27 August 2007

Las Tortugas

Another devastating aspect of hurricanes is the turtles that nest during this season. You can see nests of Loggerhead and Green turtles beginning as early as April and hatch up through October/November. Data presented by CEA (Centro Ecologico Akumal) indicated that almost half of the nests were damaged by the storm surge. Eight nests were able to be rescued with successful releases post hurricane. Of the 141 nests documented before the storm, 73 were able to hatch and get to sea. The great news is, they began nesting again just 2 days after Dean rolled through, they must know there's only a few more months to make up for lost time! As with all of our non-human friends, they are more aware of natural disasters than we are. Visit www.ceakumal.org for info on CEA and the turtles.

I am heading south myself today, to wear my other hat. Along with the Humane Society International and the Humane Soc. of the United States and their Disaster Service team, we are going to Mahahual/Xcalak and Chetumal to assess the damage and the situation with the animals. I will be documenting the trip so stay posted.

26 August 2007

Property Update, Akumal Beach Resort

Akumal Beach Resort will be closed for cleanup and glass repairs until September 15th. All other properties are on schedule to reopen as directed in the Aug 23rd posting. To recap, all properties will be open for reservations August 30th (some earlier) with the exception of a few. Casa Tortuga has some structural damage and closed for renovations. Casa del Mar and Nicte Ha in Akumal will be open for reservations as of September 30th. Casa Portuguesa on Tankah has no structural damage, cleanup and fence repair will be complete for reservations by August 30th.

25 August 2007

5 days post Dean

I've arrived in Akumal, and pleasantly surprised by the progress thus far. What I noticed before I even entered town was the vegetation and how green and lush it still looks. From what we experienced with Emily and then Wilma shortly afterward, it wasn't nearly as bad. Although the cleanup is no small job, its moving along rapidly. The photos we've seen just days before are nothing compared to what it looks like now.

I walked South Akumal and Half Moon Bay today to find dozens of homes and condos coming together, feeling positive about what I saw. It does look like a tropical storm came through in some places but every day marks huge improvements.


I want to stop and take a moment to thank the managers and caretakers who have been working round the clock ensuring our area have a speedy recovery. And they are. Sand and rocks have been cleared from pools and gardens are being cleaned. It makes us realize the people behind the scenes, the ones that make sure you have a comfortable stay. They are the ones that fare the storm and are ready to begin working once it passes. We want to thank each and every one of you for all the hard work, none of us would have what we do without you!





Thank goodness Cueva del Pescador and Que Onda are open for dinner and the ever-faithful, post-hurricane Turtle Bay keeps us fed throughout the day! It really is business as usual around here.

Many of us who live here have also become accustomed to seeing one of the few beach dogs left in the Akumal area. He can be seen at the bakery scrounging bacon for breakfast, hanging with visitors during the day and normally at a dog loving tourists place for dinner. Not a bad life for a dog you may think. But during times like these, they're on their own and "Cane" is one of those dogs. Noone knows where he hunkered down during Dean but it wasn't shortly afterward he surfaced again. He was named today by his new friends he found in South Akumal and looking like nothing ever happened. We also have some good turtle news....I'll leave that for tomorrow.

24 August 2007

Happy Birthday Sydney!

In the midst of Hurricane Dean info and photos, we thought we'd change the subject for a bit. Lets turn our focus to wish Sydney a very happy 40th birthday today!

We hope your day was as fabulous as we wished for you, here's to 40 more!

23 August 2007

Akumal Direct Properties Update!

Hey! So far, so good! Town is shaping up and everyone is working hard to clean up and help each other. Below is a quick update of Akumal Direct properties. We hope this helps and please be sure to let us know if you have any questions!




Akumal – Electricity, Phone and Internet service have all been restored. Unless otherwise specified all reservations due to arrive prior to August 30, 2007 have been rescheduled. The road has been blocked by the debris near La Buena Vida and Vista del Mar, but is now generally passable, however further cleanup and repair is required.

The Akumal Beach Resort did suffer some minor damage including low level flooding. General clean up and other repairs are under way. The hotel will be closed through August 30 and will begin accepting arrivals on August 31.


Casa Iguana: Minimal damage. Open and accepting reservations as of August 30.
Casa del Mar – Main level damage (windows/doors blown). Pool has been cleaned and repair work is well underway. Accepting arrivals as of September 30.
Nicte Ha – furniture damage first floor, first floor structural damage (windows/doors blown), pool & yard need to be cleaned, no arrivals prior to September 30.
Playa Caribe – No structural damage. General clean up ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of Aug 27.
Playa Blanca - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Luna Azul - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Penthouse at the Reef - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing.
Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Casa Maya – No Damage. Clean up complete. Now accepting reservations.
Yool Canaal – No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
La Sirena - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Beach must be replaced. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
La Iguana - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Beach must be replaced. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Casa Pantera - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Casa del Sol - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.

South Akumal – Electricy, Phone and Internet service restored. Road is passable. South Akumal faired very well. Most properties anticipate only a brief closure for clean up.

Casa Cielo – No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Previously scheduled maitenance schedule in place. Accepting arrivals as of Sept 23.
Akumal Breakers – No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Casa Langan - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Seven Seas – Slight structural & electrical damage, pool & yard need to be cleaned. Previously schedule maintenance in place. Accepting arrivals as of October 1.

Tankah – While properties in Tankah generally faired well there a few notable exceptions, including Casa Cenote restaurant. The road is not yet passable but clean up is ongoing. Several areas of Tankah Bay gained beach.


Casa Cavu – No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Casa Rosa – No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.

Soliman Bay – Most properties and the beaches faired very well. Most properties have added to their beach. Properties at the southern end of the bay tended to have more damage.

Casa Tortuga -Tortuga-first floor structural damage, no upper level damage, no power, palapa roof intact, gardens are gone, closed for reservations until further notice
Casa Yamulkan – This great palapa house is intact! No flooding, sand needs to be moved from front porch area, open for reservations August 30.
Casas Jihae and Kristi - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.
Casa Playa Maya - No structural damage, cleanup ongoing. Accepting arrivals as of August 30.

Restaurants:
Turtle Bay and Cueva del Pescador are open for business and operating a full capacity!
Lol-Ha beach bar and Que Onda will be open by this weekend
La Buena Vida will be closed until Sept 21

La Buena Vida photos


Here are some views from the road and beachside at La Buena Vida. The cleanup is moving along and most villas will be open for reservations by August 30th. A few exceptions to that are Casa del Mar and Nicte Ha, both in Akumal, which plan on being open by November 1st. Casa Tortuga on Soliman Bay will also need additional time for cleanup and repairs.





Hurricane Dean Photos




A view of the road to Half Moon Bay near the Mango Cafe and La Buena Vida. These photos is sent to us by Pablo Diaz of Selva Maya, http://www.selva-maya.com/.
The beach of Half Moon Bay. You are looking at Villas on the Reef, Luna Azul and Playa Caribe.

Hurricane Dean Update

Thank you to everyone who has sent on their concern and support for friends and neighbors in the Riviera Maya. We have been so lucky and we are sending our thoughts well wishes to people of the Costa Maya and Chetumal.

In Akumal clean up is well under way and in some cases complete. Electricity has been restored, phone and internet service are working well. The road to Half Moon Bay remains closed although clean up has begun. With the exception of a very few properties, most will be operational within days.

The Akumal Beach Resort is closed for the next week and is not accepting arrivals at this time. If you are arriving post August 30, your reservationis unaffected.

The Cancun Airport is open, however it is operating at a lower capacity for now. Please check with your airline.

Playa del Carmen is open for business.

Turtle Bay began serving breakfast yesterday and we hear that La Lunita will be reopening within days if not tonight!

If you are arriving after August 30, 3007 your reservation is unaffected by Hurriance Dean. Please feel free to contact us if you have any specific questions at info@akumaldirect.com. Thanks again!

07 August 2007

Welcome to the New Akumal Direct Blog Spot!

Hello Everybody! Thank you so much for dropping by to visit our new blog. We hope that you will soon find great information on Akumal and Mexico's Riviera Maya and some of our favorite ideas on how best to enjoy your time here.

If you have a story or information you would like to share, please register and post. We look forward to hearing from you. We also love photos! We really enjoy seeing photos of our clients during their stay.

As always if you have any comments or questions please email us directly at info@akumaldirect.com. Thanks again! We are really looking forward to hearing from you! Thomas and Sydney Reagan
 

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