Isla Isabela
Isabela Island is shaped somewhat like the United Kingdom with Ferdinanda it's own Ireland. It is one of the larger islands in the Galapagos archipelago and has some of the more iconic experiences.
The main town is Puerto Villamil, which is also the main port. Most of the restaurants and shops are here, and it is the place to book activities from one of the myriads of vendors. You can play them off against each other somewhat, but the prices and experiences are broadly similar.
Parks & Gardens
Posada De Flamengos
The flamingo walk is a perhaps one-kilometre walk along a well-boarded section of a tropical forest. Streams and pools dot the landscape, and within them, the flamingos can be found. The vivid pink sets them off against the lush green and reflective water, making them unusual in the area of how completely they do not blend into the environment.
Unconcerned by the tourists walking past, the flamingos make the most of the water, with the occasional, sudden burst of activity they take to the skies. You'll be surprised by the wingspan of these birds as we so often are presented with them standing, wings folded.
In contrast to this, the iguanas are far more camouflaged, but you'll see them from time to time swimming confidently in the lakes, heads above water, tails trashing. You'll also find them sunning themselves on the boardwalks, unwilling to move as tourists step over them.
Restaurants & Bars
Bar Atardecer
Bar Atardecer or Sunset Bar is just outside of the town limits and on the beach. Boasting a volleyball court that had half our group competing with other tourists, hammocks and happy hour cocktails deals was a strong choice for an hour or two's relaxation. Its beach-front proximity also gave me a chance to capture some cute images of a bird on the rocks.
Campo Duro Ecolodge
The Eco-lodge is perhaps twenty minutes outside of the town, set in an ample green space with big tents large enough to hold several people, but only shared by two. The central area with a bar is dark wood, and has a very natural feel to it, almost seeming to be grown out of living branches. Food, drinks and fire all combine to make it a cosy space to hang out in the evening, we were there till 12:30 one night, playing Mafia, Resistance and just hanging out.
Next to the shower block, some of which offer the incredible luxury of hot water is a field full of giant tortoises. A welcome surprise to use on the first morning as we'd not seen them when we arrived in the dark.
The Eco-lodge lives up to its name. There is a large vegetable garden, as well as solar for heating the water. They also do fantastic scrambled eggs for breakfast from local chickens.
El Velero
In the main square, alongside many other restaurants, El Velero offers a good, sharp ceviche. The portion was huge, more than I could finish as by the end the acidity was getting too much on my taste buds. They also offer excellent coffee.
Los Delfines
A group meal at this restaurant above the main square, it was fairly basic, and perhaps our most disappointing of group meals.
Sports & Activities
Kayaking
Isabela offers several places to go kayaking, though the kayaking is as much a vehicle to get you to the right snorkelling spot as it is an activity itself. The kayaks we rented were two-person kayaks, and my friend had I had to be separated as our combined weight was a little too much for the small plastic boats, and we'd be below the waterline.
Not far out into the sea we came across a penguin, swimming happily alone in the water, and further on, a family of them hanging out on the rocks nearby along with some Blue Footed Boobies. We tied our kayaks together as spokes into a wheel shape and dove off to snorkel.
We got close to a Galapagos Green Sea Turtle, which was swimming by some of the rocks. The waves were strong, and from time to time, we were pushed close enough we could have reached out and touched him.
Further, into the lagoon, we found a reef shark and followed him between two reefs. It put our lungs and snorkels to the test to dive down far enough to see him hidden under a shelf in the water, but it was worth the spots and dizziness.
Volcano Hike
Due to the weather, the rain and fog, we were unable to hike up the volcano for the views. Other hikers we later encountered, however, were more fortunate and recommend it strongly.