Antigua y Volcan Pacaya

We finally got to the volcano! After chilling for a few days here in Antigua while Chris recuperated, we got a 6am tour with 12 other people. We drove up as far as possible and then hiked up for an hour and a half. It wasn't the hardest hike we've done, but we were gasping for breath by the end. Of course our guide Herman had no such problems. He does this twice a day, every day!



We hiked through forest until we reached a massive expanse of lava. Luckily for us, most of it had hardened to stone, but as we wandered over it we could feel the heat rising up from underneath. It was so amazing to see the lava rock formations: pillowy lava, flowy lava cascading like curtains, lots of sharp, crumbling lava that sounded like chalk when it snapped. Without thinking I grabbed a bit of lava rock at one point to steady myself, and my hand came back bloody. Without even feeling like I'd been cut, that rock perforated my skin.

It felt like we were in a sauna. I was worrying about my shoes melting onto the rocks, and trying to not to breathe any nasty fumes too deeply. People found deep holes in the rocks and dropped in bits of food, making flames burst out. I actually started to worry that the rock under my feet could break, and I'd burst into flames myself! But luckily that didn't happen.

Herman managed to guide us to a fresh lava stream, and we stood there (me hopping from foot to foot to keep my shoes from melting!) watching it flow past. I loved the sound of it crackling over the lava rock. When wind whipped over it, it hissed. It was like watching a live thing, and it was incredible.



We only spent about 20-30 minutes on the lava field, but it felt like hours. I was glad to get back onto grass and feel my shoes cool down! We made our way back downhill and returned to Antigua feeling very happy about the experience.

Tomorrow we'll head to Rio Dulce for the renowned boat ride to Livingston. Then it's time to head to Honduras!