Mount Pinatubo, Philippines

This is the crater created by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1995.  The water looks appealing 

but it is still toxic

To get to this view, you have a jarring two-hour ride to first base through volcanic dust...

...across a few rivers

...around a few traffic jams

...and then through deep valleys of lahar carved out by rain

On the way up, we met a platoon of soldiers who had been on manoeuvres

It was another two hour slog to the top

Trudging along rocky paths and across mountain streams...

.... and through some thick jungle.

But the magnificent view at the top made it all worthwhile