The
Monarch butterflies start their migration from Canada, through the
United States and finally congregate on the fir trees of Michoacan and
other parts of Mexico. This annual migration happens between the months
of November through March, and we made our second trip west this weekend
to visit them.
We set off on Saturday afternoon to
Valle de Bravo, a pretty lake town, to have have some leisure time with
another family before visiting the butterfly reserve the next day. On
Saturday we did a little exploration of the town. We went on a speed
boat around the gorgeous lake, and gawk at all the beautiful lake side
houses. The kids had a fantastic time (as did the parents) but we made
up for the carbon footprint we added during that one hour by walking
around the rest of the day! The rest of the day was a spent at the local
park where we were treated to a traditional pole swinging dance. A
what? Well basically there's a long vertical pole erected on the ground,
about 25 metres long, whereby 4 guys in traditional garb spiral down to
the ground with only a rope secured around their waists. Oh wait, there
is also a man standing at the top, on the pole beating a drum and
playing a flute. Can you picture it? Well, it's all very extreme but
also very beautiful.
We ended the day at a Churreria
(Churros restaurant). Churros are sinfully delicious! It is a Spanish
doughnut (long and thin, like Chinese 'yu-tiao', here in Mexico) and is typically found
all over the Americas (and France too?). The pastry-like dough is fried
till crispy yet moist on the inside, then sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, but you can also fill the hollow
middle with chocolate, dulce de leche ... the sweet fillings vary in different countries. Be warned, one is never enough! Look ... I didn't even have time
to take a photo because all 8 hands swapped them from the plate!
Sunday
afternoon, after a long breakfast, we set off to the butterfly reserve
about 40 mins drive from Valle de Bravo. The 45 mins trek up meant the
kids all wanted to go on horses which just added more thrill to the
journey. The parents huffed and puffed behind them! All tiredness
vanished when we arrived at the sanctuary. It was peaceful, breathtaking
and the constant 'swishing' you hear are from the millions of
butterflies all around. All we did was sit on the whatever flat ground
you could find and soak it all in. I would return every year if possible
just to be part of this. Eventually, we made our trek back down ... all
happy, light and very awe-struck. Reluctantly, we climbed into our
cars, and drove into the Sunday traffic back into the city. Till next
year ...
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Yassy playing captain of the boat |
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Girls had a great time on the speed boat ... Yassy really did! |
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Before we trekked up to the sanctuary |
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Sera and Yassy all set to go |
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Parents lagging behind |
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Just one of millions |
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The moody two |
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Papas with their binoculars |
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Close up |
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