Finding interesting activities to keep you busy is not hard in Antigua. People are constantly handing out flyers on the street for the various travel agencies they work for. Brian and I found a fairly cheap tour to the volcano, Pacaya, for about $7 roundtrip for each of us and decided that it would be a good idea to climb an active, constantly erupting, volcano!
Back in the hostel, we were talking to Matt, who recently did the trek, and I really couldn’t believe the stories he was telling about jumping over lava streams and witnessing rock break away as lava poured down the side of the mountain. He recommended we wear good shoes so they won’t melt as easy. Funny thing is, he was absolutely telling the truth! Brian took some video that we uploaded unto vimeo for your viewing pleasure.
Brian and Brooke Climb a Volcano from Brooke Schoenman on Vimeo.
Brian was the brave one and went a bit further than I did. Once you get to the top, you are walking on uneven, breaking lava rock, some of which are still warm. The really bad part is that in the cracks and crevices between rocks remain smoldering ones. I think the hike up really kicked my butt and I only made it halfway across the lava rocks before I thought it would be a good idea to turn around. I just kept getting this vision in my head of me falling into the cracks and a) breaking knee, ankle, wrist or b) burning myself. I’m kind of kicking myself now for not completely going for it, but when you get an eerie feeling about something, its usually best to trust your gut. And, honestly, I still got a great view of the lava from where I was at. I’ll take it!
Overall, it was awesome… and a little crazy! I can’t believe everyone here is so cool with being so close to danger. You would NEVER be able to do that in the states.
Cool pictures Love Mom
Hi, where is my post card. Love GB!