Isabela Island
The second
island in the Galápagos archipelago that we visited after San Cristobal was
Isabela. Named after a Spanish Queen, Isabela is one of the youngest and largest islands in the archipelago. She was formed by 6 volcanos; 5 of which are still active. We hiked the Sierra Negra and Chico and got to see up close Isabela's volcanic history.
Isabella is an amazingly bio-diverse place; Life and evolution is happening everywhere around you. It was the least human inhabited island we visited and also the most animal, marine, and plant rich. I'm sure those two facts are related. The plane ride to Isabela was hair raising. It was a 5 seater and one of those experiences where you put your life in the hands of someone you've just met. The marine life here is unmatched. Being so close to so many marine iguanas stands out. Watching them regulate their body temperature in the mid day sun and occasionally nod their heads in a territorial gesture was a first. There were thousands of iguanas perched on every volcanic rock as far as I could see.
Seeing a resting white tip reef shark, actually about a dozen of them, on the bottom of a shallow channel was a surprise. I've seen them in open water, but never resting in the shallow. Snorkeling on Isabela was like a dream. We swam with a dozen or so wild giant sea turtles in and that was a chance of a lifetime. My hope is that generations in the future can say the same. There are active conservation efforts underway on the islands, however the effects of humans are undeniable.
Hiking Sierra Negra
Hiking the
Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano brought me close to Isabela's volcanic past. How can a place with such a violent volcanic past be so bio-diverse ? Isabela challenges the idea that destruction and life can exist without one other; It reminded me of the relationship between Shiva and Brahma in Indian mythology. The second part of the hike is a little more difficult in that there is little or no cover from the sun and it can get warm in afternoon. The terrain is unmatched and seeing lava caves and volcanic formations at this scale is mind blowing.
If you look closely at the picture below, you''ll see a Galapagos hawk perched in this tree. He seemed most curious about our group. The colors in the rocks are astonishing. Elements like sulfur color the rocks bright orange and yellow in sections.
Comments