I am wondering if rock hound is an archeologist (looking at his profile pic).
That would be my second favorite fantasy career. Volcanologist would be my #1 fantasy career. But, I have to settle for being an amateur Volcanologist/Geologist. What I am looking at and exploring is a large boulder of pure white Quartz in an area of the Maine White Mountains during a hike. I was examining it to see if it had any gem stone qualities in it's cracks and crevices. Alas, none!
Interesting! Well in that case I highly recommend you visit Hawai'i & Philippines. I've never been there, but they seem to have a lot of living volcanic history in the cultures. I know a Hawai'ian dude that photographs faces of Kupuna he sees in the stones on his walks. The stones are mainly of volcanic origin, and the faces are very distinctive.
On the wish list, but, Iceland would be closer and cheaper. And more in line with my fascination for that country and Iceland is the inspiration for my all time favorite book....."Journey to the Centre of the Earth", by Jules Verne.