Southern Isabela
Isabela is one of the youngest islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. Its inland areas are ornamented with six volcanoes; five more than any other island. Isabela is filled with diversity in both vegetation and animal life.
This morning we visited a historical site known as “The Wall of Tears.” Between 1844 and 1859, a penal colony was located on the island. The director of the prison decided that he needed to think of a task that would keep the prisoners occupied during their life sentences. He formulated a plan that would do just that. It is speculated that he made his residents construct a wall that served no purpose at all; that would be constructed as long as he saw fit. The men were worked so hard that it was said that the wall “would bring the strongest man to tears, and the weakest man to die.”
Soon we found ourselves traveling up the mangrove-laced coastline. We had many sightings of birds; such as Darwin finches, Galápagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers. Blue-footed boobies stood perched on lava rocks besides sunbathing marine iguanas. Perfect pink reflections shimmer off a brackish lagoon as greater flamingos pace the waterline in search of food found along the muddy bottom.
A thorough visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station put us in close contact with giant tortoises saved from various areas around the island. It was especially satisfying to see the work efforts of the National Parks Service in action.
Every day must inevitably come to an end, as we snorkeled a crystal clear cove surrounded by playful sealions and curious penguins.
Isabela is one of the youngest islands in the Galápagos Archipelago. Its inland areas are ornamented with six volcanoes; five more than any other island. Isabela is filled with diversity in both vegetation and animal life.
This morning we visited a historical site known as “The Wall of Tears.” Between 1844 and 1859, a penal colony was located on the island. The director of the prison decided that he needed to think of a task that would keep the prisoners occupied during their life sentences. He formulated a plan that would do just that. It is speculated that he made his residents construct a wall that served no purpose at all; that would be constructed as long as he saw fit. The men were worked so hard that it was said that the wall “would bring the strongest man to tears, and the weakest man to die.”
Soon we found ourselves traveling up the mangrove-laced coastline. We had many sightings of birds; such as Darwin finches, Galápagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers. Blue-footed boobies stood perched on lava rocks besides sunbathing marine iguanas. Perfect pink reflections shimmer off a brackish lagoon as greater flamingos pace the waterline in search of food found along the muddy bottom.
A thorough visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station put us in close contact with giant tortoises saved from various areas around the island. It was especially satisfying to see the work efforts of the National Parks Service in action.
Every day must inevitably come to an end, as we snorkeled a crystal clear cove surrounded by playful sealions and curious penguins.
