"Only to the volcano," Axel replies. There's some relatively fresh volcanic debris in the path; not lot, because the wind and the slope of the mountain are wrong for it, but there was a recent eruption, and if you know what to look for, it shows.

From lower on the path, there's a pair of high-pitched giggles, and a couple of children come barreling past them, headed straight for the beach.

"...Like I said," he continues, when they've passed. "I've only ever met the locals once."