Nuevo Vallarta
I’m currently sunning by the pool at the Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, enjoying a martini glass full of spicy Aguachile (shrimp ceviche) and a mojito. I arrived last night for a very tough travel assignment. Hey, someone’s got to do it, right? After swinging on zip lines this morning for a canopy tour, I’m now checking out the triple-tiered infinity pool. Tomorrow, I hit the spa. The resort has five restaurants, three of them gourmet. Last night, I had a decent meal at the Mexican restaurant, Frida. I started with a quesadilla trio black corn mushroom, potato and zucchini blossom with Oaxaca cheese and green tomato sauce. The quesadillas were fat with fillings. For my main course, I also sampled a trio of specialties: shrimp adobo, beef smothered in green and red tomato sauce and chicken with a raspberry mole sauce. Then I topped it all off with banana-raisin strudel flavored with tequila.
I’m definitely having a great time, although the honeymooners next to me, who have been here a week, are pretty bored at this point. They told me the place was empty most of the week, and today it’s packed. They were a little miffed that pool service was slow. It took them an hour and a half to get their lunch, and they said their guacamole was great one day, but sucked the next. The groom also forgot to pack pants so they haven’t been able to try any of the nice restaurants. (Why they couldn’t buy a pair is a mystery.) The bride said she was too scared to try the canopy tour, and they haven’t checked out the spa or any activities. So come to think of it, maybe they’re just boring newlyweds. — Jenny
