Pelicans and Pina Colada's

Today we've spent by the pool, deceptively and helpfully cooled by the strong wind. Without it, the sun is hot, evidenced later by strips of red skin missed by our factor 50 suncream.

Above us, birds float in the coastal wind. We identify pelicans but are unsure about the others. They look almost like something out of Jurassic Park. Asking a Mexican staff member, he slowly consulted his google translator only then to inform us they were 'seagulls'. Martin plans to identify them later.

We briefly ascend to the beach, which sits metres from the hotel, and we are struck by the volume of seaweed. Apparently, is the Sargassum which is distributed throughout the temperate and tropical oceans of the world, landing here in nuisance proportions as a result of the movement of currents in the Sargasso Sea.

Around us, most of the visitors appear to be from the USA, and we've been told it's apparently their 'spring break'. One well-tanned man overhears us and stops to ask where we are from, introducing himself as Jeff from LA. Peering through mirror lens sunglasses, he soon tells us he has been researching his family history. His grandmother was English and his grandfather Scottish - he said his bucket list includes a trip to England to visit some pubs - something we take for granted.

Jeff has been to Peru (our next destination) and recommends we try Pisco Sour, which Martin later finds out is the national cocktail of Peru, featuring Pisco, lime, egg white and sugar. He adds, "Try Coco leaves but not after 3.00 as it will keep you awake all night".

Before leaving, he tells us his favourite band is Madness, who apparently play the USA a lot, and Manchester band "The Temperance Movement."

The hotel is all inclusive so following the recommendation of an old work colleague, `Martin went to the bar to order two Coco Bongo's only to find it's a local nightclub - the barmen found it hilarious, and he came back rather embarrassed with 2 Pina' Coladas.

"You're going to drink that now, that was bloody embarrassing"

We've had some excellent food today, but we will separately blog about that.