Setting off in our little group consisting of us, Amanda(now called Nova), Nick, Danny & Andy we went to catch our mini van. We were surprised when we got there to find we had to somehow fit 17 adults into a 12 person van..... This was an experience (not a great one, but an experience none the less) in its self.
Arriving in Antigua bumping along the cobbled narrow streets we were dropped off at our next Hostel 'Jungle Party', our group had now increased by one with Hick. Early the next day we checked the weather and decide that today today would be the better day to climb the paycaya volcano, as rain was forecasted for the following day (another lesson learn't never trust weather forecasts!). We arranged the sunset tour to allow us to see the flowing lava at night. The weather had taken a little turn for the worst so we all decided to ensure we layered up and put on our coolest sexiest warm/waterproof clothes. That night we set some very interesting fashion statements. Arriving at the foot of the Volcano with the raining pouring true British style we were harassed by children selling wooden sticks, we brought our touristy 'good, strong' walking sticks and set off through the forest. Within in 30mins we were soaked but with high spirits.... we were about to experience a natural phenomena LAVA! The trek took about 1 hour 45 minuets with the first 30 minuets being in a woodland, so we had to scramble over rocks, tree roots and watch out for stray bushes. The second leg of our journey required us to walk up and over volcano ash. Doing this reminded us of the sand dunes in Namiba, as it was the same feeling of taking two steps forward and one step back... Our final section of the trek was over harden lava. The lava was dark black in colour, and had a sponge like texture. What was even more scarey was through certain cracks, you could see the lava flowing bellow you and feel the heat rising through our shoes. But like true sheep we followed our guide, treading very lightly and carefully on the rocks. After about 5 minuets of trekking we reached the highlight, two flowing lava streams. The heat was so intense and was hitting us from every angle. At first we cautiously stepped closer to the lava for pictures, but as our confidence grew, we started poking the lava with our walking sticks, we had previously brought from the local children. Our guide manage to pick up a bit of lava on this stick and some of our group lit their cigarette from it. The warmth was a great relief from the cold treacherous hike to the summit, at times you longed to be cold again. Taking many pictures from lots of angels and even a few documentary videos we started to truly feel the heat through our shoes. It was a bizzare feeling like walking over hot sand but still having that my shoes are soooo soaked they are squelching! However a time to realise we needed to go before our shoes did start to melt. Luckily we heard our call 'CHAMPIONS' (we liked to think this is a British word not the Spanish word for mushrooms), following like ants down the volcano was more of a mission than the climb as the sun had set and we only had our head torches for light (that is except Hana who's battery decided to die!). No rock seemed set in it ways and liked to either move before you or follow behind. However I still believe the descent was easier on the legs but not so on the shoes that filled with volcano rubble. Once at the forest edge knowing we were nearly home we realised that in the commotion we had lost Danny. The guide that did not seem so bothered did finally go looking, while Nick true Canadian style greated a fire from nowhere in our little hunt on the volcano. As soon as the fire was up and blazing and warmth again finally returning the guide and Danny arrived and it was time to leave, again in the pouring windy rain we descent the final part. Back at the hostel after a even colder ride home, mainly due to the divers window being open to remove the condensation that was created by our wet bodies we all stripped and put on our clean summer wear and huddled in our blankets trying to thaw out.
The next day we awoke and some of us had regained warmth others still feeling the chill we had a chilled out relaxing day. Most of the group had done washing the day before but due to all clothing from our previous tour getting socked we had to do some more! This was the first day we started to hang out with Danny on a one on one... we went for a walk and found the plaza, we brought some pizza and beer and watched the world go by! We ended up buying a wooden flute as Hannah had a dream for Christmas day to be on a beach, playing the flute, with bongos, guitar and a bonfire. We spent the rest of the day walking the market and playing with the puppies. That night it was our last night as a whole group :( We decided to party big style to celebrate. First we headed to a bar which had amazing food, then we went to an Irish bar, which didn't sell cider (and said they were an Irish bar and tried to tell Becki that it wasn't an Irish drink, she corrected them which didn't go down well!), only Guinness! There was a funny story apparently Gallo the local beer is owned by the Mafia and therefore they are not allowed to import other beers into the country! We have been told by a lot of people and even some locals so we believe it. Although throughout the night they would stand on the bar and pour free rum to anyone who was willing to stand underneath with their mouth open, obviously we both complied but realised again we had just dirtied clean clothing.
Now the saddest part of Antigua.......saying Goodbye to great friends and going our separate ways! Nova & Nick came to wait for us to catch our bus and when it final arrived there were lots of big hugs and 'we will see each other again'
However we are off to our Christmas destination with Danny in tow! What a perfect way to spend Christmas on a surfer's paradise beach.