Jewel of the Caribbean - Xcalak Mexico

In the south of the Yucatan Peninsula is Costa Maya with the town of  Mahahual and  about 50 or so km away, Xcalak. Both are gems, with Mahahual being larger with boutique hotels, many restaurants and services. Xcalak  is smaller and if you check on a map, it is actually at the end of a peninsula so it is south enough to be by location in Belize.

The main activities that attract tourists and visitors is the amazing clear waters for diving and snorkeling, great sport fishing in the mangroves and on the flats and bird watching is also becoming popular. There are kayak excursions to take you further away from civilization into this spectacular area.

music by   Artist: Keyn project  Title: sapphire

Caribbean Hideaway Escape ~ Mahahual, Mexico

Mahahual, Costa Maya, Mexico has stollen my heart. The people, the beauty, the fishing, the snorkeling . . . *sigh* The spotted ray that's in the avatar and the video startled me. I wasn't far off the beach snorkeling and it was very curous about me. lol

Perfect uncrowded Caribbean getaway... music by Alexander Filippov 05 - Epizode 1

Caribbean Crocodile Adventure ~ Banco Chinchorro, Mexico

Banco Chinchorro is a coral atoll about an 1 1/2 hour boat ride off Costa Maya in Mexico. It's like stepping into another world!!

Hundreds of crocodiles live wild and free at Banco Chinchorro Mexico, the small coral atoll 35km off shore from Costa Maya.

FEAR THIS! - What are you afraid of?

What are YOU afraid of?

Spiders, snakes, sharks, mountain lions, crocodiles, clowns are some things people fear. My fear is of hornets and wasps, I run like a fool swatting when they pay me a call.

Gran Bahia Principe Coba - Riviera Maya Mexico - YouTube

The Gran Bahia Principe Resort and Hotel is one of the favorite resort of vacationers in the Riviera Maya, it's understandable.

 music by Alexandr Filippov 08 - Memory

Simply the Best - Gran Bahia Principe Akumal Beach - YouTube

At  least one of the Best ..Gran Bahia Principe Akumal Beach

Music by El Perez  - Rumba Alemana and - Rumba Francesa

hard to say goodbye - Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya - YouTube

I have often said that the hardest thing is saying good-bye.

Port of Costa Maya Cruise Ship Terminal - YouTube

The Port of Costa Maya really is spectacular. It was completely destroyed in 2007 by Hurricane Dean and 18 months later . . . rebuilt and working again!

Beautiful, new, modern port with many things to see and do, but the Port of Costa Maya is just the gateway to an amazing place waiting to be be discovered by you.

We were treated royally by the Port of Costa Maya including having a full size bus at our disposal for transportation.

music by Alexander Blu 05 - December, 04 - Balkan

Lionfish Spearfishing - Mahahual Mexico Costa Maya

Lionfish, beautiful and dangerous.

The venomous lionfish has invaded the oceans of the world, and it has little to fear. In the Caribbean, it has no natural enemies. In fact, it is causing great distruction to Caribbean reefs because of this and because of it's voracious appetite.

The venom of the lionfish, delivered via an array of up to 18 needle-like dorsal fins, is purely defensive.The Lionfish relies on camouflage and lightning-fast reflexes to capture prey, mainly fish and shrimp.  A sting from a lionfish is extremely painful to humans and can cause nausea and breathing difficulties, but is rarely fatal.

But here's the thing, the lionfish is delicious to eat and that might be it's undoing, hopefully. At the very least the invasion will slow as lionfish finds it's way into ceviche and it's fabulous.

This is off Banco Chinchorro. The clarity of the water here in Costa Maya is amazing and seeing our guides free-dive down to the bottom so effortlessly and then swim around down there is something to behold.

music by Alexander Blu 13 - Independent, 07 - Teacher and 10 - Spider

Mexico Travel - off the beaten path - Banco Chinchorro YouTube

The most exciting part . . . snorkeling with sharks!!

If you're ready to leave the busy tourist destinations in the Caribbean for a truly unique experience, check out Costa Maya and Banco Chinchorro.

music is by Alexander Blu 05 - Jan song, 06 - Slow mind, 09 - Sea Song and 13 - After all (part 2)

Caribbean Beaches - YouTube

A vacation to the Caribbean is about beaches...Riviera Maya, Punta Cana and Samana DR

Music by Alexandr Filippov 02 - Istambul

sun, sand, surf and pools - Riviera Maya Resort - YouTube

sun, sand, surf and pools are the perfect place to relax or have some fun

Music by Carlos Miguel 04 - Mondial paix

all that glitters - Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach - YouTube

I love the way light can twinkle on the water...

music by  Betania López. - 01  Cuando Quiero Voy

Michael Jackson's Tribute Show - Barceló Maya Tropical

The legacy of Michael Jackson lives on at many of the resorts in the Caribbean. The best tribute to this legendary performer was at the Barceló Mayan Tropical Resort and Spa in the Riviera Maya Mexico.

Lev Garcia is the Riviera Maya's top Michael Jackson impersonator and has appeared at numerous resorts. This performance was at the Barceló Maya Tropical in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.


 

Riviera Maya Mexico Resorts - Grand Palladium - Youtube

It really is very beautiful at the Grand Palladium in the Riviera Maya. So many things to see & do . . .

Great resort for couples and families, I especially love the way nature was left intact in much of the resort

music by Carlos Miguel 06 - Primavera

Grand Palladium Riviera a new day - YouTube

Very peaceful place in the morning looking out across the jungle area at the Grand Palladium Riviera.  Not crowded, no buildings blocking view, just the sun and clouds.

A couple of minutes from our villa was the shuttle boat stop which takes you to any of the 2 lobbies, White Sands or Riviera and the restaurants for breakfast.
Just another day.

music by Catherine Corelli 02 - I Am The Pink Lady

MURDER OF AN OPPONENT TO A CANADIAN MINING COMPANY

A Canadian company involved? 

There was a time when Canada's reputation was that of 'peace keeper' and 'advocate for human rights'. However, as Canadian mining companies, continue their expansion into other countries, we are seeing an erosion of this reputation. And it's an erosion to the extreme opposite.

As policies exist today, there seems to be little that can protect the indigenous peoples, their lands and rights when it comes to Canadian mining companies plans and actions. This must be stopped.

"In November 2010, a proposed Responsible Mining Act that would have regulated the foreign operations of Canadian mining companies was narrowly defeated by 140-134 in the House of Commons. The defeat of the bill allows the companies to carry on with business as usual: unethical behaviour in establishing and running their operations, environmental destruction, human rights abuses and possibly murder.

Below are two press releases about the most recent violence in Mexico, and a letter you can send out that calls upon the government to enact legislation that would hold Canadian mining companies accountable for their actions in countries throughout the world." - Dianne Varga

Press Releases:
BLOOD FOR SILVER, BLOOD FOR GOLD – THE ASSASSINATION OF BERNARDO VASQUEZ: At Fortuna Silver's mine in Oaxaca, Mexico

Murder of Indigenous Opponent to Canadian Mine Sparks Protest at Canadian Embassy in Mexico City1 

MURDER OF AN OPPONENT TO A CANADIAN MINING COMPANY

What can you do? 

TAKE ACTION:  Send this letter (via Dianne Varga)


To: pm@pm.gc.ca; diane.ablonczy@parl.gc.ca
Cc: nycole.turmel@parl.gc.ca; Elizabeth.May@parl.gc.ca; bob.rae@parl.gc.ca

Subject: Foreign Operations of Canadian Mining Companies

Dear Prime Minister Harper and Minister Ablonczy:

On March 15th, Bernardo Vásquez Sánchez, an Indigenous Zapotec community leader and member of the Coordinating Committee of the United Peoples of the Valley of Ocotlán in San José del Progreso, Oaxaca, was murdered in an ambush by a group of gunmen. Bernardo was an outspoken leader against the mining operations of Vancouver-based Fortuna Silver Mines in San José del Progreso, Oaxaca, known locally by the name of its Mexican subsidiary, Minera Cuzcatlán.

Those opposed to the mine have experienced frequent attacks, threats and arbitrary arrests. Two months ago, Bernardo Mendez was killed in another spate of violence related to the mine. Jen Moore, Latin America Program Coordinator for MiningWatch Canada, has called for a full investigation into the violence in San José de Progreso. “This should include,” she said, “examination of how the company entered the area and how it may be benefiting from, aggravating, or corroding local governance structures to the detriment of Indigenous peoples there.”

I ask that you publicly condemn the violence and lend your voice to the calls for a full investigation into the murders of Bernardo Vásquez Sánchez and Bernardo Mendez, and into previous violence in San José de Progreso, including any possible connections with Fortuna Silver.

I also ask that you call for protection of environmental defenders in San José de Progreso.

In addition, I call upon you to enact legislation that would hold Canadian extractive companies accountable for human rights violations and environmental impacts of their mining practices around the world. Canada’s reputation in the world is becoming more and more sullied the longer that Canada supports corporate interests over the interests of people and the environment.

Sincerely,

[Name
Address
Postal Code]

BEST Job in the World!! - YouTube

We have the Best Job in The World thanks to Google AdSense and YouTube, traveling and experiencing life.

Although it would be easy to become jaded and only focus on the beauty we find which many do, I will always strive to present alternative realities. One example of this is talking about the environment, global warming, reefs dying and habitat loss. We all have a responsibility and we feel most fortunate to be able to live our dream but that doesn't mean we lose sight of everything else.

Thank you for watching.

music by El Perez 01 - Rumba Alemana

The Greatest Show on Earth - CIRCUS at Grand Sirenis - YouTube

The Grand Sirenis Resort in Mexico has some really great shows. This is a troupe of locals. Fantastic!

 Get a bowl of popcorn and get ready for what is one of the best shows at any resort at any price. The Circus Show from the Grand Sirenis Resort and Spa is perhaps the best, most entertaining show we have seen.

 And remember that this is all included in the all inclusive price, as are drinks at the theater.

laid back beach in Mexico - YouTube

I love the beach, and Mexico has some amazing ones especially along the Yucatan and the Riviera Maya.

music is by Alexandr Filippov 05 - Epizode 1