Mexican Yucatan Travel @ The Fly Shop®

Press Release - HURRICANE DEAN AND PARADISE LODGE
Hurricane Dean thundered ashore Costa Maya as a Category 5 hurricane with winds recorded over 200 mph, early on the morning of August 21, 2007…only the third of such strength to ever make landfall in recorded history. Major destruction occurred over a wide path across the southern Yucatan Peninsula. Centered in its path, a little north of the coastal town of Majahual was Paradise Lodge, long known as a hub for flats and its history-proven juvenile tarpon fishing. Recently purchased and remodeled by Alex deTomaso of Argentina, Paradise Lodge now stands as a skeleton of its former self. All of the out buildings and staff quarters around the lodge are gone, obliterated by the storm’s incredible tidal surge. For a first hand report by journalist Larry Kinder ( who was a guest at Paradise Lodge when Hurricane Dean hit) go to www.floridasportsman.com/xtra/hurricane_dean/.

At this time, Alex is determined to rebuild the operation, and make it better than ever. He is in meetings over the next few weeks with financial partners, construction companies, architects, and The Fly Shop (the lodge’s exclusive booking agency). He will be at The Fly Shop, in Redding, CA, in mid October to give the travel department a detailed report of the progress and rebuilding timeline for the lodge.

Alex received many emails and calls of concern about the lodge, himself, his guests and his staff at the time of the hurricane. There were many offers of all kinds of help. Alex expresses his heartfelt thanks to everyone for their concern and prayers.

After the Redding meeting, Bill Marts of the Travel Department at The Fly Shop will call everyone booked into the lodge this fall and in 2008 with a detailed update and discuss their reservations.

Anyone with questions about the lodge or their bookings can call or email Bill Marts.

Bill Marts: bill@theflyshop.com The Fly Shop, Inc. 800-669-3474