Saturday, March 10, 2018

Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events Saturday, March 10






This is the live webcam at North Beach / Playa Norte.  HERE is a timelapse version, that you can set to slow or fast (fps-frames per second). It takes a few seconds to load.
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CHECK OUT THE MARCH EVENTS SCHEDULE!  (scroll down)
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From the Municipal Facebook site.....  (  FB page link)

Maintaining Isla Mujeres as one of the safest municipalities in the state  VIDEO   LINK  
   As Isla Mujeres is one of the most visited tourist centers in Quintana Roo, it is of vital importance for the municipal government to work on the maintenance and strengthening of security.  This administration has worked since its beginning toward this goal with the implementation of surveillance actions and programs in favor of ensuring the welfare of the islanders and tourists.
     The Director General of the Public Safety and Municipal Traffic Department, Jaime Alberto Ongay Ortiz, said that the safety of visitors and island families is a priority in this administration, and for that reason constant vigilance has been implemented in the vulnerable areas of the municipality. , as well as in the main tourist areas.
     "We are permanently working on the surveillance of our municipality, the current administration seeks constant training of the elements and that we have the necessary equipment to provide a quality service to each person when required," explained Mr. Ongay Ortiz.
       The director of Public Safety, Agustín Blanco Dzul, saud that among the actions that are carried out to maintain the peace and security of citizenship are the patrols throughout the municipality by the officers of the preventive and tourism police; Likewise, the breathalyzer program remains active, which has achieved a 70% reduction in road accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol.
    "Our work is constant, we want each visitor to enjoy their stay with security. We also work so that the families of Isla Mujeres live in a quiet municipality with a police force that looks after their well-being, that's why the patrols of the officers are continual in the colonias, "explained the director of Public Safety.
    Thanks to these works the municipality has managed to position itself as one of the safest in the State and the current government remains committed to strengthening these works, providing the officers with constant training and the necessary tools to continue ensuring the safety and welfare of islander families and each one of the tourists.

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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)



Women's forum "I Can" was held (see yesterdays translations) LINK 

New concrete company appears on the Isla Mujeres airstrip  LINK 
      Everything is ready so that starting tomorrow, "La Concretera" will enter into operation, a company that will be dedicated to the sale of ready-mix concrete in large quantities, which will operate at the northern end of the airstrip.
     A large part of the machinery and trucks which will be in charge of transporting the material arrived on Friday . 
     When making a tour, it was confirmed that the workers of the Cozumex company, originally from Cozumel, will offer concrete for sale made with cement, dust (polvo) and gravel, which is intended for all types of construction. 
      The equipment was installed at the northern area of ​​the local airfield, but it is unknown if the operation also involves part of the runway, which is occasionally used by the Mexican Navy. 
     On more than one occasion, entrepreneurs have suggested the possibility of reactivating said airstrip to at least receive the same number of flights that Holbox currently receives, however, the suspicion that the land may be sold or rented, could put an end to this idea. 

The recovery of space within the Maritime Terminal of Isla Mujeres continues LINK 
     Yesterday's eviction in the Maritime Terminal of Isla Mujeres was a legal procedure that was planned by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation through the Merchant Marine and it was only a matter of time, explained Rosa Elena Ríos Fernández, head of operations of the APIQRoo in Isla Mujeres. 
   Interviewed this morning, the official said that for months, the company was notified and served, in addition to the fact that the contract was not duly registered before the general director of the Merchant Marine. 
  As was reported, the store "Watch my Watch" was evicted yesterday and it is expected that in the next few days, the property will be turned over at the Maritime Terminal.  
   Ms. Ríos Fernández, explained that the operation took several hours yesterday and all items were removed from the premises by 7pm. She said, "There were around 50 boxes, three suitcases and about half a dozen black bags, which were taken out by the employees of this company, as part of the eviction actions." 
   She said that the eviction was carried out in total calm, according to the legal procedure which was followed, and that now all that remains to wait for it to be formalized by the General Director of Ports and the Merchant Marine. 
      The head of API in Isla Mujeres, said that after the recovery of the space, the intention is to dismantle the store premises, by either of the two parties, and in this way expand the space of the waiting area of ​​the ferry passengers who are using the three ferry companies. 

US announces the reopening of the Consulate office in Playa del Carmen LINK


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Yesterday, the US Embassy in Mexico City revised its alert about Playa del Carmen, saying the US Consulate there will reopen on Monday. Now US citizens are advised to avoid specific colonias in one area of Playa. It says this security threat affecting those neighborhoods is separate from the threat against the Playa-Cozumel ferries and US citizens are still advised not to use those ferry services.  

The updated alert from the US Embassy in Mexico City issued March 9 says:
(LINK to alert in English at US Embassy website)
Location:  Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Event:  Due to an ongoing security threat, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is revising its travel restrictions to Playa del Carmen for U.S. government personnel.  U.S. government personnel are prohibited from travel to the colonias of Centro, Calica, Gonzalo Guerrero, Quintas del Carmen, and Villas del Carmen in Playa del Carmen.  These colonias are bordered by Avenida Benito Juarez, 50 Avenida Sur (Highway 307), and Calle 34 Norte.  U.S. citizens should avoid those neighborhoods until further notice.  U.S. government personnel are authorized to travel to resort areas in Riviera Maya including those near Playa del Carmen that are outside the restricted neighborhoods of this Alert.
Absent additional changes in the security situation, the U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen will reopen for normal operations on Monday, March 12.
The circumstances surrounding the security threat affecting the above neighborhoods is separate from the threat against ferries operating between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.  U.S. government personnel are still prohibited from using ferry services between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel until further notice.  U.S. citizens should not use ferry services operating between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.
Actions to Take:
  • U.S. citizens should avoid those neighborhoods in Playa del Carmen listed above until further notice.
  • U.S. citizens should not use ferry services operating between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and exercise increased caution.
  • Purchase travel insurance that specifically covers you in Mexico and includes medical evacuation insurance.
  • Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need assistance.


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From  por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos


Busy beaches & swimming areas 
Bañistas hacinados . [+] Ver masFull article at this link
     The lifeguards that monitor Playa Centro report that every day more than 20 people are asked to leave the ship's navigation channel, outside the boundary of buoys, because bathers claim that there is not enough area to swim, which has occured because of the continuous advance of the sand in that area.     
    The buoy line is barely five meters from the edge of the beach. In the past when this has happened the Harbor Master and Civil Protection Department agreed that the buoy line cannot be moved because the navigation channel would present a danger to the swimmers from the recreational boats and cargo ferry that travel there.
      They hope that the next southerly winds will move some of the sand away, but last year, nothing happened, on the contrary, it accumulated more and everything indicates in the first two months of 2018, Playa Centro continues to expand. Some nautical service providers have suggested that the solution is to remove it and take it to Playa Norte where sand is needed. 
    The lifeguards work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to keep people from advancing more than two meters beyond the buoy line."Some tourists get angry with us when we ask them to leave that area, claiming there is not enough depth to swim." said a female lifeguard who participates in this preventative work daily. 
     Traveling in this navigation channel are the Marinsa, Naveganto, and Marítima Isla Mujeres ferries, as well as numerous sailboats, catamarans, trimarans, fishing boats, speedboats, and yachts. The Harbor Master has urged the crews to take all the necessary precautions when entering the area and be careful because some swimmers advance into the channel, especially when there is no surveillance,

Small boats operating continuously 
Lancheros operaron sin interrupción[+] Ver masFull article at this link
    March 9  The effects of Cold Front #35 have not kept the nautical tour boats from working, however the port could be closed for small boats on Friday evening if winds increase. 

Good expectations for Easter holidays 
Buenas expectativas para las vacaciones. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
      Thousands of tourists are expected for the Easter vacation period. The holiday season, according to the school calendar of the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), starts on Saturday, March 24 and ends on Sunday, April 8. It is expected that more than 90 percent of the recreational nautical fleet of Isla Mujeres will be activated during that period, according to the estimates of those directly involved.
    The extension of the wooden pier of the Velázquez family stands out among the preparations, located on the Rueda Medina malecon, to receive dozens of boats every day with tourists from Puerto Juarez and catamarans from Cancun. The family has invested thousands of pesos to double the capacity.  
    Members of the five nautical tourism cooperatives of Isla Mujeres, are also preparing, because it is during Holy Week that they make their highest income. So far this winter season their activity level hasn't exceeded 40 percent, according to some accounts. This is due to the strong competition faced by these pioneers of recreational activity for tourism. Now some have begun to venture onto the internet to promote their services, but most of the boatmen still follow the old way of promoting themselves, trying to convince visitors after they arrival at the terminal.
 
For an egalitarian society
Por una sociedad igualitaria] Ver masFull article at this link
 See yesterday's translation about the women's forum "I can" with more than 100 women attending.

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  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. A queen & single bed.

Free amenities such as hammocks, bikes, outdoor shower, portable beach chairs & beach towels, washer, loungers. 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. 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. Within ten minutes walk are the restaurants Mango Cafe, Brisas, Manolitos,  Green Verde, Kash Kechen Chuc, and the large department store-grocery Chedraui. Visit marinas, bars, & beach clubs that are minutes away by bike or on foot. Attend 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. It takes 20-30  minutes to walk downtown.

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March Events
Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events

Thursday, March 1  Artist Fair 3-8p at the Casa de la Cultura on Guerrero Avenue at the cross street Abasolo
Full moon rising over the Caribbean 
March 1  6:46
March 2  7:46 
March 3   8:44
March 4   9:40
March 5  10:35
March 6  11:28
Feb. 4 11:00
Feb. 5  11:54 
Painting by Pamela Haase
Sunday, March 4 at 8pm: A special Noches Magicas event  on the Town Square to commemorate the 501st anniversary of the first Europeans visiting Isla Mujeres, and the 101st anniversary of the birth of Virgilio "El Chino" Fernandez. Featuring singers Aldahir Davila and Gregorio Sanches, as well as dance troupes Anoranzas de Isla Mujeres and El Talento con el Sabor del Caribe. Free

Monday, March 5 at 9am there will be a Civic Ceremony commemorating the 501st anniversary of the first visit by Europeans to Isla Mujeres. It will be held at the Paso de la Tirguena on the Eastern Malecon (near the public bathrooms by the Town Square, behind the old hospital.)


Thursday, March 8  Artist Fair 3-8p at the Casa de la Cultura on Guerrero Avenue at the cross street Abasolo 

Thursday, March 8 International Women's Day

Sunday, March 11 at 8pm: Noches Magicas event on the Town Square. Free 

Thursday, March 15  Artist Fair 3-8p at the Casa de la Cultura on Guerrero Avenue at the cross street Abasolo

March 16-19 ? Last year there was a Festival for San Jose

Sunday, March 18 at 8pm: Noches Magicas event on the Town Square. Free

Sunday, March 18 Oil Expropriation Day

Monday, March 19 Day off for Benito Juarez's birthday

Tuesday, March 20 Spring Equinox 

Wednesday, March 21 Birthday of Benito Juarez

Thursday, March 22  Artist Fair 3-8p at the Casa de la Cultura on Guerrero Avenue at the cross street Abasolo 

Sunday, March 25 Palm Sunday

Sunday, March 25 at 8pm: Noches Magicas event on the Town Square is likely to be suspended due to Palm Sunday. 

Thursday, March 29  Artist Fair 3-8p at the Casa de la Cultura on Guerrero Avenue at the cross street Abasolo

Friday, March 30 Good Friday The Via Crusis, reenactment of the Passion of Christ, begins at the Sacred Heart Church in La Gloria. It includes more than 50 actors and travels 5 km to the Immaculate Conception Church downtown where the crucifixion will be reenacted. They will pause at the Guadalupe Chapel in Salina Chica along the way. 

Sunday, April 1 Easter 
 
  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 (Yucatan peninsula is under Satellite GOES Este, I recommend "Animacion" (it used to be in my blog margin, until Blogger became incompatible with it).
LINK to a private weather station on Isla Mujeres   

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