Three Little Pigs

Some volcanoes are beautiful and scary. . .

Others are a bit less attractive, but much more fun!

Colombia is home to several “mud volcanoes.” 

In warm areas with low levels of water, a pool of bubbling mud forms when the little available water rises to the surface near volcanic ash and clay. The warm mud can build up and bubble over forming a volcano-esque eruption of mud.

These mud pools are believed to have healing properties so several of them have become tourist attractions – like the Volcan el Tesoro outside of Tolu, Colombia.

I went with friends, and we were lucky enough to be the only people there for a few hours. After paying our $2 to get in, we put on our bathing suits, and jumped into the pool of mud.

Here’s a before-and-after photo shoot you’re not likely to see in a woman’s magazine:

It’s a strange feeling, the mud is so thick that you are almost suspended – like being set in Jello®.  I’ve never felt anything like it! And it’s not easy to move around so there are ropes tied throughout the pool so you can pull yourself out of the mud. The mud is so thick you can even stand on the rope without falling over:

I also found that the mud is perfect for camouflage – a la Schwarzenegger in Predator:

After getting thoroughly covered in mud and having a blast doing it (for nearly two hours), we headed to the outdoor showers where several young girls helped to wash us off. (Admittedly, a strange part of the experience – likely better if I were a guy?)

But, before getting clean, we stopped to pose with one of our kin. . .funny how he was the cleanest one!

I'm not sure that I felt any healing effects, but it was one of the most fun afternoons I've had in Colombia! If you ever find yourself near a mud volcano -- jump in! 


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