We left Guanajuato on the 23 April and continued our circular tour of Mexico by heading north and a little east through the Bajio and what turned out to be a series of Pueblos Magicos.
First stop was Dolores Hidalgo and then Tequisipan, where we stayed the night at a small campsite within a vineyard. Not having seen enough churches we then headed for Jalpan via Bernal, a small town sitting below a great volcanic outcrop, more like a volcanic plug, the Pena de Bernal. Our second puncture in Mexico only cost $50pesos (£2) to repair, which must be the nationwide going rate! Within no time we were back on our way to see the town and Mision Jalpan.
After a night camped at a water park, we headed for Xilita and Los Pozos, stopping only at the second of the five missions in this area, the Mision Landa, with its striking façade and relatively simple interior. After lunch in Xilita with a fabulous mountain view, we headed down into the valley to Las Pozas where, nestled in the rain forest an Englishman, Edward James, whose Orchid Collection died one severe winter, decided to turn his attention to creating something more lasting. Quite an amazing garden, but you can imagine Declan's reaction when told, after several hours of driving, that we were to visit an English garden in a Mexican rainforest!.