A Waltz of Rain and Steam

After completing the waterfall hike, I could’ve called it a day. But with 10 kilometers behind me, I decided I still had energy for one more adventure—a 4-kilometer loop through the volcanic landscapes of the same park.

This trail felt like stepping into another world. Bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles dotted the path, filling the air with the smell of sulfur and the thrill of seeing Earth’s raw power at work. One of the highlights was spotting a tarantula crawling near the edge of the trail—a rare and fascinating find.

As I neared the end of the hike, the rain began to fall, first lightly and then in a steady drizzle. By the time I made it out, my shoes were caked in mud, and I was drenched, but I couldn’t help but smile. The day had been full of surprises, including spotting at least seven rainbows throughout the hikes. Nature had truly shown off its best colors today.Read more