Isabela Island
Today we visited Puerto Villamil. Our expedition began right after breakfast by taking several pickup trucks for a 45 minute ride to the Sierra Negra volcano, which erupted just about a year ago. While some of us chose to ride inside the trucks, others preferred to ride in the back of this truck. The wet ride was wonderful and felt as though we were gliding with nature, feeling its breeze while surrounded by gradually changing landscapes. Once on foot we started to walk through the lush vegetation, a combination of ferns and grass. Our walk would take us to the rim of the volcano, a roundtrip hike of 7 miles immersed in solitude, garua, landscapes and friends. Many new friendships were formed by this experience.
It was not too long ago when I saw our guests for the very first time at the airport, and now, after only five days of our understanding together in the Galápagos, we are seem to be good friends! We were all very happy to reach the summit of Sierra Negra and for some minutes the heavy blanket of garua fog lifted, letting us see the magnificent caldera floor.
Some of us took the more leisurely walk to see white tipped reef sharks, followed by a fun panga ride.
We returned to the ship for lunch and siesta. In the afternoon we had several options. Most of us went to the giant tortoise breeding center only to be astounded by the difference in size between the small babies and huge adults. We then walked by the wet lands and observed waders such as the black necked stilt.
After the excursion we continued our wonderful time. Some of us danced on the street while others played beach volleyball. The score was 30 to 7 making us all laugh and bond much stronger as our new friends teased us on our performance. Better luck next time! This wonderful day ended with friends bonded by the “Enchanted Island.” Isolation has wonderful rewards.
Our expedition continues on. These amazing islands have so much to offer! We seem to be family now, wishing this adventure would never end.
Today we visited Puerto Villamil. Our expedition began right after breakfast by taking several pickup trucks for a 45 minute ride to the Sierra Negra volcano, which erupted just about a year ago. While some of us chose to ride inside the trucks, others preferred to ride in the back of this truck. The wet ride was wonderful and felt as though we were gliding with nature, feeling its breeze while surrounded by gradually changing landscapes. Once on foot we started to walk through the lush vegetation, a combination of ferns and grass. Our walk would take us to the rim of the volcano, a roundtrip hike of 7 miles immersed in solitude, garua, landscapes and friends. Many new friendships were formed by this experience.
It was not too long ago when I saw our guests for the very first time at the airport, and now, after only five days of our understanding together in the Galápagos, we are seem to be good friends! We were all very happy to reach the summit of Sierra Negra and for some minutes the heavy blanket of garua fog lifted, letting us see the magnificent caldera floor.
Some of us took the more leisurely walk to see white tipped reef sharks, followed by a fun panga ride.
We returned to the ship for lunch and siesta. In the afternoon we had several options. Most of us went to the giant tortoise breeding center only to be astounded by the difference in size between the small babies and huge adults. We then walked by the wet lands and observed waders such as the black necked stilt.
After the excursion we continued our wonderful time. Some of us danced on the street while others played beach volleyball. The score was 30 to 7 making us all laugh and bond much stronger as our new friends teased us on our performance. Better luck next time! This wonderful day ended with friends bonded by the “Enchanted Island.” Isolation has wonderful rewards.
Our expedition continues on. These amazing islands have so much to offer! We seem to be family now, wishing this adventure would never end.
