Floreana Island
Following our itinerary, we are now on this beautiful island, which has many interesting locations to visit. An early wake-up call allowed us to enjoy sunrise and a moderate-paced walk on an easy trail that goes right by a brackish water lagoon, a habitat for several different kinds of birds. One of them is the greater flamingo, with gorgeous pink feathers as a result of feeding on microscopic shrimp loaded with carotene. Other birds spotted were pintail ducks, black-necked stilts, and some species of migratory birds like sandpipers.
We continued our way to a white-sand beach where green sea turtles nest year-round, and this is the peak season. We saw some fresh tracks and also something not expected: a Galápagos flycatcher came to inspect the big camera lens of one of our guests, and actually landed on it! After that show we came back on board for breakfast.
Around mid-morning, and after a short navigation, we reached the islet of Champion for a Zodiac ride to look for animals like sea lions, boobies, shearwaters, and red-billed tropic birds, but the one that deserved more attention was a kind of mockingbird that became extinct on the main island due to cat predation and only a few survived here on this islet; we did see some, and we’re happy to know they’re still with us.
Next we went snorkeling at one of the most beautiful locations, due to the presence of multiple species of fish and other creatures; one of them is the playful Galápagos sea lion, and they gave us some of the best moments of the outing. Sharks also showed up and, like most of the animals here, they are friendly. It was an absolutely great morning.
The afternoon had other surprises awaiting us. Some decided take the option of combining a Zodiac ride around small island off Floreana to view some wildlife like turtles, rays and birds, and later do a wet-landing to visit a an old mailing system called the Post Office Barrel. The barrel was erected in 1793 by a whaler named James Colnett, and was used as communication with home back in those days. All you do is go there read through the letters and if you see one that goes near to where live, you just hand-deliver it in the old-fashioned way. No stamps needed.
For some intrepid people the expedition went a little further to a volcanic formation called a lava tube, whose interior is so dark that you need a flashlight to be able to walk inside. It is near the ocean and actually the water goes in and you can walk in for some ways before you get it up to your neck.
The day ended with a refreshing dip at the beach of Post Office Bay before returning on board, very happy after having such an incredible day.
