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I was born on the Maya Long Count date of 12.17.14.13.4  10 K'an 7 Wo, and was raised in Alabama. In 1993, I moved to South Carolina to work as a crewman on a professional drag racing team, and did so for 2 years. I fulfilled a life-long dream and worked for the 6-time IHRA Pro-Modified World Champion Scotty Cannon and helped him win 2 championships. I fell in love with the area and decided to buy a home there, once I left racing. Now, I work as an ammonia refrigeration service technician and have been in the field for 12 years. I am 40 years old, have never been married, nor do I have any children either. My hobbies include: scuba diving, gardening, working out, riding my Harley, traveling, watching college football, drag racing, etc..

I give away a (mostly) free trip to the Maya World each year, and do so out of kindness. I have people tell me all the time, that they can't afford a trip. So, I try to help one person go on a trip each year, and I am thankful to be able to do so. I help children in Guatemala when I can, who are in need and poor, such as providing educational books and such for them. I don't take ads for this website and it is strictly a hobby. I have traveled to the countries of Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Even though it can be dangerous at times in ANY country you visit, I generally find that if you don't wear jewelry or appear to have a lot of money on you, you probably won't have any problems with thieves and such while on a trip. I travel a lot, to some pretty remote and poor places, during my trips. I stay VERY alert of my surroundings, at all times. I am known to be a large man and thankfully have not had any conflicts yet, during my travels. Always remember, if someone sees an opportunity, they will usually take advantage of it. Don't make yourself vulnerable!      

I was introduced to the Maya World in August of 2003, on a brief solo trip to Cancun. I visited the sites of Chichen-Itza and Tulum while there. After that, trips to visit Maya ruin sites became my greatest passion in life. I average going on 5 adventure trips each year, mostly for visiting Maya ruin sites. Sometimes I go on these trips alone and I do have some regular travel companions, but continually search for others also. Anyone is more than welcome to join me on one of my trips, as long as they are well mannered and don't cause problems. My trips are not always glamorous, for some sites are rather secluded and are hard to get to. I do prefer to sleep in a hotel each night with A/C and a shower, but some places require sleeping in the jungle in a swinging hammock under a mosquito net, to visit them. It takes dedication to visit some ruin sites, for they can be very secluded. I also try to make a couple of scuba diving trips to somewhere in the Caribbean each year as well, of which I don't write an account of for posting here on my website. This is a Maya website, not a scuba diving website, although I may include a photo slideshow here of some diving photos in the future. I am currently in the process of becoming an Advanced Scuba Diver, through SDI.  

My friends tell me I am on a mission to see as many Maya ruin sites as possible, and I guess I would have to agree with them, to an extent. I am considered by most to be a serious Maya enthusiast. I have seen more sites than most people would in their lifetime, and have done so in the past 5 years. I have visited 64 different Maya ruin sites so far and there will be more to come, I assure you. These sites include: (Mexico) San Gervasio, El Castillo Real, El Cedral, Tulum, Xel-Ha, Coba, Ek Balam, Chichen-Itza, Mayapan, Acanceh, Dzibilchaltun, Kabah, Labna, Sayil, Uxmal, Xlapak, Edzna, Kohunlich, Chacchoben, Dzibanche, Kinichna, Lamay, Palenque, Yaxchilan, Bonampak, Oxtankah, Chicanna, Becan, Hormiguero, Xpuhil, Calakmul, Balamku, Muyil, (Guatemala) Hamontun, Naranjito, Kinal, Rio Azul, Holmul, Poza Maya, Nakum, Tayazal, Piedras Negras, El Peru, Cancuen, Tikal, Kaminaljuyu, Topoxte, Yaxha, Uaxactun, Ixlu, (Belize) Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Lamanai, Altun-Ha, (Honduras) Copan, El Puente, Las Sepulturas, Los Sapos, (El Salvador) Joya de Ceren, Cihuatan, San Andres, Casa Blanca, and Tazumal.

I have also visited the stunning Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu and the interesting site of Sacsayhuaman in Peru, as well as a few other Inca sites there, which I feel don't deserve mention here.

Happy travels,                                                     

Greg Vandiver