Isabela Island
Sierra Negra volcano’s impressive presence stood out from where we anchored, Puerto Villamil located in the southernmost part of Isabela Island. The volcano’s extremely wide base made us ponder what great experiences this day would bring to our lives.
We began our adventures by visiting the Isabela Galápagos National Park Service Tortoise Rearing Center. This visit allowed us to learn more about the human activities that have been developed to protect the environment. We all experienced joy when looking at the giant reptiles doing so well in their semi-captive states, boosting the recovery of their vanishing populations. After this visit we went to see a famous historical place, the wall of tears. This wall played an important role in the human history of this island when it was part of a penal colony. Once the Ecuadorian government declared the islands as a national park in 1959, the colony disappeared but the monument remains as a silent witness of past brutal times – it remains to show us a path to tolerance and respect as well. Never again should something like this be built.
Lunch today was certainly different, for we used a local restaurant in town,” La Choza.” In a town with an emergence effort to increase ecotourism we were gratefully surprised with all the services we received.
The afternoon activities were interesting and diverse. Some guests opted to go back on board to relax while others chose to stay in town and enjoy the long and gorgeous white beaches. The adventurous and energetic decided to go for a hike to the rim of Sierra Negra volcano. Along the way the expeditionary team ran into a profuse rain shower that didn’t let up. In spite of that, some good sightings were achieved, such as the vermillion flycatcher and several finch species.
In town some of our guests went surfing with the locals and had a real anthropological experience. At the end of the day everybody was happy, and that is what counts. Over the past few days, being in firsthand contact with nature has helped us to know what to expect during our visits. Today was not the exception; today we all have been enlightened.
