The map below shows the areas that we explored on this day.
Nature’s Drama and Echoes of the Past
We rose early on Day 12, just after sunrise, to a quiet morning in the Dragon’s Blood forest. As we prepared breakfast, we found ourselves sharing it with curious goats and circling eagles. The peaceful start quickly turned dramatic when we witnessed a fierce battle between a tarantula and a giant blue wasp. The wasp triumphed, paralyzing the spider and dragging it to an underground nest—an intense reminder of nature’s raw and wild rhythms.
Nearby, we visited a small fenced section of the forest—part of a conservation effort to protect the Dragon’s Blood trees from the ever-hungry goats. These goats, essential to local livelihoods, also pose a threat to the island’s fragile vegetation. Inside the protected area, young trees had a chance to grow, offering a glimpse into what the forest might have looked like without grazing pressure.
Later, we hiked into yet another canyon, this one with a small artificial dam. The cool water was a welcome relief, and we took our time swimming and soaking in the stunning surroundings.
In the afternoon, we made a stop at the haunting ruins of an old Soviet military base, which had long been abandoned and was slowly being reclaimed by nature. Here, old tanks and crumbling structures whispered stories of another time.
As the sun dipped low, we returned to town and spent the evening with locals, sharing stories, laughter, and the warmth of a community deeply connected to its land and history.
