Morelia
On our way to Morelia, a little detour takes us to Tzintzuntzan.
This archeological site is an impressive group of five round, reconstructed temples known as "Yacatas" dedicated to the five parts of the Universe.
We stay 2 days in Morelia.
It was founded in1541 under the name of Valladolid by 50 families belonging to the spanish nobility.
After the independance, it took the name of Morelia to honour the mexican independence "Don José Maria Morelos y Pavos", born in this town.
The colonial heart of the city is so well preserved that it was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1991.
16th anf 17th century stone buildings, baroque facades and archways line the narrow downtown streets.
Catedral : It took more than a century to build it (1640-1744), which explains the combination of Herreresque, baroque and neoclassical styles.
Inside, much of the baroque relief work was replaced in the 19th century with neoclassical pieces.
Santuario de Guadalupe : We loved this ex-covent built in 1716.
The pink-and-red walls of this baroque church bloom with white flowers and glisten with an abundance of gold leaf.
Museo del Arte Colonal : It houses a collection of crucifixes dating from the evangelization period and religious paintings from the 18th century.
Centro Cultural Clavijero : From 1660 to 1767 this palacio was home of the Jesuit school of St Francis Xavier.
It then bacame a warehouse, a prison and then in1970 it was completely renovated, restored and rechristened as state government offices.
Other palaces and churches compose the very rich "centro historico".
As a college town, all the universities are housed into these colonial buildings, and the libraries into churches . Silence and meditation...
On our way back to the camper, we find a "pastelleria" selling the best cakes ever !
Pivoter pour une meilleure lecture
Santuarios de la Mariposa Monarca
We make a special 300 km detour to go there.
The last 7 km to climb up to 3000 m, are just hell ! 64 speed bump on a very steep road. Poor camper !
In the easternmost part of the Michoacan, lies the incredible 653-sq-km Monarch Butterfly Reserve.
Every autumn, from late october to mid november, millions of Monarch butterflies flock to these forested mexican highlands for their winter hibernation, having flown all the way from the Great Lakes region of the US and Canada, some 4500 km away.
In march, they mate. Males die and pregnant females fly to the southeastern US, lay their eggs and die.
Late may, the young monarch flutter back to the Great lakes where they breed, so that by mid-august yet another generation is ready to start the long trip south.
This is one of the most complex animal migrations on earth and scientists have no idea how or why theu do it.
Here they cling together in clusters that weigh down thick branches.
When the sun rises and warms the forest, they take to the sky in gold and orange flurries.
Here, in "El Rosario", there are 150 millions of them. !
Today is sunny and we attend to this spectacular show.
We have the impression of beeing in the middle of a snow storm with butterflies instead of snowflakes.
It's unreal and breathtaking.
The migratory behavior of this population is threatened by insecticides and habitat destruction.
Patzcuaro
Everything is working.
We only have to drive 66 km to reach our 3rd colonial town.
" Patzcuaro " or " The black stones place " was founded in 1324 by the indians " Purepechas " also named " Tarasques ".
In 1534 it was invaded by the spanish.
Since this colonial time, the paved streets an the white painted houses with the roofs, lined with red haven't changed. It looks lovely.
* Plaza Vasco de Quiroga : this plaza is framed by the 17th century facades of old mansions that have since been converted to hotels and watched over by a severe statue of Vasco de Quiroga.
* Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra : More popular than the other one, it's where a huge market is held everyday. We do our fresh fruits and vegetables shopping.
* Basilica Nuestra Senora de la Salud : This building wasn't completed until the 19th century and only the central nave was faithful to his orignal design. The most venerated statue has been elaborated by the indian Tarasque, and is supposed to be at the origin of a number of miraculous healings.
* Museo des Artes Populares : This museum is housed on the former site of the colegio de " San Nicolas de Obispo ". For more than 70 years it's been dedicated to the arts an jobs of the indians of the purepecha region. Very beautiful poteries with brightcolors.
* Lago de Patzcuaro and its 4 islands. We visit just one of them under a grey sky. Its famous " White fish " is not eatable anymore due to the pollution !
We spend 3 days in this little town whose speciality is...Chocolate !
That's also where we meet again with Celine and Eric plus 8 other canadian campers...aperitif together
ROAD BOOK 043
MAVROS ODYSSEE