Explosive news from Vanuatu — Lisa's (& Steve's) Travels

The island of Tanna is one of the more southern ones, as well as very rural, with mostly subsistence farmers making up a majority of the 11,000+ population. We stayed on the western coast at a VERY rustic accommodation, but were glad we were on that side for the cool breezes and beautiful sunsets. Snorkeling was in a crystal clear Blue Hole, which was quite a bit cooler than what we had gotten used to, closer to the equator.

The water was extraordinarily clear, and the hard corals were just layered over each other.

The main reason we chose this island to visit was Mt. Yasur, the world's longest continuously active volcano (since first discovered by Captain Cook in 1774) and it is actually easily accessible.

It was not very imposing, even from the ash plain at its base.

We were packed in 10 people to the short bed of a "Ute" (utility vehicle) and driven up steep rutted roads of packed ash to a flat area, where we walked on up for our first glimpse of the (not so) sleeping giant.

We had heard rumbles and occasional roars when we were lower down, heightening our anticipation. As we stood near one edge, we heard a boom, and then the cloud rolled up, along with debris that rained down (luckily back into the caldera, and not onto us).

The black specks in the sky are not dirt on my lens, but the falling rock debris.

We then advanced up another slope to get our best view of the fireworks. There were two active vents, which often blew at different times, but occasionally simultaneously. The sulphur odor was overwhelming at first, but amazingly, you quickly got used to it.

Unfortunately, we were frequently downwind, and received a generous coating of fine, gritty ash on everything (hair, clothes, camera, mouth). But oh my! Was it worth it! Witnessing the power, and even seeing the pressure waves as the sound hit you was truly awe inspiring.

Enjoy the video (especially the audio - that's really how loud it was), but forgive the focusing.

So long from Tanna and Vanuatu!