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Last week, Cancun International Airport added direct flights by Spirit airlines to Pittsburgh & Cleveland, and will add direct flights to Austin & Nashville on Feb. 26th & 27th. Daily flights from Philadelphia will be available by March 1st. The other routes will fly three & four days a week.
These flights add to the existing six that Spirit flies from the United States, which will make them the largest in the "ultra-low cost" category at CUN, with approximately nine flights daily. A company representative said, "Since we opened our service to Cancun, our first international location, we have grown immensely, opening direct flights to 11 cities with high frequency." Source--SIPSE/Novedades

From the City....
On February 14th, the Day of Love & Friendship, the annual, traditional Friendship race was held. It took place on the downtown Eastern Malecon, with 30 athletes running 4-5 kilometers. Medals were given to the first three runners in the Men's and in the Women's categories and the other participants received recognition. The municipal Director of Sports & Physical Culture spoke about the City's commitment to promoting healthy physical activities and recreation for everyone, especially the younger generations.

Registration remains open for the CECATI courses at the Community Center in colonia La Gloria, with free registration available on Tuesday (today) 9a-1p. There is still space available in the courses on Food & Beverages and on Spas. There are 85 participants registered for the various workshops which will teach them a trade or skill that should open doors to better job opportunities, according to the municipal Director of Economic Development, Gabriela Avalos Cortez.

TVisla Mujeres

VIDEO of IMOVEQRoo (Mobility Institute) checkpoint.

Noti Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres earned the #1 position for most expensive regular gas in Mexico in the national weekly report of "Who's Who" in fuel prices. We "won" with a cost of 20.97 pesos/liter (with a 3.89 peso margin) for Magna gas, while the lowest price was 17.83, in Singuilucan, Hidalgo (with a 60 centavo margin). (Source-Turquesa News)
This means regular gas in Isla costs $4.41usd per gallon vs $3.75/gal in Singuilucan. (using an exchange rate of 18).

Isla Mujeres al Dia

The National Guard patrols continue throughout the island, for tranquility of locals & visitors. (photo)

From Por Esto :

Food court with a view

“Mirador del Sabor”

    This Sunday, the "Mirador del Sabor" was reactivated with entertainment by DJ's, providing regional food and sea breezes at the Paseo de la Trigueña, with beverages by the "Isla Mujeres Bartenders Collective". This area provides space for healthy family entertainment to be enjoyed by both locals and visitors.

     It is noted that Serena Fronzoni, who volunteers with the veterinary hospital, made an appeal on social media for contributions for the rescue and care of dozens of cats, which is provided by the sanctuary. She said there have been a lack of donations, but the situation on the street continues, and they are always looking for adoptive homes.

Urban Development Plan "erased" a street by the middle school

PDU “borra” vialidad por secundaria

The municipal authorities have begun to request the recovery of several accesses to the sea. There is a similar issue with the street through the middle school, in colonia Electricista. These accesses were omitted from the Island's Urban Development Plan (PDU), which was approved in December 2009.
      The 128-meter section of "Pescadores" street at the Benito Juarez Technical Middle School was left off the PDU. It connects the “Secundaria Técnica” from the south with the “Educación Técnica” street to the north. The "erasure" of this street on the PDU gave it to the Federal Zone concessionaires, and it has been occupied by some, amidst a dispute over several lots.
   During a review of the PDU, it was noted that the “Secundaria Técnica” street is blocked by the dive shop "Casa del Buceo", where there was previously an access to the access to the Makax lagoon, by the Sac Bajo power line. There are still light and telephone poles along the former access. Access at the northern end of the Sac Bajo route to the canal was blocked on the PDU and the owner closed the passage three years ago, with no official objections.
      There are a group of residents who are organizing about the issue of the position of officials concerning the privatization of public areas. It is noted that the PDU was prepared and approved during a PAN administration, 2008-2011. (The current administration is PRI.)

Cockteleros advance in baseball semifinals

Cockteleros sale avante en serie semifinal

      The Cockteleros won the first game of the semifinal in Bonfil against the "Ejidos" with a score of 10 to 4. Next Sunday, the Isla Mujeres team will attempt to beat them again, to move forward in the playoffs, seeking the championship in Division A of their league. Then they will compete against the winner of Division B, in the fourth championship of the league. The Cockteleros are hoping for a second year as champions.
       The team's technical director, Hector Gil Chable, expressed joy at the team's success and invited the island community to attend the next game.

Cahuameros advance to basketball semifinals

Cahuameros avanza a la semifinal en basquetbol

On Saturday night, the Isla Mujeres Cahuameros qualified for the semifinals in the state league by defeating the Alphas of Chetumal with a score of 90 to 82. The Isla Mujeres team remained in the lead throughout the game, with the visiting team close behind, with occasional ties.
During this season, the Cahuameros won six games and lost four, and are in third place with a total of 19 points. The league leaders are the Camargos of Cozumel and the Dorados of Playa del Carmen. In the next phase of the tournament, the teams of one group will face those of the other group. The Cahuameros next opponent will be the "Lobos" team of Jose Maria Morelos, from group "A" in the league.

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This blog is brought to you by....

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A large slider opens from each of the 3 rooms onto the patio where each has a table & chairs, hammock & clotheslines. The BBQ is behind the pole, and the outdoor shower is out of the pic at left.

"Reverse Sunset" (looking east from MVC)

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Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. We provide a list of links & direction to over 20 eateries within ten minutes walk, including Mango Cafe, Mike's Pizza, Brisas, Rosa Sirena, Coco Jaguar, Manolitos, La Chatita, Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui & the local craft brewery. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend Yoga classes a couple villas away at Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a variety of other stores.

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Full moon rising over the Caribbean

February 9 7:21 (sets 7:45a)
February 10 8:26
February 11 9:30
February 12 10:32
February 13 11:31
This is the first of four supermoons for 2020. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.

Sunset ~6:38-6:51p (beginning vs end of month)
Sunrise ~7:24-7:08am
Painting by Pamela Haase at MVC

February Events

Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events

Thursday afternoons ~3p-8p Artist Fair on the Paseo de la Triguena off the Town Square at the malecon by the food trucks.

Sunday's at 1p there may be baseball games at the stadium in front of Chedraui. There are two teams, the Pescadores & the Cockteleros, who are in Category A & Category B of the same league, which is currently having the playoffs for the season championship..

Some Sunday evenings 8p on the Town Square "Noches Magicas" performances

Fishermen in this region are banned from catching grouper and octopus during February LINK

The Thor Heyerdahl traveling school-sailboat visits in late January-early February with about three dozen high school students on board. Under the tutelage of the experienced crew, the students learn to work together, sailing and navigating, as well as receiving their normal lessons. They sail from Germany to the Caribbean, departing in October and returning home in May.
The ship is named for the man who sailed a hand made raft "Kon Tiki" from South America 5000 miles across the Pacific to the Tuamotu Islands in 1947, to demonstrate that ancient people could have made long sea voyages, creating contacts between apparently separate cultures. LINK

Sunday, Feb. 2 Baseball at the el Pescador field at 1p. The playoffs begin and the Cockteleros will play the Astros of Tulum.

Monday, Feb. 3 is the day off for Constitution Day and an official holiday.

Monday, Feb. 3 On the first Monday of each month, there is usually a civic ceremony in the morning, often on the Town Square around 8am.

Feb. 4-8 The Island Time Music Festival benefits the Little Yellow School House and has two free events for the general public--on Tuesday and Friday at 7:30. LINK LYSH provides education and therapy for special needs kids on the island.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 Constitution Day

Friday, Feb. 14 Dia de Amor y Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship) The City provides a free Collective wedding event including the ceremony, cake, and paperwork for residents.

Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8p the Isla Mujeres Cahuameros will play the Agharta Sports Academy at the Convention Center

CARNAVAL Feb. 21-25

All events are free, and it's a good idea to have change & small bills to tip the dance troupes when they dance in the streets and at businesses. They spend a couple months preparing their costumes and choreography & show incredible stamina dancing for hours day after day.

FRIDAY--8p Town Square--Coronation of the Kings & Queens, Dance Troupes, Dance to the music of Master Kumbia

SATURDAY CUBAN NIGHT--8p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Dance to the music of MegaBoom

SUNDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
**1st PARADE--3p--Rueda Medina
AFTERNOON OF FANTASY--5p Town Square--Children's show & Inflatables, Dance Troupes, Kid's Costume Contest
NIGHT OF FANTASY & DIVERSITY--8p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Comedy w Silvanna Show

MONDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
**2nd PARADE--3p Rueda Medina
REGIONAL & COMEDY NIGHT--9p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Costume Contest, Tila Maria Sesto Comedy Show

TUESDAY--BEACH CARNAVAL--3p Playa Centro--DJ's
NIGHT OF JUAN CARNAVAL--9p Town Square--Dance Troupes, Burning & Will of Juan Carnaval, Dance to the music of Alberto Barros & su Orquesta

Lobster season ends Feb. 29th (Lobsters kept in captivity continue to be available).

Sources for Weather Information:
LINK to Civil Protection Q Roo weather bulletin (Spanish)
LINK to Mexico National Weather Service (Spanish)
LINK to satellite images for the Mexico National Weather Service
LINK to GOES East Band 16 GIF (animation)
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres

BUS INFORMATION
The ten 31-passenger buses travel on four routes, from 6a to 10p, turning around near the Convention Center, behind the downtown Mercado, and going south thru El Centro on Rueda Medina. #1 & 2 are the "Colonia" routes and #3 & 4 are the "Tourism" routes. The overhead digital display & cardboard sign in the windshield provide the route information. The bus numbers don't indicate the route, they are numbered consecutively, 1 thru 10.
At the edge of town....

Route 1 goes southward down the western side of the isle on Rueda Medina and returns northward on Jesus Martinez Ross to town. Its west-east transit is Paseo de los Peces in colonia La Gloria.
Route 2 goes southward down the eastern side of the isle on Jesus Martinez Ross** and returns northward on Medina to town. Its east-west transit is also Paseo Peces.
Route 3 goes southward down the western side of the isle on Medina, then in & out of the Sac Bajo peninsula. If there are passengers for Punta Sur, it goes there & returns northward to town on the Caribbean Coastal road. If not, it returns east on Peces and returns northward on the Caribbean Coastal road to town.
Route 4 goes southward down the Caribbean Coastal road directly to Punta Sur & Garrafon, then northward in & out of Sac Bajo, then returns northward on Medina to town.
**Routes #1 & #2 aren't exact opposites--#2 takes J.M. Ross northward all the way from Peces thru Salina Chica, but #1 going southward turns left/east off JM Ross before entering Salinas, taking the Caribe Coastal road thru Meteorologica, and I've heard it turns right/west back into the colonias by Madera Food & Art. All four routes go thru Bachilleres, past Maravilla Caribe Bed & Beach and all four routes go past Chedraui.
The map isn't a bus route map, it's a street map, showing how Jesus Martinez Ross follows the Caribbean coast until becoming the main street of Salina Chica and going on to La Gloria, while the Caribe Coastal road (aka Payo Obispo) follows the coast. The east-west transit, Paseo de los Peces, is shown, but not labeled, at the edge between colonia La Gloria and the Mundaca Hacienda. Its east end intersects the Caribbean Coastal Road by the Cemetery & its west end intersects Rueda Medina by the Mundaca Hacienda.
Downtown the main bus stop is at the parking lot just south of the passenger ferry terminal, and across the street. You can flag them down anywhere you see them outside of town. Chedraui is on the west side/Medina. Tortugranja & DD are in Sac Bajo. Garrafon is at Punta Sur. Bachilleres is on the eastern Caribbean coast, north of the colonias.
The 10p rate is for state residents & the senior citizen rate is for INAPAM card holders.Tourists pay 38p/$2usd per person per ride and can purchase an all-day pass for $9usd/175p. You pay as you board and exit thru the back door. The front seats are for seniors, disabled & pregnant women. The buses are air conditioned.