Staring down into the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano
With a name that translates as, “Peak of the Furnace” it’s no surprise that the striking Piton de la Fournaise volcano is one of the world’s most active. Erupting for the first time more than 50,000 years ago, this shield volcano has erupted more than 180 times since 1640 when such eruptions were first recorded. The most recent eruption was in December of 2010. With a population of 700,000, the residents of the French Island of Réunion have adjusted to life in the path of the volcano. Visitors can get an up close and personal look by hiking or driving up the mountain and the truly adventurous can even camp near the rim. It’s just one of the many things to see and do on the lush garden isle of Réunion.
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I'm Jenny McIver, career girl, globetrotter. On New Year's Day, 2005, a newspaper article about a man who took a trip around the world sparked a wanderlust in me that has yet to abate. I spent the following year planning my own trip-of-a-lifetime and have since made it into an annual, month-long adventure visiting and writing about more than 130 countries on all 7 continents along the way - all while maintaining a full-time career. Today, my goal is to be that spark of inspiration for others by proving that you can fulfill your wildest travel dreams without quitting your day job.