Antigua - Pacaya Volcano

Even before we got to Antigua we were told the main thing to do there was, the Pacaya Volcano climb. Pacaya is one of the two active volcano's that surround Antigua city and it was my chance to get really close to molten lava.

When we arrived in Antigua Samantha was a little unwell and decided she did not feel well enough to go on the climb so I had to go alone but luckily most of the rest of the group decided to come with me.

We had to leave at 6am for the climb and I was up dress and ready to go by 5.45am (Yes I was a little excited). It took an hour to reach the base of the volcano and when we stepped out of the van it was freezing.

The walk upto the lava was supposed to take three hours and be gentle for the first two hours however, it was actually a hard uphill walk for the first hour and then about another 45 minutes until we reached the lava.

There was a spectacular river of lava flowing down the volcano side, and as we approached you could feel the heat blowing up through cracks in the solidified lava. When we reached the lava flow, I managed to get within two feet of the molten rock but it was so hot my legs were burning.

As we stood around taking our photos the guide stuck his walking stick into the lava and put out some molten lava which quickly set fire to stick.

It was a really amazing sight and I think it beats both the Hawaii and Tenerife Volcano's hands down.

My day was finished in style when we experience a mini earthquake whilst out at dinner.