Well we arrived in Antigua a few days ago, and yesterday decided to climb up a volcano. The journey to the site took about an hour or so in a minibus. Then we had to hike up to get there. The going was ok, but the terrain was a bit tough, and it took quite a while. We were going through pretty dense undergrowth and it was raining at the same time. We eventually reached the peak, and scrubland and woods gave way to a a black rocky lava field. To be honest at this point I was a bit disappointed as I was hoping to see somethigna bit more dramatic.
To see the fist video of us walking towards the lava click here
I took a few photos and then we kept on walking. Then in the distance I saw a red speck. It was some lava very far away, and while I was able to see it well with my naked eyes it didnt come out too well on the camera. I really wanted to go closer and to my surprise our guide allowed us. We got closer and closer, and the lava was really starting to flow now. What started as a small stream was now tens of metres long. And we were able to get so close. Eventually, after hiking for quite a while we were able to get within touching distance of it. The heat coming off it was incredible.
The second much better video is here, and you can actually see me in it.
We had been walking now for several hours and it was getting dark but we now had to get back. The hike through pouring rain down the side of a mountain through muddy jungle terrain was pretty scary. I slipped a few times, and our guide kept hurrying us along. It took another hour or so to get down and then get the minibus back. The whole trip took about 8 or 9 hours, and was terrifying and exhilerating in equal measure.
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