Having lived all our lives on the Pacific Ring of Fire, my mom and I were comfortable with volcanoes. You might even say we were fans.
Mt. Baker, an active volcano, was our hometown mountain, and we loved it. Can you blame us?
Now I live in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, another active volcano. And around here, we all love Mt. Rainier. When the sun comes out in the Seattle-Tacoma area, people don’t say, “It’s sunny.” They say, “The mountain’s out.”
So I guess it’s not surprising that Mom and I would sign up for a tour of Yasur Volcano, one of the main tours on the island of Tanna. Everybody did it.
Yasur Volcano is one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world. It’s been persistently active for hundreds of years. If you go there for a show, you won’t be disappointed.
The government watches over its activity and gives warnings when it’s at its most dangerous. Unfortunately, a couple of years after we visited three people were killed by volcanic bombs. I understand they disregarded safety warnings.
Still, even on an ordinary day the volcano spits glowing rocks toward viewers.
The walk up the mountain was a little bit rough.
For more and better photos of Yasur, see this site.
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(Though Vanuatu is one of the settings in my upcoming novel, my characters do not visit Yasur Volcano.)
Fascinating!! The only volcano I’ve seen close is Taal… and it had water inside when I went so I saw no lava. That’s fine, I guess, wouldn’t want to be caught in a dangerous situation!
Tagaytay Ridge above Taal Volcano was a favorite place to go for a day trip when we lived in Manila. The view was great. The kids went for pony rides; we ate ice cream served in half an immature coconut (buco); and we watched performances of folk dances. Active volcanoes that throw out active chunks of lava … well, that was more than I expected.
Happy photos of you and your mom are the best! And kindaaaa crazy that everyone goes up it when it’s spitting up earth!
You’re soooo right about it being kinda crazy. Of course we didn’t think about that at the time. We just followed the guides up the mountain.
Hi Nicki,
When I was so young, *(barely 18 years old), I left my home, my twin, and my mother to go nursing school in Tacoma. I was unbelievably homesick. People talked about “The Mountain,” and I didn’t know what to think. I had been surrounded by mountains and water all my life in Southeastern Alaska where I had been born and raised. Nobody talked about “The Mountain,” as we were surrounded by mountains and water. I was puzzled – and unimpressed.
Then the rest of my life happened – 60 years of it. And I live in the absence of my native land and in the influence of Mt. Rainier close-by, and Mt. Baker more distant. I understand, and marvel at their majesty.
Sheila
That’s such a wonderful description, Sheila, of your growing love affair with Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker! It’s always a little thrill for me to see Mt. Baker when I’m walking along the beach on a clear day, or to see Mt. Rainier when I’m driving down the freeway, or better yet, when I’m visiting my daughter in Tacoma. There are so many great views–between rows of blossoming cherry trees at the U of W, for one.
What beautiful smiles you both have! So glad I got to meet your mother.
Thank you, Mary. I’m also glad you got to meet her.
I am a fan of volcanoes, too. We went to the National Park in Hawaii, which was pretty cool, even though Kilauea was sending lava underground at the time, rather than the ocean.
I love how adventurous you were.
I’ve seen some fantastic photos and videos of Kilauea when it’s erupting. Wow! It’s #1 of most dangerous volcanoes in the US. But Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier are #2 and #3, and Mt. Shasta is #5. They don’t look like it, but someday …
Vanuatu has nine active volcanoes, seven on land, two beneath the ocean. One of them, the volcano on the island of Ambrym, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. I’ve also been told that the witch doctors (clevas) on Ambrym are the most powerful in Vanuatu.
OH, Nicki, I’m clinging onto my chair as I view the photos of you and your mother so close to the rim of the volcano! I suffer from vertigo at heights! In my book, you’re real explorers!😀 I can understand the fascination of volcanoes and visited the volcanic island of Lanzarote but not sure I’d ever dare go close to one! I’m smiling at the phrase used for sunny weather:“The mountain’s out.” Wonderful! 😀
I think the phrase, “The mountain is out,” has grown in popularity. After a few cloudy, rainy days, you’re driving down the freeway and in front of you the clouds clear or at least raise higher, and there’s Mount Rainier, huge and sparkling with snow in front of you. You can’t miss it. And, unless you’re extremely polite, you interrupt the person who’s speaking and shout, “Look! The mountain is out.”
Vertigo is a powerful force. I can think of some roads and tall buildings I’ve been on that set my insides spinning. Worse yet are those swinging rope bridges over a deep gorge.
Looks amazing!
At the time, it was just another interesting trip, exploring a fascinating country. Only later and when reading about the volcano did I realize how amazing it was to be there.
Wow! Great photos, Nicki! Looks very windy that day. How many feet did you climb to get to the rim?
I was younger then, Linda, but I don’t remember it being a very long climb. The volcano has two active vents. Tourists are usually taken to the south vent, which is probably easier to get to. I don’t remember, but from the looks of my hair, it must have been windy.