My recent trip to Puerto Vallarta was a wonderful one. It started with the nice big seats in Alaska's First Class. Gotta Love the airmiles that give me First Class for free!

Despite that though, the flight was a good one, and after a short taxi ride I was firmly ensconced in my favorite Puerto Vallarta Hotel, the Sheraton. I choose the Sheraton because it is not only nice, but it is close to downtown which is my favorite place to spend time while there. Hotels in the Marina area are clearly fancier and some of the resorts there are truly amazing, but they are all too far from downtown to suit me.

Shopping is a wonderful reason to visit Mexico and I did a great deal of it. My favorite places for it in Vallarta are along the Malecon, in the City Market, and Old Town. Favorite things to buy were as always-beautiful stingray skin fine leather goods and the beautifully beaded Indian creations. Lucky for me, I managed to get a bit of both.

Food is another great reason to visit Mexico, and I must admit that I indulged a great deal! I enjoyed everything from neighborhood taco stands to the most elegant of restaurants. I always wonder, why don't we have real Mexican food available in this country?

The exchange rate was in my favor, at about 13 pesos to the dollar, and of course haggling over price is expected in some places.

I didn't travel outside of the city on this trip, but had a most wonderfully relaxing time. I never felt unsafe, despite the panic our news stations try to induce, and as always perceive Vallarta to be a nice, low crime place.

Security was greatly enhanced at my hotel because of an international conference taking place there that was addressed by the President of Mexico, so I had a naval ship in front of the hotel, and army guys around it but as an obvious American tourist none of that was intrusive.

Perhaps best of all are the brief but interesting friendships one is able to make while traveling.

The sun of Vallarta instead of the wet of Seattle, I'd highly recommend it!