Isabela Island
There are so many great visitor sites in the western realm of the Galápagos Archipelago; we would need a week just to visit them. This morning we visited one of the most interesting places—geologically and historically—on Isabela Island: Urbina Bay. Why is this site so amazing? It all happened in 1954 when an area of 1.7km was uplifted 15 feet in a matter of hours!
Now we walk on lava, sand and coral that half a century ago was under water and to see the huge coral heads and the semi fossils of shells and tube worms on the lava rocks is so amazing; one can be transported in time by looking at all the sea shells that are dug out by the land iguanas that make their burrows along the trail.
However, all these shells and coral can be overshadowed by the presence of the giant Galápagos tortoises and colorful land iguanas that roam the area. What an amazing view was the giant Galápago right next to the male land iguana right in the middle of the trail; and the two young Galápagos eating the fresh vegetation on a flat plane; and the huge marine iguana along the coast, not to mention the raft of Galápagos penguins that were taking a bath in the bay close to where we were swimming.
After seeing so many wonderful animals, we sailed on the National Geographic Endeavour to Tagus Cove, on the northern part of Isabela, a historical place that was used by pirates to hide and fix their vessels. Here we had the chance to kayak and snorkel along the cove.
Later in the afternoon, we had a long walk that took us to see Darwin’s Lake and at the very top of the tuff cone, where the lake lies, we had a magnificent view of the northern volcanoes, Wolf and Darwin. All along the hike there were Darwin’s finches and mockingbirds looking for nesting material and food for their chicks.
The Zodiac riders enjoyed a magnificent view of geological formations, a group of penguins that were cruising along the coast looking for dinner, blue-footed boobies perching on the cliff— all these wonders shone even more with the last rays of a typical Galápagos sunset. What an astounding way to finish a glorious day in the western side of paradise.
