Volcan Pacaya

That was amazing! I have just returned to Antigua after spending the day climbing Volcan Pacaya. Tiff, Raechel and I left Lake Atitlan yesterday morning and met up with Amanda again here in Antigua. We all left together at the crack of sparrows this morning to head out to the volcano. The park provided us with a guide but his lack of English wasn´t going to help much. Fortunately for us though, Tiff is a highly qualified geologist! Not a bad lad to have along when climbing an active volcano...

Tiff, Raechel and Amanda on their way back down the lava field

The volcano has erupted a number of times in the last few years but is currently just steaming with some parasitic (out of the side of the cone) lava flows. The climb up isn´t too strenuous, though we did march up in a hurry as I need the exercise in order to compete with Jen and Peter on the ski slopes of Colorado later this week. Towards the top though you reach the lava fields. The lava has mostly cooled but some vents do still appear so it gets pretty toasty up there. In patches the red hot lava even bubbles up! Most spectacular though was the real life lava flow down the side of the cone. That has to be one of the most awesome experiences I´ve ever had, I just loved it.

Anyone got any marshmallows? The lava bubbling up beneath our feet.

The lava flows mere yards away.

The view from Pacaya across to some other volcanoes.

I have two full days left in Antigua before I fly out to the States. This town looks seriously beautiful with its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. There must also be a hundred very old churches in town. I´ll have to explore. Watch this space.

The streets of Antigua at dawn, with volcan Agua behind.