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| 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. |
Follow Isla Mujeres News & Events on Facebook for highlights of news & events, and more photos & videos
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From the Municipal Facebook site..... ( FB page link)
In accordance with the electoral laws, the municipal Facebook site has suspended the release of information as of March 29, until after the election on July 1st.
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From Tvisla Mujeres ( link to photos & articles)
There is a video whose caption says "accident just now on Rueda Medina, male presents with an exposed fracture of his left leg". The video shows him being put into the ambulance and his moto on its side on the sidewalk, by the Naval base.
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Here's an historical article I wrote today.....
Once
upon a time, during these weeks of dry season, salt harvesting was an
important activity on Isla Mujeres. Salt was highly prized by Mayans for
its use in preserving seafood and meat, as well as for tanning hides.
It was also used in medicines and for religious rituals, including
honoring Ixchel. The Mayan merchants of the eastern coast of the Yucatan
peninsula traded with their peers from the Gulf of Mexico down to the
Gulf of Honduras, including Guatemala and Belize.
Salt was a valuable resource for the settlers of Isla Mujeres, who founded "Dolores" in 1850, and mined it from Salina Grande. The most infamous of the settlers, Fermin Mundaca, took advantage of the island's abundance of salt for tanning hides, not only from his herds of cattle and sheep, but also the skins of hunted animals. According to historian Fidel Villanueva Madrid, these included deer, lizards, and "tigres" (lit. means tigers, probably refers to jaguars, puma &/or margays), which he bought in bulk, tanned and sold, mostly in Havana, Cuba. (Mundaca was a former pirate & slave trader who owned forty percent of the isle from ~1850 to ~1880, where he created a hacienda. He was the Commercial Agent for Isla Mujeres with Cuba.)
In the late 1800's, Manuel Sierra Mendez, “colonizador de Isla Mujeres y Cozumel” had a good business marketing salt that was extracted, under a contract with the federal government. There were complaints from islanders who did not want to stand by while Mr. Sierra Mendez grabbed all the salt that was produced. This conflict ended when the federal government cancelled the contract, saying that Mr. Sierra Mendez had not completed the obligations required when the concession was granted.
Archeologist Alice le Plongeon describes her visit to the 'salt pits' in the middle of the isle in 1876, when there was just one lake:
The historian said that until several years ago, it was still possible to interview some of the island entrepreneurs who had once tried to commercially utilize the salt flats of the island, and they all agreed that it was a lack of market that ruined them.
Mr. Villanueva said, "Today, when walking along the path that borders the Salina Grande, we can not help but close our eyes to recreate those early midsummer days when the islanders of both sexes, and of all ages, entered the burning waters to collect salt. As the Mayans did, the natives of the island formed cones or pyramids of salt which they then burned with palm branches until a protective crust was formed against the rains, which began to arrive in (after) May." He said they began working in the wee hours of the morning (la madrugada), and had to quit as the sun rose in the sky, when the work became very difficult and their skin could become ulcerated. He said their skin became tanned like leather from working to extract the salt.
Salt continued to be harvested and used by the islanders until the 1960's when electricity service became sufficient to supply a seafood freezer and an ice factory. A few years later, the lake's connection to the sea was cut off when the western perimeter road was built to provide better access for development and to the tourist attractions of Playa Lancheros, Playa Indios, and Garrafon Park.
Salt was a valuable resource for the settlers of Isla Mujeres, who founded "Dolores" in 1850, and mined it from Salina Grande. The most infamous of the settlers, Fermin Mundaca, took advantage of the island's abundance of salt for tanning hides, not only from his herds of cattle and sheep, but also the skins of hunted animals. According to historian Fidel Villanueva Madrid, these included deer, lizards, and "tigres" (lit. means tigers, probably refers to jaguars, puma &/or margays), which he bought in bulk, tanned and sold, mostly in Havana, Cuba. (Mundaca was a former pirate & slave trader who owned forty percent of the isle from ~1850 to ~1880, where he created a hacienda. He was the Commercial Agent for Isla Mujeres with Cuba.)
In the late 1800's, Manuel Sierra Mendez, “colonizador de Isla Mujeres y Cozumel” had a good business marketing salt that was extracted, under a contract with the federal government. There were complaints from islanders who did not want to stand by while Mr. Sierra Mendez grabbed all the salt that was produced. This conflict ended when the federal government cancelled the contract, saying that Mr. Sierra Mendez had not completed the obligations required when the concession was granted.
Archeologist Alice le Plongeon describes her visit to the 'salt pits' in the middle of the isle in 1876, when there was just one lake:
"At the beginning of the fishing
season, men and women go to collect the salt
that is deposited by evaporation on the shore of
the pools. They seem to regard it as a kind of
picnic, though the work is laborious, especially for
the women, who stand up to their waists in muddy
water all day long, putting the salt into large turtle
shells that serve instead of vats. It would be
almost impossible to transport the salt by land to
village Dolores; the only roads are narrow pathways
through the thicket, and the soil is so rocky and
uneven that it is tiresome to walk, much more so to
carry a load. A great extent of the interior of
the island is taken up by a most picturesque lake
that opens on the south side of the bay by a narrow
channel through which the water of the ocean
enters. The lake is consequently subject to tides,
and it is navigable for the majority of the canoes
used by the fishermen.
The channel is crooked and scarcely more than
nine feet wide, having dense thickets of mangroves
on each side. It takes about half an hour to go
through it, then the lake suddenly opens to our
view, truly a charming scene ! It is surrounded by
banks twenty feet high, covered with verdure ; sea-
gulls soar overhead, filling the air with discordant
screams, while pelicans, herons and storks, are
perched here and there, half hidden among the foli-
age, motionless, wistfully watching the water, to
catch the unsuspicious fish that venture within
their reach.
The lake is nearly three miles long; its southern
end reaches to within a hundred yards of the salt
pit ; thus the labor of transporting the salt is made
comparatively easy."
Mr. Villanueva explained that after the creation of the Federal
Territory of Quintana Roo in 1902, the islanders repeatedly tried to
organize themselves to take advantage of this resource. The last attempt
took place in 1939 when more than 30 heads of families formed the
cooperative “Salineros del Caribe, S. C. L.”, which found no market for
the product because they had to face the powerful regional monopoly in
the salt industry that was established by the Roche family of the state
of Yucatan.season, men and women go to collect the salt
that is deposited by evaporation on the shore of
the pools. They seem to regard it as a kind of
picnic, though the work is laborious, especially for
the women, who stand up to their waists in muddy
water all day long, putting the salt into large turtle
shells that serve instead of vats. It would be
almost impossible to transport the salt by land to
village Dolores; the only roads are narrow pathways
through the thicket, and the soil is so rocky and
uneven that it is tiresome to walk, much more so to
carry a load. A great extent of the interior of
the island is taken up by a most picturesque lake
that opens on the south side of the bay by a narrow
channel through which the water of the ocean
enters. The lake is consequently subject to tides,
and it is navigable for the majority of the canoes
used by the fishermen.
The channel is crooked and scarcely more than
nine feet wide, having dense thickets of mangroves
on each side. It takes about half an hour to go
through it, then the lake suddenly opens to our
view, truly a charming scene ! It is surrounded by
banks twenty feet high, covered with verdure ; sea-
gulls soar overhead, filling the air with discordant
screams, while pelicans, herons and storks, are
perched here and there, half hidden among the foli-
age, motionless, wistfully watching the water, to
catch the unsuspicious fish that venture within
their reach.
The lake is nearly three miles long; its southern
end reaches to within a hundred yards of the salt
pit ; thus the labor of transporting the salt is made
comparatively easy."
The historian said that until several years ago, it was still possible to interview some of the island entrepreneurs who had once tried to commercially utilize the salt flats of the island, and they all agreed that it was a lack of market that ruined them.
Mr. Villanueva said, "Today, when walking along the path that borders the Salina Grande, we can not help but close our eyes to recreate those early midsummer days when the islanders of both sexes, and of all ages, entered the burning waters to collect salt. As the Mayans did, the natives of the island formed cones or pyramids of salt which they then burned with palm branches until a protective crust was formed against the rains, which began to arrive in (after) May." He said they began working in the wee hours of the morning (la madrugada), and had to quit as the sun rose in the sky, when the work became very difficult and their skin could become ulcerated. He said their skin became tanned like leather from working to extract the salt.
Salt continued to be harvested and used by the islanders until the 1960's when electricity service became sufficient to supply a seafood freezer and an ice factory. A few years later, the lake's connection to the sea was cut off when the western perimeter road was built to provide better access for development and to the tourist attractions of Playa Lancheros, Playa Indios, and Garrafon Park.
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From por esto Link to their Isla Mujeres articles & photos
Isla Mujeres soccer team: Ready to compete in state league against Cancun's Club Mexico
Isla Mujeres, listo para enfrentar a Club México. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
The final list of players have not yet been announced, although some names have been released. The first game will take place on Saturday, April 28th at 5p at the field in colonia Salinas. Next weekend the team will tavel to Jose Maria Morelos.
The league will include teams from the municipalities of Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, Solidaridad, Cozumel, José María Morelos, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Isla Mujeres.
Rescue training on the cliffs
Ejercicios de rescate en acantilado. [+] Ver masFull article at this link
This information has already been translated.
Successful cleaning of the seabed
Exitosa limpieza del lecho marinoVer masFull article at this link
This information has already been translated.
Trash accumulation blamed on car ferry
Culpan a naviera [+] Ver masFull article at this link
The accumulation of more than 800 tons of trash at the Transfer Facility is being attributed to administrative problems at the car ferry company that have prevented daily crossings by the trash transport truck.
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| 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.
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| Kitchen in a large studio. (Sur & Norte are identical) |
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| Kitchenette in small room, Medio. There's a table & chairs across from it & a double bed. |
.jpg) |
| 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. |
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| 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
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| 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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| April Events Provided by MaraVilla Caribe & Isla Mujeres Daily News & Events |
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| April 1 8:21 April 2 9:16 April 3 10:09 April 4 11:02 April 5 11:53 April 29 7:05 April 30 7:59 Painting by Pamela Haase |
Sunday, April 1 Easter
Thursday, April 5 Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo. (It hasn't yet been announced when the Thursday Artist Fairs will be discontinued, which could occur in April or May.)
Saturday, April 7 Plogging Day 8:30a Running, jogging, or walking & picking up litter. Route TBA at Plogging Day Isla Mujeres & Action for Isla.
Sunday, April 8 Noches Magicas performances on the Town Square 8p Free.
Thursday, April 12 Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo. (It hasn't yet been announced when the Thursday Artist Fairs will be discontinued, which could occur in April or May.)
Saturday, April 14 Plogging Day 8:30a Running, jogging, or walking & picking up litter. Route TBA at Plogging Day Isla Mujeres & Action for Isla.
Sunday, April 15 Noches Magicas performances on the Town Square 8p Free.
Thursday, April 19 Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo. (It hasn't yet been announced when the Thursday Artist Fairs will be discontinued, which could occur in April or May.)
April 20-22, Fri, Sat, Sun. Isla Got Soul music event at The Joint. There's more information about the organization that is benefiting from this event here: https://www.facebook.com/IslaGotSoul/posts/572699899755186
Saturday, April 21 Plogging Day 8:30a Running, jogging, or walking & picking up litter. Route TBA at Plogging Day Isla Mujeres & Action for Isla.
Sunday, April 22 Earth Day Action for Isla is having their third annual cleanup event. The past two years divers and snorkelers cleaned under the downtown piers, and groups picked up trash along the Caribbean beaches.
From their FB page:
For the third year in a row, Action for Isla is happy to announce that we will be hosting our big Earth Day Clean-up, to bring awareness of this problem to our residents, and unite our community to work towards Ending Plastic Pollution. We will be tackling the waste build up on both land and sea with an in-water Dive Against Debris and simultaneous beach clean up!
🌎In 2016, 62 volunteers got together to remove 650kgs of waste from our beaches and seas, last year both numbers grew
with 148 people collecting and sorting a whopping 1,090kgs of trash!!
This year we hope to go even bigger! And we need your help!
📌Our 3rd Annual Isla Mujeres Earth Day Clean Up is this Sunday, APR 22!
✳️Scuba Diver´s please sign-up ASAP with a participating dive shop to receive your safety briefing and instructions.✳️Snorkelers
report to registration at Av. Rueda Medina near Velazquez
Restaurant/Playa Centro at 8:15AM. We have some gear to share but if you
have your own please bring it.✳️Those
that will be cleaning up the shoreline can report to ¨El Malecón¨
(behind Casa de la Cultura where the ¨Isla Mujeres¨ letters are) at
8:30AM
♻️Remember to bring a refillable water bottle, we will provide refreshments but don´t want to generate more waste.
🌱Every participant will receive a Raffle Ticket upon registration. Join us at the main collection site after the cleanup. Once we have categorized, weighed and recorded the data of what has been collected we will have some refreshments and raffle off several amazing prizes that have been provided by our awesome sponsors!
Sunday, April 22 Noches Magicas performances on the Town Square 8p Free.
Thursday, April 26 Artist Fair 3-8p Casa de la Cultura on the back street Guerrero at the cross street Abasolo. (It hasn't yet been announced when the Thursday Artist Fairs will be discontinued, which could occur in April or May.)
Saturday, April 7 Plogging Day 8:30a Running, jogging, or walking & picking up litter. Route TBA at Plogging Day Isla Mujeres & Action for Isla.
Sunday, April 29 Noches Magicas performances on the Town Square 8p Free. Celebrate International Day of Dance.
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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