60 for 60 - August 2026

Adventures: Mexico, Ziplining, Cenote’s, Painting, Digital Detox

August - A Month in a Minute

August arrived in all its summer glory and, here in the UK, it certainly brought the heat.

This month, our family headed to the Riviera Maya, Mexico, to celebrate several milestone birthdays. It was a trip filled with sunshine, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

From sun-drenched beaches and thrilling water parks to exploring ancient Mayan ruins and swimming in crystal-clear cenotes, every day brought a new adventure. Our beautiful all-inclusive resort, nestled within the jungle, offered an endless choice of pools, restaurants, bars, and activities, ensuring there was something for everyone.

The wildlife was just as memorable as the scenery. We spotted coatis, agoutis, monkeys, squirrels, and even a few snakes. Flamingos wandered gracefully nearby, colourful Yucatán jays flashed through the trees, and countless iguanas seemed to be everywhere we looked.

And, of course, there was tequila. Plenty of cocktails, a little wine, and more delicious food than any of us could possibly need.

August was simply glorious. A wonderful family holiday filled with adventure, discovery, celebration, and precious memories that will stay with us for years to come.

One month. One incredible destination. A lifetime of memories.

Adventure # 1 – Xel-Há: Ziplining Into Water

Sunday 9 August

One of my 60 for 60 goals was to zipline into water. As it turned out, there could hardly have been a better place to tick it off than Xel-Há.

We were up bright and early, fuelled by breakfast and ready to board the tour bus for a day of adventure. The sky was cloudless, the sun was already warming the day, and we were all excited to explore the park.

Our tour guide, however, seemed even more excited than we were.

To say he was enthusiastic about selling additional experiences would be an understatement. It turns out that, after paying for entry, there are countless extra activities available for an additional fee. I was listening politely until he declared, "Come on, it's only $600. That's just two hours' work for you guys."

Two hours' work?

I was genuinely gobsmacked by his confidence in our earning potential.

Then he advised us not to bother exploring part of the park because it was "just dense jungle", full of mosquitoes, and likely to leave visitors hot, tired and lost. At that point, I decided his advice could safely be taken with a generous pinch of salt and largely tuned him out.

The relentless sales pitch and eye-watering prices were a little irritating, but thankfully they didn't dampen our enthusiasm.

Once inside the park, we headed straight to the upper section to begin our journey through the lagoon. Reu and I took the little train while the others opted to cycle. Much to our delight, we arrived first.

Soon it was time to pull on our snorkels and flippers and slip into the water.

Because it was still early, the park was wonderfully quiet and we practically had the lagoon to ourselves. The water was a little chilly and slightly murky, with not a huge amount to see beneath the surface, but before long we reached the cliff-jumping area.

Now, there are some things I'm surprisingly brave about.

Cliff diving is not one of them.

There is absolutely no chance of me launching myself off a cliff into the water below. Not now. Not ever. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed watching everyone else have a go. There were squeals, some impressively dramatic splashes, and plenty of laughter.

After that, we continued drifting along the lagoon until we reached the zip lines.

This was the moment I'd been waiting for.

And it was brilliant.

I chose the seated version, which essentially involved plonking yourself onto a mesh seat, gripping the ropes and launching off. I squealed from start to finish before splashing into the water at the end.

It was exhilarating.

It was joyful.

And I absolutely loved it.

Watching everyone else take their turns was almost as much fun. There were even more squeals, plenty of laughter and a few surprisingly graceful landings.

Of course, not everyone chose the seated option. Some brave souls opted to hang from the zipline instead. Unfortunately, hanging requires a rather inconvenient thing called upper-body strength. Unsurprisingly, some participants discovered this fact midway through the experience and entered the water somewhat earlier than planned.

Their dignity may never fully recover.

As for me, one ride simply wasn't enough.

I loved it so much that I was determined to do it again. Thankfully, I got the chance later in the day, and it was every bit as exhilarating the second time around.

The second run also introduced another hilariously ridiculous experience. Instead of snorkelling down the lagoon, we floated along in inflatable tubes on the lazy river. By this point, however, the park was heaving with people, and the "lazy" river wasn't especially lazy. Imagine hundreds of people in giant rubber rings, all drifting downstream together, packed so tightly that it felt like someone had rammed a cork into a bottle and we were all part of it.

Despite the crowds, I was determined to make my way back to the zipline. In truth, I could quite happily have spent the entire day doing nothing else. Unfortunately, fighting your way upstream against the current wasn't easy, and trekking all the way back to the top of the park each time was a considerable undertaking. Even so, one more ride down that zipline made every step worthwhile.

60 for 60 challenge completed.

And what a wonderful way to do it.

Adventure # 2 – Swimming in a cenote

Tuesday 11 August

Today we ventured deep into the Mayan jungle to explore the magnificent ancient ruins of Cobá.

Walking through the jungle felt like slipping behind the curtain of the everyday world. The light was softer there, filtered through layers of green, as though the trees were weaving their own quiet magic. Rain drifted through the canopy and distant thunder rolled across the forest, creating a soundtrack perfectly suited to the ancient landscape around us.

We spent the morning exploring the ruins before reaching the great pyramid.

Well, the family climbed it.

Unfortunately, my wobbliness and steep descents are not natural companions. This particular climb involved reaching the top without stopping and, more importantly, descending without stopping. There wasn't a chance I was attempting that. Instead, I settled myself at the bottom and watched the family make their way skywards.

According to those who were brave enough to tackle it, the views were spectacular. From the summit, the jungle stretched endlessly in every direction, an unbroken sea of green disappearing into the horizon.

Afterwards, we were treated to a cycle rickshaw ride back through the forest.

"Hilarious" doesn't quite do it justice.

Our driver clearly had ambitions of joining Formula One and decided the forest tracks were the perfect training circuit. We were hurled around corners at remarkable speed, bouncing and laughing as we went. By the end of the ride, I was convinced he deserved every penny of his tip.

From there, we travelled to a private community cenote hidden deep within the jungle near Cobá.

The setting felt wonderfully off the beaten track, a place that seemed untouched by time.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed and introduced to the two approved methods of entering the water.

Option one: the chicken route. Steps down, ladder in, nice and sensible.

Option two: launch yourself from a very high platform and hope for the best.

While the rest of us were still peering over the edge and discussing the merits of both approaches, my hun simply jumped.

One moment he was standing beside us.

The next, splash.

"Oh, Papa's in!" laughed the guide.

At that point, the boys had little choice but to follow.

As for me? Absolutely not.

I embraced the chicken route with pride, carefully making my way down the steps before easing myself slowly into the cool water.

The cenote didn't seem to mind how we entered. Whether graceful or dramatic, it welcomed us all the same.

The coolness wrapped itself around me like something ancient and familiar.

Unlike the impossibly turquoise photographs often used in travel brochures, the water carried a gentle green hue. It was, however, astonishingly clear.

Beneath the surface, catfish drifted lazily through the depths like whiskered guardians of the pool. A small turtle glided silently past, its movements slow and ceremonial. Overhead, bats rustled softly in the cavern roof, not threatening or dramatic, simply present, like quiet keepers of the shadows.

Dragonflies stitched flashes of light across the air, their delicate wings catching the sun as they moved.

A rope swing hung above the water, gently swaying and remaining just out of my reach.

So instead, I floated. The cool water held me effortlessly while the cavern echoed with the sounds of splashes, laughter and dripping stone. Around us, the jungle watched with the patient silence of a place that has witnessed centuries pass and still chooses to welcome visitors into its embrace.

For a few precious moments, I felt suspended between worlds.

Held by water.

Witnessed by creatures.

Softened by wonder.

It was a quiet, shimmering chapter in my 60 for 60 year. A moment of stillness, adventure and gratitude, where the jungle opened its heart and, for a little while, let me in.

There followed a delicious lunch, and then a completely unexpected gift to round off the day.

I was blessed by a Mayan shaman.

Now, I know there was a suggested donation involved, but that didn't diminish the experience in the slightest. Standing there beneath the jungle canopy, listening to the rhythm of the words and feeling the sincerity of the moment, I found it incredibly moving.

It wasn't something I had expected, and perhaps that made it all the more special. For a few minutes, the noise of the world seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of peace, connection and gratitude.

As experiences go, it was deeply spiritual, quietly powerful, and unexpectedly emotional.

Honestly, I didn't think the day could get any better.

Exploring ancient ruins, floating in a hidden cenote, sharing laughter with my family, and then receiving a traditional blessing in the heart of the jungle felt like the perfect ending to a truly unforgettable day.

It was a beautiful moment, and one that I will cherish forever.

Adventure # 3 – Snorkelling in Mexico

I love snorkelling. Over the years, I've been lucky enough to encounter some incredible marine life while floating through Caribbean waters, so I was especially excited about snorkelling in Mexico. Given the huge amounts of sargassum currently affecting the coastline, I was simply grateful to get the chance to snorkel at Xel-Há.

With high expectations, I slipped into the water anticipating a rainbow-coloured kaleidoscope of coral reefs, teeming with life and alive with dazzling flashes of colour. In my mind's eye, shoals of tropical fish would dart through shafts of sunlight while the underwater world hummed with its own quiet magic.

Reality, however, had other plans.

The inlet felt subdued. The water carried a heavy murkiness, tinged by the sargassum that has become an unfortunate feature of many Caribbean coastlines. The vibrant underwater spectacle I had imagined was hidden behind shades of green and grey.

Still, I floated on.

A few determined fish flickered in and out of view. Far below, a solitary stingray glided effortlessly across the silty bottom. Quiet. Elegant. Almost apologetic for the lack of drama.

It wasn't the snorkelling experience I had hoped for, but it was an experience nonetheless.

Sometimes nature dazzles with colour and abundance. Sometimes she is quieter, more subdued, revealing only small glimpses of her beauty. This was one of those days.

Yet there was something valuable in that too. Showing up for nature, even when she isn't putting on her best performance. Accepting the experience for what it is rather than what you hoped it might be.

A lone stingray. A handful of fish. Dark water and muted colours.

Not the highlight of the holiday, perhaps, but another small chapter in the story of my 60 for 60 year. Proof that not every adventure needs to sparkle to leave its mark.

Adventure # 4 – Paint a picture

Another item on my 60 for 60 list was to paint a picture, so when I discovered that the resort offered a watercolour painting class, I couldn't resist.

Perfect.

There we sat, overlooking the beach, or at least as close as we could get thanks to the ever-present sargassum, armed with paintbrushes, paints and a blank canvas waiting to be transformed into a Mexican seascape.

I picked up my brush with a little trepidation. Watercolour isn't exactly my comfort zone. Thankfully, the artist leading the class guided every stroke with saint-like patience and encouragement.

In truth, though, it was the setting itself that did most of the work.

The gentle hush of the waves. The warmth of the breeze nudging my hand. The sparkle of sunlight dancing across the water. Before me, the sky melted seamlessly into the sea in a delicious haze of blues and turquoise. Rocky outcrops lounged in the foreground as though they had simply turned up for a sunbathe, while fluffy white clouds drifted overhead and palm fronds framed the scene like nature's own picture frame.

My painting turned out delightfully imperfect. A little wobbly, a little wonky, and completely unmistakably mine.

But that hardly mattered.

There was something magical about creating a painting while sitting inside the very landscape I was trying to capture. It felt wonderfully mindful, therapeutic and absorbing, as though time slowed down for an hour or two.

In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I returned for another class later in the holiday.

This time, I painted a tote bag with a bright sunflower and a cheerful little bee, along with the words:

"In a world of roses, be a sunflower."

Honestly, I couldn't have chosen a more fitting design.

Perfect for me.

Adventure # 5 – A digital detox

One of my 60 for 60 goals was to complete a digital detox.

I'd imagined something calm, mindful and intentional. A few days spent disconnecting from technology, embracing the present moment and discovering a new sense of inner peace.

Instead, halfway through our holiday in Mexico, my iPhone 15 had what can only be described as a complete and dramatic meltdown.

The battery swelled up like a rogue soufflé, the screen started splitting away from the body of the phone, and it entered an endless cycle of restarting itself every few minutes. To make matters worse, the boys casually informed me that it could potentially blow up.

Excuse me, what?

So much for a carefully planned detox. I found myself in sudden and involuntary digital exile.

• No phone.

• No Apple Pay.

• No camera.

• No family WhatsApp chat.

• No comforting ability to Google absolutely everything.

Just me, borrowing Hun's phone from time to time and discovering exactly how dependent I'd become on the little digital safety blanket I constantly claim I don't need.

It was surprising how quickly I felt untethered. These days our phones aren't just phones. They're cameras, maps, wallets, boarding passes, memory banks and communication hubs rolled into one. Losing mine felt rather like losing a limb.

Admittedly, I survived.

Barely.

The very first item on my agenda upon arriving home was a trip to EE.

"I need an iPhone 17 Pro Max. Today."

A short while later, sanity was restored and normal service resumed.

As it turns out, my long-planned mindful digital detox didn't bring enlightenment, clarity or a profound connection to the universe.

What it did prove is that I am exactly one exploding iPhone away from complete chaos, minor panic, and a full-scale emotional meltdown.

60 for 60 challenge completed. Just not quite in the way I expected. 😄

August had a bit of everything: Mayan pyramids, jungle cenotes, ziplining into water, painting classes, family celebrations, too much food, a rogue iPhone trying to self-destruct, and enough adventures to keep me smiling for years. It was messy, magical, hilarious and unforgettable, which is probably the perfect description of life itself.