One of the essential attractions in the area around Antigua in Guatemala is a day-trip to climb Volcan Pacaya - an active volcano where it's possible to toast marshmallows over a bed of molten lava.

The only down-side to doing this being that it's not particularly safe. The main reason being the active nature of the volcano itself. Adding to the danger of the situation is the area's reputation as a favourite for robbers targeting tourists.

Not one to let the risk of being burnt alive by smoldering volcanic debris get in the way of tasty toasted marshmallows, I signed up for the tour to climb the volcano anyway.

On arrival at the base of the walk, we were greeted by the enterprising local children keen to get us to hire sticks for the climb, which we eventually did. The beginning of the climb itself was fairly uneventful. Apart from encountering a local brandishing a machete, who was trying to get us to pay a small fee in exchange for being allowed to take a short-cut, the trip up was incident free.

Photo: Molten Lava at Volcan Pacaya, Guatemala - Olympus E420 +12-60mm @ 29mm f3.5 1/100sec (Yes you can feel the heat from this distance!)

Once we go past the initial assent through the forested part of the climb, the area opened up to provide a view of the black caldera - basically a cone formed out of ash and gritty dried lava, which we still needed to get past to reach the fresh lava flows. As you climb the active part of the volcano, you start to feel the heat of the mountain - and in certain parts when you stop, the dry lava is still hot enough to melt synthetic rubber shoes.

Just before sunset we reached the point we'd be aiming for - the bit with molten lava, and more importantly the opportunity to toast marshmallows on it!

Apparently Pacaya has erupted 23 times since the Spanish conquest. On the way back down we witnessed what would probably be considered a minor eruption - right over the area we'd been climbing just an hour previously. Another event to add to my list of near-death traveling experiences, and probably the most interesting so far!