To say that one can easily fall in love with Antigua is an understatement. Situated amid three volcanoes in the highlands of Guatemala, it is the ideal location to explore the entire region. Indeed, there is much to love about this town: from the market place, to the cobble stone streets, to the numerous crumbled churches, to the traditional Mayan dress – this place certainly has character despite of throngs of foreign tourist that flock to it like Mecca. Still, it retains enough cultural identity to make it truly endearing.
Today, after deliberating in the morning my remaining itinerary, I opted to hike Volcan Pacaya… an active volcano spewing molten lava. At 8,400 feet high, it’s a moderate 1.5 hour hike from the last outpost town. The scenery is breath-taking as soon as you pierce the clouds line. Thence, remainder of the trek up traverse volcanic rocks until finally reaching the lava flows.
There have been constant activity since a huge eruption in 1965. Prior to that, Pacaya has erupted 23 since the Spanish conquest. Unexpectedly in 2006, the continued increase in activity formed flows of lava “rivers”. Word got out and huge tour groups have been going there since. Still, it is quite dangerous as the ground near the lava flow is not solid by any measure. Serious injures have occurred – even today, one of the men felled twice and badly skinned his knee and arm. Dangers aside, it’s quite an experience to approaching lava. The heat is utterly unbearable qua Dante’s inferno.
Time to rest up and prepare for Chichicastenango tomorrow…it’s Mayan market day.