Southern Isabela Island
Today we returned to the largest island of the archipelago: Isabela. Sierra Negra volcano, on Southern Isabela erupted in late October of this year. This morning we all had a chance to climb to the rim of this active volcano. We drove up to the end of the road in the local pick up taxis. As we climbed ever higher and inland, we observed the amazing change of vegetation from the sparsely vegetated and arid lowlands to the very green and lush highlands.
Our hike – whether we chose the “further and faster” or the “to the rim” options - was very rewarding. We had excellent conditions for hiking: an overcast morning but clear enough to see into the caldera. We observed the extensive new lava flow that covers half the caldera and could easily distinguish several sulphur fumaroles still steaming.
We rested and enjoyed the view and refilled our water bottles from a container carried in for us by a local cowboy and his grey horse. After taking many photos we descended to the trucks and drove back to the coast.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch on the Islander and after a siesta, we headed in to explore the town of Villamil. Most of us went to visit the giant tortoise breeding center and then there were several options: some went biking, others walked along a boardwalk where we found four flamingos feeding on tiny shrimp in a brackish lagoon, and then we continued into town. Still others went for a swim off the gorgeous white sand beach, or played volleyball.
We enjoyed a presentation by and in the company of several local children who joined us for our evening recap. They eagerly told us about how they are involved in the conservation of the giant tortoises of Isabela Island. Everyone had a lot of fun today!
Today we returned to the largest island of the archipelago: Isabela. Sierra Negra volcano, on Southern Isabela erupted in late October of this year. This morning we all had a chance to climb to the rim of this active volcano. We drove up to the end of the road in the local pick up taxis. As we climbed ever higher and inland, we observed the amazing change of vegetation from the sparsely vegetated and arid lowlands to the very green and lush highlands.
Our hike – whether we chose the “further and faster” or the “to the rim” options - was very rewarding. We had excellent conditions for hiking: an overcast morning but clear enough to see into the caldera. We observed the extensive new lava flow that covers half the caldera and could easily distinguish several sulphur fumaroles still steaming.
We rested and enjoyed the view and refilled our water bottles from a container carried in for us by a local cowboy and his grey horse. After taking many photos we descended to the trucks and drove back to the coast.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch on the Islander and after a siesta, we headed in to explore the town of Villamil. Most of us went to visit the giant tortoise breeding center and then there were several options: some went biking, others walked along a boardwalk where we found four flamingos feeding on tiny shrimp in a brackish lagoon, and then we continued into town. Still others went for a swim off the gorgeous white sand beach, or played volleyball.
We enjoyed a presentation by and in the company of several local children who joined us for our evening recap. They eagerly told us about how they are involved in the conservation of the giant tortoises of Isabela Island. Everyone had a lot of fun today!
