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Property
Owners
> Archived
Newsletters > May. 2005
Newsletters:
of primary interest to property owners on the Costa Maya, - Rio Indio
- Placer - Uvero - Punta Herrera - Xcalak and other points along the
coast
***********************Newsletter: May 9, 2005**************************
Contents:
Royal Caribbean cruise ship slams into the Costa Maya Pier More Cruise
ship news -- freak wave hits Norwegian liner New Passport requirements
coming - Proposed Timeline for Implementation for Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative Requirements New publication on prohibited items
when flying Update on recycling program
Spotlight on your neighbors - Kristine Garbo and Dick Bonner
Hi Neighbors,
Happy Mother's day! Without the media reminding us to buy something,
it is sometimes hard to remember US holidays when you are here in Mexico,
but they have their own Mother's day here including children making
mother's day gifts in the schools.
Not too much news this last month. April was very busy with spring
vacation travelers and key people were out of town so meetings were
postponed. The drought continues although there have been a few spontaneous
thunderstorms in various locations but few along the beach. The pier
is now officially on summer schedule - cruise ships less often as they
head to cooler destinations.
You can find this newsletter and archives of past newsletters at this
location: http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/PropertyOwners_Newsletter.html
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE SHIP SLAMS INTO THE COSTA MAYA PIER
On April 21st, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas slammed into the
Costa Maya Pier ripping a 42 foot long gash in its side approximately
5 feet above the waterline. The reports stated that the conditions were
windy, but they seemed pretty normal to spectators who saw the accident.
No one was injured but the ship was stuck in Mahahual for a few days
while authorities scrambled to get skilled labor and material to fix
it. Meanwhile passengers had to figure out what to do. Many took alternate
ways home, but many ventured out of the protected mall of the pier and
into Mahahual finding it sleepy and slow. Most of the workers from the
shops and restaurants in Mahahual had gone home, as they had not expected
there to be any ships in port. Full report on the accident: http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-0/1114495094200610.xml
MORE CRUISE SHIP NEWS -- FREAK WAVE HITS NORWEGIAN
I normally don't care about the comings and going of cruise ships, but
since we live so close to a cruise ship dock, everything that affects
the industry affects the Costa Maya and in turn our property and quality
of life on the Costa Maya. This month another accident occurred on a
cruise ship when a 7 story freak wave crashed into the Norwegian Dawn
while cruising in the Bahamas, injuring 4 passengers. Freak waves happen
out to sea. Last week a mini "freak wave" capsized a boat
loaded with divers 2 km south of Mahahual. Only minor injuries were
reported, but everyone was shook up. In the same week, one of our guests
experienced their own freak wave incident when on a glass-like day,
a wave toppled her kayak over. Our guest laughed and got back up on
the kayak after several tries.
NEW PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS COMING - PROPOSED TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION
of the WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Up to now, all that was needed when entering and exiting Mexico was
a picture ID and birth certificate and less than that was required for
driving over the border. Many people managed to get into the country
with only a driver's license. That is going to change with new travel
initiatives from the US security department going into effect at the
end of this year. Most of those reading this newsletter probably have
passports, but those who do not or are planning on visiting with friends
and family members, please pass the word around so that you can all
get into Mexico or other bordering countries without a hitch. There
is plenty of time, but things do creep up on you.
The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases, providing
as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable
them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed implementation
timeline is as follows:
December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required
for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central
and South America.
December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required
for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required
for all air, sea and land border crossings.
UPDATED PUBLICATION ON PROHIBITED ITEMS WHEN FLYING
The publication from the US government on prohibited items when flying
was updated on 3/11/2005. Most of it looks very similar to what we all
have gotten used to since 9-11, but as of April 14th, 2005, all cigarette
lighters will be prohibited as carry-on items. Up to four books of safety
matches are permitted as carryon and no strike anywhere matches. Lighters
and matches are always prohibited in checked in baggage. If you are
a smoker, that might make things difficult for you. Here in Mexico,
the problem with safety matches is that they are affected by the humidity.
Most of the matches here in Mexico that you buy are these funky little
plastic things that burn your fingers or blow out quickly. Wooden matches
are available at Barudi's Bodega in Mahahual. Barudi's is located on
the SE corner of the first intersection in the houses by the pier (referred
to as the casitas). These matches are comparable to the strike anywhere
ones in the US. Lighters and refillable fuel cartridges are easy to
find as well.
Find the updated report here:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=177
UPDATE ON RECYCLING PROGRAM
Thanks to everyone who keeps showing an interest in the recycling program.
I had some guests stay here who said this is the FIRST recycling program
they had seen anywhere in Mexico. My guest was a captain in the US armed
services traveling around Mexico doing research on the culture and stopped
here along the Costa Maya to see what it was all about. He was notably
impressed to also find out that so many of you have donated money to
the efforts.
I was a little disappointed to find that the work on the recycling
center had slowed down due to the busy month of April. I have been promised
that the efforts will speed up. CORRECTION on last month's newsletter.
I had reported that the city had purchased a trash compactor. I was
mistaken, I think they were GOING to purchase one (those verbs get me
every time!). They now may have to re-apply for the funds all over again
due to the new change in government that occurred April 15th. A trash
compactor is essential to the efforts here as all of the plastic bottles
have to fit into special recycling bags. They also need to have a certain
number of tons before it is cost-effective to take them to the recycling
center in Chetumal. The compactor helps that efforts. It is high on
everyone's list in the city. They did manage to get their 4-wheel scooter
and trailer to pick up recyclables, I have seen the scooter.
New contributions to the recycling fund:
>>Louise Trygstad and Bruce Durland......... $100
>>Ted W. Trauernicht.................................$100
>>Mystery guest....................................... $???
I am embarrassed to say that a guest at Mayan Beach Garden left me a
donation in cash. I think I know who it is, but I am embarrassed to
admit that I didn't write it down or the amount. If you left the cash,
please email me and let me know so I can credit you!
Total donations to date: 1,941.27
Debits from the fund:
Previous : .............................. $834
April : .................................... $------
Balance: ..............................................$1106
SPOTLIGHT ON YOUR NEIGHBORS - KRISTINE GARBO AND DICK BONNER
This is a new series in the newsletter that has been requested by several
people. The goal is to not only meet your neighbors, but hopefully connect
neighbors with one another. We find we count on our neighbors out here
far more than we ever did back in the US. Our first spotlight is of
Kristine Garbo and Dick Bonner. Kristine and Dick currently live and
work in Galveston Texas. They have two restaurants there but hope to
retire soon and move here full time. They have property 4 km north of
Uvero beach club in Alma 6 and plan to start building in about a year.
You can see a picture and read more about Kristine and Dick on this
web page: http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/PropertyOwners_spotlight.html.
If you think you have property close to them, let them know; they would
love to start up an email friendship with you and anyone who is interested
in extending their circle of friends here in the Costa Maya.
Until next month .....
Marcia,
www.mayanbeachgarden.com
Boutique hotel on the Costa Maya
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Updated:
05-May-2008
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