Easygoing Antigua
Trip Start
Nov 08, 2008
1
8
31
Trip End
Ongoing
Antigua Guatemala,
Western Highlands,
Guatemala
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
I was not disappointed! After a long, hard trek up the volcano, made only slightly worse by the group of "taxi" horses that follow the groups up, with their riders constantly asking, just when you are at your most winded, "wouldn´t the senora like a ride up the rest of the way?" I was determined to make the trek on my own though, figuring the skinny horses could do without my weight. Once we cleared the treeline, I could see what were were really in store for, the completely vegetation-less Pacaya rose up above us, making me wish I had paid the boys at the bottom for a hiking stick. At first we walked through soft volcanic sand, followed further up by a steep ascent on sharp, crumbly lava rocks. For every step up you would sink down half a step into the rocks, while periodically large, sharp rocks were sent down the slope by the climbers above. When we reached the lava flow, we climbed on top of hardened rocks that only days ago had been lava. Underneath, you could see the red glow of the molten rock that still flowed below. I got within a few meters of the lava flow, and am proud to say that I was only slightly paranoid that the crust we were all standing on would give way. By the time we reached the lava, the sun had gone down so the glow was intense.
After a short time trying to capture the bright lava with poor my camera skills, we began the descent, using flashlights, and trying not to fall too often. At the end of the day, I really appreciated the hot shower (solar heated!) and comfy beds in the Yellow House in Antiqua.
Next stop, the Sunday market at Chichicastenango!
Comments
Holy Cow!
You are having too much fun! Now get back here and get to work........ or, not.
SS
yeah yeah lava
lava is cool but the boobie statue kicks ass!