Stephen Phelan

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Stephen Phelan |Francesco Lastrucci

The fall of the ancient Maya civilisation came gradually — as did the disappearance of its centres of power, each one slowly reclaimed by the creeping jungle. Mighty cities were lost for centuries, biding their time beneath thick drapes of vines and moss like dust sheets. In Guatemala, after the curtain was drawn back, hoards of artefacts eventually made their way to the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Guatemala City, one of the largest troves of Maya antiques.

3 weeks ago | nationalgeographic.com | Stephen Phelan

The fall of the ancient Maya civilisation came gradually — as did the disappearance of its centres of power, each one slowly reclaimed by the creeping jungle. Mighty cities were lost for centuries, biding their time beneath thick drapes of vines and moss like dust sheets. In Guatemala, after the curtain was drawn back, hoards of artefacts eventually made their way to the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Guatemala City, one of the largest troves of Maya antiques.

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Stephen Phelan |Francesco Lastrucci

Livingston is not an island, but it exists so separately from the rest of Guatemala that locals use the word ‘mainland’ to mean everywhere beyond its boundaries. Triple-isolated on the east coast by rainforest, river and saltwater, this small fishing town is cut off from the national road network and only accessible by boat.

1 month ago | nationalgeographic.com | Stephen Phelan

Livingston is not an island, but it exists so separately from the rest of Guatemala that locals use the word ‘mainland’ to mean everywhere beyond its boundaries. Triple-isolated on the east coast by rainforest, river and saltwater, this small fishing town is cut off from the national road network and only accessible by boat.

1 month ago | aol.com | Stephen Phelan

One of many myths surrounding Lake Atitlán tells of an ancient Maya sorceress who forged a magic ring for a Spanish conquistador, swearing it would make him irresistible to the object of his affection. Long story short: the plan went sideways, and the ring was lost at the bottom of the lake. There it remains, they say, still casting its spell through the water like an electric current, drawing travellers to these shores and compelling them to fall in love with the place.