Day Numero Tres : Volcán Pacaya

Or day number three for you non-spanish speakers.

Happy Thanksgiving! This day was jam-packed with activities. We were trying to get in as much as we could while in Antigua: hanging out with the the Mayes fam, seeing some sights, and climbing Volcán Pacaya. Ofcourse, we had to go see the lava since there are only 2 other supposed places to see flowing lava (Hawaii and some place in Indonesia.) So here is goes...

We woke up at about 5:20am to get ready for the shuttle to take us up to the still active volcano. We were the second group to be picked up, but definitely not the last. By the time we left Antigua we had about 7 other groups of two with us. The mix was Guatemalans, Canadians, French, and Americans. We were all able to communicate quite easily since many of our fellow adventurers were tri-lingual. (Yes, we were very jealous!) After swapping stories and backgrounds, we came to find out just how small the world is...Jessica, whom also is from Massachusetts, was at one point the neighbor of a friend from Sandwich. Go figure.

So we start the hike by a store where a bunch of little kids are pushing walking sticks at you for 5Q saying "You want a stick" "Es necessario" Brian and I resisted especially after they crowded around Jessica wanting her to buy the stick from them and not another. We met our guía named José and started the ascent. José named our groups "The Pumas," so as not to get confused with another group. Todd from Colorado loved this name and had many roars and poses to contribute.

It took us about a hour and a half to get to the top. It was a strenuous hike that was mostly uphill. However, should you not be able to make it, there were a group of locals with horses to assist you for a fee up until the ashy ascent. But never fear, the local dogs followed us right up the treacherous path of loose lava rocks and ash to the flowing magma. I´m sure they followed us in hopes of food, but also to lay on top of the harded lava that was heated from the magma underneath. At the top, we were able to get as close as we dared to the magma river to capture pictures, roast marshmellos, and feel the heat. The heat was extreme. José told us the magma is about 2,000 degrees - perfect for s´mores! After hanging at the windy top for awhile, we started our descent, which took about the same time. A few "Pumas" took a digger coming down, but were well attended to by the Guatemalan medical crew onsite at the park. It wouldn´t have been complete without José hiding in the woods shaking the branches and scaring half the group! Good times had by all!

We got back to the hotel with just enough time to shower and head over to O.X. by 2:30. They had the bikes tuned up and some sandwiches to munch. It was a short ride out of Antigua to Paraíso Azul, fresh water pools, where we began our hike up Parque de Palmeras. We were alone for the hike while the guides trucked the bikes up to where we would meet them. The hike was through jungle forest, with dense vegetation and noisey birds. We didn´t see birds in the trees but got some pics of hummingbirds at feeders. There were so many you could clearly hear the beat of their wings.
Almost the entire trail was endless stairs acending the slop. It was a little challenging after volcán pacaya this morning.
We rode up closer to the summit in the pickup´s bed after reaching the guides. The truck driver keep stopping and our guide had to coax him to continue up further. The ride down was fast; we rested half way at some cabanas and had lunch.
Kylie stayed dry while I took a dip in the fresh water pools. Burr! After Gallos (local beer) with the guides, we returned to Antigua and our hotel.

We took a little rest before heading out to eat. Fireworks and church bells were going off in the city which we later learned happened the last thursday on the month. Dinner at Helas, a greek style establishment, was outside in their courtyard. We ordered falafel gyros, our first real meal today! Tired from being up so long, we crashed out early since we would run with Tom in the morning.