The vacation photos no one wanted: Travelers take to social media as they brace for Hurricane Patricia

As Hurricane Patricia bears down on Mexico's central coast, vacationers are turning to social media to document how their long-planned vacations are being turned upside-down by the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.

Many travelers describe an almost eerie calm as normally bustling tourist destinations appeared deserted. Other travelers reported orderly evacuations from the coastline to safer areas inland. Many reported scant rain in their photo and video postings on the likes of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Others, such as Thomas Lynch and his wife, in Puerto Vallarta to celebrate their 10th anniversary, said they had no idea they were in the path of hurricane until Thursday, and described his front-row seat as "the calm before the storm?"

This Instagram was posted from someone staying at Marival Resort & Suites, a hotel in Nuevo Vallarta about 7 miles from the airport.

Mexican pop singer Diego Domingo from the group Marconi posted videos on Instagram about being stranded in his hotel, waiting for evacuation.

Hundreds of airline flights have been canceled and a cruise ship to Los Angeles has been recalled.

"The weather is still lovely," according to Greyline Vallarta Tours, which has been documenting the scene from the marina offices in Puerto Vallarta.

Where evacuations are underway, this tourist reported an orderly scene.

Others loaded up food and beverages and prepared for #drinkstorm2015:

While some tourists appeared to be taking the storm in stride, this business in Sayulita Nayarit was taking no chances, closing up shop and boarding up the entrance.

Meanwhile the Tourism secretary of the state of Jalisco declared that tourists in the hotel section of Puerto Vallarta have been evacuated:

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