And so it begins...

Background

And so it begins.  That is, both this blog and The LAVA Tour.  For those that don't know LAVA stands for Long Awaited Volcano Adventure.  Silly I know, but I had to call it something when I was planning it.  What's it all about?

Well like most people (or maybe it's just boys) the crazier side of nature is always a fascination at a young age.  It's just never left me!  Whether it be earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes or (mainly) volcanoes, i just can't get enough.  Working or studying these would have been perfect, but things didn't work out that way.  So, as I'm not getting any younger, it was time to bite the bullet and go see these wonders for myself.

Planning started last year, but the whole idea was accelerated after a trip to Iceland with my dad - the best holiday of my life.  A country that leaves you lost for words to describe the scenery and geology.  After that I just knew I had to finish my saving and pack in everything I was doing and finally do what I've dreamed of for years.

So I'm off to visit some of the best volcanoes in the world, active ones being the priority.

I'm writing this as I'm sitting on a plane from Madrid to San Jose, Costa Rica.  My first volcano wll be Arenal.  After that I'll explore more in Costa Rica before heading into South America to go to Equador, Columbia, Boliva, Peru and Chile.  Leave the Americas, then on to New Zealand, Australia, Indonasia.  From there I'll see what happens next, maybe S.E. Asia.  And then at the very end and if my money has lasted me long enough, tag on a trip to Italy to see Etna and Stromboli.

Right, so now that the background is out of the way, this blog will be an update on what I've done, and planning to do, my experiences, my recommendations and my stupidity.  So for the people that asked me to start this, you have to let me know if it's what you are looking for.  I'll put up links to photos and stuff as well.

A massive thank you - first of all to my family who have helped me get here  - finally - and who have been so supportive.  And to everyone that has given me travel tips for different areas of the world.  I'm spoilt for choice about what to do: want to do everything, but would never have the time.

Monday 26th September 2011 - London

My first day of travelling - a short trip from Strabane to London for one night.  Caught up with a few mates for drinks, and then up at the crack of dawn for my next flight - just about.  I'm starting to draw a connection between drinking with a particular friend and getting a flight the next day.  Dangerous!  But I made it to the airport.

Tuesday 27th September 2011 - London/Madrid

I really have no idea what it is about me.  But as a few people know, for some reason I get searched and questioned a lot!  Whether it be random police searches at train stations, security at festivals or bouncers at bars/clubs, I'm always the one singled out.  No different today, but else should I have expected?  Going through an almost empty Heathrow at 5 am, pulled aside, bag sawbed for I don't know what, explosives, drugs?   Then when boarding the flight to Madrid, again pulled aside (by immigration I think) and asked detailed questions about where I was going, how long for, who with, what was my employment, where was I from.  It's all very bizarre.

But after reaching Madrid and waiting a few hours for my flight to Coata Rica, I was amused by the PA announcement, 'WARNING: Please take notice of the information on the screens.  Your flight may be boarding.  We do not announce warnings over the PA system.'

What didn't amuse me was getting on the plane for this Iberia flight to San Jose.  An 11 hour flight and no in-seat entertainment system!  And the postage-stamp-sized TV screen at the front would strain a fully sighted person never mind me with my broken eyes. Not on Iberia.

Three hours into the flight and I'm already bored senseless.  The next 8 hours should be interesting - if I survive them...