tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63687104855858177602011-11-27T18:10:45.314-06:00Maya ParadiseNews and happenings in Guatemala and on the Maya Paradise web site.<br><b>Comments are Welcome!</b>ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.comBlogger552125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-59984404009501416162011-05-07T07:00:00.001-06:002011-05-07T07:00:05.302-06:002011-05-07T07:00:05.302-06:00Banana, in danger of extinction by sigatoka in EcuadorThe banana, a plant which is threatened by the Black Sigatoka, will be extinguished within about ten years, if a genetically modified hybrid is not created to combat this fungus that endangers plantations worldwide, according to Emile Frison, researcher of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP).
Frison said on elguanche.net, that "something that we canShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2011/05/banana-in-danger-of-extinction-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-15796193881802083832011-05-06T09:19:00.000-06:002011-05-06T09:19:46.835-06:002011-05-06T09:19:46.835-06:00Honduras Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Zelaya ChargesHonduras' Supreme Court has rejected a prosecution appeal of a court ruling that dismissed the last two corruption charges against exiled president Manuel Zelaya.
The court's removes an obstacle to Zelaya's possible return to Honduras.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/americas/Honduras-Supreme-Court-Upholds-Dismissal-of-Zelaya-Charges-121309894.htmlShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2011/05/honduras-supreme-court-upholds.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-40716791285979094942011-04-28T09:41:00.002-06:002011-04-28T09:41:36.792-06:002011-04-28T09:41:36.792-06:0030% of crops in Mexico are mixed with marijuana and poppies30% of cultivated land areas in Mexico are a legal product crops mixed with marijuana or opium, on Tuesday reported a Mexican senator who proposed a legal reform to encourage farmers to convert these crops. “30% of the crops are mixed with drugs with a legal culture,” he told the full Senate chamber
http://latinamericacurrentevents.com/30-crops-mexico-mixed-marijuana-poppies/ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2011/04/30-of-crops-in-mexico-are-mixed-with.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-29555382161076487952011-04-27T11:34:00.002-06:002011-04-27T11:34:49.559-06:002011-04-27T11:34:49.559-06:00Springtime is OverSpringtime is over in the Land of Eternal Spring (Guatemala). The heat is on in Eastern Guatemala.
As I write this, the heat index stands at 43 degrees C (109F). And it will get hotter still over the next two months while we pray for the rainy season to begin around June / July and give us occasional breaks from the heat.
Thursday night looks like it might bring such a break, at least during ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com1http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2011/04/springtime-is-over.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-52271686824373473512011-04-26T19:31:00.000-06:002011-04-26T19:31:31.274-06:002011-04-26T19:31:31.274-06:00INTERPOL-led operation in Americas nets fakes worth 200 million dollarsFake goods worth more than USD 200 million have been seized and nearly 1,000 people arrested in a series of operations co-ordinated by INTERPOL across South America targeting organized criminal counterfeiting networks.
http://latinamericacurrentevents.com/interpol-led-operation-americas-nets-fakes-worth-200-million-dollars/ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2011/04/interpol-led-operation-in-americas-nets.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-27938132857072874622010-12-10T20:16:00.000-06:002010-12-10T20:16:20.118-06:002010-12-10T20:16:20.118-06:00Kidnappers Release Dennis Gulck's Teenage Son, Claytonhttp://riodulcechisme.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=691&Itemid=1ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/12/kidnappers-release-dennis-gulcks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-11359260821847355662010-12-09T14:18:00.001-06:002010-12-10T20:13:51.107-06:002010-12-10T20:13:51.107-06:00Clayton Gulck, Teenage Son of Denny Gulck KidnappedSee article here on the Rio Dulce Chisme:
http://riodulcechisme.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=689&Itemid=1
ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/12/clayton-gulck-teenage-son-of-denny.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-48762336471383957752010-11-18T16:07:00.002-06:002010-11-18T16:11:09.486-06:002010-11-18T16:11:09.486-06:00Heavy Rain Coming, Thursday, Friday (Update)The leading edge of the heavy portion of the moist air mass discussed in the previous post is now arriving in eastern Izabal.
This is the tropics so there are no guarantees but I would prepare for heavy rain tonight (Thursday), all day Friday, possible extreme amounts of rain Friday night, and tapering off some time on Saturday.
Below is the latest water vapor image. White depicts moisture ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/11/heavy-rain-coming-thursday-friday_18.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-40472111209362292272010-11-17T22:45:00.000-06:002010-11-17T22:45:17.207-06:002010-11-17T22:45:17.207-06:00Heavy Rain Coming, Thursday, FridayThere's a mass of heavily moisture laden air that is barely starting to arrive tonight (Wednesday night) and will start to make its presence known later tomorrow (Thursday).
I expect heavy rain Thursday night, and Friday day, and possible extreme amounts of rain on Friday night here in the Rio Dulce area. Extreme would be 7 or 8 inches in one night.
Below is the current water vapor image. (ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/11/heavy-rain-coming-thursday-friday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-35334784080913747432010-11-13T07:04:00.000-06:002010-11-13T07:04:53.254-06:002010-11-13T07:04:53.254-06:00Possible Late Season Cyclone FormingThe system circled in the graphic below has been developing slowly for the past few days. During the past few hours its activity has become much more organized and at the moment it is developing rather rapidly. Those of us in eastern Guatemala should keep an eye on this one.
ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/11/possible-late-season-cyclone-forming.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-6779608448702555242010-10-30T17:23:00.001-06:002010-10-30T17:24:06.374-06:002010-10-30T17:24:06.374-06:00Tomas at 80 Kts and StrengtheningHurricane Tomas is presently moving WNW on a course that would pass to the south of Jamaica. Computer models indicate the storm will turn towards the north as it nears Jamaica and hit Jamaica sometime on Thursday. However a lot can happen between now (Saturday) and Thursday.
HURRICANE CENTER LOCATED NEAR 13.5N 61.6W
ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE 982 MB
EYE DIAMETER 25 NM
MAX SUSTAINED ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/tomas-at-80-kts-and-strengthening.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-45206115026881500202010-10-29T18:56:00.000-06:002010-10-29T18:56:41.972-06:002010-10-29T18:56:41.972-06:00Tomas Looks Like TroubleThe large system which has become Tropical Storm Tomas I've been watching closely for the past few days. The outflow pattern is a little strange but this system has all the makings of big trouble so we need to keep an eye on it. It's large, it's developing fast, conditions are good, there's plenty of hot water to fuel it, it's far south, and it's moving west.
Cyclones that form that far to theShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/tomas-looks-like-trouble.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-31649957963703625062010-10-29T18:38:00.000-06:002010-10-29T18:38:15.116-06:002010-10-29T18:38:15.116-06:00Unexpected Heavy RainYesterday (Thursday) we got quite a lot of rain. It started at around 5:30 AM and continued off and on all day and into the night, with occasional lightning and thunder. For much of Thursday morning the stormy weather was purely local. For several hours during the morning we had our own private storm that remained stationary and active over eastern Izabal. It was kind of unusual as there was ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/unexpected-heavy-rain.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-7476649746990092172010-10-28T07:18:00.000-06:002010-10-28T07:18:01.731-06:002010-10-28T07:18:01.731-06:00Small Local Thunderstorm and Activity in the AtlanticThis time of year the air is very unstable and there's almost always a chance of rain or thunderstorm. This morning we have a small local thunderstorm bringing rain to eastern Izabal. It's the only t-storm in Guatemala this morning. It should clear up later today and we should have very little precipitation for the next four days.
Of greater interest are three active areas out in the AtlanticShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/small-local-thunderstorm-and-activity.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-72232753315488241492010-10-24T19:30:00.000-06:002010-10-24T19:30:24.402-06:002010-10-24T19:30:24.402-06:00Hurricane Richard Makes Landfall in BelizeRadar showed the eye of Hurricane Richard made landfall about 20 miles SSW of Belize City about 45 minutes ago. Max sustained winds were 90 MPH / 150 kmh.
SUMMARY OF 745 PM CDT...0045 UTC...INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------
LOCATION...17.2N 88.3W
ABOUT 20 MI...35 KM SSW OF BELIZE CITY
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...90 MPH...150 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/hurricane-richard-makes-landfall-in.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-27039303408749574832010-10-24T13:52:00.003-06:002010-10-24T16:59:22.640-06:002010-10-24T16:59:22.640-06:00Hurricane Richard Hits BelizeHurricane Richard's path shifted slightly to the north since the last update and movement has accelerated to 13 MPH WNW. It is about 55 miles from Belize City and has strengthened slightly. Central pressure dropped to 988. As you can see in the sat image, Hurricane Richard is a tight little hurricane and will mostly likely affect us very little here in Rio Dulce.
LOCATION...17.1N 87.5W
ABOUTShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/hurricane-richard-hits-belize.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-23394947903211412772010-10-24T10:36:00.001-06:002010-10-24T10:37:53.982-06:002010-10-24T10:37:53.982-06:00Richard Becomes a Hurricane
Tropical Storm Richard has become Hurricane Richard. Max sustained winds now 85 MPH.
LOCATION...16.9N 86.9WABOUT 95 MI...155 KM ESE OF BELIZE CITY
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...991 MB...29.26 INCHES
ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-hurricane.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-81220961006958002092010-10-24T06:47:00.003-06:002010-10-24T08:19:37.622-06:002010-10-24T08:19:37.622-06:00Possible Heavy Rain Tonight from RichardTropical Storm Richard continues to strengthen very slowly. Winds are now up to 70 MPH, so not quite a hurricane yet. It is following the track that was forecast yesterday.
Heavy rains are possible tonight (Sunday night) while the storm makes its closest approach and passes NNE of us here in Rio Dulce, Guatemala.
Location: 16.8N 86.4W
30 mi N of Roatan
Maximum sustained winds: 70 MPH
ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/heavy-rain-tonight-from-richard.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-67898783013144013502010-10-23T12:53:00.000-06:002010-10-23T12:53:48.816-06:002010-10-23T12:53:48.816-06:00Hurricane Warning Zone ExtendedRichard is sustaining winds of 65 MPH so it's not quite a hurricane yet. Movement continues west at 8 MPH.
Hurricane warning zone has been extended to include the north coast of Honduras, the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, and the entire coastline of Belize.
ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/hurricane-warning-zone-extended.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-71224068191180501722010-10-23T10:25:00.001-06:002010-10-24T08:19:13.425-06:002010-10-24T08:19:13.425-06:00Possible Hurricane Richard, UpdateFor the latest updates, go to the front page: http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/
During the past five hours, Tropical Storm Richard suddenly "woke up". Winds are now reaching 65 MPH, and movement has accelerated to 8 MPH, still moving west.
Latest forecast shows Richard reaching hurricane strength as it passes over the Bay Islands and making landfall a bit south of Belize City. Hurricane ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/possible-hurricane-richard-update.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-9228908531060718872010-10-23T06:40:00.000-06:002010-10-23T06:40:13.538-06:002010-10-23T06:40:13.538-06:00Tropical Storm RichardTropical Storm Richard began moving slowly west yesterday (Friday) afternoon and this morning the storm center is located at the northeastern tip of Honduras. The previous track predictions had the storm moving out into the Gulf of Honduras, strengthening to a hurricane and making landfall north of Belize City. The new track forecast has moved somewhat south, where the storm would skirt along ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/tropical-storm-richard_23.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-46853695932098078742010-10-22T11:34:00.000-06:002010-10-22T11:34:26.306-06:002010-10-22T11:34:26.306-06:00Tropical Storm RichardAt this time, Tropical Storm Richard is stationary, pretty much in the same location as shown in the graphic in the previous post, 35 kt max wind, central pressure 1006. Waiting to see what it will do. It is expected to strengthen and start moving west.ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/tropical-storm-richard.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-49810707611202899762010-10-21T06:49:00.001-06:002010-10-23T06:41:54.074-06:002010-10-23T06:41:54.074-06:00Hurricane Richard?The last three posts have discussed the mass of convective storms in our area here in the western Caribbean. Steering currents at this time of year are complex and confused and this system has been staggering like a drunk in the region northeast of Honduras. It was headed generally north and northeast, taking it farther away from us, but it made a 180 degree turn to the right, coming south ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/hurricane-richard.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-3545544486462117612010-10-20T07:03:00.000-06:002010-10-20T07:03:15.802-06:002010-10-20T07:03:15.802-06:00Storm System is Moving AwayAs can be seen from the satellite image, this system is moving north and east, away from us here in eastern Guatemala.
ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/storm-system-is-moving-away.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368710485585817760.post-64865444667124600652010-10-19T17:05:00.005-06:002010-10-23T06:43:08.981-06:002010-10-23T06:43:08.981-06:00Developing Tropical Storm -- and Some HumorThis is the system discussed in the previous post. Its movement changed from WNW to North so most of the system remained over water and it has developed quite nicely. It will likely become a TD tonight. Fortunately for us, it is moving north, taking it further away from us here in eastern Guatemala. We are also now in the third quadrant of the storm which means we will likely see no effects ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/2010/10/developing-tropical-storm.html