Floreana Island
Early this morning we arrived from Isabela Island to the peaceful and calm anchorage at Post Office Bay. We went ashore for a short, fun visit and heard stories of the human history from the early days when sailors went out to sea for several years at a time. Some of these lonesome sailors found relief and perhaps happiness at Post Office Bay; they could leave letters to their loved ones in an old wooden barrel. For a moment we imagined ourselves like those early sailors, looking for letters and postcards that we could deliver from that wooden barrel. Several letters, cards and notes were taken by our guests, with the promise to hand deliver that mail just as in the olden days. We left the barrel behind and returned aboard to have a delicious breakfast
With all of our energy again replenished, we boarded the Zodiacs and we explored the coast of one of the most beautiful places in Galápagos: Champion Islet. Here currents continually converge upwelling nutrients and attracting a great abundance of fish and marine invertebrates. Along the coast of Champion we found Nazca and blue footed boobies, pelicans, red billed tropic birds and, of course, many sea lions. Champion is also home to a few of the rare Floreana mockingbirds. We searched for them and were delighted to find several.
After the coastal exploration we explored this islet from another perspective; we went snorkeling in deep waters! There were large schools of fish all around us, and the visibility was good. We had an amazing experience, swimming with playful sea lions, sea turtles, and millions of fish of different varieties.
After we left Champion Islet we navigated for a short distance and anchored off Punta Cormorant. Here we went kayaking, and also took a lovely walk. Along the trail we found several finches, Floreana lava lizards, and the colorful flamingoes. We were all hoping to find some of these bright pink birds, and there were several. We observed two flamingoes nesting right on the lava rocks. Towards the end of the trail we descended to the “flour beach.” This is a fine organic sand beach where sea turtles nest. There was a lone frigate patrolling the beach this afternoon; it was seeking baby sea turtles. Sometimes they emerge from the nest during the day time, by mistake. Normally the newly hatched turtles will emerge only at night. Emerging during daylight is a fatal error; every hatchling that runs down the beach in the day is caught by frigates and other predators.
After a marvelous and relaxing walk, we returned aboard and enjoyed a barbecue dinner on the sky deck. We had salsa lessons, star gazing and enjoyed watching sea lions catching fish attracted by the ship’s lights. More awesome and novel experiences for us all, in this unique paradise!
Early this morning we arrived from Isabela Island to the peaceful and calm anchorage at Post Office Bay. We went ashore for a short, fun visit and heard stories of the human history from the early days when sailors went out to sea for several years at a time. Some of these lonesome sailors found relief and perhaps happiness at Post Office Bay; they could leave letters to their loved ones in an old wooden barrel. For a moment we imagined ourselves like those early sailors, looking for letters and postcards that we could deliver from that wooden barrel. Several letters, cards and notes were taken by our guests, with the promise to hand deliver that mail just as in the olden days. We left the barrel behind and returned aboard to have a delicious breakfast
With all of our energy again replenished, we boarded the Zodiacs and we explored the coast of one of the most beautiful places in Galápagos: Champion Islet. Here currents continually converge upwelling nutrients and attracting a great abundance of fish and marine invertebrates. Along the coast of Champion we found Nazca and blue footed boobies, pelicans, red billed tropic birds and, of course, many sea lions. Champion is also home to a few of the rare Floreana mockingbirds. We searched for them and were delighted to find several.
After the coastal exploration we explored this islet from another perspective; we went snorkeling in deep waters! There were large schools of fish all around us, and the visibility was good. We had an amazing experience, swimming with playful sea lions, sea turtles, and millions of fish of different varieties.
After we left Champion Islet we navigated for a short distance and anchored off Punta Cormorant. Here we went kayaking, and also took a lovely walk. Along the trail we found several finches, Floreana lava lizards, and the colorful flamingoes. We were all hoping to find some of these bright pink birds, and there were several. We observed two flamingoes nesting right on the lava rocks. Towards the end of the trail we descended to the “flour beach.” This is a fine organic sand beach where sea turtles nest. There was a lone frigate patrolling the beach this afternoon; it was seeking baby sea turtles. Sometimes they emerge from the nest during the day time, by mistake. Normally the newly hatched turtles will emerge only at night. Emerging during daylight is a fatal error; every hatchling that runs down the beach in the day is caught by frigates and other predators.
After a marvelous and relaxing walk, we returned aboard and enjoyed a barbecue dinner on the sky deck. We had salsa lessons, star gazing and enjoyed watching sea lions catching fish attracted by the ship’s lights. More awesome and novel experiences for us all, in this unique paradise!
