Yeah! The new ferry terminal is open, sort of

Ribbon cutting - photo via Municipality of Isla Mujeres

At last after many false starts and delays dating back to December of 2013, the new ferry terminal was officially inaugurated by a large group of dignitaries on Saturday October 4^th.  

Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa & Roberto Borge Angulo

Every level of government was represented from our own Municipal President Agapito Magaña Sánchez, to the Governor of Quintana Roo Roberto Borge Angulo, to the Federal General Coordinator of Ports and Merchant Marines Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa, the President of Cancun, the President of Cozumel, our Naval Vice-Admiral Juan Ramón Pigñol, plus a host of other dignitaries.

Waiting for the event to start

A good crowd of islanders were on hand for the celebration. A large white tent was quickly erected in the new parking lot. It sheltered two massive video screens and convention-style raised platform for the honored guests plus dozens of white slip-covered chairs for the general public. It was a classy event.

Appreciative crowd listening to Agapito Magaña

But, you know, everything runs on Mexican time. The event was supposed to start at 10:30 in the morning, but didn't get started until the last dignitary arrived via helicopter around 12:30 in the afternoon. And as always, everyone waited patiently for the commencement. The only people checking their wrist watches with mild irritation were us, the ex-pats. (We are learning, slowly, very slowly, not to fuss over start times.)

Governor Roberto Borge & Presidente Agapito Magaña 

Finally the event started. Municipal President Agapito Magaña Sánchez called it “an historic day” for Isla Mujeres to have this new 700-thousand square-meter terminal. The new structure is fantastic, with plenty of room for the two plus million visitors that Isla Mujeres will host this year.  Of course the smaller vendors, eating establishments, and tour operators will take a little time to settle into the new facility, but be patient, eventually it will happen.

I know some of you will say that the old quaint facility had character, befitting the island, however, in our opinion, one visit to the washrooms or the waiting area would have put paid to that idea.  Isla Mujeres is a world class destination - funky, quaint, rustic, fun, beautiful, romantic, or hip - but it is that first impression that grabs the newcomer, creating a yearning, a compulsion to return again and again to this beautiful little island. This gleaming white facility, with it's Mayan architectural influences is a dazzling new entrance to paradise.

Governor Roberto Borge

Governor Roberto Borge also promised in his very popular speech, the completion of the Cultural Centre, completion of the on-going hospital project, more utility services on the mainland portion of Isla Mujeres, upgrading the car ferry terminal at Punta Sam, and last but not least the repairs and upgrading of the popular Isla Mujeres baseball field. 

Whew! That's a big list, hope it happens.

Congratulations to the many levels of government that created this handsome new facility. Great job!

Hasta Luego

Lawrie & Lynda

You can also find us at:

Animals and Family Members is a collection of stories about critters we have known:

http://animalsandfamilymembers.blogspot.mx/

AND

The Adventures of Thomas the Cat is our first book, written in Spanish and English, for young children to enjoy: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Adventures-of-Thomas-the-Cat-Las-Aventuras-de-Tomás-el-Gato