see an active volcano

had lunch on a cinder cone during an earthquake swarm, and dipped my toes in a lake of sulfuric acid, so I think I can call this done. I will still go out to explore any volcano I can reach as I travel.

BUT, when we go back to Costa Rica this year, I think we’re going to make a trip up to Arenal or Poas Volcano! So excited!!

I climed Agung Api, an active volcano in the Banda Islands in the Banda Sea in Indonesia. It wasan’t erupting, but the caldera was smoking, I sat on a big rock to rest, but soon my butt got hot. I could feel the heat through the soles of my boots. I figured it was time to go. Too bad, the view was fantastic. I could see all 9 of the Banda Islands. This volcano last erupted 2 years before my clime. The inhabitants were shipped off to Ambon, and many of the very old nutmeg trees of the Bandanera and Lontar plantations were destroyed. I’d love to go back to the Bandas someday. It’s one of the most beautiful spots on earth, and, as yet, untouched by mass tourism.

I think it would be interesting, but knowing my luck it might go off. That wouldn’t be much fun. I’d still risk it.

maybe one day…

I would love to see an active volcano!

This is an example of a goal that we have had to put on the back burner due to the successful completion of another goal. 3 months ago we had a baby boy. When we looked at this goal and checked out the requirements of taking a volcanoe tour then we realised that we probably could not complete it till our son turns ten. We would like to go to White Island in New Zealand and see a volcanoe but you need to be about 8 to ten years old so that you can put the gas mask on. So I will put it to one side for a while and bring it back later.

I was stationed in Sicily and lived about a third to half way up the side of Mount Etna, the tallest (10,000+ft) and most active volcano in Europe. While I was there one eruption hit a tour bus and several people were killed (I think they were from Sweden). Although it was not Mt. St. Helens kind of active, there was almost constant seismic activity. Many nights you could feel the earth shake.

For the past few weeks, the summit crater of Kilauea has been spewing clouds and lava bits.

I am wondering if the crater will fill again with lava and spill out and over the landscape.

Sometime in the next three weeks or so we’re going over there and I hope to get a good look at it. Of course if it is spitting lava chunks I will pass…

I’ve been intrigued by volcanoes for about 12 years, and seeing one in some state of eruption would be amazing, yet dangerous. So just being able to tour and further learn about an active volcano in person would be the next best thing.