Blogs from Pacaya, Capital Region, Guatemala, Central America Caribbean

Today I had booked a trip to climb the Pacaya volcano, which I’d learned was the best one to climb in Central America. It was 2,300 metres high and erupted in 2010 which blew away a large chunk off the top. We got dropped off 2 thirds up the mountain and had to climb 700 metres to near the top. Unfortunately we were not permitted to climb to the top as it was still active and as a result didn’t get to see the molten lava which to me was kinda the point. Nethertheless we did get some great views from the top especially when the sun set and with perfect timing one of the other volcanoes we could see from the top gave a small eruption which was cool.Near the top there was a vent ... read more

Friday's trip was to a macademia nut plantation. That makes it sound quite organised and grand, which it wasn't. Around 400 rather dusty macademia trees, some piles of unshelled nuts, a grading ladder to size them from big to small, a few clucking hens and little else besides a little shop selling macademia oil, cream, butter, cookies, macademias coated in white and dark chocolate and - you guessed it - macademias! Still not cheap, even here. However, well worth seeing how these tasty nuts grow, and the crowded chicken bus ride there and back was as entertaining as always. And on Saturday we climbed Volcan Pacaya. About a 3.5 km climb, initially through a steep wooded area which provided some welcome shade. On the early part of the track we were followed by 4 youngsters leading ... read more

It took about 1.5 hours to drive to the Pacaya National Park from Antigua, with the time passing quickly with us viewing the landscape, chatting to fellow GVI organisation volunteers about what we are to expect in our coming weeks and chatting to the other Northern Americans that had joined the tour. A boy, named Jorge, jumped onto the ladder afixed to the side of the Dodge van that we were travelling in, whom we met later as a helper for our journey. Jorge was hired by our guide to show us exatly where the latest flow is. The guide said he couldn't guarantee that we would see any lava, but that there was a good chance that we would. Our French guide, who spoke good English, introduced us to Jorge and told us that it ... read more

I rolled down the window as we approached the little town at the base of the volcano to find some young kids running along side the van holding bundles of sticks. One of them looks right at me and asks in perfect English without an accent, “STICK!?” By the time we parked, we were bombarded by a group of twenty or so of these little salesmen between the ages of 6 and 9, roughly. I ended up buying a “walking stick” from the one that claimed to be the youngest. It was only a dollar and it’s hard to turn down a cute a little kid. It makes me think how much trouble I could get into if a kid ever tried to sell me a car or something. You just don’t want to tell them ... read more

The ground was starting to get hot, as warm as a freshly baked loaf to the touch. We were getting close. James and I were near the summit of Volcano Pacaya - a smoking giant in the south corner of Guatemala. We had seen it puffing away from a distance in the mini-van from Antigua, the wind carrying its smoke clouds northwards over the dirty sprawl that is Guatemala city. It looked cool enough from there, but on the upper reaches of the active volcano, blurry heatwaves shimmered up off the ground. At our feet between jagged volcanic rocks were fiery holes. The distinct smell of rubber wafted through the air (cheap runners! but not our trusty boots). We looked down into the earth as though peering into the depths of hell. Pretty impressive - cameras ... read more