Christian Castro to Headline Costa Maya Fest

The Costa Maya Festival has officially announced that Mexican Superstar Christian Castro has been confirmed to perform on International Night, Saturday, August 8, 2009. The Festival dates run from Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 9. Keep reading Ambergris Today for more updates on Costa Maya Festival 2009.

Some kids are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but Cristian was born with a microphone. Son of the famous singer and actress Verónica Castro and the now-retired comedian Manuel "Loco" Valdés ( Loco Valdez is a comedian), Cristian grew up to be a star. At age 5, Cristian was perform at a TV show called "El Derecho De Nacer". At age seven, the young actually made his own kids band (Cristian y los Gallitos) and debuted at a popular Mexician show Siempre en Domingo with El Gallito Feliz! Castro is one of the best selling Latin artists with 11 albums under his belt since his music career took off in 1992.

Read up on last year's Costa Maya Festival by clicking HERE!

Christian's Latest Single:

Swine Flu Virus Alert

Workers at the Corozal Free Zone wear protective masks and Medical personnel in Mexico pass out information on the Swine Flu Virus.

Much concern has been placed on the over 800 cases of severe acute respiratory illness, including approximately 60 deaths reported from Mexico. The unique Swine Flu Virus has been attributed to all these deaths and sick people. Countries around the world will be asked to step up reporting and surveillance of the disease, which she said had "pandemic potential" because it is an animal virus strain infecting people.
Symptoms of human swine influenza are similar to those of regular or seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Persons with swine influenza may also have runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
At the Belize/Mexico border employees have been issued to wear gloves and face masks for their own protections and word from nearby border city of Chetumal is that residents are wearing masks out in public. Cases of the swine flu viral infections have been confirmed in Merida and Cancun, but not in Chetumal as yet. People are asked to be extremely careful when travelling to Mexico.

The following hygienic measures are recommended:
* Frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after sneezing or coughing.
* Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, preferably with a tissue that is immediately disposed of following use.
* Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth as this spreads germs.
* Avoid close contact with sick persons
* Persons who have recently travelled to affected areas are asked to consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms.


Suspected cases of swine influenza in persons returning from Mexico have also been reported in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and France. Confirmed cases of a new strain of human swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified in Mexico (three areas, Districto Federal, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi); in the United States (California, Texas, Kansas, New York, Ohio) and Canada (Nova Scotia). There have been no reported cases of human swine influenza or suspected human swine influenza in any Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) member countries.

BTL Warns of Fraudulent Mail

Customer Notice – BTL customers are advised that an unknown source, posing as Telemedia Support, is fraudulently circulating an email asking customers to provide their username and password. Customers are hereby warned that this email is not being sent out by Telemedia and they will be taking a considerable risk if they choose to respond and submit the information that is being requested. Telemedia reminds customers that their password is ultimately their responsibility and advises them to very careful about giving out personal data online. For more information kindly contact 0-800-CALL-BTL.

Galen University Wins Eco-Challenge

The Galen Warriors take the first place trophy

Not all 22 teams made it back to San Pedro Town from the Lagoon-Reef Eco-Challenge as two teams dropped out of the race as early as day one in the competition. For the first time in five years there was a neck to neck competition amongst four teams that showed much strength and endurance. Below are some of the highlights. Read more on the Eco-Challenge on this Thursday's edition of Ambergris Today and online at www.ambergristoday.com.


Top 5 Teams:
* 1st place Overall - Galen Warriors - Mario Sanchez and Alfonso Ayala sponsored by Galen University
* 2nd place - Lazy Lizards - Immer Perez and Salva sponsored by Lazy Lizard and Anwar's Tours
* 3rd place - We Nuh E-Z - Jimmy Polonio and Rafael Averez, sponsored by Caye Casa
* 4th place - Reef Radio - Sergio Lopez and Byron, sponsored by Reef Radio
* 5th place - Searious Dilligaf - Martin John Leslie and Gilbert Spain, sponsored by Searious Adventures

The boys from Galen University turn into the finish line at Central Park

The Lazy Lizzards

A very large crowd gathered at Central Park to witness the finals of the race

Parasailer takes bird's eye view pictures of Central Park

Team We Nuh E-Z takes Third Place

Searious Dilligaf comes in Fifth Place

Children enjoy blowing bubbles at Central Park

Poster competition and reef displays were held during the Reef Festival

A San Castle Building competition also took place

1, 2, 3...GO! for Eco-Challenge 2009

The paddlers are off! The Lagoon-Reef Eco-Challenge kicked off this morning at 6:30a.m. A large crowd gathered at the lagoon to cheer for all the paddlers who took the grueling two-day challenge of kayaking around the northern part of the island and back to town the next day. Twenty two teams are participating in this year’s challenge.

Spectators waited patiently...

...As Reef Radio broadcasted live

And film crews videoed the action

First Signs of Trouble!
Ironically, team numbered '1" (Tropic Turbines) had major trouble just a few minutes after the start off. Their kayak started taking in water and they were forced to get out on some nearby mangrove. They were dragged back to the shore where they got another kayak and got back in the race - "That's the spirit". They would have to catch up on the other teams which were about 20 minutes ahead of them by then.

All the best of luck guys!