Women In Wellness October 24 – November 4 2009

For Immediate Release – Locals are welcome to join in the workshops and classes

Who: Women In Wellness Retreat
What: A whole mind and body fitness trip to the Mayan Riviera, Mexico
When: October 24 – November 4, 2009
Where: Akumal, Mexico
Cost: Varies on Accommodations and Workshops you attend. Prices for rooms start as low as $45 a night double occupancy.

Just Imagine Vacations, Inc., of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Hotel Akumal Caribe, of Akumal, Mexico, are hosting a “Women in Wellness Retreat” in Akumal, Mexico on October 24 – November 4, 2009. The purpose of the trip is to provide opportunities for women to experience whole mind and body fitness in one of the most beautiful vacation villages on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast.

Wellness activities and programs will include: Water Fitness certification and continuing education classes, offered by WaterARTS International of Canada, Yoga classes offered by top international yoga instructors at Yoga Akumal, Blanca Sanchez-Navarro, LPC, LCDC of Texas will be leading workshops on De-stress for Success and Salsa Lessons.

In addition to these programs, there will be fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, snorkeling, scuba-diving, kayaking and much more available. Trip goers will also celebrate Halloween and the Day of Dead – Mexican style! Side tours are also available to eco-parks and Mayan ruins.

Akumal, Mexico is located on the Mayan Riviera about an hour and a half south of Cancun and just north of Tulum. We will be staying at a lovely family-owned boutique resort, Hotel Akumal Caribe. Other accommodations, villas and condos are available for large groups and families.

Just Imagine Vacations arranges custom tours for schools, infinity groups and special events to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

To learn more please visit our website www.rivieramayavacation.net OR contact Lydia L. Pontius at lydia@justimagine.net

Lol Ha Wine Tasting July 24th is Free

Lol Ha Beach Bar – July 24th

You are cordially invited to participate in a Wine Tasting this Friday, July 24, at the Lol-Ha Beach Bar between 6:30 and 7:30. The main objectives are:

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· Have a good time
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· Learn about a variety of wines from different countries and regions
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· Help Lol-Ha establish an updated by-the-glass wine list for High Season, based on what you like.

Andres Somellera Ramirez, Gerente Alimentos y Bebidas, Hotel Akumal Caribe “LOL-HA” is co-coordinating this “Event”, and he has invited four wine companies/distributors to be there with their wines and informative discussions. The four are:

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· World of Wines
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· Aconcagua del Caribe
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· Grupo Estilmar
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· Vinos Cabasol

While the details on the exact wines are not available at this time, there will be red and white wines from Argentina, Chile, France, and Mexico.

The varietals to taste, include:

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White Varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, etc.
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Red Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot,

Andres will also provide an ample supply of cheese and fruit to compliment the various wines. And, the Blues & Jazz Band should be providing some soft, light jazz as background music.

And, please be advised that there is NO COST to be a part of this “Event”.

Help Friends and Family in Akumal and along the Riviera Maya

I have called Akumal my home away from home, and the Riviera Maya has been my playground since I first laid eyes on it. And to many I am still a relative “newcomer”. My first trip to the area was 1998 and I walked under the arch in 1999. I knew the moment I saw it, like so many others, that this was a special place. It only took returning once to make me realize not only was the place unique but the people were unusually friendly. You are a stranger but once in Akumal. That is what makes it so totally different from many other places. That is what I have heard oh so many say over the years.

My question is this. If we so love to call Akumal home, and the people we visit there friends and in many cases even family, then isn’t it times like this that we should be asking ourselves what we can do to help? We in the States have been hit hard with this new economy and money is tight. There is no denying that. But there is a definite trickle down effect and it has touched our beloved Akumal and the Mayan Riviera.

On top of tighter budgets and less people traveling the Riviera Maya has had to defend themselves against a media that has painted all of Mexico with the same brush scaring those of us who should know better about crime wars and flues.

I think now more than ever we need to help our friends and family. Airfares are great. And your visit has never been more needed. This past spring many businesses felt the impact of 80% of their reservations canceled, that includes hotels, transportation, tours, restaurants and stores.

If you can’t afford to book your next trip, then help us out by sharing your stories, photos and memories. Help us to rebuild the reputation our beloved home and home away from home had in easier times. And by doing so maybe we can in some small way reach out and help those who have brightened our life. Whether you call it pay back or pay it forward. It is a simple and fun way we can all help. Now is not the time to be grumbling about a time that has past, and how it use to be; nor is it a time to be trying to negotiate the best deals. Now, in this writers opinion, is the time to show our loyalty and support.

Won’t you please help?

Help Needed for Animals Flying to states

We are looking for some help to get some animals to their forever homes can you help???

We have 2 kittens we need to get to vancouver or calgary

1 kitten to get to miami

all expenses for the animals will be paid.

Also the peanut pet shelter is trying to get the lovely Liana the deaf dalmation mix to connecticut here is what was posted by peanuts

“Liana is a dalmatian mix that has been at the Peanut Pet Shelter in Playa for a long time. New owner Amy Gates lives in Connecticut and we are looking for a way to get Liana there. Amy is a speech language pathologist and has worked with the deaf in schools for many years. Liana is a perfect fit as she is deaf and Amy has experience with owning deaf dogs in the past. Liana very well may be destined to become a therapy dog.
If anybody is flying into these airports on American Airlines, United or Mexicana and is willing to be an escort please let us know:

TF Green Airport in Rhode Island,
Logan Airport in Boston Massachusetts
Bradley Airport in Hartford/Windsor Connecticut
JFK Airport in New York,
La Guardia Airport in New York
Newark Airport in Newark New Jersey

All papers and payment will be provided, dog and kennel will be brought to the airport and we will stay with you until Liana goes through security. Liana is in Playa at the Peanut Pet Shelter, so anybody flying out of Cancun would be ideal. We could also bring her to Cozumel to fly her out. “

if you can help please let us know

Thankyou

Laura

Akumal 50th Finale

What a perfect ending to a perfect weekend. The skies were blue, the breeze was mellow and the day as the fishing tournament took off with 22 boats. Meanwhile back at the beach the children gathered to go on their treasure hunt. Thanks to all the volunteers, locals, regulars and visitors alike helped us with nearly 100 children of all ages. We broke the kids into groups according to age and off they went with their guides one group at a time. Along the way they were confronted with some notorious pirates armed with water guns. In the end the pirate all relinquished their weapons to the kids. There were plenty of small gifts so that each of the children got several.

The afternoon’s festivities continued with volleyball on the beach down in front of Budha Garden. With the Fishing Tournament spread out near CEA the entire beach was alive with music and laughter. Wendell pulled in a HUGE Marlin and ended up walking away with all 3 prizes. Congratulations Wendell. Meanwhile on the other end of the beach the volleyball teams were battling it out.

Right in the middle was the sand sculpturing. There were so many wonderful sculptures all depicting Ixchel or Mermaids and created by families that the judges decided all were winners and they got gifts and memories that would last them for years.

The weekend ended with music and margaritas at La Buena Vida. Happy Anniversary Akumal! Many more, may you never change and always be that special place you are!!!

Again, thanks to everyone who helped and participated.

Akumal’s 50th update Sunday Morning

Saturday was an incredibly fun packed day, thanks to the hard work of many Akumalians. There was a dive festival that was run between the two dive shops in Playa Akumal. The cancha was transformed into a wonderful bazaar with booths selling new and used items, art work, food and more. The stage was busy all day starting with a fashion show, followed by the Tulum dance group and later in the afternoon a puppet show.

The evening activities started with happy hour at Lol Ha. At 6:30 there was a beach picnic with a variety of delicious tacos all prepared on open fires. During dinner there was dancing to Latin Music. At 8:30 the entertainment moved under the Lol Ha Beach palapa where there was dancing to Jurassic Band, a 70’s band that had the crowd dancing and singing until midnight. The turn out was wonderful!

Sunday starts at 9:00 with a presentation on the Maya Calendar, the fishing tournament, a treasure hunt for the children, sand sculpturing, kite flying and a volleyball tournament. The festival will close with live music at La Buena Vida.

To all who helped create and orchestrate this wonderful festival, we say thank you and congratulations for a job well done. But what really made it special was the turn out of people and the smiles on their faces, which reminded us all why we love Akumal.

Akumal 50th Saturday Update

Akumal’s 50th Celebration kicked off with a great first night. Close to 200 people arrived at the CEA Center for the wine and cheese reception and was thoroughly entertained with wonderful multi-media presentations from video to slide presentations and a song written about Akumal. Laura Bush began the evening by introducing some of the very first Akumalians. The presentations were heartwarming and brought back a floor of memories for all in attendance. We want to thank everyone who worked so hard on those presentations.

The evening continued over at the stage to a packed crowd who came to eat, drink and dance the night away. There were Latin dance performances and dancing to Latin music followed by Bandikoro. Everyone who worked so hard to put this portion of the festival together saw the fruits of their hard work in the smiles on everyone’s face.

This night was a very special opportunity to visit with old friends, share memories and have a great time, knowing Akumal holds many more great memories in its future.

If you are around check out our schedule so you don’t miss a single thing! http://www.sac-be.com/akumal_50.shtml

Akumal 50th Friday Update

It’s Friday morning. The final touches are being set up around Akumal, the CEA Center is getting ready to host the opening ceremonies, people are waking and getting ready to rehearse and prepare for their roles in the celebration. And there is an over-all sense of excitement. We have 100 children confirmed for the Treasure hunt on Sunday. Kite-flying has been added to the list of Sunday’s activities. Charlene and several other locals arrived yesterday, just in time! Nancy Poor arrived with LOTS of new necklaces and earrings that will be for sale, money going Frida Khalo Library and SPAY.

This evening’s program will have something for everyone starting at the wine and cheese reception at CEA where there will be a multi- media presentation depicting Akumal over the past 50 years followed by Salsa and Bandikoro at the stage. It is sure to be an evening to delight everyone.

Check out the schedule by clicking here.

http://www.sac-be.com/akumal_50.shtml

AKUMAL’S 50th UPDATES!!!

Akumal’s 50th Celebration is gearing up to be a fabulous festival. The committees met Wednesday evening at Lol-Ha to report on the status of each event. Small meetings were arranged and the group dined at Lol- Ha Restaurant to celebrate everyone’s hard work and enjoy the calm before things really got rocking and rolling. The minute you drive in to Akumal your know there is a party to beat all parties in the works – signs, posters, fliers are everywhere.

Laura Bush announced that many government VIPs have been invited to attend the festival and a Travel Channel from South America that covers 20 Latin countries was here filming, that was perfect timing The hope is that there will be lots of advertising spin off from the Celebration which will bring much needed tourism dollars to our beloved Akumal. There is talk, depending on how successful this year’s celebration is, it could become an annual event, so if you missed out this year, cross your fingers for the future.

We thank all the folks who have worked so hard to create this celebration – but its success depends on everyone’s participation so come join in the fun. If you are anywhere in the area be sure to check out the schedule of great events. There will something for everyone, every age.

CDC has removed its warning for travel to Mexico

CDC has been monitoring the ongoing outbreak of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico and, with the assistance of the Mexican authorities, has obtained a more complete picture of the outbreak. There is evidence that the Mexican outbreak is slowing down in many cities though not all. In addition, the United States and other countries are now seeing increasing numbers of cases not associated with travel to Mexico. Finally, the risk of severe disease from novel H1N1 virus infection now appears to be less than originally thought.
CDC Recommendations

At this time, CDC has removed its recommendation that U.S. travelers avoid travel to Mexico.

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/travel-health-precaution/novel-h1n1-flu-mexico.aspx