Greetings Britlings!
This week’s column comes to you from one of Mexico’s hidden treasures – although I suspect not for too long! Holbox (pronounced ‘Olbosh) is an unspoilt island north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, in Quintana Roo State. It’s part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve and separated from the mainland by the Yalahau Lagoon, which is home to flamingos and pelicans.
Only 26 miles long and containing just 2000 residents, Holbox is located invitingly where the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico meet. Boasting white sands and crystral clear water, it’s fast becoming the go-to spot for Mexico City’s elite. Untouched and very rustic, not yet spoilt by the fashionistas who have taken over Tulum. Cars are not allowed pn the island, meaning you travel via bicycle, foot or golf carts. The food is also pretty great, with fishing unsurprisingly being the island’s number one industry. If your travels take you here, I recommend you try three great local places: Sandra’s, Tortuga and Los Pantelones.
To visit Holbox you can take United Airlines direct from LAX to Cancun, then drive north for two hours to catch a ferry for the twenty minute ride over to the island.
Before my little vacation I was playing daddy in LA, as my ten year-old neice Rainna came for a visit. LA sometimes gets a bad rap in regards kids’ activities, and having none of my own I was in a bit of a bind as what to do to entertain this rather energetic, beyond her years, not-so-little girl. So I called up my friend Zoe, whom you probably know from Express-Rent-A-Car who happens to have a daughter of the same age. Result!
Ice skating was first on the agenda, followed by the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios the next day. Then a shopping trip to Rodeo Drive, plus watching a screener of both Moana and Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. After that a quick visit to the Christmas Tree at the Grove and to top it all off a brilliant night of entertainment at the Pasadena Playhouse for this year’s Panto, “Cinderella”. The Lythgoe family have outdone themselves – AGAIN – this year. It was such fun for the whole family, Great Dames, great songs, and great celebs. We all had a complete ball. So FYI if you didn’t have a chance to see this great show before Christmas you still have chance. Visit www.pasadenaplayhouse.com for details and tickets and if you join our newsletter at www.britsin.la you will get a discount code for 20% off. Run don’t walk!
I hope you all have a wonderful start to 2017. And please let’s hope another celebrity doesn’t die, I don’t think I can take it. (RIP: Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds and Brits George Michael and Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)
Happy New Year to All!
Craig
