Previously we rented bikes in Puerto Villamil and rode them to the end of the beach to spend time with Leon, the white and black beaches and the cold waves and its residents.

Now it goes a few stations further. The path continues after the long beach and leads through a bizarre landscape of cacti, bushes and petrified lava columns. The goal is an ancient but important wall, the Muro de las Lagrimas.

We can rent bikes in town (USD 15 per day per person) and see more of the island on our own on the sandy slopes. Leon is fascinated by the new experience and enjoys the wind in his little ears.

It’s hot and the volcanic ash forms a dust that our bikes kick up. It sticks to our skin. Most of the bushes are still bare from the past dry season, so everything looks even drier.

There are always small paths leading off the piste, from which you can reach a small beach or a vantage point. We cross a forest of cacti. These plants grow close together and are as tall as trees. It’s crazy.

They grow in the crevasses left by the cooled lava. The rock looks as if it solidified only a short time ago. Geologically, it was only a millisecond ago. The flora and fauna are quickly reclaiming the damaged area.

Among the cacti we find iguanas, large crabs, herons and even giant tortoises. The gentle giants are sitting in the bushes and we cycle past before realizing that there was a large reptile in the bushes. Even a sea lion sleeps here in the forest.

A path leads from the slope to a beautiful lagoon. We have to cross a tunnel of mangroves to find the beach hidden in the plants. I can’t swim far along the corridor, because near the sea the pull of the current is strong.

We have already seen giant tortoises in the bushes and were fascinated. The entire Galapagos Islands is a garden full of surprises that won’t let us go. It never gets boring. We are traveling by bike and do not expect that giant tortoises are also road users.

A turtle trotts along the path and doesn’t let us disturb it. Even when we stop to photograph the reptile up close, she doesn’t let us bother her.

When we reach our destination, a huge turtle is waiting for us there as well. She hisses when Leon gets too close because he wants to touch her.

Leon copies this “zzzzzzzzzzzz” and repeats it for months when he sees the picture of a turtle.

The Muro de las Lagrimas or “Wall of Tears” is a historical monument on Isabela Island of the Galapagos Islands and testifies to human madness. The wall was built by convicts during the 20th century when the island was used as a penal colony. The convicts were forced to haul heavy stones and build a wall, which ultimately was of no use.

It is said that the convicts suffered so much during the construction of the wall that their tears formed the wall and gave it the name of Muro de las Lagrimas. The wall is now a popular destination for tourists wishing to visit the island and experience the history of the Galapagos Islands.

The next diary entry is about my trips to the Concha Perla, where you have incredible snorkeling encounters.