Sunday family bike ride on Isabela island. We were recommended to hire some bikes to go on a ride along the coast. We thought it would be nice and fun, and good exercise for everybody. What we experienced was way beyond our expectations and we were absolutely blown away. The ride was exhilarating, magnificent and stunningly beautiful. We rented our bikes in town at Bike and Surf in the morning, and then rode 3km to the start of the trail just behind the beach. In the short 4km ride, we rode along the sandy beach, passed the wetlands and up onto the hills, ending at the historical Wall of Tears. There were multiple viewing platforms that we went to along the trail to enjoy panoramic views of the island. The most magical encounter was the unexpected sightings of giant tortoises and dozens of marine iguanas just chilling on the path, oblivious to the bikers and hikers zooming past. Definitely not everyday that you run into a giant tortoise or iguana riding a bike!

The Wall of Tears marked the end of the trail. This 25m high dry volcanic stone wall tells a sinister history of the island. Between 1946 and 1959, the Galapagos was a penal colony where political prisoners, outcasts and criminals were sent. The Wall of Tears is the only remaining evidence of a prison camp where prisoners were forced to build this massive wall for no particular reason other than to make them suffer. It is said that the Wall of Tears took the lives of thousands of prisoners from injuries, accidents, exposure and poor treatment.

The ride to the Wall of Tears was mostly uphill which was quite challenging for kids and me. The ride back downhill was a breeze and was just heavenly bliss! Without a doubt, it was the most memorable biking experience for me and the kids.