From a distance, Mt Etna – Europe’s highest and most active volcano – seemed mysterious. She sat surprisingly quietly in the background as people wandered the streets of Sicily’s port city Catania, just the occasional wisps of steam floated above her. Up closer, her smoking was more pronounced and the landscape changed from lush greenery … Continue reading Volcano number 6: The first high altitude volcano
Italy
Volcano number 4 and 5: The opposite volcanoes
It was only about 11:30am and it was stinking hot. The yellow sun pierced through the clear blue sky and scorched both me and the earth as beads of sweat started to gather on my brow. For what looked like a relatively easy 390m high volcano to climb, Gran Cratere on the Aeolian Island Vulcano … Continue reading Volcano number 4 and 5: The opposite volcanoes
Volcano number 3: The erupting volcano
That moment I got up close and saw my first active erupting volcano will stick with me. I was in the Aeolian Islands, just north of Sicily, gorging myself on quite possibly the world’s best pizza, when suddenly everyone in the restaurant went wild, turning and pointing behind us. Paula, beside me, ferociously grabbed my … Continue reading Volcano number 3: The erupting volcano
Volcano number 1: The volcano virginity taker
Woohoo, I have lost my volcano virginity. First volcano climbed before the age of 40 in my #40by40 quest. Tick. Mt Vesuvius, Italy It feels good to be able to say that. It would feel even greater to say I strived against the odds to reach the summit (cue violins playing in the background). But … Continue reading Volcano number 1: The volcano virginity taker