John Lamkin's feed

by John LamkinColumbus, on his third voyage to the New World, stepped ashore here. It was his first time to set foot on the mainland, being the island hopper he was. He named this land Honduras because the bay was...
Trujillo Cruise Ship Terminal

story and photos by John LamkinA large green snake slithered out of the dense jungle, in front of us, across the primitive road and back into the thicket on the other side. Except for the pot-holed asphalt, I could...
Pyramid, Jaina Island, Campeche MEXICO

Story and photos by John LamkinThe colorfully dressed, middle aged, indigenous woman approached me carrying a woven basket full of small dark red objects. “Do you want?” she said in Spanish with an accent that indicated that it...
Market Tapestry

Story and photos by John Lamkin A long time ago I started travel writing thinking it would provide me with a little independence, I could live wherever there was a mailbox (a mailbox is an archaic receptacle for...
View from pool

Story and photos by John LamkinManatees are considered an endangered species. This one, Daniel or Dani, lives near Chetumal in a water corral in a small fresh water lagoon, Laguna Guerrero, in the Southern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Manatees are...
Feeding Dani the manatee

story and photos by John LamkinDeath approached me in the guise of a skeleton wearing campesino garb, the clothing of a Mexican field worker. He offered me a drink of mescal from his gourd. Sure, why not! I was in...
Two women shopping for flowers for Day of the Dead altars

Two women shopping for flowers for Day of the Dead altars

story and photos by John LamkinFrederick Catherwood (1799-1854) and John Lloyd Stephens explored the Maya ruins in two trips between 1839 and 1841 and established the basis of American archaeology's future archaeological expeditions. In 1844,...
Lithograph by Frederick Catherwood

photos and story by John LamkinTo travel or to stay in one place? As a travel writer I must travel, but there still exists the need to stay put—to be in a home base, a place called &#39...
Casa Estrella de Bacalar

story and photographs by John LamkinThe view from the balcony of this five-star resort is spectacular. The multi-colored Caribbean shimmers in the late day sun. I'm resting now after an afternoon of exploring Mayan archaeological sites...
Spanish church built atop Zapotec temple

Spanish church built atop Zapotec temple

story and photos by John Lamkin The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) awarded five prestigious Certificates of Appreciation to industry partners in Belize, Central America for their gracious hospitality, continuing...
The Beach at Chabil Mar

story and photos by John LamkinAside for being one of Belize's best airlines, Tropic Air is known for their adventure toursAs much as I love adventure travel this trip was business, an assignment to review some of Belize...
Belize from the air

story and photos by John LamkinThe International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) awarded two prestigious Certificates of Appreciation to industry partners in Mexico for their gracious hospitality, continuing education and...
Main House Esencia Estate

story and photos by John LamkinIt was rainy and and a blanket of mist covered everything as we turned into the unpretentious entrance to Esencia Estate. Driving through natural jungle vegetation we arrived at a guard station and were escorted...
Beach at Esencia Estate

story and photos by John LamkinDriving the short ten to fifteen minute distance from Cancun Airport to the resort I was amazed at how beautiful the scenery was. Instead of going through the town of Cancun and down the long...
Infinity pool with Caribbean in background, Nizuc Resort and Spa, Cancun, Mexico

Infinity pool with Caribbean in background, Nizuc Resort and Spa, Cancun, Mexico

Story and photos by John LamkinThe International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) awarded two prestigious Certificates of Appreciation to industry partners in Mexico for their gracious hospitality, continuing education and...
Massage hut - Rancho Encantado from boat

Massage hut - Rancho Encantado from boat

story and photos by John LamkinThe driver took us a short way along this narrow peninsula that is Placencia, through the heavy, expertly carved, gigantic wooden gates and into this eye-popping lush tropical paradise. We had arrived at Chabil...
Pool and beach at Chabil Mar Villas

The International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association has embarked on a new program to train writers to write and publish in the genres of food, beverage and travel writing. The Emerging Writer program offered by the organization provides a...
IFWTWA Logo

story by John LamkinThe ancient Maya of Mexico had very distinct and exciting ways to celebrate Halloween. In Mexico and Mesoamerica death wears a different face. Once a year the difuntos, the departed friends and relatives are invited back for...
Catrina

by John LamkinDani has a face that only a mother could love, but he doesn’t have a mother – he’s an orphan. Dani is a manatee, sometimes referred to as a sea cow. I guess...
Smiling Dani

story and photos by John LamkinLaguna Bacalar, also known as The Lake of Seven Colors, is located about four hours south of Cancun, in the Zona Maya – ancient Mayan cities abound. This beautiful body of fresh water has the...
Stromatolites - Laguna Bacalar MEXICO

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