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Cozumel Northeast windward side in the 70's and 80's
By Peter Zwick
In the 70s early 80s, I spent much time exploring Cozumel's Northeast
Windward Side. A day's trip included renting a Safari with canvas top
packing water, a sandwich, snorkel gear, and often time scuba gear.
It is about 24 kilometers from the East-West road to the lighthouse at
Punta Molas driving along the10 feet wide sandy, rocky trail. The trail
is sometimes winding and is located
atop the hurricane ridge.
Starting from the East-West road, a first point of interest is Ensenada
De Cocos and the early to mid 17th century shipwreck. A distance away on
the coast, rubble from a small Maya ruin can be found. It was one of
such structures which were spaced along the coast at approximately 4
kilometers apart.
Near the point of Ixpalbarco, you will pass by an abandoned rancho at
about 3 kilometers from the start. There is a story about the associated
water well but save that for another time.
Moving North along the trail, another coastal ruin is located at the 8
kilometer mark and La Palma. Near La Palma, rests the remains of a
c.1803 Spanish Merchant ship on the sea bed. Some of these artifacts
have been removed and placed in the sea at Chankanaab.
At 12 kilometers, a coastal ruin lies in rubble at the top of the point
at Ixlapac. Well off shore from the point, the timbers of the 500 ton
San Francisco De Sales galleon have not moved since April 1761.
Two kilometers to the North one comes across what fishermen call Punta
Hanan which is located at the south end of Ensenada De Hanan. The
stretch of beach between the two points is perhaps the best beach on all
of Cozumel.
A double fringe reef, which breaks the surface of the sea lies, about
300 feet off shore and waves which run the length of the Caribbean are
diminished by the reefs. Moderately calm water can be found between the
reefs and the shore. The sea bottom has a gentle slope and water depth
at the reefs is about 15 feet.
Years ago families would come to the beach to picnic for the day. They
made good use of the pavilion
which was destroyed by hurricane Gilberto at a later date.
There is another destroyed coastal ruin at the 16 kilometer mark and at
17 kilometers stands the partially destroyed Castillo El Real, twice the
size of the coastal structures. It has been there 800 to 1000 years.
When Spanish explorers first came to Cozumel in 1518 they named the
structure "The Castle of Kings.” They tried to make landfall on the
Eastern side but could not get a boat through the fringe reefs. An
eighteenth century Spanish chart shows coral reefs all around the Island
except at the small bay in front of Laguna Colombia and at San Miguel.
Near El Real, there is evidence of 16th to early 17th century ship
wreckage. A Cozumel friend and I spotted embedded in coral artifacts
while snorkeling out to make measurements what appears to be a 16th
century anchor.
We got a permit from the Mexican Government to remove, conserve,
research, and return the artifacts to the sea but a hurricane blocked
access to the site and the project was never begun.
Heading North again along the trail, one passes another coastal ruin in
disrepair at 20 kilometers. The Northeast lighthouse comes into full
view when reaching 23 kilometers.
Finally, I have heard that there are plans to construct a Marina and
Condominium complex on the Northeast coast. If so, I suggest that the
Marina be well built to withstand hurricanes and that they observe how
El Real was constructed when designing their buildings. As previously
mentioned, the sea is rather shallow for several hundred feet off shore
and dredging the sea bottom and cutting through the reefs will be
necessary to bring larger boats into the Marina.
Mexican Vehicle Plates
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHANGE OF OWNER OR CHANGE OF STATE
1. Physical verification of the vehicle before the process is done; only
from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
2. Original and copy of the vehicle invoice. If the vehicle has been re-invoiced,
the original and copy thereof must be submitted as well as copy from
dealer's invoice; if the document has been endorsed, copy of both sides
of the document.
3. Original and copy of Voter's Card; if it's a company or business,
copy of the RFC (federal taxpayers' registry). Foreign Nationals need
only the FM2.
4. Original and copy of a current water or electric power bill.
5. Original and copy of annual vehicle taxes, years 06, 07, 08, 09. If
these taxes are not applicable anymore, bring the last payments made in
07, 08, and 09.
6. Original vehicle registration document.
7. Plates or deregistration of the vehicle. In the event the plates were
lost, submit a clearance certificate from the traffic department and
wrong use thereof, official letter from the District Attorney's office.
8. If you are not the owner, you must bring a Power-of-Attorney and copy
of you ID.
NOTE: Please bring all documents.
Thanks to Monica Sauza for Translation
IMSS Medical Insurance
By popular request I revisited the Social security Clinic/Hospital on
30th and met with a Mr. Marte Alejandro Cruz Ventura. IMSS Medical
Insurance is available to foreigners holding an FM3 or FM2 Visa. THE
INSURANCCE IS OFFERED FOR FAMILIES ONLY. (Husband and wife, or parent
and child). The documentation they require must validate the
relationship of the two applicants. The cost is quite low, although it
has risen since last year. You will need:
ORIGINAL Birth certificates
ORIGINAL Marriage license
CURP Card
Proof of residency (Utility bill etc.)
Copies of you Visas
Copies of your passports
Two infantile size pictures in color
They require the birth certificates and marriage license be translated
by an approved translator.
NEW: They require you present all the above documents before giving you
the medical questionnaire. Depending on the medical questionnaire
results, they might require a physical exam prior to approval. Coverage
of pre-existing conditions is complicated, but if you are approved, you
are covered:
The first six months there is no coverage. The second six months only
minor things such as colds are covered. The second year everything is
covered except broken bones and orthopedics.
The third year covers everything including medication as long as you get
them from IMSS. You will not be reimbursed for drugs purchased at other
pharmacies. The drug benefit is the only negative I have heard, as they
are many times short of medications.
The Annual rates Per Person for 2010 are as follows:
Ages 0-19 $1,265.10 Pesos
Ages 20 39 $1,478.60 Pesos
Ages 40 59 $2,210.10 Pesos
Age 60 and up $3,325.70 Pesos
I have copies of the medical questionnaire in ENGLISH. I have also
signed up to be a volunteer translator at IMSS.
Bowling League Spring Banquet
The Caribbean Bowl Ladies league spring banquet was held on Tuesday June
8th at the Coral Princess.
Winning first place was the “Scorpiones” (Olga Xacur, Bethzy Carvajal
Rocha, and Susan Bonnet) and second place “Estrellas Del Mar” (Lynn
Horowitz, Claudia Calleros, and Joyce Larsen).
Other participating teams were:
“kichpam” (Susan Lippert, Ines Valencia and Cecilia Munoz),
“Pollitas” (Martha Sempere, Laura Alcala and Isabel Flores).
“No Se Nadas” (Susanna Finck, Juanita Davis, and Jayne Cia).
“Ya Yas” (Susana Mudespacher, Margaret Gerus, and Aurita Holguin-Resch).
Congratulations to all participants and substitutes for a wonderful fun
filled season!
Congratulations!
My friendo Margaret Gerus from Papa Hogs won a Price for catching this
beauty last month!
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Aura Holguin-Resch (Aurita)
may be reached at
atreasuryoftrade@msn.com for suggestions, comments, assistance,
submit editorials or for information on:
- Book Club
- Book Exchange
- Game night
- Garden Club
- Ladies Breakfast Club
- Applying for local discounts
- Mexican Health Insurance
- Recreational activities
TELEPHONE:
Home: 987-120-0480
Cellular: 987-105-7669
From US: 386-445-8702
- For your convenience, here is a list of emergency numbers that may
come in handy.
Emergency 060
24 Hour Doctor 872-0103
Dentist 872-0808
Hyperbaric Chamber 872-0103
Police 872-0092
Red Cross 872-1058
Taxi Cab 872-0236
Taxi Cab 872-0041
U.S. Consulate 872-4574
U.S Consulate 872-6152
U.S. Consulate 044-987-121-0323
Services
Cozumel Red Cross Services
Cruz Roja's most active job is to serve as the island’s
designated first responder to accidents and other emergencies. In
addition we offer the following low-cost medical services:
General Medicine
Pediatric
Dentistry
Nutrition
Injections
Nebulizer Treatments
Blood
Pressure Measurement
Clinical Laboratory
24 HRS Emergency Service -
Dial 065
Chiropractor
Cozumel Health offers a variety of Massage and Treatments to help you
enjoy your vacation. Chiropractic care is available Monday through
Saturday. Cozumel Health Chiropractic
Plaza Barracuda # 5 on Melgar
(Across from Mega) Entre 7 y 11 Sur
872-1122
Dentist
C.D. Nora Hernández Lavie'
MEDIDENTAL
Odontología Integral
11 Sur por 65 Ave.
Tel/Fax 872-0808
Cell (987) 103-2770
E-mail: noral2004@yahoo.com
Gardener
Everyone's favorite for all your gardening needs! He is reliable and
very reasonable. Orlando 987-105-3000.
Handyman
Electrical Air conditioning and pluming Domingo Vega Chulum 987- 871-
0530
Official Translator
Monica Sauza Garrido
75 Ave. Sur #613
between Hidalgo and 7th
Telephone: 987-872-5394
Therapist
Jose Rosado Cuevas 987-871-2065
specializing in: treatment following Stroke and Fractures, Arthritis,
Early Childhood Stimulation, and Early Intervention.
Email: mosag@prodigy.net.mx
English Language Church Services
Eben-Ezer Presbyterian Church
30th Ave. at 10th Street North
Services in English every Sunday at 9 a.m.
Jesus es Rey
Bible Church
Under construction
Corner of Ave. 95 y Calle 39.
Services in English will be at 10a.m.
Jewish Services
Friday Evenings & Saturday Mornings
Chabad of Cozumel
Calle 12 No. Entre R. Melgar & 5th Ave.
chabadcozumel@gmail.com
Rabbi David Caplin
044-987-111-9715
Businesses
AXA Health Insurance
Contact Irma Cantarell at 987-872-6647 or office on 11th with 30th, next
to the Ford co. Insurance for as little as $50.00 U.S.D. per month.
Bancomer English Division
Contact Mauricio Sanchez at
mauricio.sanchez@bbva.bancomer.com or
call toll-free 01800-2282-728. Website:
www.bancomer.com/pcu.
The CARIBBEAN BOL
Go bowling at Cozumel's only bowling alley. This cool place provides an
alternative to the Island's water sports and is also great in-door fun
on rainy days as board games, video games, and billiards are offered
upstairs for those who don't bowl. For more information contact Stacey
at 878-4321 or at
staceydianne@yahoo.com
La Casa de Marlín Fishing Charters
Deep Sea fishing
31' Bertram
Sport Fisherman
40' Viking Convertible 10% discount if you mention this column in Tiempo
de Cozumel!
Call for reservations today at
987-872-4573 or email
fishingbandidacozumel@prodigy.net.mx
Costa Brava Restaurant
Enjoy an excellent meal at my favorite family restaurant and get 15%
off!
Offer good for everything but the breakfast specials that are already at
bargain prices.
CUSTOM JACUZZIS
Ing. Manuel Sandoval Garcia,
Ph. (987) 872-4235 or
Cell (987) 800-5766.
MARY KAY SKINCARE PRODUCTS
Priced in pesos and delivered to your doorstep Call Sue
at 987-107-9997 or e-mail suecampbell4448@yahoo.com
Home & Beauty Products
Oriflame and Bettreware
Guadalupe Flores M.
987-103-0783
15 Ave. No. entre 6 y 8
#380 Colonia Centro
Salsa Lessons at Playa Azul
Club Playa Azul provides Salsa lessons every Sunday afternoon from noon
to two. Lessons are for beginners and advanced dancers. There is live
music immediately after the lessons so everyone can practice what they
have learned.
Classes are ten dollars per session. Playa Azul provides a 10% discount
on food and beverages. Dress is “come as you are.” It is a beautiful
atmosphere and lots of fun!
Sara Nails
Spa Facials – Depilation-Pedicure
Manicure - Acrylic Nails
Calle 3 North Entre 5a Ave. & R. Melgar Call for
appointments: (987)869-8286 (987) 876-1409
CO-DEPENDENTS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS IN ENGLISH
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a Twelve Step
Fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is recovery from
codependence and the development and maintenance of healthy
relationships.
The CoDA meeting in the area meets: Saturdays, at 11:00 a.m. In the
English AA ROOM, Ave 10 Sur, corner of Calle 5 Sur, up the spiral iron
staircase, first apartment.
For further information contact: DeLea at 869-0369
CoDA is a non-profit organization supported by the voluntary
contributions of attending members.
The Federal Consumer Interest Bureau (PROFECO)
is
responsible for enforcing the Consumer Protection Federal Law. Their
office is located on the second floor of the Municipal Market at Calle
A. Rosado Salas between 25th and 20th Avenues.
You may also file a complaint by e-mail to
extranjeros@profeco.gob.mex
and at any Mexican embassy or consulate in the world.
For more information on Cozumel, you can visit the Department of Tourism
located on the corner of 20th and Xel-Ha Avenues, Colonia Gonzalo
Guerrero. |
