An even earlier start today for a two hour drive to Cerro Negro volcano. The journey itself was fascinating seeing the different way people live here, very primitive really, horses and carts transporting goods, strange bicycle taxis carrying four or more people with one poor guy peddle pushing! The houses are single storey, little more than boxes joined together, each painters a different colour. As we made our way further into the countryside, homes became more sparse but with more land around them, with livestock and chickens, even the occasional tractor! Often there were small groups of cows with beautiful horns, just by the side of the road, jostling for space with the cars, vans motorbikes and bikes. Many of the homes had pigs too, some with wierd poles tied to their necks, couldn’t work that one out! Our journey took us of the main road onto what can only be described as a track, which was formed of lava and rocks. Space in the small bus we were travelling on being at a premium, and husbands legs long we chose to sit on the back seat where he could stretch out a bit. This meant we felt every bump along the way!! The track was 15 kilometres- each way! Arriving at our destination was awe inspiring. A huge mountain of black lava stone. The way up was a steep climb, close to the edge, with occasional chances to grab 5 minutes to breath! In parts the track was narrow with steep drops at either side. But the views were worth all the effort, and once at the summit, looking down into the steaming crater we could feel the heat below our feet. What I had not considered was they way down!! And my recently discovered courage was about to fail me when I saw how we made our descent. Straight down the other side, which was fine lava which slid as soon as you put your foot down! I eventually got the hang of it by walking like Charlie Chaplin and digging my heels in, but not without a few hair raising slips and slides along the way. All the while my shoes were filling up with small stones, aargh. Once we eventually made it down, we both turned out heaps of stones from our shoes, my legs where they had not been covered were black.

It was so much fun and the views were incredible! I took my son and his best friend to volcán cerro negro. I really didn't know the logistics but I'm open to new experiences. The climb is not long nor hard. The actual ride last very short but is so much fun. I came back again in 2 weeks lates and bought another small group.