Isabela was visited by pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries and today it was visited by us. Early in the morning we drove right into the cave of Punta Vicente Roca, and I couldn't stop thinking about buccaneers' treasures. But in Galapagos, treasures are of other kinds. Red anemones sparkle in the intertidal zones, together with orange cup coral and giant barnacles. Boobies watch us from the tuff layers that form the cave and penguins and turtles show up eventually. Isabela, the entire island with its 6 shield volcanoes, is a jewel by itself, better than diamonds or gold. I am sure even pirates were astonished by the unique splendor of this place.