Volcano Pacaya

The morning was very similar to many others – I went to the clinic and spent some time triaging patients. I also spent some time dispensing the appropriate medication and injecting the medication required.

By about 12:15pm we were ready to leave and made our way back to Antigua. I rushed home and ate lunch quickly before making my way to Maximo Nivel where I waited to be collected by the shuttle bus that was to take us to Volcano Pacaya. The volcano is an active volcano which most recently erupted in March 2014 – that’s right – just 3 months earlier!

There were about 12 people in our group altogether – mainly people of a similar age to me, but there were a couple who were quite elderly too. We had been told that the trip was a reasonable hike, but only about 2 hours up and 1 hour back down. Those who were unable to make it were able to hire a horse which would carry them up.

The journey from Antigua to Pacaya was about 1.5 hours. When we arrived we were greeted by children trying to sell sticks to use on the hike up as well as some people offering a horse.

The climb was quite steep but very manageable – with a few people asking for a horse including the elderly couple. We stopped for breaks many times along the way and that helped us stay together as a group. It was a great chance to get to know each other.

There were some beautiful views as we were climbing and we were fortunate enough not to have any rain during the trip.

After about 1.5 hours, we were at the highest point we could go. We could see Volcano Pacaya beside us with smoke billowing out of the top and the old lava all around the side.

We looked in awe at the volcano and the area on which the lava had flown. Yellow Sulphur could be seen near the top of the volcano itself.

  

From this vantage point, we were also able to see Agua – the volcano that is often seen in the background of pictures of Antigua. 

We spent some time admiring the scenery before making our way down to where the molten lava had spread. The heat from the lava was still present and, after visiting the Lava Store, we spent time on the lava heating marshmallows!

We then made our way back to our previous vantage point where we were able to see the sun starting to set. The clouds which were present were seen just below us and the top of Agua was clearly visible. It was clear: with such beautiful views, it’s not possible to have a bad picture!!

   

By the time we were down it was getting dark and we were soon back in Antigua where I had dinner and relaxed with some of my housemates.