What is it with tours and activities that they insist on starting so early in the morning? Today's 6am pick up was to climb the still active Volcan Pacaya which had last erupted in 2014. We were the last to be picked up and the downside to this is you get the worst seats, so we were both jammed in the front with the driver. By the time we were collected and then stopped for a coffee it was 7am before we finally left town.
At Pacaya the the steep climb started immediately and continued that way for most of the 2.8 kms to the top. There were kids on horses following us up, who kept asking if we wanted a "taxi". They started asking right from the start, and were right on our heels all the way up, M had to tell them to back off more than once, they were like vultures waiting for someone to fall over or give up.
When we reached the top we stopped to enjoy the views, then walked down to the recent lava flow which had unfortunately only completely cooled a couple a couple of months ago, meaning we didn't get to see any flowing lava. However there was just enough warmth left in some spots to roast some marshmallows, which were quite tasty, though a bit gritty if we touched them on the hot rock.
After marshmallows came the Lava Shop, which has been called the shop in the most obscure spot in the world. Surprisingly it didn't sell any cold drinks for the now quite hot climbers but rather jewellery made out of lava crafted by locals, none of which looked very appealing.
The descent back down the volcano was quite slippery and we didn't envy the people we met just starting the trek up as the sun was warming things up further.
That evening we did something we that's become almost a custom for us - we visited an Indian restaurant. The food was tasty but the portions were small, once again a nice change from standard Central American fare.
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