Volcano Boarding Down An Active Volcano

I read this quote today and it inspired me to write this blog post:

 

“the only adventure you regret is the one you didn’t take”

 

Sometimes I wonder how different my life would be if I didn’t take that leap of faith to go to Honduras. I wouldn’t have the best friends I have now; I wouldn’t be as educated in culture; and I believe I wouldn’t be as appreciative for everything.

 

During the Summer holidays whilst in Honduras I had the opportunity to further broaden my horizons and travel around Central America for two and a half months. Their holidays are middle November to beginning of February, so my friends and I wanted to make the most of living on that side of the world and take the bus around the continent!

 

Now, I could write a whole book on my travelling experience, so I am just going to highlight my favourite memories. First stop was Placencia, Belize. We had a few different stops in Belize and oh my goodness it is beautiful, and the locals are so lovely so we ended up making friends with them at each destination. I think this is important to make friends with people who live in the country as it gives you an authentic view and experience unlike a tainted tourist view. These are the places and countries we visited whilst travelling:

 

Belize: Placencia, Caye Caulker, 

Mexico: Bacalar, Tulum, Chichen-Itza

Guatemala: Tikal, Semuc Champey, Lago Atitlan, Antigua

Honduras: Utilia

Niacargua: Leon, Granada, San Juan del Sur, Ometepe

Costa Rica: Monteverde, La Fortuna de San Carlos

El Salvador: El Tunco, San Salvador

 

One experience that was unforgettable was the Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua. We had to wear these suits and goggles and carry our ‘volcano sledges’ up Cerro Negro which is an active volcano! Once at the top we were instructed to get on our boards and sledge down the volcano and they would record our speed- mine being 45 km/h. Also, I may add that this active volcano erupts every 20 years and we decided to do this at the end of its 20th year when it hadn’t erupted yet!

Volcano Boarding
On top of Cerro Negro


A few more incredible experiences included:
  • Sloth sight-seeing.
  • Christmas day in Utila where everyone in the hostel had to cook something traditional from their country.
  • Our 2 day hike up Volcan Acatenango where we had to sleep over on top of a volcano and at 4am the next day finish the hike. Our view was the incredible active and lava spitting Volcano Fuego! 
  • Hiring a jeep for the day in Nicaragua and swimming in natural spring.
  • Jumping from waterfalls.


Volcán Acatenango, Guatemala
San Jual del Sur, Nicaragua
Chichén Itzá, Mexico

Leon, Niacargua




I could go on with the list, but I am going to finish it here. What I want anyone to take away from this is that if you are thinking about travelling- DO IT! Although it pushes you outside of your comfort zone, it is the most rewarding experience ever.










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