Archeological Site Tulum, Mexico

This tool is now available in Google Earth and Google Maps platforms; it allows surfers to ‘travel’ through 34 pre-Hispanic cities, their structures, paintings and the areas surrounding them. “This initiative, which will continue to grow, shows the world of the cultural wealth of Mexico”, says the INAH.

To accomplish this innovative project, a special bike was adapted with cameras and GPS equipment, and special care was taken so as not to endanger the structures or the green areas of the national heritage sites.   The archeological sites in the Maya world, which can be displayed via this feature of Google Maps and Google Earth, are: Uxmal (Yucatan), Kabah (Yucatán), Ek Balam (Yucatán), Chichén Itzá (Yucatán), Tulum (Quintana Roo), Dzibilchaltún (Yucatán), Kohunlich (Quintana Roo), Dzibanche (Quintana Roo), Chacchoben (Quintana Roo), El Rey (Quintana Roo), El Meco (Quintana Roo), Coba (Quintana Roo), Becán (Campeche)Palenque (Chiapas), Bonampak (Chiapas), and Comalcalco (Tabasco).

Other archeological sites of Mexico available for display are: Teotihuacán (Mexico State), Xochicalco (Morelos), Monte Albán (Oaxaca), (Oaxaca) Mitla, Yagul (Oaxaca), Peralta (Guanajuato), squares (Guanajuato), Tzintzuntzan (Michoacan), Tajin (Veracruz), Paquimé (Chihuahua), Cuicuilco (Distrito Federal), Cholula (Puebla), Xochitécatl (Tlaxcala) and Tula (Hidalgo).

Author: Rob Kinnon on Google+

The only English speaking club in District 4200, they have celebrated many triumphs in their first year raising money for various organizations.

The chapter president, Bob Hyde, recognized the importance of the help and support his chapter received from District Governor Normando Medina Castro, Assistant Governor Kit Bing Wong Ho and especially District Extension Director Past District Governor Cesar Flores Rojas, he also took the time to thank the sponsors, Club Rotario of Playa del Carmen, and their past president Paco Santamaria and and president Chapo Guerra at the 1st year anniversary celebration held at Wah Wah Beach Bar over looking the sparkling turquoise water of the Caibbean Sea in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Dedicated to improving the lives and prospects of Playa del Carmen’s children they spent their first year conducting a total of five successful fundraisers, and used the proceeds in the following ways:

• Formed an alliance with K.K.I.S. (Keep Kids In School) a local organization devoted to education. Providing them with necessary school supplies donated by members, and provided at least 12 volunteers to their weekly reading sessions at Pelopides School, helping first second and third graders learn to read and speak English.

• Inception of a program to solicit used computer equipment (locally, but from Mexico, the United States and Canada, too). The computers will be donated to local schools and, together with free educational software made available through various foundations, will enhance learning in languages, mathematics and science.

• At the chapter’s first Christmas party members were told that a gift for a needy child was their “admission ticket”. Dozens of gifts were collected and donated to Chistmas Dreams, a local organization devoted to bringing Christmas to children with disabilities and limited resources.

• Donation of Christmas dinner to the young ladies at Casa Yoliguani, a Playa del Carmen home for unwed mothers and mothers-to-be. The donation also included necessities such as diapers and receiving blankets, plus some “girlie items” intended to put smiles on the young ladies’ faces at Christmas.

The Rotary Club of Playa del Carmen Seaside activities have not been limited to fund raising. On February 23, 17 of their members reported to Parque de las Mestizas in Playa del Carmen and participated in a work project sponsored by the Solidaridad government. They spent the morning painting facilities, curbs, trim and more in a project that beautified the park and made it a nicer place for kids and young people to exercise and “hang out”.

In planning the continuation of their good work in the local community, President-Elect, Doug Morgan, and a slate of Board of Directors elected for the new year are already making plans and deciding on committee assignments. President-Elect Doug and his team are working smoothly with the outgoing group to be sure of a seamless transition.

Rotary Club President, Bob Hyde, states, “We look forward to the new Rotary year, proud to be part of the Rotary family and proud to be “Distict 4200 Rotarians”. In our short year of existence, Rotarians from around the District, and particularly Quintana Roo Rotarians, have extended the hand of friendship and made us feel welcome. We’ll work hard to continue to earn your trust and friendship, and to serve the children of our community and to engage Rotary, change Lives.”

In 1993, Xcaret park decided to help restore the scarlet macaw population through a reproduction program, raising macaws from birth and forming its own impressive colony of bright red birds. By 2010, Xcaret was ready to take the next step, and the Flying Home program began with 27 birds.

In late 2012, the selected scarlet macaws were driven south from Xcaret park to the state of Chiapas to be introduced to their new home: Aluxes Ecopark in Palenque. At Aluxes, the 27 birds spent several months training via a “soft release” program to be reintroduced little by little into the immense Palenque Natural Park, where they will live in the wild. Training for the macaws included learning to find their own food, acclimating to the hot and humid climate, exercises in flying as a group, and recognizing predators like poachers and wild animals.

On Sunday, April 21, the scarlet macaws were finally ready to be released into the jungle. Only 20 of the birds flew out of their cage and went to the wild, while 7 stayed behind in controlled flight to anchor the rest of the group to the ecopark base. (Video in Spanish)

So what does the future hold for Xcaret’s scarlet macaws? The dominant birds from the group released into the wild have been equipped with radio collars and markings so coaches can keep track of them remotely. Even after the release, the cage will remain open for the macaws to return to eat as they gradually adapt to the jungle. An additional 30 macaws will join the original 27 at Aluxes Ecopark later this year, and Xcaret’s long term plan includes sending groups of 50 scarlet macaws every year.

To stay tuned on all the latest macaw updates, follow @XcaretPark and the hashtag #FlyingHome on Twitter (or #VolandoaCasa in Spanish).

This year, however, things will be switched up a bit.

Just as the ancient Mayans often changed the route for their journey to worship the goddess Ixchel, at the 2013 Sacred Mayan Journey, the oarsmen (or “canoeros” in Spanish) will now begin the journey further south in the Riviera Maya, at Xel-Ha park. From there, they’ll row to Cozumel, then make the return trip back to Xcaret.

The entire event will take place under the following itinerary:

May 23: Representation of the Ki Huic, an interactive Mayan market recreated at Xcaret.

May 24: The oarsmen depart from Xel-Ha park in the Riviera Maya to travel to Chankanaab park on the island of Cozumel, to hear the message of the goddess Ixchel.

May 25: The oarsmen leave Cozumel to row to Xcaret park.

Back in 2007, the Sacred Mayan Journey began to recapture this ancient Mayan tradition with just five canoes traveling to Cozumel and back. This year, 31 canoes and 334 oarsmen (and oarswomen) will be participating in the adventure. An impressive 91% of the oarsmen are Mexican locals, while the remaining are foreigners living in the area. A canoe from Belize will also be participating in the Sacred Mayan Journey 2013. The oarsmen go through months of intensive training to prepare for the exhausting trip from the Riviera Maya to Cozumel.

The Experiencias Xcaret company recently announced that 3,000 event tickets will be given away over their social media channels. Xcaret tickets will cost $199 pesos, while Xel-Ha tickets will cost $399 with meals included.

For her birthday Reese chose to celebrate in Mexico

Mexico is a great draw for the Hollywood celebs. They seem to love everything about this sunny paradise and hence reach here at the slight drop of the hat. Recently actor Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth made Mexico the venue for her 37th birthday celebration. They couple enjoyed the special day with poolside lunch date. Infact this is Reese’s second vacation in the country. She visited Tulum early in March to participate in a bikini boot camp with Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz.

Reese who has two films in pre-production makes sure that she spends quality time with her kids and husband. She is a mother of three kids as she welcomed her son Tennessee on Sept. 27. She was spotted quite relaxed with a smile up on her face. The mom of three soaked up some south-of-the-border sun in a cute halter-style one-piece. The birthday celebrations began with a private pool outside their room. It was followed by venturing out to the main pool to have lunch a little later in the afternoon. The couple walked hand-in-hand around the resort to admire the view.

Mexico has a history of stars visiting this destination every on and off. It is a perfect getaway from the hectic celebrity life. Most of these celebrities are regulars who have their own villas in the most serene locations. The spectacular location, wide offerings of fun elements and luxurious accommodations, make this country a celebratory getaway. Every region has its own offering which is unique. Also because of accessibility, Mexico is the most preferred getaway destination for the Hollywood stars. The charm of small towns, the luxury of major cities and the smell of the fresh seafood, everything about this destination is just so appealing that one trip is definitely not enough to satiate any traveler.

Rob Kinnon on Google+

From the producers of BPM now comes Primavera 2013, comprising of daytime and nighttime events taking place over a weekend in different venues around the city. The beaches of Playa del Carmen will once again spring back to life with dance and music. The event will take place from March 28th through 31^st showcasing talents such as Robert Dietz, Guy Gerber, Detroit house mainstay, Stacey Pullen and Paul Van Dyk.

Art Department will host a Social Experiment showcase on the 30^th. They’ll be joined by fellow Toronto artists Nitin and My Favourite Robot, with Tone Of Arc also set to play. Robert Dietz will perform at Mamitas Lounge on 28 March 2013 from 12:00pm till 6:00pm. Guy Gerber will perform at Coco Maya Beach Club & Lounge on the same date from 8:00pm till 6:00am. Visitors can catch Paul van Dyk at Blue Parrot Beach Club on 29 March 2013 from 10:00pm.

Social Experiment will be at Black Tamaulipas 150 Esq. Mexicalli on 30 March 2013 from 8:00pm till 6:00am. Stacey Pullen will be at Canibal Royal Beach Club on 31 March 2013 from 12:00pm till 8:00pm.

The first ever Primavera Festival in Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya, Mexico was hosted in 2011. It was a four-day festival with night parties as well as free day parties at various beach clubs. The festival has been a success since its inception and continues to grow bigger and better.

Now it looks like TripAdvisor is starting to catch on to what we’ve known all along: it’s hard to beat the beaches of Akumal. The TripAdvisor 2013 Travelers’ Choice Awards came out with their list of Top 25 Beaches in the World this month, and Akumal was among the favorites. Is it ok to say “We told you so?”

Akumal has a great location on the coast of the famous Riviera Maya, about 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. Some people choose to vacation in this beach town and many locals choose to go on day trips, but the smartest of them all are those who choose to live in Akumal. But what is it that makes this beach such a special place? Maybe it’s the shallow waters of Akumal Bay, so crystal clear thanks to bright white sands and almost no waves.

Or how about the sand? Soft, pale and covered in palm trees. You don’t even need an umbrella to find shade on this beach. Just lay your things under one of the hundreds of palm trees lining the shore to take a break from the Caribbean sunshine.

But my guess: the snorkeling is probably what earned Akumal such a strong reputation as one of the best beaches in the world. The name “Akumal” means “place of the turtles” in the area’s native Mayan language, and it’s easy to see why. All you have to do is rent some snorkel gear from the local dive shop and swim out into the bay to spot some serene sea turtles exploring the waters.

Now can you see why everyone’s so crazy about Akumal?

Mayakoba Residences, the elegant homes to fall in love with

Mayakoba Residences is the offering of world renowned developers, OHL of Banyan Tree Hotel and Resorts, Playa del Carmen fame. These residences are fully furnished featuring 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms. Residents will have access to private beach, terraces, gardens and private pools. They will also receive the title of the owner. Other benefits includes amenities and services of 3 world-class luxury resorts, 3 beach clubs and 11 different Cuisine options in the 3 resorts,3 Spa options, 24 hour security and privacy.

The El Camaleon, an 18-hole Championship golf course designed by Greg Norman and home of the PGA Mayakoba Golf Classic is also accessible from this community. Interested parties can choose from a 1 bedroom Lagoon and Ocean Front deluxe suite, located in Rosewood Mayakoba, or a 2 or 3 bedroom Lagoon and Ocean Front Villa in Banyan Tree Mayakoba Hotel and Resorts. Depending on style and location the price varies from $865K-$3,200,000 usd. These properties exhibit unmatched luxury and aesthetically are very appealing. They are wonderful options for a vacation home and rental purposes.

With miles of beach, ancient ruins and smiling sun Riviera Maya is considered as a paradisiacal destination. Located on the eastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula, this region is famous for its all-inclusive resorts, ancient Mayan ruins and picturesque location. Be it the luxurious town of Playa del Carmen or the ancient town of Tulum, this region is definitely an all inclusive package. Being blessed with spotless white sand beach and pristine water, Riviera Maya attracts many visitors all round the year.

Rob Kinnon on Google+

Villa Paz in Tankah Bay

Coming to the bedrooms, these are blessed with breathtaking Caribbean views. The terrace on the upper level with a partial Palapa roof overlooks the scintillating Caribbean bay.  There is also a 4^th bedroom suitable as a guest house or for in-laws or on-site caretaker. There is swimming pool facing the ocean and generous area for sunbathing around it along with two Palapas.

Manatee, the fresh water cenote of Tankah Bay is popular among tourists for scuba diving and unusual vacation experience. The wide sandy beach with fine to course sand and lined with coconut trees is a great place to lounge. The tranquility and serene nature of the destination makes life peaceful. A great place for water activities lovers as there are snorkeling spot which also serves as a hunting grounds for any number of migratory birds like snowy egrets, ibis and herons. The destination offers myriad of fun activities to choose from. Modern amenities are also available in the vicinity as it is well linked with the major cities of the country.

Located just south of Playa del Carmen, the world famous 5^th Avenue with its world class shopping experiences and nightlife is just so accessible. Also the area of Mayan ruins, Tulum is hardly few minutes away. It is a perfect destination to soak in the Mayan history and for day tours. There are also variety of boutiques, shops and restaurants in the area.

Experience Akumal Real estate’s essence in Casa Kukulcan

An architectural wonder, Casa Kukulcan also offers the fun of a small private white sandy beach with access to the lagoon and reef. It ultimately leads to a much larger private beach so that fun and entertainment isn’t hindered. The floor design is marvelous as it is simply flawless. Everything is placed in the perfect spot giving it a spacious feel and elegant look. The open spaces lead to lounging patios, pool, deck and well maintained landscaped yard.

The interior of the villa is simply brilliant as it features numerous antiques and original artwork. Hand crafted furniture with intricate detailing and delicate designs are assembled in the villa. The kitchen is modern with hardwood cabinetry and granite counters. It is self sufficient in terms of appliances. There is also the provision of outdoor dining.

Casa Kukulcan, Akumal Villa for sale

With 6 bedrooms and 4 ½ bathrooms, Casa Kukulcan is great to accommodate large group of people. 4 bedrooms come with ensuite bathrooms and balconies with gleaming views of the sun from its rise to set.

Being located in Akumal, it is paradise for water sports lovers as there are cenotes, lagoons, and coral reefs to explore. Also the lush tropical jungle and spectacular white sandy beaches and the crystal blue Caribbean Sea doubles up the fun quotient. It is a popular tourist destination as it has so much to offer.