Tag Archives: Volcano

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Feel the Lava at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Lava from Kilauea Volcano flowing into sea

Located on Big Island, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established on the 1st of August 1916, and is home to both the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, both of which are active. For those who have been hoping to have the opportunity to see Hawaii’s volcanoes up-close while visiting the island, spending a day at this national park is definitely a must-do.

The Kilauea Volcano
While the Mauna Loa volcano may be the largest volcano on the planet, it is the Kilauea volcano that is the most famous in Hawaii, because even though it is the youngest of the five volcanoes on Big Island, it is also the most active, and has been erupting continuously since 1983. A visit to the Kilauea Visitor Center will teach you more about this, with a 25 minute film to introduce you to the park, as well as updates on the latest eruptions. You can also schedule guided tours and ranger talks from here, which are useful if you would like to learn more about the volcano and the park itself.

The Jagger Museum
For those who would like to learn more about volcanoes and how they work, a visit to the Jagger Museum, which is situated within the park, is a must. This museum is devoted to volcanology, and has a number of exhibits that are dedicated to the volcanoes on the island, showing you how they developed and how they have managed to influence and change the landscape around them. The museum also has an overlook just outside it, and, from here, you will be able to enjoy an extremely advantageous viewpoint over the Halema’uma’u Crater, which is another one that has been frequently active.

Inside the Thurston Lava Tube

Thurston Lava Tube
There are not many places in the world where you can actually walk through lava, but the Thurston Lava Tube is one of these. This tube was created hundreds of years ago, when lava flowed through the area, but was only discovered in 1913 by a local newspaper publisher. The tube measures 600 feet long, with its height ranging from 10 to 30 feet, and appears in quite a surreal way out of a lush green forest.

Leave No Trace
One of the principals that is encouraged at all national parks is to leave no trace, meaning that you should leave the area in the same way that you found it. This is especially important at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as this area has already been quite affected by tourists, such as with the lava stalactites that used to hang in the Thurston Lava Tube, but which were then taken away by tourists as souvenirs. While it may be tempting to remove a small amount of lava, or anything else you may find, to take home with you, this is not only detrimental to the environment, but is also illegal under federal law.

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is definitely a must-visit for those who are visiting Big Island for the first time, as it will provide you with a unique glimpse into the island’s one-of-a-kind ecology. From the incredible Kilauea Volcano to the surreal Thurston Lava Tube, there is so much to see and do around the park, so be sure to leave yourself with a full day in which you can thoroughly explore it.

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Cuexcomate – An Unusual Landmark

Located in Mexico’s Puebla City, Cuexcomate is the smallest volcano in the world, making it quite the unusual landmark. Measuring 43 feet high, and with a base diameter of just 75 feet, Cuexcomate may be an extinct volcano, but it is well worth taking the time to visit.

Popocatepetl volcano
The Birth of Cuexcomate
It is believed that Cuexcomate dates all the way back to the year 1064, when the nearby Popocatepetl volcano, which lies between Mexico City and Puebla, erupted. Popocatepetl is frequently erupting, but this eruption was exceptionally violent, resulting in the creation of a secondary crater, otherwise known as Cuexcomate.

A Dark Past
Cuexcomate has experienced a dark past, as it used to be the site at which human sacrifices were carried out. Priests at the time were hoping to appease the Gods and convince them to stop the volcanoes in the area from erupting, as they were slowly destroying the city. They decided that human sacrifices were the way forward, and would throw young individuals into the fiery mountain, but, of course, this did not stop the eruptions, and the priests soon realized that their methods were not making a difference. In following years, the volcano was also used as a depository for those who committed suicide in nearby areas, once again contributing to the dark past that surrounds Cuexcomate.

Inside the Crater
In addition to standing out for being the smallest volcano in the world, Cuexcomate is also unique due to the fact that it boasts a metal spiral staircase that enables visitors to climb all the way down into the volcano’s crater. Once visitors reach the platform at the bottom, they are rewarded with views of the interior of a volcano that many will never have the opportunity to experience. From the pool of water below to the stalactites that hang off the rocks to the eight meter stretch of lava, the view from within is definitely surreal, especially with the addition of the waterfall that ebbs and flows based on the volcanic activity of Popocatepetl. While geographers claim that the volcano is unlikely to suddenly burst into activity, the increased eruptions that Popocatepetl has been experiencing leads some to believe that, if there were to be another violent eruption, the subterranean link between the two volcanoes might become active again, which would put a swift end to Cuexcomate.

Health Benefits
Many claim that, due to its unique features, visiting Cuexcomate brings about some interesting health benefits. With the magnetism that it attracts from nearby volcano Popocatepetl, as well as the sound of the water outside, visiting the volcano is said to be able to relieve stress and tension, while promoting overall good health.

Since Cuexcomate is situated in the residential neighborhood of La Libertad, the best way for tourists to pay it a visit is by arranging for a taxi to take you there and back. With this landmark being open every day of the week, it is easy to plan a visit, and will definitely leave you with a memorable experience.

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Planning Your British Columbia Hiking Trip

West Coast Trail, British Columbia

With over 850 parks and protected areas all around British Columbia, there are hundreds of different hiking trails to be found. While day hikes are always enjoyable, planning your trip around a longer hike will not only give you a much greater sense of accomplishment when completed, but will also enable you to see more of the stunning natural beauty that British Columbia has to offer.

Sunshine Coast Trail
Stretching out for 180 kilometers through alpine meadows and around sparkling lakes, the Sunshine Coast Trail is the longest hut-to-hut trail in Canada and takes around a week to ten days to complete. While it is possible to camp along the way, the huts, along with B&Bs, provide plenty of other options for those who do not wish to camp, and there are even a few hotels to be found around Powell River. From standing above the clouds at the Tin Hat Mountain Summit to the crystal clear waters of Elk Lake, the Sunshine Coast Trail is not as difficult as some of the other longer hikes in British Columbia, but definitely provides some truly unforgettable moments.

West Coast Trail
Found on southern Vancouver Island, the world-famous West Coast Trail attracts hikers from all over the globe and is a trail that would be well worth planning a hiking trip for. Open from May to September, the West Coast Trail is 75 kilometers long and usually takes somewhere between five to seven days to complete. This is a trail for the more experienced hikers out there, as there are a number of challenging areas, from climbing ladders and steep slopes, using cable cars and wading through strong rivers. Weather conditions here are also extremely unpredictable, but for those hikers that do decide to embark upon this adventure, they will be rewarded with extraordinary sights of Canada’s natural wilderness, and will experience a part of the world that has only been seen by the most intrepid of travelers.

Mt. Edziza Plateau Traverse
Situated in northern British Columbia, the Mt. Edziza Plateau Traverse is an extremely challenging hike, and really gives hikers the opportunity to be at one with nature. Stretching out for about 75 kilometers, this trail takes around a week to ten days to complete and includes hiking to the top of a volcano. While hikers may not spot another human being for days, they will spot some of British Columbia’s magnificent native wildlife, from caribou trotting up a glacier to the bears and the wolves, although these animals are also a danger that hikers need to be aware of. While some may say that the Grand Canyon offers a sense of wonder that nowhere else can, those who have hiked the Mt. Edziza Plateau Traverse are all likely to disagree, as this trail always manages to provide the trip of a lifetime.

British Columbia is home to some of the most picturesque views in the world, and hiking through these is the best way to truly explore them. From the sandy beaches of the West Coast Trail to the dense forests of the Sunshine Coast Trail, these trails are all worth planning a hiking trip around.

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Most Unbelievable Hotels

Hotel in Niagara Falls.

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The hotel industry is extremely competitive, meaning that hotels always need to ensure that they stay one step ahead of the competition. From a St. Lucian resort situated on a volcanic cliff, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, to a Bolivian hotel constructed entirely from salt, these unbelievable hotels are most definitely a cut above the rest.

Ladera Resort, St. Lucia
The Ladera Resort in St. Lucia enjoys quite a unique location – it is sat atop a volcanic cliff, enjoying panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea, making it, without a doubt, one of the most stunning hotels on the island. It is the only resort in St. Lucia to be situated directly on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and each of the villas features only three walls to allow the unbelievable beauty of this island paradise to flood into your room. With four poster beds created from tropical hardwoods to private plunge pools complete with a wooden swing set hanging above the aquamarine water, this incredible resort offers a level of luxury that is hard to beat.

Palacio de Sal, Uyuni, Bolivia
Situated on the salt flat of Uyuni, the largest, and most picturesque, salt flat in the world, Palacio de Sal is a hotel that is, quite appropriately, made entirely of salt. Around 1 million salt blocks, each measuring around 35 cm, were used to construct the hotel, used for everything from the walls to the ceilings to the beds to the furniture. The hotel boasts 16 luxurious bedrooms, each with their own private bathroom and central heating, as well as a beautiful lobby, a bar, and a restaurant that serves up some of the tastiest dishes in the country. The hotel also has a variety of whirlpool baths, a saltwater swimming pool, a dry sauna and a steam room, ensuring that there are plenty of opportunities for guests to relax.

Katikies Hotel, Santorini, Greece
The Katikies Hotel in Santorini has won numerous awards over the years, and it is not hard to see why. Consisting of a complex of bridges, whitewashed cubist cottages and infinity pools, with stunning views out across the Aegean Sea, this luxury boutique hotel is one of the most revered in the country. Guests enjoy majestic views of Santorini’s caldera, a significant volcanic feature, from just about every place on the property, giving the resort quite an otherworldly feel. The hotel’s restaurants serve up fresh and authentic Mediterranean dishes, creating menus that change seasonally, and there is also a daily champagne breakfast served on the gorgeous veranda, ensuring that your day starts off absolutely perfectly!

There is no denying that each of these hotels are unbelievable in their own way, whether it be due to their location or to the way in which they have been constructed. These hotels are all world famous, and although their surrounding areas might get extremely busy during peak travel times, they are still able to offer privacy, exclusivity and the ultimate in luxury accommodation.