I’m not sure about you, but whenever I travel I tend to have an inability to just sit back and enjoy some free time. I tend to cram as many highlights and attractions into as little time as possible. There are so many new meals, exotic drinks and unfamiliar sites out there to experience.

This curiosity, or need to keep moving, came to the surface when planning a trip to New Zealand. I had a handful of free, unplanned days on the North Island that I wasn’t sure what to do with. I could have just bobbed around Auckland or taken some day trips, but then I made the mistake of looking at a map.

Hmm. What are all those islands near New Zealand? New Caledonia, Tonga, Norfolk Island, Samoa…Vanuatu! And so, one trip led to another. I had previously heard of Tanna Island in Vanuatu, with the world’s most accessible active volcano.

Getting to Tanna, let alone Yasur volcano, is definitely half the fun! That I will save that for another post though, as this post is all about the volcano.

 

 

I visited when the volcano was being nice, as in the explosions were not excessively large, so I could get right up close to the crater – only 150m away from the vents! When the volcano gets mean, you can’t climb up to the edge of the vents and sometimes have to settle for viewing the show from down on the lava fields – safe, but far from the action.

 

 

Fiery red, spewing streaks of lava and balls of glowing rocks the size of cars are what I’ve come to see here on Tanna Island. You arrive just before dusk and hear the gurgling, hissing sound of the volcano. With clear skies you get a panoramic view of the island and surrounding ocean. Then, every 3-10 minutes a massive eruption and shockwave.

 

 

If you visit on a rainy day you may get a crazy mix of ash clouds and lava. Toxic, apocalyptic looking clouds that hopefully don’t blow your way!

 

As darkness falls, the lava glows brighter and the eruptions more vibrant…until finally you’re alone in the darkness, watching nature’s version of a crackling, roaring camp fire. In between eruptions it is almost pure darkness, which adds to the excitement.

 

It’s better than watching TV, and more nerve-racking than a suspense movie. As you wait for the next explosion with camera ready (tripod mandatory!)  In between explosions the released lava bombs spread across the crater and slowly cool, then fade to black. You’re left waiting…waiting…waiting for the next big explosion.

 

Then, suddenly you hear it, feel it, see it all at once. This hissing gives way to an echoing thunderous explosion, sending a wave of energy your way almost strong enough to knock you off your feet. With that shockwave, hot lava is thrown hundreds of feet into the air creating the most impressive fireworks display.

 

 

Within seconds, it’s over and the expelled lava is cooling, darkening once again – giving you enough time to check and see if you got ‘the shot’.

I don’t know if I captured any award-winning lava shots, but it was sure fun watching the show and was a perfect side-trip on my New Zealand adventure.