Floreana Island
The twilight gave pass to a new day: rather overcast, but clear enough and certainly pleasant. A very calm ocean lay ahead of us, enhancing the historical bay we were about to visit. Post Office Bay had played a very important roll throughout the past 300 years, allowing old-time sailors contact with their loved ones by leaving mail in a barrel to be picked up by anyone who was returning home. In those times, sailing was more like a penance than an enjoyment. Today, however, it was quite a nice experience that may produce a new set of friends to those who choose to follow this well-established and most generous tradition. We all gathered at the barrel for the amusing activity of reading addresses from the post cards left there. Did our guests find some messages to deliver? Yes, they did!
Later in the morning, our quest for “Charlie” the Floreana mockingbird began during a Zodiac ride; it was a great success, for we found him and many of his rare companions on this small islet. We observed many other bird species, including pelicans, boobies and terns.
Once circumnavigated, Champion Islet became our goal for snorkeling and glass- bottom boat expeditions. While discovering the marvels of the underwater world, the exclamations coming from our guests were both reassuring and amusing. The first because the amount of fish and invertebrates we saw was impressive, making us understand that what we are doing is fine. The second because it was hilarious to see everybody as excited as any child would be with a new, glistening toy.
Normally, when we first make contact with nature, we tend to believe that what we are seeing is all and absolute; however “absolute” is not a word that should be used to describe any natural event or anything related with nature. Growing up in the Galápagos, we were used to seeing flamingos at Punta Cormorant. All of the sudden, these beautiful birds decided this place is not suitable – at least for the time being – and moved elsewhere on the archipelago. We know sooner or later they will come back, following the natural cycles that are to be expected in isolated environments like the Galápagos.
So, no flamingos today, but all of the sudden… finches! Yes, lots of finches appeared from nowhere! Small and medium ground finches, cactus finches and even a small tree finch surrounded us with their persistent squeaking call, announcing themselves as if “Hey flamingos, you are not the only cute ones; take a picture of us.”
As the sun was setting, a shade of pink light embraced the dry forest of Floreana. For us, however, the splendor of the ending day made it look as if the day was just starting.
