This morning, National Geographic Orion cleared into Vanuatu, more specifically, the surreal island of Tanna. Tanna is home to Mt. Yasur, an active volcano containing one of the world’s very few lava lakes. Even driving the road to get to the base of the volcano is no small feat. Heavy rains render the muddy, ash covered roads sometimes useless on the best of days, but conditions were perfect for us!

After the fleet of pickup trucks got us to the base of the volcano, we were able to hike up the rest of the way. Sulphur, water vapors, and ash greeted us as we looked down the throat of the active volcano. Grumbles from the belly of the beast thundered through to the air as we cautiously observed.