Bedside Kleenex Art, Jala, Mexico

Coming home from a press trip to Mexico means I have lots of pictures to sort through.

Among the pictures I took and then quickly forgot about was this one.

It's an elaborate flower made from several pieces of Kleenex and set upon my beside table in my hotel room at the hotel La Casona de Xali in Jala, Mexico. Isn't it admirable?

Shimp Hotdogs in Jala, Mexico

Sometimes you get to a place and find your food options are limited.

In Jala, we had plans for a nice dinner at a place on the edge of town, but strong afternoon cocktails rendered the driving distance a less-than-smart idea.

Instead, we struck out on foot, determined to have dinner within walking distance of our hotel.

We came to Bambu, a little spot overlooking the central plaza. The coffee counter promised all sorts of smoothies and lattes so we figured it was good bet.

The food menu, though, was cause for some giggles. Under the hamburger listing was a "Vagetariana" hamburger. "Jamon" (ham) was the first ingredient of this vegetarian fare. Hmmm.

Also on the list was a shrimp hot dog. We were expecting ground shrimp formed into the shape of a hot dog. Instead it was a hot dog bun with a couple shrimp in it, topped with hot dog fixings.

But you know what? Even though we were skeptical, once we started eating, nobody had any complaints.

And when the bill came, again nobody was complaining. The place was priced for locals and after 5 of us ate dinner, the bill was only $220 pesos, which was about $20 US.

Lovely & Laid-Back Jala, Mexico

We've arrived in the town of Jala, Mexico.

Jala is in the state of Nayarit. It's up in the mountains, inland from the beaches and ocean coast. But it's lovely. It's quaint and colonial and laid-back.

We're staying at a hotel called La Casona de Xali, which is the most surprising find. It's architecture has been fully resorted. It boasts a spa, a restaurant, a bar and in-room bathrooms with modern, chic fixtures.

When the check-in gal handed me the key to my room, I was happy to see my key ring was the Eiffle Tower. Something about that cosmopolitan icon seemed so in juxtaposition with this colonial hotel in the mountains of Mexico, and yet its aura seemed to fit exactly with the touch of refinement La Casona de Xali was out to capture.

Santa Maria del Oro, Mexico

Santa Maria del Oro is the name of a town and the name of a lake in the state of Nayarit.

The lake, which is a crater lake, is sunk deep into a range of mountains just beyond the border of the town.

All along the shore of the lake are restaurants and camp grounds. There is also a hotel by the name of -- what else? -- Santa Maria del Oro.

The journey down the mountain to the crater lake and the hotel is a stomach churning one. I was very glad I wasn't the one steering the car, but watching our decent from the back seat knowing I was completely out of control wasn't comforting either.

Once we arrived at the hotel, though, I forgot all about the harrowing ride down and just enjoyed the views.

The water reflects the color of the sky. When the clouds parted, the water shone crystal blue. When the clouds filtered overhead, the water turned muddled.

The lake was lovely with its steep green-covered banks rising steeply above it.

And the hotel grounds were so well manicured. I had fun posing with this jackfruit tree. Look ma! It's bigger than my head!