Happy New Year!

Have a really exciting and prosperous 2015!

Sunset dinner for two on the beach, Las Terrazas ©John Lamkin

Hotel Aviá93 Brownies Bogota, Colombia

Woman from Village of Palenque – Cartagena, Colombia ©John Lamkin

“Boys, thumbs up-everything’s cool” Santa Cruz del Islote Island, Colombia-The worlds most densely populated island – 2 hours boat ride from Cartagena, 20 minutes from Múcura Island ©John Lamkin

“Family shelling crabsl” Santa Cruz del Islote Island, Colombia-The worlds most densely populated island – 2 hours boat ride from Cartagena, 20 minutes from Múcura Island ©John Lamkin

Chabil Mar

Travel Writing 2.0 by Tim Leffel – A Resource for the Beginning and the Seasoned Writer

Originally posted on Travel, Writing & Photography:

 

 

Travel Writing 2.0 by Tim Leffel
Paperback: 254 page
Publisher: Splinter Press (July 30, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609101081
ISBN-13: 978-1609101084

Travel Writing 2.0 is both a book and a Blog

This is the first guide to earning money from travel writing in a media landscape turned upside down. With stories and advice from dozens of working travel writers, editors, and publishers, Travel Writing 2.0 leads readers on a path to success straddling print and electronic media. Written by Tim Leffel, a successful writer, book author, editor, and blogger.

 

 

 

Tim Leffel is an award-winning travel writer, author, and value travel expert who is frequently quoted in the major media. He has circled the globe three times and dispatched articles from five continents. He is editor of the highly regarded webzine PerceptiveTravel.com and also edits the Practical Travel Gear blog (www.PracticalTravelGear.com). See more at

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The Brujo and the Ring of Fire in the Land of Magic, Suchitlan, Colima, Mexico

Hotel Las Hadas – Fairyland – Manzanillo, Colima MEXICO © John Lamkin

It was in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico and I was staying at a five-star hotel on the beach called Las Hadas (meaning the fairies). (“Bo Derek slept here” while filming 10.) I heard that in the morning there was a van leaving on a trip to the Magic Town (Pueblo Magico) of Comala, Colima so I signed up. In this case “magic” has nothing to do with Harry Potter, but is the designation Mexico has given several towns around the country that offer visitors a “magical” experience–by reason of their natural beauty, cultural riches or historical relevance.

The van left in the morning with me, an attractive actress from Hollywood, a PR woman from Miami and a reporter from Chicago. We toured the Manzanillo Bay, then headed out to the Magic Town. On the way we came to a small hill, la Loma de Fatima, where more “magic” had occurred. It seems that Volcan de Fuego (Fire Volcano), the active volcano that overlooks the town of Colima had once erupted, threatening to inundate the town and surrounds with lava. The people went to the top of this hill and prayed to Fatima. The lava miraculously stopped just short of the town, so the people erected a shrine to Fatima here. Read more at Global Writes.

Visiting Colombia, South America

I’m in Cartagena right now, getting ready to leave today by boat to Punto Faro on Múcura Island in the Caribbean. Was in Bogota a few days ago. Here are a few photos:

Hotel Aviá93 Brownies Bogota, Colombia

Day’s End – Cartagena, Colombia ©John Lamkin

Woman from Village of Palenque – Cartagena, Colombia ©John Lamkin

On to  Múcura Island

“Boys, thumbs up-everything’s cool” Santa Cruz del Islote Island, Colombia-The worlds most densely populated island – 2 hours boat ride from Cartagena, 20 minutes from Múcura Island ©John Lamkin

Sunset – Punta Faro, Múcura Island, Colombia ©John Lamkin

“Family shelling crabs” Santa Cruz del Islote Island, Colombia-The worlds most densely populated island – 2 hours boat ride from Cartagena, 20 minutes from Múcura Island ©John Lamkin

Las Terrazas Resort – Ambergris Caye, Belize

 

Sunset dinner for two on the beach, Las Terrazas ©John Lamkin

A short boat ride from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye’s only town, Las Terrazas is a 37-room Caribbean getaway with townhouse-style accommodations, tropical landscaping, a 70 foot pool surrounded by comfy loungers and a long stretch of white sand beach. Lovers, adventurers and serious divers–the world’s second largest barrier reefs is a few minutes away—hang out with spa goers and occasional families. Read more at Luxury Latin America.

Las Terrazas Resort – laid back luxury on Belize’s Ambergris Caye

Capt. Nigel – Boat ride to Las Terrazas © John Lamkin

The Belize island of Ambergris Caye (pronounced key) and the Northern Hemisphere’s largest barrier reef lie just off the tip of the southernmost part of Mexico.

I was in the south of the Mexican Caribbean—the state of Quintana Roo—in the small port city of Chetumal (the state’s capital). The more popular Cancun and the Riviera Maya are in the north of the state. Driving along the Bahia (bay) Drive, I spotted two small buildings near the municipal pier with colorful signs announcing “Chetumal to San Pedro (Ambergris) Water Taxi.” Somewhere I’d never been! Between the two I negotiated a good price and bought two tickets.

View slideshow: Las Terrazas Resort – laid back luxury on Belize’s Ambergris Caye

I went back to where I was staying on the stunning Laguna Bacalar, got on the Internet and made reservations for Las Terrazas Resort on Ambergris.

In a little more than an hour and a half after leaving Chetumal I arrived at the dock in San Pedro, a lively island town with people on the beach playing volleyball, venders selling handicrafts, music, dive shops and a row of small shops and restaurants. Read more at Examiner.

Mild to Wild Jeep Trail Tours – Animas Forks Ghost Town

Austrian Pinzgauer high-mobility all-terrain military vehicle ©John Lamkin

“Mild to Wild Jeep Trail Tours – Animas Forks Ghost Town”

This was an amazing trip following the Animas River out of Silverton, Colorado. Our guide, Frank Miller, has lived in the area most of his life and knew the trail, the mines and history, and the ghost town as no one else could. To find out how these miners lived and worked in the heyday of the silver and gold mining was truly an education. The starting point for the trip, Silverton, would be worth devoting a day to exploring. AND, riding in the old Austrian Pinzgauer high-mobility all-terrain military vehicle was a trip in itself.

See the slide show at Tripadvisor.