Guatemala Day 2 the Pacaya Volcano trip

The stay started off well. We enjoyed breakfast at our hotel with a lovely view of the courtyard. But Ally's tummy started to hurt a little and as it turns out didn't get much better for quite some time.

Waiting for tour to start above, and getting in our van below.

Beth and Ally sat facing backwards for the 90 minute drive and Beth braided Ally's hair in the van. Below are some pictures of the scenery along the way.

Fuego was erupting!!!! Yes there is a currently active volcano Fuego (Fire). We could see it spewing ash as we drove towards Pacaya. Pacaya' last eruption was in 2014.

When we arrived at the base of our hike Ally was in tears. She had gotten carsick on the ride and was nauseous and had a headache. It was rough. We told our guides we would probably need a horse. We were on a guided hike, but you can rent a horse to be your "taxi" up the mountain. We started the hike.

Can you tell Ally was not happy. I was not doing very well with the climb myself. I'm just not in very good shape right now and was having a hard time. So after a while I told our guide we needed horses for Ally and I. 

Once Ally got on the horse her whole mood changed and she was all smiles. 

Beth and Becky at a scenic overlook. That is another volcano in the background, Agua (water).

All smiles. Becky eventually gave in and rode a horse too. It was a difficult decision for her. She really wanted to hike it. 

Ally's horse kept eating. All day long. She thought it was so funny.

I was pretty happy to be on the horse. I am sore tonight and I know I will be tomorrow. But by riding I actually enjoyed the day. And it made Ally more comfortable to have me ride too. 

After about 2 hours we reached the highest point of our climb. It was amazing. 

Beth was really proud to have made it on foot. She should be! She did great.

Ally's horse was lead by Fernando. He is just 8 years old. 

Then it was time for candies with the volcano as the backdrop. 

Ally's gym has a "handstands around the world" page. We are sending them this one.

We are having a daily photo contest and one of the categories is "funny picture". We made some good attempts.

Becky and I are blessed with some wonderful aunts and Ally is blessed to have Beth. 

We left the overlook and hiked/rode down into the caldera. Which was full of lava rock.

Once there we left the horse to walk on foot thru the floor of the caldera. We toasted marshmallows over a geothermal spot from the volcano. Ate lunch and rested for the trip back. 

Our guide Erwin (monkey/mono was his nickname) took Ally by the hand to walk thru the lava rock. He was very impressed she knew Spanish. Everyone here when they find out she speaks Spanish praises her. She is too shy to talk much unless it's directly to her. But she does it. 

There was even a bathroom pee break behind some bushes for the 2 youngest members of our group. Successful peeing on a volcano!

Ally wore her hat for a while, until it blew off her head and she chased it before it blew down the lava rock pit! 

It's not safe for the horses to walk with passengers on the lava so Ally and I walked some more. 

But on her horse she was so happy. 

Beth walked the whole way down. She was a trooper. Becky rode for some of it. Her knees were starting to hurt. Ally and I were happy to have horses. 

Beth promised Ally a Coke when the hike was over. Ally wanted an Orange Crush I stead of the Coke. But here they are with their celebratory drinks.

I will say it wasn't easy on the horse. But worth the extra money to enjoy the experience. Ally told one of our other group members that  riding the horse was a highlight for her. She is so limber Ally isn't even sore!

Once back at our hotel Ally and I changed right into swimsuits and hit the pool. Becky and Beth joined us after a while. We ordered Ally dinner at the pool. She wanted French fries. We said she had to have some fruit and protein, so she asked for a hamburger patty. She ate the entire thing!!! And a bunch of fruit and French fries. I had room service, tortilla soup and fresh tortillas with vanilla ice cream for Ally. Becky and Beth went out to dinner at a local restaurant. It worked well for all of us. 

What an amazing day. It's 820 and Beth is asleep. Ally is watching tv on her iPad, I am publishing this blog and Becky is trying not to fall asleep.