Palacio del Gobernador, Uxmal We are anxious about crowds, so we set off very early to reach Uxmal, arriving at 8.15 am. The last part of the road is very narrow, as it is the route used by the lorries avoiding the toll road to Campeche. Amazingly the only other people there are another English couple who take a fine photograph of us three in front of the Piramide del Adivino, the magnificent structure that greets you on arrival.

Modern wooden jaguar, one of the most power symbols of Mayan mythology We arrive in Merida after a pain-free drive on near empty roads thorugh central Yucatan. Finding our home for the next week is not as challenging as it might have been before sat nav: Merida is laid out on a grid system and the streets seem to have alternate one-way systems.

Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo) After a week on the Mayan Riveira we pick up a hire car in Playa del Carmen, which will be ours for the next week. We had been nervous about driving in Mexico but, despite the towns and cities being slightly hairy due to there being no obvious rules of engagement, aside for give way to the left on roundabouts – the main roads are mainly empty due to the tolls, so easily navigable.

Diving at just above the sulphate layer and 30m at Angelita cenote A couple of years ago we successfully bid for a week in a house in Merida at a charity auction. For some reason we never got round to using that week but, one summer afternoon, feeling rather gloomy, I rashly booked some flights to Mexico for the first two weeks in November!

This is our fifth time on this magnificent boat. We are thrilled to be going with co-owners Simon and Eira Day and some friends of theirs, Julian and Leah, making up a good British contingent. In fact we are lucky in that the majority of our fellow passengers are delightful and fun; we are specially thrilled to be with Janusz and Alicja Draminski, renowned underwater photographers, despite being in their 80s!

We arrive at the Tuk Tuk Timbal Bungalows, right on the lake-front, where we are to spend the final three nights of our trip. Some are in traditional style but our chalet is large and modern and facing the water, with a couple of comfy arm chairs where we can read and watch the sunset with a beer! Simple but restful.

Wati, my attacker After fond farewells with our Dewi Nusantara shipmates at Jakarta airport, we depart bang on time to Medan, an overnight stop in order to reach Bukit Lawang, where we will spend three nights in our search for the elusive orangutang. We have only seen them in rehab mode in Borneo, and it is about the only place to see them in the wild.

Considered a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad, the Aga Khan spent billions on homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries

The mountain blues of peace – ‘from whence cometh my help’ If it sounds like an indulgence – it is. Every year we de-camp to our apartment in Champery to take advantage of emptier…

The mountain blues of peace - 'from whence cometh my help' If it sounds like an indulgence – it is. Every year we de-camp to our apartment in Champery to take advantage of emptier pistes (more about that later).

Meet Harold, the leader of his local Community Watch, whose views on drugs are rooted in moralising and ignorance just like the UK’s drug policy. “Don’t…

The Thistle will open its doors next week after nearly a decade of deadlock over drug laws.