Southern Isabela Island
After visiting the western-most rim of the archipelago, we headed south-east and encountered a small community located south of Isabela called Pto. Villamil. This town started long ago as a fishing community, and despite the fact that it hasn’t changed that much in the last few decades, people are getting integrated to a new movement, tourism!
The type of tourism developed here has been eco-friendly oriented, and people from all over the world come to take daily tours to the rim of its most important sight, Sierra Negra Volcano. It was precisely there where we spent our morning today, and it couldn’t have been a better choice!
The size of the caldera was impressive, and this was expected since it happens to be one of the “top ten” largest calderas in the world.
After such an invigorating walk, we headed for our mandatory lunch and siesta, of course! However, lots of guests decided to trade their very comfortable beds for the beach, and headed right after lunch to enjoy one of the longest white-sandy beaches located in the area.
The rest of us took off and visited one of the branches of the national Park and Charles Darwin breeding center for giant tortoises located at the off limits of town. It was very fulfilling to learn that the community in Villamil and the whole Galápagos Islands are very aware of the problems that the presence of mankind had caused on the archipelago. Much needs to be done, but it is good to know that we are on the right track!
After visiting the western-most rim of the archipelago, we headed south-east and encountered a small community located south of Isabela called Pto. Villamil. This town started long ago as a fishing community, and despite the fact that it hasn’t changed that much in the last few decades, people are getting integrated to a new movement, tourism!
The type of tourism developed here has been eco-friendly oriented, and people from all over the world come to take daily tours to the rim of its most important sight, Sierra Negra Volcano. It was precisely there where we spent our morning today, and it couldn’t have been a better choice!
The size of the caldera was impressive, and this was expected since it happens to be one of the “top ten” largest calderas in the world.
After such an invigorating walk, we headed for our mandatory lunch and siesta, of course! However, lots of guests decided to trade their very comfortable beds for the beach, and headed right after lunch to enjoy one of the longest white-sandy beaches located in the area.
The rest of us took off and visited one of the branches of the national Park and Charles Darwin breeding center for giant tortoises located at the off limits of town. It was very fulfilling to learn that the community in Villamil and the whole Galápagos Islands are very aware of the problems that the presence of mankind had caused on the archipelago. Much needs to be done, but it is good to know that we are on the right track!
