birds including a blue-footed booby which I saw in the Galapagos Islands, and a masked booby.

We also saw several schools of dolphins, a couple of sea snakes (said to be very poisonous) and a pair of green turtles making baby turtles! This evening is our last sally. Tomorrow we will stay in Mazunte, a few miles west, and then on to Oaxaca on Saturday so that Magda can go to the market on Sunday!!!