PV to Barra, Melaque, KM 103 1/2

We left Puerta Vallarta about 11:00, still in good time for the 4 hour drive to Melaque, where we fueled up before carring on the next 10 minutes to Barra de Navidad. We have visited Barra before but not stayed overnight as there has not been an RV Park. We had seen in Church's book that there may be a new park so we went to check it out.





Cadillac Ranch, Barra de la Navidad. One of the newest RV parks on the coast--just opened. The entrance road could use a bit of work.










Click to see why it's called the Cadillac Ranch











The restaurant/bar with some of the locals.


Our rig the only one here at the moment.





Barra de Navided and
San Patricio de Melaque


Left, Barra de Navidad.

Right, overlooking San Patricio de Melaque and the "nearly free beach" with all the RV's near the lagoon.

In the distance at the top right of the picture is Barra.



Next day we took a run up to Melaque looking for a bank machine (couldn't find one in Barra!) and went to look up friends from the Vancouver Islanders FMCA Chapter who were at the "nearly free" beach. We found them with colds but other wise well. We were surprised to find another couple we know well from the chapter, not realising that they were going to be making their first Mexican trip. We had a good visit and plan to see them in Zihuatanejo as they carry on south early in the New Year.





Bugs grow big here!










Monday November 30th we left Barra at about 9:50 for the scenic but challenging drive down the

Michoacan Coast





We both believe this to be the most beautiful and unspoiled coastline in Mexico. The drive however is something else! A bit twisty as you can see from the GPS image! Click the pic to see our speed. This must have been on one of the straighter bits!







We stopped at a road side rest area (few and far between) for an hour long lunch break and a bit of a rest and of course to take a few pictures. Unfortunately it was a little misty but you can get some idea of the beauty of the place.























Km 103 1/2 We pulled in here about 15:50. Long enough on these roads!

This is a small campground owned by the Ejido (a communily owned village). Its proper name is either Zipote Tizupan Centro Ecoturistico or Parador Turistico Tizupan depending on which publication you are reading. The common name comes from the fact that is located half way between kilometer markers 103 and 104! It has 11 serviced sites for RVs as well as a couple of small cabins, a pool, hammocks, washrooms. cold showers and a restaurant.



View from the restaurant towards the RV park, which is behind and beyond our rig and the view from the rig towards the restaurant.

We didn't bother unhooking for the one night, just leveled the rig where you see it.





Chocolate (the dog) trying to get up enough nerve to approach Gillian. He was a lovely though shy dog about a year old. We were tempted to make an offer!

The pool was very welcome after the hot day's drive.









Restaurant and their custom crockery. If you look closely (click) you will see that the village name seems to be short a letter!





We pulled out about 9:45 for the relatively easy run to Zihuatanejo--at least it will be easy once we clear this bit of coastline!


Fuel; 191.8 litres