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Costa Maya Newsletter > Archived Costa Maya Newsletters > Costa Maya-Mahahual June -2012 Newsletter

*********** Costa Maya-Mahahual Newsletter-June 2012 **********

Costa Maya Newsletter: of interest to visitors and property owners and anyone looking to learn more about the Costa Maya, Mahahual / Majahual - Rio Indio - Placer - Uvero - Punta Herrera - Xcalak and other points along Quintana Roo's Southern Coast

Editorial- The year of the Tabano (catcher)?

Hi Costa Maya Neighbors,

I'm astounded at how long it has been since I sent the last newsletter. It isn't for lack of news, but like most of you, I'm about ready for a vacation! People always ask me. . "Where do you go when you go on vacation?" In reality, I don't take a vacation. I take my laptop and answer emails, then squeeze in a couple of things, then go back to the email answering. That's about to change as I have some "Inn-Sitters" for a few weeks - Rebecca and Rob. After my return, I"m sure I will be more on top of things and get the newsletter out on time!

Marcia with Baracuda

I'm sure you have wondered why I named this editorial the year of the Tabano. Any of you who have visited in the summer months have found yourself attacked by Tabanos. It truly has been a bad year - with a few lingering all winter. My theory is that the weather didn't get cold enough this year to make them hibernate. Or maybe it has something to do with a wetter year. This year, we had more rain than normal and they lay their eggs on rocks and plants near water.

The good news, is that your neighbors, John Fleming and Meeche White have constructed a Tabano catcher that is based on an African design. Rick and Jeri Scott sent me the design a couple of years ago, but I never did anything about it - so when Meeche started making them to sell, I quickly raised my hand and bought two of them. They capture an amazing number every day - up to 100. The work on a principle of vertical blue and black lines which attract the insects who fly into the trap and then up into the trap. They are apparently too stupid to fly down and end up in the bottle at the top where they eventually die.

Those of you who do not know what Tabanos are, they are the Latin name of the family of biting flies. Here on the Costa Maya, every summer you become a target if you are lounging outside. Insect repellant works well to keep them away and they are slow and easy to swat, but how much better if you can keep them from coming near you completely. My idea is that if everyone up and down the coast were to get a Tabano catcher (or two), then they wouldn't be breeding and laying eggs and then eventually the area may rid itself of the flies. Idealistic? Maybe, but I'm an optimist. Contact me if you would like to join in on the effort to rid the Costa Maya of these horrible pests and I"ll send you the email address of Meeche.

Meanwhile, as I'm on vacation, my tabano catcher will continue catching tabanos while I'm snorkeling or visiting ruins. If you happen to be in the area, stop by to see it and meet Rebecca and Rob. I will probably be there (so ask!), but hopefully catching up on my tardy newsletters!

Tabano Catcher

 

Tabano's caught

Your Costa Maya Neighbor,

Marcia Bales. . .writing this from Placer and Mayan Beach Garden Inn - 20 km north of Mahahual.

Past newsletters can be found at NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

Sign up for up-to-date info at Costa Maya-Mahahual Live Blog with updates and current events

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mahahual and Costa maya news

Calendar of events in Mahahual

  • Fishing tournament Copa Dorado de Plata June 9, 10, 11
  • Dentist in Mahahual on Tuesdays
  • Recycled bottle pickup on Wednesday mornings 9:00-1:00 in the Casitas.
  • Jatsa'-ja 2012 - 3rd weekend in August (start organizing your photos for the photo contest)

Rental car pickup in Mahahual

Mexican Car Rental Group
It's about time, but finally you can pre-order a car on line and pick it up in Mahahual. While a couple of my Mexican clients have used it, I don't yet know a lot about the company Mexico Car Rental Group.
You can reach them by phone in the US or Canada Toll Free 1 800 81 36 371. What that means is now you can travel here by bus (actually. . .bus to Limones and taxi to Mahahual) and rent a car only on the days you want to. The rates are decent and you can reserve in advance.

2012 Fishing Tournaments

Bad Weather closed the 2nd day for Copa Dorado de Plata scheduled for the 9, 10, and 11th of June.

Prizes include vehicles, cash and top line fishing gear. but while one group brought in a 45 kilo Mahi Mahi on Saturday the 10th, no one was able to fish on sunday.

While there was lots of sun, large swells and wind caused the second day to be cancelled.

fishing Tournament Mahahual

Fishing Tournament Mahahual
The Copa Gobernador, held the last weekend in April - was well attended with more boats entered than in any other year. As you can see at the picture at the left - there were a lot of happy fishermen.

New Medical Clinic in Mahahual (Repeat)

A new private Medical Clinic is now open in the Casitas. The location is close to the pier. To get there, when leaving the pier area, at the 2nd roundabout (not the one with the Mayan Temple) take the road to the right that looks like it goes nowhere. The clinic is on the left. It is open daily - Hours are 9 AM - 9 PM on cruise ship days and 9 AM - 2 PM and 4:30 - 9 PM on all other days. The doctor speaks English.

Phone number for appointments:
983 154 2705

Clinic
NOTE: Currently the only sign is on the door.

Mahahual Limpia -Video about Mahahual's clean up campaign

Feb. 25th was the culmination of a month long clean-up campaign sponsored by Sustenta. Now there is a lovely video of the event. This video is in Spanish with English subtitles. Please note Luis Fernando, the child narrator - who was the first place winner for the individual category and collected an amazing amount of plastic . http://www.limpiamahahual.org/

WebCam in Mahahual

Mahahual has it's own public Webcam. Click on the image below to view the webcam animated over 24 hours. Yesterday, you could see how cloudy it was and even drops of rain on the lens. The day before, you could see someone driving on the Malecon (illegally.) Its fun to watch the weather change during the day and see the difference between a cruise ship day and a normal day. a calm weather day like the one below and one with large swells and white caps. Have fun!

Mahahual WebCam

Mahahualaneans' News

Marilyn Marshal has served Mahahual for quite a while but has now delegated a good portion of her tasks to others. Because many people ask me where they can donate, rather than always sending people to Marilyn, I've posted the names of those who've stepped up.

  1. School Supplies and School Liaison - Justa van Gorkum (collection and distribution)
  2. Clothing Distribution - Nancy Wilson, Debbie Worthington, Laurie Bailer (you can drop off clothing at Cast-away's book store next to Aromas),
  3. Silent Auction and Bingo (fundraising) - Natalie Dale, Shannon Angell
  4. Children's Christmas Party - Laurie Bailer, Sarita Rosa
  5. Children's Marathon - Kimberley Noakes along with her husband Victor
  6. Information, Administration, Phone list - Marilyn Marshall
  7. Food Bank (at formerly Loco Ricky's) - Lutheran Church - Debbie Blackburn, Pastor Jorge and Kerry Briones *(food bank donations can be dropped off at Castaways Book Store if the church is not open... gracias!!!)

Needed (on an immediate basis)... toys for the Christmas Party. Ask friends and relatives if they would like to support this cause by purging their children's toy chests and also you may want to check out a few "garage sales" for those of you who enjoy doing this.

OTHER NEWS
  • ADO terminal is now located at Blue Bay Resort .. the ticket counter is there and if you need to know arrivals and departures, Maria and Rolando will be happy to answer your questions the best they can. 983 130 5925.
  • WATER supply truck is now operated by Juan Poot, his number is 983 116 9847.
  • COSTAMED CLINIC is the new clinic/emergency services in town 983 154 2785 (English speaking Dr.) 983 154 2787 (24 hr. emergency service)
  • AED, DIFIBULATOR is under the same heading as Costamed to make it easier to find the medical services listed together. A second defibrillator is located at Maya Chan 983 101 3585

5th Annual Celebration of Jats'a Ja'

Jats'a Ja' 2012 will be held on August 16th - 19th starting with the opening ceremonies on Thursday night at 7:00. Last year was the best year yet with a spectacular closing ceremony and this Jats'a Ja' promises to be even better. Those of you who have taken wonderful photos of your visits here might want to enter them in the 5th annual photography contest and exhibition of recycled art.

Entry Rules for Photography Contest

  • The contest theme is "OUR COSTA MAYA"
  • The categories are:
    • Our Colors
    • Our Ingenuity
    • Our Creativity
  • This competition is open to participants worldwide.
  • There is a $5 USD or $60 pesos per photo entry fee for the 1st four photos entered. There is no entry fee to enter additional photos beyond the quantity of 4.
  • You must be the photographer and owner of the copyright for any image entered.
  • Entrants can submit as many images to this contest as they would like, but must pay an entry fee for the 1st four photos.
  • Submitted images should be at least 1024 pixels along the long edge and equal or more than 800kb in size.
  • You will retain copyright of your entries at all times and will always be credited alongside your picture.
  • By entering this competition, you grant us a non-exclusive license to display your photograph in connection with this contest. Photographers will always be credited alongside their image.
  • We may allow other web sites to display a selection of the winning/highly commended images in order to publicize the results of this contest. Photographers will always be credited alongside their image.
  • Under no-circumstance will we use submitted images for commercial gain unless it has been agreed on a case by case basis with the photographer.
  • The deadline for entry is 9th of August 2012.
  • Winners will be announced by 16th of August 2012.

The best photos in each category will be printed and displayed during the entire 4 days of Jats' a ja'. Prizes will be awarded during the closing ceremony.
Jatsaja closing ceremony 2012

Hard Rock Cafe and Senor Frogs close their doors

Its a bit of a surprise, but the two international franchises of Hard Rock Cafe and Senor Frogs have closed down in Mahahual. The reasons stated in a recent article in Por Esto Newpaper are that there aren't enough tourists, there are not sufficient promotion on the part of the Ministry of Tourism and lack of governmental investment in the infrastructure of Majahual .Additional reasons are blamed on Isaac Hamui, the owner of the port who has a practice of sequestering the tourists in the port's theme-park-like compound behind security gates.

It is my humble opinion that this is a very good thing for Mahahual and an opportunity for it to return to what it once was - a small fishing village that we love to visit. I've always been opposed to franchises entering the area and I think it bodes well for the future identity of Mahahual. This is a place for small local businesses to thrive without having to compete with the marketing ability of a franchise. On the flip-side, it is never good to have a large empty red building with Senor Frog's painted on the back of it at the entrance to the town.

Links worth clicking on. . .

Swellwatch.com - Geared to surfers and those looking for big waves, this site graphically displays the height of forecasted swells, so you can see whether or not you want to brave that fishing or diving trip to Chinchorro. Swellwatch also covers wind and the web site reports on the area around Chinchorro and the sea from Xcalak to Punta Herrera.

Mexico My Space Classifieds

Google's "My Space Classifieds" has a service where you can post homes for sale or lease in Mexico for free. I think this is something you would have to repost often, because it has a facebook like nature to it where the older posts scroll to the bottom of the page. Post Homes for Sale or Lease in Mexico for FREE!

Mexico for the wary: A guide to safe, popular travel spots

Another wonderful review of traveling to Mexico. It mentions some lesser known spots. Unfortunately the writer didn't know about Mahahual.

Windfinder.com - Mahahual wind report

Mayan Beach Garden - New at MBG

Mayan Beach Garden in the News

Kim Curtis visited us in December and she wrote a lovely article mentioning Mayan Beach Garden. It's been picked up by the Associated press and we couldn't be more pleased. Great objective review of Mahahual and the area.

Finding a Quiet Beach getaway in Mexico

Mayan Beach Garden beach

New Homes available through Mayan Beach Garden Vacation Rentals

Over the last few months, Mayan Beach Garden has added a few new homes to its list of rentals. Some of these are located on the best beaches on the Costa Maya. Others offer quiet and magical seclusion. If it turns out to be true that 2012 will be a banner year - please make sure you get homes reserved early. Spring is already quite full in the housing rental market in the Costa Maya. In addition to the homes below, the perennial favorites Casa Porto Vino, Taj Majahual, Casa Que Canta and Casa Las Brisas all will house at least 8 persons, so if you have a group make sure you keep those in mind!

Casa Caribe Azul Casa Joha Escondida
Casa Caribe Azul and Casa Joya Escondida (both on Sapphire Beach in Placer)
Casona Palms Yum Botic
Casona Palms (in Uvero) and Yum Botic (in Uvero)
Casa Azucar Casa Maria
Casa Azucar (in Rio Indio) and Casa Maria (South Placer)

Spear Fishing teams up with Mayan Beach Garden

Spear fishing Costa Maya
More Info on Mayan Beach Garden and spear fishing. . .

Those of you who may have wanted to learn how to spear fish with an expert - the time is now here. Mayan Beach Garden is partnering with Mike at Costa Maya Spear-fishing. Those who would like a Spear fishing experience and stay at MBG can now get a package deal with fishing and lodging combined.

Spear Fishing is the ultimate in sport fishing. The use of tanks for Spear fishing is illegal in Mexico, but free diving and snorkeling is completely legal. Mike has all the permits needed to take you either from shore or boat snorkel. With a few tips, you'll find you can stay down longer and even maybe spear some fish.

Spear fishing is highly selective, uses no bait and has no by-catch meaning no  turtles, Dolphins, Manatee, or other protected species are hurt . With education and proper regulations, spear fishing can be the most ecologically sustainable form of fishing.

The MilPa: It's importance to the Mayan way of life

I know what a Milpa is but it is one of those words that I never really remember how I learned it- I just know what it is. Jim, from Backyardnature.net refers to the Milpa throughout his newsletters, but I couldn't find a definition on his site. I've borrowed his picture, however of a Mayan in his Milpa (below). Recently I've been reading the book 1491 by Charles Mann which contributes the Milpa to the Mayan way of life.

Charles writes, "Indian Farmers grow maize in what is called a milpa .  The term means “maize field” but refers to something considerably more complex.  A milpa  is a field, usually but not always recently cleared, in which farmers plant a dozen crops at once, including maize, avocados, multiple varieties of squash and bean, melon, tomatoes, chilies, sweet potato, jicama, amaranth (a grain-like plant), and mucuna (a legume).    In nature, wild beans and squash often grow in the same field as teosinte (an ancestor of corn), and beans using the tall teosinte as a ladder to climb toward the sun; below ground, the beans nitrogen-fixing roots provide nutrients needed by teosinte.  The milpa is an elaboration of this natural situation, unlike ordinary farms, which involve single-crop expanses of a sort rarely observed in unplowed landscapes.

Milpa crops are nutritionally and environmentally complementary.  Maize lacks the amino acids lysine and tryptophan, which the body needs to make proteins and niacin.  Beans have both lysine and tryptophan, but not the amino acids cysteine and methionine, which are provided by the maize.  As a result, beans and maize make a nutritionally complete meal.  Squashes, for their part, provide an array of vitamins; avocados, fats.  The milpa, in the estimation of H. Garrison Wilkes, a maize researcher at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, “is one of the most successful human inventions ever created.”
.  The milpa. . .has a long record of successes.  “There are places in Mesoamerica that have been continuously cultivated for four thousand years and are still productive.”. . .  “The milpa is the only system that permits that kind of long-term use.”  Likely the milpa cannot be replicated on an industrial scale.  But by studying its essential features, researchers may be able to smooth the rough ecological edges of conventional agriculture.  “Mesoamerica still has much to teach us.”


Milpa

So the next time you are driving to Kohunlich or Dzibanche, take a look at the weedy looking cornfields you will see. This is gardening that supports the type of POLYCULTURE that we should all aspire to, even if Mayan gardens don't look like they came from Sunset magazine.

Messages from the US Consulate - HURRICANE SEASON

U.S. Consulate General Merida - MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS

Dated June 4, 2012

The U.S. Consulate General in Merida reminds Americans that June 1 to November 30 is hurricane season.

Be Prepared

Americans who are thinking about going to places that suffer from hurricanes should be aware of the chance of a storm and make a plan in case of emergency. Even inland areas far from the coastline can experience destructive winds, tornadoes, and floods from tropical storms and hurricanes.

In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, the Consulate will send out a warden message and monitor the storm's track, issuing updated messages to Americans who have registered with us. The Department of State may also issue a Travel Alert or Travel Warning to apprise the American traveling public of the situation.

Please take this time to check your travel documents and those of your family members to assure that all U.S. passports are still valid and that any non-American family members have valid Legal Permanent Resident cards or U.S. visas. You may need to travel to the U.S. on short notice and would not want to be stuck without valid travel documents.

Your Checklist:

  • Prior to leaving the United States, register your travel plans on the State Department’s travel registration web site
  • Check with your tour operator, airline, or charter flight company (as appropriate) regarding travel services back to the U.S. in the event of a hurricane, and the possibility of early return if a storm is forecasted for your region.
  • Obtain a cell phone that works internationally to stay in regular contact with family and friends in the U.S. and advise them of your whereabouts.
  • Research the region you’re visiting and familiarize yourself with local procedures
  • Pack an emergency supply kit (http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit).
  • Keep extra bottled water and non-perishable food items on hand.
  • Keep an up-to-date list of local emergency phone numbers, as well as contact numbers for the nearest U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or Consular Agency.
  • Protect your vital travel documents from potential water damage by placing them in a waterproof container.
  • Obtain travel insurance prior to your trip to cover unexpected expenses in the event of an emergency.
  • Consider what arrangements you will make for your pets. Please note that the Mexican authorities and U.S. government do not make accommodations for, evacuation of, or care of pets in the event of a tropical storm, hurricane, etc.
  • Leave a detailed itinerary and your local contact information with a friend or family member in the U.S.
  • Make two photocopies of the passport identification page, airline tickets, driver’s license and the credit cards you plan to take. Leave one copy of each with family or friends at home, and pack the other copies separately from the originals. Leave a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers’ checks with a friend or relative at home.
  • Monitor local web sites. For Yucatan state, http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/procivy/. Quintana Roo (which includes the popular tourist areas of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Tulum), http://proteccioncivil.qroo.gob.mx/. Campeche, http://cenecam.gob.mx/pronosticopr.php.

Please visit the following web sites. for more information:

Mexico Country Specific Information: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html

Hurricane Season: “Know Before You Go”: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2915.html

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

How to Contact Consulate Merida and the Consular Agencies in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel

http://merida.usconsulate.gov/service.html

Why you should have a Mexican will (repeat)

The following is an important article sent to me by Denis Couture, from MexicoCaribbean. I've edited it to make is shorter, but if you need more information you can email him directly to receive the full article and prices. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ.

Have you ever wondered what happens if you should suddenly pass away and your property is held in a Mexican corporation? Unfortunately in the last 4 months, I’ve had 2 clients suddenly pass away. Neither of them had a Mexican will.

The lack of a Mexican Will is going to create problems for surviving heirs and drag on for some time. The widowed spouse of one of my clients wants to sell her property, but is going to be delayed because she and her husband did not have a will. Although both of their names are listed as shareholders in the Mexican corporation that holds the property, this is not a substitute for having a will.

In a way it’s not all that different than not having a will in the U.S. or Canada. It greatly complicates the process and generally results in added time and cost before things are settled and assets are disbursed to the appropriate heirs. And as we all know the courts and attorneys reap the benefits that rightfully belong to the heirs.

Given the complexity of not having a will in the U.S. or Canada, you may not be surprised to know that in reality it’s going to be much more complicated, time consuming and expensive in Mexico.  But you can protect yourself and make your life or those of your heirs much simpler and less expensive by having a well drafted and legal will that is enforceable upon death.

When Should You Have a Will? The simple answer is whenever you have physical assets in Mexico that you want to bequeath to your heirs in the event of your death.  I am writing this from the perspective of bequeathing real estate but if you have other tangible assets in Mexico, those could be included as well. For real estate located in Mexico which is owned through a Mexican corporation, a Mexican will makes perfect sense and in my opinion is essential.  Property held in a fidecomiso, the alternate way for foreigners to own property, does not require a will. The reason is that the trustees, who are in effect the owners, indicate as part of forming the trust, those that are to succeed them.  So in effect the fidecomiso acts as a kind of will for the purpose of bequeathing real estate, but I recommend that you should discuss this with an attorney. In all other cases including the corporation, foreigners really need to have a will in order to avoid complications.

Benefits: In addition to the benefits mentioned above, another significant benefit in having a will is the avoidance of having to comply with international law. Under normal circumstances, in order for international transactions to be legal, documents need to be translated into the accepting country’s language, in this case, Spanish. In addition, other legal actions and procedures are required by both countries, which all require time and money. You may recall that when you set up your corporation that you had to have your documents apostilled by the Secretary of State’s office in your state or province in order to legitimize and legalize the transaction. That was relatively simple, but wills require much more bureaucracy and expense by both countries administering them. The Mexican will, in essence replaces all of this bureaucracy. Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking that your U.S. or Canadian will can be enforced in Mexico. Many people assume this, but you may find it’s far more difficult and costly to try to enforce this will than to create a separate Mexican will to deal with your Mexican assets.
The will is executed before a Mexican Notario.  As a result, the document is considered legal and binding for purposes of Mexican law and upon passing of the testator, can be executed with assets disbursed in a relatively efficient timeframe.  Under normal circumstances this can take place in three to four months. Without a will, the process of passing your assets on to your heirs can take at least one year and possibly more depending on the complexity.  Take the simple and less costly option and have a will prepared. Don’t leave your heirs with a mess on their hands after you’re gone.

Procedure: The process of creating a will in Mexico is relatively simple. You simply need to specify what you want your will to say, including primarily, who is to inherit your assets upon your passing. Keep it simple. The more complicated you make it, the more costly it will be. The attorneys can help in preparing a simple will which is included in the costs shown below.  Under Mexican law three witnesses and two translators are required for a will to be valid. These can be provided by the attorney unless you specify someone else.

If you’re interested in pursuing a Mexican will further, contact Denis directly for costs and information. He has negotiated reasonable prices with an English speaking attorney and you can deal with him directly unless you have further questions.
Denis can be reached by email at mexicocaribbean@aol.com or by U.S. phone at (248) 980-4014. 

news around Mexico, Quintana Roo and the yucatan peninsula

Quintana Roo plans to change Times

Mexico City / 24 / April

Editorial NOTE: I'm not sure exactly how the time will be changed - more on this as time goes on, but I take it to mean that there will be no time change between winter and summer. There are several petitions to repeal the referendum, including grass root activities on Facebook.

The Senate approved without discussion the creation of a new time zone, in which Cancun will turn their watch forward two hours ahead of Mexico City in winter in order to create conditions of competition in tourism with other international center. During Daylight saving time, it would only be an hour difference.

The measure passed with 84 votes and will result in Cancun having the same time as Eastern time in the US. .

An argument for the bill was based on energy savings, calculating that in winter, there would be a savings of energy.

Although many people seem to think the government is shoving something down their throat, I for one am all for it. I don't like it light at 6 AM and dark by 5 in the winter as it is now.

Aeromexico flights started flights to Chetumal airport in May

Aeromexico flights started operation in May with flights leaving Chetumal in the morning and arriving into Chetumal at 11:30 at night. While times are not ideal for Tourism to Mahahual, the prices now have dropped significantly. I was able to find a flight from Seattle to Chetumal leaving at 7:00 AM and arriving into Chetumal at 11:30 at night for $672 USD. The same flight on the same day to Cancun was $542. A year ago, a comparable flight to Chetumal was over $1100 USD.

Aeromexico

Review of Comfort Inn, Cancun airport (Thanks to Sara Thomas)

Sara stayed at Comfort Inn last March 2011 and wrote this review for us

"I would definitely NOT recommend the Comfort Inn. Yes, some corp. spent a lot of money on the rooms and floors. When the floors are wet or we were, coming from the hot tubs, it’s EXTREMELY slippery....beautiful but glossy, glossy marble tile.

The elevators are practically inoperable, the staff very unfriendly, and noises carry everywhere...not muffled. Shuttle times are limited in comparison to Marriott courtyard and the Taxi’s very expensive during off hours.

Please see my Travel Advisor review of it if you want more information ... for a few more pennies, I’d definitely go to Marriott Courtyard."

Ferry Service to Progresso

The past year has not brought a lot of forward momentum with the ferry project in spite of the interest of three different ferry companies and many false start dates. The scandals which precipitated personnel changes at the Progreso Port Authority certainly didn't help the situation either, however, things have been happening behind the scenes and from what I understand a number of feasibility studies have been done in the Tampa area showing the ferry project is viable but the inability to do a feasibility study within the expatriate community continues to be a stumbling block especially with investors.

Having learned from the mistakes of the previous ferry services in the area and responses from the previous expat surveys, the original plans have been modified. Super high speed ferries are now being considered to shorten the crossing time, frequent user plans, and even free vehicle bonuses are being considered. A year round weekly crossing schedule with frequency based on use patterns and peak seasons will be offered. As this service will take some years to become profitable investor backing will be the key to success.

I know many of you have already completed one or both of the previous surveys but United Caribbean Lines is asking for our input once again. The results will directly influence investors and the more responses the better so please forward this email and ask everyone you know who may travel this direction to answer the questions and forward their responses to United Caribbean Lines. If you have access to expatriate web sites., blogs or travel groups please have all your members respond and forward the questions on to any other web sites. and blogs you use anywhere in Central America. Even if you have no interest in using the ferry service please respond because part of the purpose is to try to establish how many expats live in the Yucatan and Central America.

If you are comfortable letting UCL know how to reach you they would like to extend some special courtesies, goodies, discounts and upgrades for helping them, when the ferry service begins. Just put your email address and mailing address in Central America on your answers to the questionnaire so UCL can reach you with the offers when they get started.


Please copy the following questions with your answers in an email and send your responses as soon as possible to Bruce Nierenburg at United Caribbean Lines. BNIERENBERG@AOL.COM

Questionnaire for Ex-Pats living in Central America for new Ferry Service of United Caribbean Lines

1. Where in Central America is your current home?

2. How many family members reside in your Central American home?

3. Do you maintain a second home in the U.S. or Canada?

4. When you travel to go to the U.S. or Canada to visit friends family etc. What is your destination?

5. How many times a year do you make this trip?

6. If you have more than one place you travel to in the U.S. or Canada please list those additional destinations

7. How often to you travel to these secondary destinations each calendar year

8. When you go do you drive or fly? If both what is the approx. % for each?

9. Do you have pets? Do you take them when you return to the U.S. or Canada?

10. When you return to the U.S. or Canada do you shop for supplies etc. For your home in Central America?

11. When you travel from your home in Central America to the U.S. or Canada are there times of the year you do most of the travel? If so, when?

12. Do friends and family come to Central America each year to visit you? If so how often?

13. Do you own an RV in Central America?

a. Would you take it on the ferry?

14. What would be the most important reasons you would take the ferry to Florida?

a. Please number the following reasons in order of importance for using the ferry

b. Number 1 is the most important. Number 10 the least

i. Go back to other homes in U.S. and or Canada ____

ii. Visit family and friends ____

iii. Shopping ____

iv. Vacationing in Florida ___

v. I can take my car or RV ___

vi. Go to Florida to use airports for further travel ___

vii. Go to Florida to get on a cruise ____

viii. Just to get away for a short trip ____

ix. Travel for medical purposes ___

x. Other ( please name ) ______

Additional comments or things you would like us to know to help serve you better with our new ferry service

NEWS FROM XCALAK

I love you Xcalak

XCALAK POLLY What's New in Xcalak:

Xcalak says goodbye to it's good fairy.

Sad, sad days, Linda Zaccaro is leaving Xcalak. Her husband Nick is in America, he is sick and receiving treatment, we wish him well.

Polly

Linda

Linda came down here on vacation, like a lot of us she fell in love with the peace, tranquility and pace of life here and bought land. She and Nick had a beautiful house designed and built for themselves, they made a lovely garden and enjoyed the beach and ocean. They rented a house in the pueblo for a year whilst their house was being built, getting involved in the everyday lives of the people and then starting projects to help.

Especially the children, she restarted a Library, this time in the school with the books being monitored in and out. Always a problem getting the children to remember to bring their books back she bought little gifts, erasers, pencils,transfers to give out for the books coming back in, magic.

To finance the projects she held tag sales and raffles, she also talked to owners, visitors and got many donations. This money was used for many different projects, and if a cake was needed for the children on de Dia del Ninos, well, she would get it or pay for it. The list is just too long to detail, helping the Dentists come and stay and do the teeth of these people, some of whom had never been to a dentist in their lives.

The big generator house being signed over to the pueblo for use as a community center (this is for the Delgado to finish now) was her dream project.

I think the one she has enjoyed most was the First Annual Xcalak Children's Christmas Party. So much work and planning. How the children's faces lit up when Santa Claus came with his big sack of toys and the presents were given out. Some of these children wouldn't have had a present at all but for Linda and her Elves.

Some of you will say this isn't new, we used to give money for ??????? but at the end of the day there has to be A GOOD FAIRY with the oommmph to get it all done.

Thank you Linda for everything you have done for the pueblo and for us. We will miss you and pray for both you and Nick.

Mariner's day in Xcalak

1st June, once again Capitania de Puerto Suzy did a great job organizing the pueblo for Mariners Day. The children from all three schools brought wreaths and bunches of flowers to caste into the ocean from the many boats that took part. The boats head out of the cut into the open ocean, the prayers are said and the boats head back in. The return is always a little faster! the children like to see the wake and feel the wind in their hair.

2nd/3rd June, Xcalak's 112th birthday Fiesta.

Great success, loads of noise, music and dancing all weekend, many, many people from Chetumal and San Pedro and other villages. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Monday 4th, Tents down, litter/bottles all cleared and gone. Wonderful.

Classified Adds

Classified adds have moved to this link Classified Ads. If you have something you want included in the classifieds, please send it to info@mayanbeachgarden.com. Limit text to 100 words and pictures no larger than 600 pixels wide, but preferably 432, so that text can go side by side the photos. Include a contact email or phone number. It is a good idea to use an email address that is not your primary address to limit Junk mail coming your way. There is no charge, this is a community service for sale by owners. New this month is a boat with motor.

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