Feb 2, 2009 - Enroute and arriving in Patzcuaro

Enroute to Patzcuaro There are a number of easy routes to Patzcuaro, but we wanted to see Mazamitla. ... The rest of our journey to Patzcuaro— 2175m elevation, population 49,000—is easy as the roads are much better. ... We arrived at 6pm, but “Gerri” gets us to our destination again without any difficulty.Enroute to Patzcuaro There are a number of easy routes to Patzcuaro, but we wanted to see Mazamitla. ... The rest of our journey to Patzcuaro— 2175m elevation, population 49,000—is easy as the roads are much better. ... We arrived at 6pm, but “Gerri” gets us to our destination again without any difficulty....

Jan 7, 2009 - Around Lake Patzcuaro

Patzcuaro was the capital of the Tarasco people for almost one hundred years prior to the early 1400s. ... When the Aztecs finally entered into the Lake Patzcuaro region, the Tarasco people were able to fend them off, thanks to the strong copper weapons they had developed. ... We started our visit to the Lake Patzcuaro region with a stop at the little town of Quiroga, plannng to end the day in Patzcuaro itself. ... Tzintzuntzan is noted for the delicate woven articles made from a reed that grows in and along Lake Patzcuaro. ... Time to pile into the car again and head straight for Patzcuaro. ...

Jan 5, 2009 - Reserva Mariposa Monarca

This is not the place for my future daughter-in-law to visit.This is not the place for my future daughter-in-law to visit....

Jan 3, 2009 - Volcano Paricutin

When we read our guidebook about the places to see around Morelia, there were three sights that ranked high on our list of things to do. One was the Monarch Butterfly Reserve, the second was the small towns surrounding Lake Patzcuaro and the third was the Volcano Paricutin. ... When we had left twelve hours earlier, one of the first things that he told us was that he had never been to see the Volcano Paricutin, nor had he been to the Mariposa Monarcha Reserva. ... I appreciated the fact that he didn´t try to make us think that he was a knowledgeable guide, but we found it was more important that he spoke good English.When we read our guidebook about the places to see around Morelia, there were three sights that ranked high on our list of things to do. One was the Monarch Butterfly Reserve, the second was the small towns surrounding Lake Patzcuaro and the third was the Volcano Paricutin. ... When we had left twelve hours earlier, one of the first things that he told us was that he had never been to see the Volcano Paricutin, nor had he been to the Mariposa Monarcha Reserva. ... I appreciated the fact that he didn´t try to make us think that he was a knowledgeable guide, but we found it was more important that he spoke good English....

Dec 23, 2008 - Christmas In Morelia

Christmas in Morelia – Dec 22, 2008 We decided to book a place to stay up in the mountains, inland from Manzanillo, for the period just before Christmas until after New Year’s. ... Located in the heart of the historic district, it was also the guide’s Our Pick for Morelia. ... It’s not really run as a hotel, but offers a more home-like stay for those who want to pass some time and get to know Morelia and the surrounding area a little better. ... We arrived in Morelia on Dec 22nd in the evening, so it was December 23rd before we really had a chance to see the Cathedral lit up at night. ...

Nov 29, 2008 - Sanctuario Mariposa Monarca el Rosario

About 45 minutes later we arrived in the tiny town of Ocampo. ... The fare from Zitacuaro to Ocampo, a distance of about 25km: $12 pesos each ($1. ... We had now gone from roughly 6,000 ft at Ziticuaro to 7,500 at Ocampo and were now at over 9,000 ft. ... It also waited until it had a bit of a load before making its way back down to Ocampo. ... At Ocampo we had trouble finding the van back to Ziacuaro but were approached by a taxi driver who was looking for a fare back to Zitacuaro. ...

Nov 28, 2008 - Patzcuaro to Zitacuaro, Michoacan

In no time at all we were back in the countryside on our little highway heading for Zitacuaro. ... Not far from Zitacuaro we passed hundreds of low greenhouse type structures filled with thousands of poinsettias. ... Once in Zitacuaro it took a little time to find a hotel to our liking but once we did it turned out to be quite a bargain. ... Tomorrow we plan on visiting the monarch butterfly reserve near here which is really the only reason we chose Zitacuaro. ...

Nov 27, 2008 - Uruapan to Patzcuaro, Michoacan

It was a short (70km) ride to Patzcuaro from Uruapan but it was a very pleasant one. ... Once we reached Patzcuaro we got into a line of small vans heading to the historic centro area. ... Patzcuaro is just over 7,000 ft so we knew it would be cold at night. ... If you were decorating a home in Mexico, a trip to Patzcuaro would definitely be worth the effort. ...

Nov 25, 2008 - Playa Azul to Uruapan, Michoacan

We started the day with a leisurely breakfast beside the pool at our hotel surrounded by palm trees and discussing just how lucky we are to be here.We started the day with a leisurely breakfast beside the pool at our hotel surrounded by palm trees and discussing just how lucky we are to be here....

Nov 24, 2008 - Manzanillo, Colima to Playa Azul, Michoacan

This morning we loaded the bike with less enthusiasm than usual. We learned that for 6 months of the year there was nearly no business at Playa Azul but during the other 6 months, beginning at the end of November, it was very busy. ... It looked like she could easily seat 75 to 100 people and there had to be 30 restaurants the same size along this beach.This morning we loaded the bike with less enthusiasm than usual. We learned that for 6 months of the year there was nearly no business at Playa Azul but during the other 6 months, beginning at the end of November, it was very busy. ... It looked like she could easily seat 75 to 100 people and there had to be 30 restaurants the same size along this beach....

Feb 16, 2008 - Patzcuaro, Mexico

We had a long drive today.We had a long drive today....

Jan 29, 2008 - Stop-Over in Lazaro Cardenas

It is quite a distance between Patzcuaro and Acapulco and since I want to travel by day, in particular the bit along the Pacific coast, I cut it in two: the first leg to Lazaro Cardenas (five hours) and then the next day on to Acapulco (six hours +). ... It is still before dark when we get to the outskirts of Lazaro Cardenas and the outline of three huge chimneys of some coastal factory come into view. ... I hope for some beautiful ocean vistas on the next leg of 400 kilometres from Lazaro Cardenas along the coast to Acapulco, but it turns out to be 6 hours of coconut palms and derelict shacks and 15 minutes of ocean views. ...