Galapagos, Day 6

Diving Pelican

Preening Pelican

We motored for many hours during the night to Floreana and Cormorant Point. We disembarked and walked on a greenish beach composed of a lot of olivine and walked past a lake containing one flamingo - somewhat disappointing for the newbies who hadn't already seen them - and over to a beach on which sea turtles lay their eggs. It's a bit too early for the eggs to be laid, but we did spot turtles mating in the water offshore. We also saw heaps of sting rays in the shallows.


After the walk, some of us did a deep water snorkel off Devil's Crown. This was very enjoyable, but quite challenging, with strong currents and rough sea. We then moved to calmer water and promptly were stung by jelly fish! I was stung around my mouth, which was initially sore, but got better quickly. Oh well, some trouble in paradise is to be expected.

Devil's Crown

In the afternoon we motored the short distance to Post Office Bay to visit the famous Post Office barrel. Floreana is one of the only islands with a source of fresh water, so sailors often visited. Someone installed a barrel in the 1700s into which visitors could place their letters, to be picked up and delivered by those going to the countries to which the letters were addressed. The tradition still stands, though the original barrel has been replaced several times. We posted some cards and picked up some Oz-addressed cards to send on our return.

 

 

Post Office Bay

We also went for a short walk up the hill to a lava tube and then went snorkelling off the beach. This time there was a feeding tortuga to watch.
POSTSCRIPT
The postcards that we placed in the box at Post Office Bay all were delivered to our children several months later! And we delivered ours, so it shows the system works.