The Volcano

We readied ourselves for the Volvano trip, bringing head torches and jackets as it gets cold up there. The ride was bumpy and steep as we drove around wash out and through creek beds. This time I rode in the back of the truck with its tiny narrow wooden seats for 18 km of twisty cut in through the muddly trails.  Morgan and Lilly were given some mangos to eat and were shown how the locals consumed them - skin and all.  I was told they were the most delicious and sweetest mangoes they had ever had.. certainly the juiciest and messiest.

The closer we got to volcano, the more apparent the steam and smoke became as it burped out. I wasn’t prepared for the ash plains below though. It was an incredible desert of black ash. We stopped for a while to look up at the volcano as it periodically puffed out its black clouds. The ash constantly feathered down on our faces. Apparently there is a local group who take tourists half way up this side of the volcano with pieces of board - so you can sand board down.  Looked like a steep old trek for a few mins of fun.

Our truck took us around the base of the volcano to the other side and then we began our ascent. It was a bit unsettling to see puffs of smoke rise from the track as we passed and tiny outlets of steam on the side of the road. ( I am using the term road very loosely here)

We arrived at a desolate rocky plateau. I am now sorry not to have taken photos of the toilets there. We were all so excited at getting to the top of the mountain, I forgot it was going to be night time by the time we made our way down.  Basically they were tiny huts built over pits. Thin logs stretched over the hole and rudimentary box with hole in top to sit on. Very scary in the dark I can tell you.. I think I am obsessed with toilets…

Anyway , our guide - beguiled by Miss Lilly, put her on top of his shoulders and carried her to the top, whilst wearing thongs.  Note that the surface was loose ash and rocks and very steep. On the way up, cold, stinging rain pelted down on us.  There wasn’t a patch on us that was dry - not undies.. nothing. 

When we got to the edge and looked over, it was incredible. There was too much noxious smoke to see the pit of bubbling lava - but we only had to wait a few moments before it was shot up in the air in an explosion. Huge sprays of lava and enormous rocks were shot into the air every minute or so. Looking down we could see when the next big explosion was to happen as there was a disturbance in the air, the ground rumbled and then …. BOOM.

We stayed till it was very dark, marvelling at the fireworks display against the night sky.  Coming down wasn’t so hard - especially with our very funky and highly unfashionable head torches.  Despite the bumpy ride back both kids put their heads down and fell asleep.  We were filthy and covered in ash, smelling like a bitumen truck when we got home - but the care factor when we got to our beds rated very lowly.