You feel like in a National Geographic documentation, because you’re realizing where the fuck you are right now! All the animals which don’t fear human and like to play with them, the untouched beaches with white sand and lonely bays where you just can lose time.
On Isla Isabela my hotel room was directly on the beach. The view was amazing, but I didn’t have a lot time to enjoy it – my 5 days were scheduled quite tightly.
On the first day I had just the afternoon left, because the transfer by speedboat took 2,5h and so we went to the flamingo lake – seeing those creatures in the wild was an amazing experience.
On the second day I was about to climb yet another volcano :)
The weather on the islands wasn’t that nice. Apparently there is also a winter season which is triggered by the cold ocean currents coming from the south. So it was a bit foggy and drizzly but still it had about 27° Celsius.
Because of the drizzle, the path up the volcano was muddy and slippery – luckily I had the right shoes, because those who attempted to hike with their chucks found themselves laying on the ground quite often ;)
On the top we had a great view over the northern part of the island.
In the afternoon I went snorkeling.
Unbelievable what’s going on down there. Giant tortoises, stingrays and thousands of fish. There was also a sea lion that was swimming with us!
The third day was a bit more educational. We went to the giant tortoise breading center and the wall of tears. Apparently a part of the island was used as a prison some time ago.
The afternoon was reserved for more snorkeling and a visit on the Iguana Island. There you can see loads of small, big and giant iguanas which look like they haven’t changed since they learned how to breathe air…
I was also able to see some white fin sharks that were resting in a lagoon to gather energy for their late night hunting. After a few minutes some see lions joined them in the lagoon and started to play with the sharks. They were chasing them and bit their fins while swimming along.
My last full day on the islands began really early – 5am if I remember correctly.
This was kind of problematic because I was out until 3am and had one pisco sour too many. Also I had a 2,5h speed boat ride in front of me. When I arrived at the harbor I immediately reserved myself a seat in the back of the boat where it is quite stable. An American girl sat next to me and asked me if she will get wet back here. I told her that this is much more likely in the back than in the front of the boat and I also told her the reason for me choosing this seat – she immediately choose another seat :)
Back on Santa Cruz, I visited the Charles Darwin Station and lonely George – the last individual of a giant tortoise species. In the afternoon I visited the probably best beach in the world – Tortuga Bay.
A white ribbon of sand with black lava rock formations and deep blue water. And the best thing, just a few people!
Long story short, JUST GO THERE!
The last day was just the transfer back to the airport..
Next stop: Cuenca
All the best, Alex
Animals:
the Islands and the untouched nature:
My Hotel:
My dinner ;)
Volcano Sierra Negro:
