Monday, May 25, 2015

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Monday, May 25 Cave of Sleeping Sharks Article

The second issue of 
The Isla Mujeres Magazine
 to benefit Isla charities 
 is online, 
featuring  a variety of talented writers and photographers!
  Here's a link to the Magazine

Please share the charity document, patronize the supportive businesses, & enjoy the articles, photos, & videos! If you'd like to donate $15 to your favorite charity to have an ad in this 2015 issue, contact me at westofcuba@gmail.com


This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte 

 

  From  Noticias de Diario de Quintana Roo ....

link to their Isla articles






Program disappears for control of strays

De control de la fauna callejera

Lanrry PARRA
Ninety eight percent of the dogs and cats that are on the streets have no owners and continue to reproduce quickly, so it is urgent that the law be applied to try and keep this in check, said veterinarian Delfino Guevara Collazo. (I think this is a misquote or typo. In previous interviews he has said 90% of the dogs have owners, and that ~98% of the street cats do not.)  He said that by applying the standards, it will become necessary to give proper attention to cats and dogs and any person who is not able to provide six square meters for their dogs with a shaded recreation area, and who doesn't collect their feces when they walk them, could be fined, and in cases of people who mistreat pets, they could be sentenced to prison.
   He said previously each year there were two sterilization campaigns, but in the interim, people were waiting for the next free clinic and the animals were copulating, and with the disappearance of this program, the problems have not resolved. (Isla Animals continues to offer free sterilization clinics, and have announced free sterilizations on Tuesday and Thursday this week, at their facility at the Mundaca Hacienda.)
   He said in the case of cats, he recommended a plan of ongoing sterilization, capturing them in the streets, which takes many volunteers, noting the government has the power to request support from the high school Colegio Bachilleres, for example, who have classes in social work. 
    He said there are about 2000 dogs in the street who each produce 100 grams of feces daily, representing 200 kilos daily, six tons per month and 72 tons yearly.  He said with the winds, this could potentially be dangerous to seniors and children. He said the municipal government must fulfill their duties and not leave this responsibility to civic organizations.
ISLA MUJERES, 24 de mayo.-

Sad goodbye to Raciel Roman  

Well known teacher and communicator

 Conocido profesor y comunicador

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 24 de mayo.-
Hundreds of friends and family members attended the funeral mass held  for teacher and communicator Raciel Roman Valerio, 52,  at the church  Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, in the colonia Cañotal, who died Saturday in Cancun.  His family arrived from Veracruz, including his mother. 
     On Monday, at 7am, the students of the middle school Benito Juarez will say a final goodbye to their teacher, before his body is taken to Cancun to be cremated at 10am. Half of his ashes will be taken to Veracruz by his family and the other half will remain in Isla Mujeres, where he lived for the last 30 years. 

Are they operating outside the law?

Whale shark tours begin 

 Inician viajes a la zona de avistamiento del tiburón: Según prestadores de servicios

Lanrry PARRA

ISLA MUJERES, 24 de mayo.-

Tourism service workers say that whale shark tours began going out on Friday
   This has the same information that was previously translated about expectations that the permits from the DGVS, Wildlife Department would be delivered on Monday and they would facilitate matters for the licensees to take tourists to the Aguas Azules (Blue Waters) areas on Tuesday.
    The Director for the Whale Shark Biosphere, Maria del Carmen Garcia Rivas said on Wednesday, May 27 her agency will deliver 83 permits, out of a total of 160, for the area of Aguas Verdes (Green Waters), and allow boats in on or after June 1st.
      The Harbor Master said SEMARNAT will provide facilities so that the licensees can begin transporting tourists on the stipulated date.  
      The same information was given about the courses the licensees, crews, and captains completed, noting more courses will be given during the season which is over in mid-September.


 Yesterday.....

40 year old woman rolls car & suffers hysteria

Mujer de 40 años sufre aparatoso percance al conducir bajo influjos del alcohol

Lanrry PARRA
ISLA MUJERES, 23 de mayo.- .

A pick up truck was rolled by Maria Juliet Caamal Pech, 40, after she was allegedly speeding, according to witnesses. She was fortunate to be uninjured, and suffered a 'crisis nerviosa', after the incident, which occurred at midnight in colonia La Gloria on Contoy avenue, near park de las Tortugas. The police and paramedics came to the scene to find a Chevy Meriva overturned and the driver inside, who was apparently allegedly drunk The Red Cross paramedics attended to her. She was made available to the MPFC (Ministerio Público del Fueron Común/Prosecutors office) because her pick up truck damaged a Chevy vehicle that was parked, because Ms. Caamal lost control after going over a speed bump .

Coordination between authorities & landowners prevents forest fires on mainland 

Estrecha coordinación entre autoridades y ejidatarios mantiene incendios forestales a raya

Lanrry PARRA
ISLA MUJERES, 23 de mayo.-

 "While the municipality of Benito Juarez is being besieged by forest fires, within the confines of the municipality of Isla Mujeres  not a single conflagration has been reported," said the director of Civil Protection of Isla Mujeres, Humberto Mauro Rodríguez Velázquez. 
    He said last year at this time, there were only a total of eight clandestine fires, all of which were controlled and mitigated at the time without presenting any threat to the ejidatarios of the Isla Mujeres municipality. He said these good results are due to the excellent ongoing coordination between landowners, developers, and entrepreneurs in the mainland area of the municipality who have complied with the provisions to prevent forest fires this season, when very high temperatures have been recorded. 
   He said  they are not granting permits for controlled burns,  because of the threats they represent to other properties in the area, and when any are detected they are eliminated immediately. He said overall it has been a fortunate forest fire season for the municipality of Isla Mujeres, since there has not been a single conflagration posing a threat to the properties in the township, as has occurred in previous years. In seasons like this, with no major fires, they achieve a great saving of resources and can avoid mobilization of people and equipment for fighting fires.



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From the Municipal Facebook site.....  (you can join this FB page at this link)







The results of Fishing Tournament "Cosme Alberto Martinez Magana 2015".

Presentamos los resultados del Torneo de Pesca "Cosme Alberto Martinez Magaña 2015".

1er lugar embarcación "Cisne" de Puerto Morelos con 18,980.20 puntos. $300,000 pesos, the trophy for largest Blue Marlin and a motorcycle for Best Captain.  el trofeo al Marlin Azul más grande y una moto por ser el mejor capitán del torneo 2015.
2do lugar embarcación "Chuc Kay" de Isla Mujeres con 5,150.40 puntos. Premio: Pick Up
3er lugar embarcación "Kianah" de Cancún con 5,029.50 puntos. Premio: $100,000  pesos
4to lugar embarcación "Vittorio y Carlotta" de Puerto Morelos con 4,874.90. Premio: Lancha 25 pies. 25 foot boat
5to lugar embarcación "Billano" con 4,854.70 de Cancún. Premio: Motocicleta 250.
6to lugar embarcación "Huachisan" con 4,800.60 puntos de Isla Mujeres. Premio $25,000 pesos
¡Muchas felicidades a todos! Congratulations to everyone!


Don't miss the Maya Rivera Film Festival at Posada del Mar Beach  May 28-30. Free event.
Del 28 al 30 de mayo no te puedes perder el Riviera Maya Film Festival, les esperamos en playa Posada del Mar.
Evento gratuito.


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From Tvisla Mujeres (You can join this fb page at this link)










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Noti Isla Mujeres (you can join this page on FB at this link & view the photos)



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From  por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles



Cave of the Sleeping Sharks
No pasa de moda[+] Ver mas


The famed site of the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks,  discovered by islander diver Carlos García Castilla , “Válvula”, continues to gain fame in these times when divers from around the world come to look closely at  sharks "at rest" because of underground water that emerges there with a high concentration of oxygen. Dive shops in Cancun and Isla Mujeres promote this location, where different species of sharks can be seen including bull sharks, lemon sharks, tiger, white tip, mako, and leopard, among others.
   Around Isla Mujeres, there are more than a dozen dive sites, and it is know as one of the 'stars', since it became known to now deceased underwater filmmaker Ramon Bravo, and National Geographic confirmed the cause, and a documentary was made about it by the famous french scientist Jacques-Yves Cousteau. (Link to documentary. Link to article I wrote about Ramon Bravo & the cave, Valvula, etc)
    Valvula named the site "El Puente" (the bridge), and if you dive there, you will find a plaque commemorating Ramon Bravo with the following message: Ramon Bravo, he died on 21 February. Protector of the seas.  Sleep forever beside your sharks in this cave.Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, February 28, 1998. His ashes were placed there in an event attended by former President  Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León.
   The site is located about 20 minutes by boat from any local pier, where you can observe the sharks remaining motionless for hours. It is an excellent locations for scuba diving, and less than 20 meters deep. 
   Repopulation
     The presence of humans during most of the day caused the sharks to leave, but it could also have been due to capturing them, since there has been widespread fishing of sharks for decades.  A friend of Ramon Bravo's, Alberto Friscione, confirmed that the species has returned to the cave, to the joy of divers. "After nearly 15 years without detecting the presence of any, the sleeping sharks have reappeared," said a specialist in a recent interview, commenting on how it was an historic event for science to prove the cause of the "lethargy" of the sharks, who normally cannot be "at rest". 
  The rest of this article is excerpted from this blog (LINK), about Ramon sharing the discovery of the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, but the article is cut short. It says Ramon called international diving instructor  Edwin Corona y Cepeda,, sounding agitated and saying he wanted to speak with Sr Corona in his capacity as Vicepresidente Técnico de la Confederación Mundial de las Actividades Subacuáticas y Presidente Fundador de la Federación Mexicana de Actividades Subacuáticas, recognized by CODEME”. They made an appointment to meet at a Mexican restaurant in London. Then it says..."It turns out near Isla Mujeres in the Mexican Caribbean, a humble lobster fisherman named Carlos Garcia, but better known ..." and is cut off. 
   In the blog,(LINK) which is in Spanish & subtitled 'The Anger of Ramon'...it goes on to explain that Valvula was free diving (no tanks...using just the air in his lungs. He was called Valvula because of his lung capacity) near an area known as  “Los Cuevones" when he found a cave inhabited by about a dozen sharks, including some huge bull sharks (tintoreras), and left quickly.
      He was intrigued by this unusual behavior, and returned a few days later with diving equipment and an underwater flashlight. He entered quietly and cautiously, with the light off, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dim light that filtered into the cave thru a crack in the coral. He could not believe his eyes...he was watching sleeping sharks! How was this possible when everyone said that sharks never sleep?!  It could not be. He returned to Isla Mujeres, wanting to let the public know, and was told to get in touch with Ramon Bravo, considered to be an expert in the behavior of the fearsome sharks. And he did.
   At first, Ramon did not believe him, but he agreed to visit Valvula in Isla Mujeres and dive to the "Cave of the Sleeping Sharks". He did, and lo and behold! The reality exceeded what he had been told. Inside the huge cave, spread across various 'galleries', laying and peacefully sleeping, were 20 members of the most feared species of sharks. There were not just cat sharks, there were bull sharks, tiger sharks, white tip, mako, leopard, and other varieties each more dangerous than the next. This caught the attention of Ramon, who signaled to surface to Carlos Garcia, who was leading.
     Ramon sought a scientific opinion from Dr Eugene Clark, who at that time was a member of the Scripps Oceanographic Foundation of La Joya, California, USA, and an expert on shark behavior.
   A month later, Valvula, Ramon Bravo, and Dr Clark plunged back in to the dark cave of the sleeping sharks. Except this time, Valvula was carrying an underwater rifle and Ramon had his filming and photographic equipment. Dr Clark and a pair of assistants were taking note of the positions and behaviors of the sharks. And thus the first images of the sleeping sharks were achieved. 
   The scientific explanation of Dr Clark was that because of their static position against the current, these terrible predators, these tigers of the sea, remained motionless and almost drugged, because of the moving water, they took in the oxygen they needed for respiration thru their gills, without moving. This discovery, which shocked the scientific community, was heard by Commander Jacques Yves Cousteau, at that time commander of the research vessel Calypso, who contacted Bravo through his son Phillippe.
   After the usual talks, the French diver promised "el oro y el moro",  as long as they would take him to the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, saying that his primary objective was to film a documentary that would appear on TV screens around the world with this sensational discovery. And credit for the discovery would go to Valvula.
     That was done, and when Calypso arrived in Isla Mujeres, and Valvula was in position. Commander Cousteau, with the pride and arrogance that was characteristic of him toward those he considered his inferiors, ordered the eveiction of the poor lobster fisherman Carlos Garcia from the legendary ship. Valvula was prohibited from being aboard, and in one comment he was banished for being Mexican and "prietito".
  And Cousteau claimed the discovery of the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks. Except that, fortunately, Ramon Bravo had captured the first images before Cousteau arrived, as already indicated, causing a commotion in the scientific community. This had caused the anger of Ramon Bravo, and his strange, agitated manner.
   And although I promised not to express this secret, today I am sad to see a presidential decree to change the name of Isla Cerralvo to that of Jacques Cousteau and after rereading the comment of Mr. Palacios, I call upon all my compatriots to send our deepest indignation and irritation about renaming Cerralvo Island to:  felipe.calderón@presidencia.gob.mx email or call toll-free 01 800 080 1127 and express our discontent, not only as divers, but as Mexicans. The more the merrier. Do not leave for tomorrow what the country expected today.
 Written by Edwin Corona y Cepeda. Dec. 19, 2009 LINK 
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  Gotta go...will get back to these manana.....  

Deteriorating building
Vivienda se desmorona [+] Ver mas


Against mistreatment of animals
Contra el maltrato animal +] Ver mas



Yesterday.....
Fishing tournament sets new record
Nuevo récord en torneo de pesca. [+] Ver mas


Woman flips her car in colonia La Gloria
Mujer vuelca su vehículo en La Gloria[+] Ver mas


"Pirates" go to the whale sharks
“Piratas” acuden al tiburón ballena[+] Ver mas



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The huge blue marlin, caught on Saturday, that won the tournament for Cisne outa Puerto Morelos. Photo by Luis Alberto Tenorio



  This blog is brought to you by....
View from the rooms.

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.   
 Kitchen in a large studio. (Sur & Norte are identical)
Kitchenette in small room, Medio. There's a table & chairs across from it & a double bed.
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 outa the pic at left.
Large studio (Norte), I'm standing in the kitchen

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

Large studio (Sur) with Queen & Single bed. Slider door & view are behind me.

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, Bufalo, Bahama Mama, Compadres Barbacoa or Manolitos. Walk less than 10 minutes to shop at Chedraui or to dine at Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, or Seso Loco. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are 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 variety of other stores and small local restaurants.


May Events

Sunrise ~6:15a
Sunset  ~7:10p

Moonrise over the Caribbean
May 2  6:10
May 3  7:01
May 4  7:54
May 5  8:48
May 6  9:43
May 7 10:36


Thursday, April 30 Regata del Sol al Sol Cocktail Party at Ballyho's (1:30), Poker Run (3:30p), Mayor's Reception (7p)

Thursday, April 30 Dia del Nino / Children's Day

May 1, Friday:  Dia del Trabajo - Labor Day. A national public holiday with political and labor union marches and official speeches. Schools, banks and government offices are closed.

May 1. Friday:  Regata del Sol al Sol Amigo's Regatta: Children board (10:30a), Departure (~11:30a) Awards ceremony at Buhos (7p)

May 3, Sunday: Dia de la Santa Cruz - Day of the Holy Cross
This celebration dates back to colonial times. Construction workers decorate crosses with flowers and mount them on buildings under construction, and have picnics at the site.

May 5. Tuesday: Cinco de Mayo (Battle of Puebla). No school. This date is commemorated more enthusiastically in the US, as general celebration of Mexican culture (and opportunity for abundant consumption of salsa, chips, and Mexican beer.).
      Here it is an 'optional' holiday (office & bank closings vary state to state) commemorating the victory of Mexican troops against a large number of French troops in 1862.
        (Then, more French troops arrived, sending Benito Juarez's government into exile, and Maximilian was crowned emperor of Mexico in 1864. At the time, the US was involved with its Civil War, 1861-65.  {Link:How Battle of Puebla affected US Civil War.} Then the US supported Mexico and invoked the Monroe Doctrine against European involvement in the Western Hemisphere. Napoleon III withdrew French troops in 1866.)

Soggy Peso is having a Cinco de Mayo party w Jeff Current playing music 5-7:30

May 6, Wednesday...Inauguration of a painting exhibit at the Magana Maritime Terminal-continues for 2 weeks:  “Mujeres del Caribe, Arte en Todas Partes”


Thursdays at 8:30p at Poc Na

 

May 8, Friday: Artes en Todas Partes event, maybe. TBA
                         7th Annual Water Rally (Teens compete in teams & learn about water conservation and processing)
       
May 10, Sunday: Mothers Day (Restaurants will be busy, and florists & mariachis.)

May 14, Thursday...see PocNa poster

May 15, Friday: Teacher's Day.  No School.
                            Artes en Todas Partes Event, maybe,TBA.
                            Start of Turtle Nesting Protection Program along the eastern coast and the eggs are incubated at the Tortugranja, with public releases of hatchlings in the fall.  (Hawksbills begin laying in earlier, so tours are made to watch for their nests starting ~May 1)
                              Start of the Whale Shark tour season may vary and continues until ~Sept. 15th
 
May 16, Saturday
You're invited to the annual pink wig breakfast, with raffle, gifts and awards. 200 peso donation. You and your friends can wear your favorite color and of various colors, in the design you prefer. Tickets available at the offices of Por Siempre Viva, phone 8770073


May 21, Thursday...see Poc Na poster

Fishing Tournament May 22, 23, & 24 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)



(May 22 & 23: From Xcaret to Cozumel:  Travesia Sagrada Maya - Sacred Mayan Journey. Recreating the pilgrimage of the ancient Maya to worship the Goddess lxChel, canoeists in pre-hispanic-style vessels race approximately 17 miles.)

 May 28-30 Posada Beach: Maya Riviera Film Festival


May 29, Friday No School (Last Friday of Month...Technical Meetings)

Texas Hold 'Em Poker Mondays & Thurdays at El Patio 6p on Hidalgo..more info HERE.
Discontinued for low season

No Artists Fair in May, scheduled to resume in November 

  The Women's Fishing Tournament, "La Dorada", organized by the DIF is planed for June 26 & 27.


 Charity Info
See tab at top of page!

Donation Drop offs:
Red Cross:  Social Justicia Restaurant (south of ferry terminal, north of car ferry)

 Books for Grade School Reading Program, Items for Isla Animals, Diabetes Supplies, Items for Little Yellow School House, Moto Helmets for kids...Barlitos @ Marina Paraiso

For donations to Zapatos Para Los Ninos.. please contact Greg at bullridersnider@yahoo.com, or find them on Facebook at "Shoes For The Children."

Music:

Miguel's high season schedule:
Sunday: The Sol Rockers @ El Patio 9p - 11p
Monday: Miguel solo @ El Patio 6:30p - 8:30p
Tuesday: La Banda Sin Nombre @ El Patio 9:15p - 11:15p
Wednesday: The Sol Rockers@ El Patio 7p - 9p, Faynes 10:30p - 12:00a
Thursday: Miguel Solo @ el Patio 6p - 8p, Faynes 10:30p - 12:00a
Friday: Marina Paraiso 7p - 9p, Faynes 10:30p - 12:00a, Adelita's 12a - 2a
Saturday: Marina Paraiso 7p - 9p, Faynes 10:30p - 12:00a, Adelita's 12a - 2a


 John Cain's schedule  (Updated mid May)
Sunday & Wednesday 7:30pm - 9:30pm   El Patio Sol Rockers 
Thursday Bahia Tortuga 6:45-8:45

Saturday. El Patio solo  630-830 

 El Patio House of Music...(formerly Comono) (Updated 5/21)
Sunday The Sol Rockers 730-930 , Isla-Cali 930-1130
Monday Isla-Cali  930-1130
Tuesday Ryan Rickman 7-9:30 
Wednesday  The Sol Rockers 7:30-9:30
Thursday Miguel 7:30-9:30
Friday Rayan Rickman 7-9:30
Saturday Isla Cali 9:30-11:30

For June
Sunday Jazz from Toronto 5-7
Monday Jazz from Toronto 5-7, Miguel 7:30-9:30
Tuesday Banda sin Nombre 9:30-11:30
Wednesday Radio Band 9:30-11:30
Thursday Miguel 7:30-9:30,  Jazz from Toronto 9:30-11:30
Friday Radio Band 9:30-11:30
Saturday John Cain 7:30-9:30


Morgan's Restaurant & Bar - on Hidalgo 
Mon - Tues 7pm - 9pm - Jazz with Norman and Darin 
Wed- Sat 8pm - 11pm - Tips or Sex aka Alfedo & Jorge


Javier Martinez Cen La Banda Sin Nombre has played for 12 years at Faynes, we needed some days off, so less than a year a go, we let the band Radios play for us (at the same stage same time), they are great! LBSN play Weds/Saturday from 10:30 till 12, Fridays and Saturdays we also play next door, at Adelitas, just salsa music, from 12:39 till 2:00  (I'm not sure if this is still current
  


Fenix  ~2p~5p   Live music at the beach in the afternoons on Sundays (Updated 5/21)



Bahia Tortuga  John Cain on Thursdays and Lara  on Mondays...~7p (Updated mid May)

You may find live music at night on Hidalgo 
Fayne's: 10:30-12 (see above)
La Terraza: 9 or 10-12 
Morgan's:  7 or 8 - 9 or 11 (see above)
El Patio (see above)

 Poc Na Hostel: 9:30 or later

Saturday afternoon ~3-5 Cuban music at Veradara's Cuban restaurant




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 Artist Fairs on the Town Square, usually first Thursday, 4p-9p ~Nov-April. 
Now the City is having Arte en Todas Partes events on Fridays.











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