Swine Flu Watch

In light of recent health concerns related to travel to Mexico, Akumal Direct remains focused on what is - and always has been - of primary importance to us: the safety, comfort and security of our guests, staff and the residents of Akumal.

Clients arriving prior to May 15, 2009 have been given the option to reschedule their reservation without penalty.

The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Mexico that most cases of influenza are not “swine flu”; any specific questions or concerns about flu or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. At this time the Mexican Secretariat of Health urges people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, or using the subway. Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other persons may decrease the risk of exposure. In addition, the following prevention tips are from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website:

1. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

As of today (according to Yucatan government officials) there have been zero cases of swine flu in Yucatan state.

For the latest information on the Swine Flu outbreak, please consult the State Department's website at www.travel.state.gov, the CDC website at www.cdc.gov, or the WHO website at www.who.int.
The U.S.-based call center for U.S. citizens can be reached from 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time, M-F, at 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from outside the U.S., at (202)-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy will also post additional information as it becomes available at: www.usembassy-mexico.gov.

Akumal Direct cannot predict what will happen next in this constantly evolving situation; however, we are committed to acting quickly and decisively to enhance client safety and take necessary steps to support customers through this uncertainty.

Please be sure to let us know if you have any questions or concerns and thank you for choosing Akumal Direct Reservations!

The Akumal Direct Staff
www.AkumalDirect.com
Toll Free at 877-489-6600

Book Now and Akumal Direct will provide the Travel Insurance!

We want you to be excited about your visit to our little paradise. No worry, no hassle! For that reason, Akumal Direct is now offering free travel insurance to all new reservations confirmed by May 15, 2009. Some black out dates do apply. Email us today for more information!

Protect your vacation! Choose travel insurance! www.csatravelprotection.com.

A note from Lucy's Kitchen

Many of you know Lucy’s Kitchen, best known for homemade ice cream and shrimp tacos! We have been in Akumal Playa for over seven years now. We’ve grown up and out of that location, and have moved to a bigger place in Akumal Pueblo!

"Lucy’s Too" is now open in the old ‘Restaurant Hafet y Jamed’. It is located halfway up the hill on the main street, on the right side (the old roasted chicken place!). The bridge should be open very shortly so getting there will be a short and easy jaunt from the old location.

We offer the same menu as we had at Lucy’s Kitchen, but will be adding charcoal grilled items, soups, salads, bringing back the popular Pad Thai, and more. Of course Lucy’s famous homemade ice cream will be available for dessert!

No more trips next door for beer! We have a full selection of icy cold beers, as well as wine and some fabulous tropical cocktails!

Our low season hours are 11 to 5 from Monday to Saturday.

We are excited to be offering a new refreshing option for dining in Akumal - look for dinner at Lucy’s Too this coming summer high season!!!

Please remember – we are STILL open for homemade ice cream at Lucy’s Kitchen in Plaza Ukana in Akumal Playa (opposite the crafts/fruit & veggie palapa)! Hours are currently 9:30 to 5 for ice cream. We have a good selection of flavors by the quart for you to take home.

THANK YOU for your support and encouragement over these past years – your word of mouth recommendations, your positive reviews…and your donations for animal rescue.

LUCY’S TOO , Akumal Pueblo 984 137 9713
LUCY’S KITCHEN, Plaza Ukana I, Akumal Playa 984 127 6791

Thank you!
Lucy James

Happy Earth Day from Akumal Direct

Make Earth Day Matter!

Dive Festival added to Akumal 50th Anniversary Celebration

Divers plunge into the festivities on May 30th as part of a three-day celebration to commemorate 50 years since Pablo Bush Romero first arrived in Akumal, Mexico, on an expedition to the Matanceros shipwreck.

Divers on Akumal’s reefs find schools of fish like they have never seen before!

Among those reefs and fish, divers can search for treasures during the Pablo Bush Romero Dive Festival! The Akumal Dive Shop has already donated a Technisub compact pro mask ($175.00 value), Aqua lung new sling shot fins ($225.00) and Aqua lung titan regulator ($500.00), as well as a complimentary hat and t-shirt for every participating diver. Those are treasurers worth the hunt! And we'll be getting more prizes before the divers hit the water.

For a deco stop, a featured speaker will share diving trips that most divers can only hope to experience.

In the evening, divers and friends will gather at the Lol Ha beach bar to claim their treasurers, carry their buddy for 100 feet for more treasures, show their C-cards to find the oldest among them, and engage in other antics.

This will be a dive festival like Akumal has never seen before! Book your flight, and reserve your dive times with the host dive shops -- Akumal Dive Center and Akumal Dive Shop. Check the dive festival details! And be sure to get to Akumal on May 30th!

Ed Blume
CEA volunteer and Communications/Outreach

Celebrating Akumal's 50th Anniversary

As many of you know, we are celebrating Akumal 50th anniversary on the weekend of May 29-31, 2009. In order to make this celebration successful for the Akumal Community and its visitors, we’ve organized a group to coordinate this special event and our goal is to attract more visitors to Akumal in this low month May and June.

We would like to share with you all the fun stuff we are planning (please see list below). However, to be able to realize all these activities we need funds to cover the expenses. Therefore we very much depend on your collaboration. One of our coordinator will be visiting you at your business to respond any questions you might have on the details of this event. If you prefer to send your donation you are welcome to drop it off at TSA with Mariana. Thank you!

May 29th – Friday

1.- Fun for kids Theater and Puppets
Location: Akumal Stage
Sponsered by: Akumal community, funds needed

2.- Akumal Through the Years “Hace Medio Siglo”
Digital Photographic displays from guests, residents, and
friends
Location: CEA info center Presentation of audio visual
Sponsered by: Lol-ha

3.- Akumal Party and Bazaar
DJ Hix Opening of the night with Music and screen display announcing all the business sponsors of this event.
Salsa Music Band and Salsa Dance performance
Rock Band
Drinks and food by local restaurants.
Bazaar from the local boutiques and stores.
Location: Plaza Ukana Stage
Sponsored by: Akumal community, funds needed

May 30th - Saturday

1.- Diving – Treasure hunting
Location: Akumal Dive Shop and Akumal Dive Center
Sponsored by: Akumal Dive Shop and Akumal Dive Center

2.- Pirate Games for Children, treasure hunting, Learn the History of Akumal and the Ecology.

3.- “Matanceros Expedition“ night
Sale of “Under the Waters of Mexico” book by Pablo Bush Romero
Sale of limited edition replica of the Matanceros Cross.
Beach BBQ with live music – tickets include picnic style dinner
on the beach with beer, margaritas, or wine.
Concert to follow at the Lol-Ha snack bar–Cash bar.
Location: Lolha Beach and Snack Bar Happy Hour at Lolha and presentation of the PBR museum Artifacts in game room.
Sponsored by: Lol-Ha

May 31st - Sunday
1.- Sunday Fishing tournament with beach activities and live music, Sand Sculpture contest and Volleyball tournament.
Location: Akumal Bay
Sponsored by: Akumal Dive Center and CEA-POBAK

The above are the schedule of the events. Time to be announced!

The following are the different ways that your company or you yourself can help to participate in Akumal 50th Anniversary Event. We ask and need your support to help make this a very positive and successful event for the whole Akumal Community.

Your participation is greatly appreciated.

EVENT SPONSOR $500

CORPORATE SPONSORS
Akumal Gold US$800
Akumal Silver US$700
Akumal Bronze US$600

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS
Benefactors $400
Patrons US$300
Friends US$200
Donors US$100

Through out the community there will be banners and flyers listing all sponsors of this event.

Sponsors:
Akumal Dive Center
Akumal Dive Shop
TSA
Lol-Ha
CEA
Corona

Contributor, Akumal Businesses:

Locogringo
La Buena Vida / Vista del Mar
La Cueva del Pescador
Que Onda
La Lunita Restaurant
Condominios Playa Caribe
Akumal Real Estate
Super El Pueblito
Turtle Bay Bakery
Ixchel Boutique
La Galeria
La Calaca
Akumal Villas
Akumal Direct
Akumal Rentals
Galeria La Manai
Lucy’s kitchen
Imelda’s good food
Mexico Maya
CaribeCondo
Bill & Tulsa
Caribbean Fantasy
Heartz Car Rental
Las Casitas Akumal
Las Villas Akumal
Hacienda de la Tortuga

Looking forward to hear from all of you!

Sincerely,

Akumal 50th Anniversary Coordinators

Ingrid Datica, Laura Bush, Ed Blume, Juan Antonio Huerta,
Miguel Angel Maldonado, Gerardo Orozco, Monica Estrada,
Claudia Flores, Jimkrid Chirinos, Mariana Galindo , Isela Pech, Jesus Perez, Marcy Essy, y Sandy Bartosh

Tel. 984 875 9030 – 31 -32 -33
Email: Ingrid@akumaltravel.com
Email: Laura@hotelakumalcaribe.com