y wife and I have just returned from our first vacation in Mexico. Four days, enough to delight us and cause us to want urgently to return, very possibly to the self-same resort. Right alongside Puerto Vallarta is Nuevo Vallarta, on the Riviera Nayarit; The destination the Grand Velas Resort. It's a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. To be away with children and grandchildren at this utterly luxurious resort was memorable, romantic, fun. and value. Completely informal, it catered to our every need. It was much more beautiful than I had anticipated. The cuisine, the rooms, the restaurants and the staff are as professional as any of the great hotels of Italy, France, Switzerland, Britain and elsewhere - without the enormous costs. In fact, being out of season the occupancy was low and the prices were commensurately lowered. The weather was clear-skied and hot.

I've already printed up my 'photos and nearly every one of the pictures conjures up memories.

Next time we'll put aside the five hotel restaurants, three of which are gourmet. We'll ignore the three-temperature tiered infinity pools, tennis court and superb spa and explore the region - or maybe we won't. It is all so seductively comfortable and relaxing. There is music everywhere.

Adeline and Amelia, two of our grandchildren, aged 4 and 6, went walking with me on the beach on Banderas Bay (right in front of the hotel). The ocean was the warmest I have ever felt anywhere. Each time the young fishermen cast their rods, they caught fish. And then came the sting ray. It was, to put it mildly, very unhappy. It was big enough for several meals, so the locals informed us.

It is the most kid-friendly place I've ever encountered. This grown-up kid enjoyed the spa and the very well-equipped gym. My wife swam each day; the first time in 6 years, since her stroke.

Tomorrow it'll be back to writing about less selfish things; the world, the issues of the day, the administration, healthcare, warfare, welfare, employment, unemployment