Saturday, May 18, 2013

Promising Unprecedented Federal Funding For Development, Over Two Dozen Whale Sharks Spotted, Fishing Tournament & Party At Posada Today, 2 Peso Eggs Cause Concern, Population & Storm Stats, Teacher's Day Controversy, Successful Water Rally, Celebrating 400,000 Visits At In Isla Mujeres News Saturday, May 18 Today's Articles: The Final Edition

..This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte








.

 




Today this blog will celebrate 400,000 visits...Thank you for reading! It will be 2 years old in about a month.



Rally Teaches Teens About Water Treatment & Conservation
The Fifth Annual Aguakan Water Rally is aimed at increasing awareness about the importance of water and the environment. Fifteen teams participated, each consisting of four teens between the ages of 16-18, beginning at 8:30am. They traveled to various locations  where they used their intelligence and physical ability to respond to fifteen challenges. The Rally began with a ferry crossing form Gran Puerto to Isla Mujeres with the first station at the Posada Beach, then they continued to the sewage treatment facility in golf carts decorated with balloons and streamers. They were accompanied by an adult over 25 who drove the (insured) golf cart. They went to Garrafon Park and Dolphin Discovery and returned to Cancun for the final stations. Source: Diario Q Roo/Manuel Valdez 


Unprecedented Federal Funding Planned For Isla Mujeres Development
A dozen federal legislators toured the coasts of the municipality of Isla Mujeres, as well as Ranch Viejo and Ciudad Mujeres, to assess the progress and development at each location for inclusion in the Federal Budget of 2014. On behalf of the group of legislators, Jorge Sotomayor said that the 114 legislators are considering allocation of an unprecedented amount of funding for Isla Mujeres during the next administration. He said they went to the locations to gain first hand information about the realities of this municipality and the projections for its development, since in a short time it may be converted into the most "pujante" tourist destination in the country. Source: Diario Q Roo/Manuel Valdez   (Pujante means thriving or booming, and it is related to the verb empujar, to push. The focus for federal funding & accelerated development in Isla Mujeres in 2014 is on the mainland. The plan for mainland development was modified in January and ratified in February by the City Council. HERE is a link to it, in Spanish. After you open it, to view it more easily, click on the rectangle at the lower left.)

This is from a chart on page 43 about the Evolution of the population on the island and the mainland
Year                    1960    1970   1980   1990       1995     2000       2005       2007 
Mainland            2878     4204   1567    218        268       650         1990       1763
Isla Mujeres      3949      6867   4731  10,666    8,750   11,316   13,315   13,420

On page 65 it lists the past 44 years of  tropical storms & hurricanes that have affected the Continental Zone of Isla Mujeres. There are 26 entries with the dates, names, category, and wind velocity, including 12 hurricanes. You don't need to understand Spanish for this chart.

On page 79 there are charts showing the increasing numbers of passengers traveling between the Island and the mainland from 2000 to 2007, when it increased from ~760,000 to 1.4 million. I think  last year was in the neighborhood of 2 million.

In the graph on page 49 it shows the monthly variations in hotel occupancy (in 2006).

HERE is a link to the island development plan, with the same storm/hurricane chart on page 21 and photos of anticipated projects on pages 154-165...I like the electric buses idea.

Fishing Tournament Inaugurated

The tenth annual fishing tournament “Cosme Alberto Martínez Magaña” was kicked off at Playa Lancheros, with government and Naval officials in attendance for the inauguration. There are over 900,000 pesos in prizes, and fishermen must shoot video of their catches, with white and blue marlins being caught and released for a value of 1500 points. Source: Diario Respuesta/Jesus Molina   TV Isla Mujeres reports that as of Friday night, 103 boats had registered for the competition.


Teacher's Day Holiday Causes Controversy
Día del Maestro was Wednesday, May 15th. The Secretary of Education advised schools to be open on the 15th and 16th, and for them to take the holiday on Friday, so there would be a three day weekend. The kindergartens, middle school, and high school in Isla Mujeres complied with this. At the primary schools they took vacation on Wednesday and Thursday, so educational authorities will be deducting a day's pay. The primary schools were in session on Friday. Gilberto Avalos Galué, municipal Education representative said teachers officially had Wednesday the 15th off, but the Minister of Education and the Teacher's Union's Undersecretary agreed in advance to having the schools open on the 15th, and taking Friday off, to have a long weekend for teachers and students. Source; Por Esto   


Unfair Agents Sell Whale Shark Tours Below Official Price
Members of established travel agencies are complaining that at the start of whale shark season, outside vendors appear, as if by magic, and generate unfair competition by selling tours below the official price of $125. The travel agents say these newcomers are located in several modules, with temporary permits, and offer tours for $80, while they do not have to pay taxes, office rent, or utilities. The Association of Agents, Operators, and Sellers of Tours (Asociación Única de Agencias Operadoras y Venta de Tours) ask that there be enforcement to ensure these temporary vendors respect the official price of $125 and that no permits be granted "under the table", because the established merchants are in business when times (in Spanish it says "cows") are lean, as well as when they are fat. ("...durante todo el año estamos metidos en el negocio, tanto en temporada de vacas gordas como de flacas.) Source: Por Esto  

Rising Egg Prices Continue
Diario Respuesta/Jesus Molina reports that stores in the colonias of  La Gloria, Cañotal, Caridad del Cobre and la Caribeña are overcharging for eggs, whose costs are regulated as a 'basic food'. Some stores are charging two pesos and fifty centavos per egg, when previously the established price was two pesos, as a 'basic food'. Housewives complained that the price between different merchants is varying between 20 and 50 centavos at the small shops and convenience stores, and no authorities are enforcing the official prices.

This blog is brought to you by....
MaraVilla Caribe   Bed & Beach
   Three rentals with large glass doors overlooking our white sand beach and the beautiful Caribbean sea, with  kitchenettes & free WIFI. In the coastal neighborhood of  Bachilleres, among upscale villas & boutique hotelitos, convenient to downtown or the colonias, yet separate.  Quiet & Private.   
Free amenities such as hammocks, bikes, outdoor shower, portable beach chairs & beach towels, washer, loungers & BBQ. Breathtaking panoramic views from the rooftop terrace. Upstairs room also available.   Downtown is  ~ a mile away; if you don't feel like walking or biking, flag a $2 taxi or hop on the bus. We also have room for parking,You can enjoy the music & crowds downtown, then come home our quiet neighborhood of Bachilleres where you'll  sleep to the sounds of the sea.$275/$325/$425 wk   $40/50/$65nt  Monthly Discounts

View from rooms
Small room
Large room
Fine dining a few steps away at Da Luisa or try the traditional neighborhood eateries a couple blocks farther. Stroll five minutes down the coastal sidewalk to Mango Cafe or Monchi's,shop at Chedraui or visit restaurants, bars, & beach clubs; minutes away by bike or on foot. Our guests recommend the Yoga classes a couple villas away at hotelito Casa Ixchel. Fresh juice, produce & tortillas a few blocks away in the village, as well as a pharmacy and variety of other stores and small local restaurants


Sunrise this morning from MVC B&B

Yesterday we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary, and this photo is from Buho's at Playa Norte. Later we enjoyed John Cain's music and very tasty Torta Espanola tapas at Iguana's.




 On the internet in the past 24 hours...


You can see the videos at the link...this is not a political endorsement, it is just visually interesting and unique. It is the at the start of the fishing tournament. There are similar ads on rooftops in the colonias.
Jul Isla  I didn't realize it was Syttende Mai until a few golf carts full of blondies rolled into Fenix last night wearing flowers and Norwegian flags as capes. There was no Lefse but there was piñatas and plenty of tequila - not to mention flashbacks of being a little girl in Stoughton :) Feliz Syttende Mai! Mexican Caribbean Style
Go to the link to watch the video of Tino whistling and singing with the music as he works. (If you can't access it...befriend Capt. Tony. )
Katie Cain
Boats heading out this morning for the fishing tournament
IMG_4275


Rob Herrin
Life's a beach, I'm just playin' in the sand!  Fenix Lounge.
Life's a beach, I'm just playin' in the sand!



Jackie Conlon added 2 new photos to the album Isla Mujeres Food May 2013.
Basto's aracherra baguette and  Basto's grilled shrimp And remember folks, Basto's DELIVERS! Delivery numbers are always at the top of the blog.


One of our favorite Paninis is named after the Duncans ( Duncan Linda). A fun couple we met at Soggy Peso several years ago. They just happen to be in town & were having breakfast at Barlito & who sat next to them but another couple they met the night before at Soggy Peso. And since you are rarely on a last name basis at Soggy, the new couple had no idea when they ordered the Duncan (scrambled eggs w/ spinach & chorizo topped w/ jack cheese & 4 pepper bacon sour cream), that they were sitting next to the famous Panini's namesake. Yes, Isla is a small Island! Come on down & try the Duncan, you too may be sitting next to the Duncans!
One of our favorite Paninis is named after the Duncans ( @[1444531399:2048:Duncan Linda]).  A fun couple we met at Soggy Peso several years ago.  They just happen to be in town & were having breakfast at Barlito & who sat next to them but another couple they met the night before at Soggy Peso.  And since you are rarely on a last name basis at Soggy, the new couple had no idea when they ordered the Duncan (scrambled eggs w/ spinach & chorizo topped w/ jack cheese & 4 pepper bacon sour cream), that they were sitting next to the famous Panini's namesake.  Yes, Isla is a small Island!  Come on down & try the Duncan, you too may be sitting next to the Duncans!


Décina Edición del Torneo de PescaTorneo de Pesca Cosme Alberto Martínez Magaña (6 photos)



Chango Loco is having another yard sale today.
Allyson Tylerposted toMerca Isla HOY, bazar en la calle abasolo #19, empezando a las 10.00 am! Restaurante Chango Loco



Jackie Conlon  New to the neighborhood. A young woman coming to my door to ask if I wanted to buy panuches. Nobut tomorrow she will be by with tamales. So I ordered 4 pollo tamales for $15 pesos each for what she gestured was an 8 inch tamale. Yum O!!
Diane White Daniel (joined us for tapas & music)
Just another gorgeous sunset on Isla Mujeres — at Las Iguanas.
Just another gorgeous sunset on Isla Mujeres



















Diane White Daniel   Great evening listening to John Cain at Iguana's
Great evening listening to @[100001795248068:2048:John Cain] at Iguana's


May 17 2013 (2 photos)


Aqua Adventures Eco Divers Isla Mujeres LINK Moray at Pailas up close and personal with Wilbert, Ohad and Matt looking on! May 14..... Go to the link to see the video

Hugo Ivan Sanchez Montalvo 103 embarcaciones hasta esta hora inscritas en el Gran Torneo de Pesca de Isla Mujeres!! Gracias por la confianza a todos los participantes, bienvenidos a esta su casa!! (~10p last night..103 boats had registered for the fishing tournament. The Mayor welcomes and thanks them.)
Doris Nielsen Nickelposted toTony Garcia
Tony....your video of the 'Veggie Lady' reminded me that I took a photo of her in 2003....pretty sure it's the same lady....just 10 years ago!
Tony....your video of the 'Veggie Lady' reminded me that I took a photo of her in 2003....pretty sure it's the same lady....just 10 years ago!
Video below is at link


Our group from today's whale shark trip is relaxing right now in the beautiful water off of Playa Norte while Jorge and crew are preparing fresh ceviche for them. Today they saw around 27 (they said they stopped counting at 27...lol) whale sharks in blue waters! Sounds like a great day
 
Sara Wolfe Roland (Video is at On Isla Mujeres link)

I was not the one that took this video. One of the other tourist took my mask since I could not figure it out. I found I need snorkeling training. I could not keep my mouth piece clear long enough to take any pictures. But Tim and I did swim with them and we did see them under water. And a lot from above the water. Way to go Jorge on Isla Mujeres water tours. He said there were around 27 of them. First trip out for the season and he hit the jack pot. It was amazing. Hopefully everyone can watch the video taken from my mask worn by an experience diver. It's amazing! Thank you Jorge for the fantastic day!
— with Tim Roland and On Isla Mujeres at Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres.
Excerpt from the comments...
On Isla Mujeres The mask did have a camera and video camera in it. We have them for rent (and you keep the memory card with the photos/videos), but as Sara mentions it appears it is a little difficult to use if you are not an expert snorkeler or diver. This was the first real test with the whale sharks.

 Below is a ~2 min. Swimming With the Whale Sharks video from a coupla years ago, posted by cancucd





Here is an ~8 minute video posted last fall by perialcoceber



Tony Garcia added a new photo.
Photo

Jul Isla shared Fenix Lounge's photo.
Every Saturday::Todos los Sàbados
Fenix is on Fire! This Weeks Guest Dj: Adrian
Live Fire Dance Performances
10pm - 2am
NO COVER - Bring your Flyer for FREE SHOTS!
Also, Andrea will be going away for a while, so lets show her off in Style! Island Style::as Hungover as possible!
Every Saturday::Todos los Sàbados
Fenix is on Fire! This Weeks Guest Dj: Adrian
Live Fire Dance Performances
10pm - 2am
NO COVER - Bring your Flyer for FREE SHOTS!
Also, Andrea will be going away for a while, so lets show her off in Style! Island Style::as Hungover as possible!

 "Time Lapse" of Playa Norte Webcam:  LINK  

  Playa Norte now in real time in Isla Mujeres   



  The Early Edition with the newspaper photographs and headlines is usually published around sunrise.
This Final Edition with the translated articles, plus original photos including the sunrise and the "Around the Internet in the Past 24 Hours" section usually publishes around noon.
Both blogs always have links to the original articles.
 Usually if an article is "missing",  it may have been published in another paper recently, and translated.in a previous post.
.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.