Floreana Island
Today was a gray, garua day, but that was fitting for the mysterious island of Floreana. Most of our guests made a pre-breakfast outing to Post Office Bay where Gaby recounted the wild story of the Baroness who came with her three lovers to live in the highlands of this island in the mid 1900’s. The Baronessa von Wagner wrecked havoc among the few residents and then inexplicably disappeared. We collected and left mail in the post office barrel and will deliver the cards that we took to the addresses upon them, as mail has been hand carried home from Galápagos since the 1790’s.
After breakfast we snorkeled around the small Islet of Champion. There were huge schools of beautiful king angel fish, creole fish, grunts and chubs. Razor fish fed on algae off the rocks while the territorial yellow tailed damsels tried to chase them away from these algae beds that they protect and tend. Several juvenile sea lions joined us and swirled and twirled among us, showing off their speed and grace underwater. The water was a cool 69 degrees Fahrenheit and crystal clear, and the fish and sea lions were so entertaining that we stayed out until we were shivering. A welcome mug of hot chocolate was waiting for us as we boarded the Islander thanks to Hotel Manager Alexandra’s foresight.
After hot showers and dry clothes we were ready for a “panga ride” around Champion in search of the elusive Floreana mocking bird and the gorgeous, red-billed tropicbirds.
Three pangas of birdwatchers went out and we all observed the mockers plus a lot more!
We dined on Peruvian specialties at lunch, took a short siesta and then it was time to kayak. Two rounds of kayakers paddled on a smooth sea under a damp, gray sky. We were thrilled to cruise quietly alongside a shark, rays, sea turtles and sea lions. The afternoon hike at Punta Cormorant was peaceful but magnificent. Gorgeous pink flamingos fed on miniscule brine shrimp in the muddy bottom of a brackish lagoon. They scratched and stretched and went about their business completely ignoring the appreciative humans nearby who were snapping photo after photo. We hiked over a rise and down to a fine white sand beach where we saw numerous sting rays churning in the surf. Lazy sea lions on the greenish olivine beach didn’t even lift their heads to acknowledge us as we boarded the Zodiacs and returned to the ship. This has been yet another magical day in the Galápagos; each day different and special and we feel blessed to be here and a part of this unique place.
Today was a gray, garua day, but that was fitting for the mysterious island of Floreana. Most of our guests made a pre-breakfast outing to Post Office Bay where Gaby recounted the wild story of the Baroness who came with her three lovers to live in the highlands of this island in the mid 1900’s. The Baronessa von Wagner wrecked havoc among the few residents and then inexplicably disappeared. We collected and left mail in the post office barrel and will deliver the cards that we took to the addresses upon them, as mail has been hand carried home from Galápagos since the 1790’s.
After breakfast we snorkeled around the small Islet of Champion. There were huge schools of beautiful king angel fish, creole fish, grunts and chubs. Razor fish fed on algae off the rocks while the territorial yellow tailed damsels tried to chase them away from these algae beds that they protect and tend. Several juvenile sea lions joined us and swirled and twirled among us, showing off their speed and grace underwater. The water was a cool 69 degrees Fahrenheit and crystal clear, and the fish and sea lions were so entertaining that we stayed out until we were shivering. A welcome mug of hot chocolate was waiting for us as we boarded the Islander thanks to Hotel Manager Alexandra’s foresight.
After hot showers and dry clothes we were ready for a “panga ride” around Champion in search of the elusive Floreana mocking bird and the gorgeous, red-billed tropicbirds.
Three pangas of birdwatchers went out and we all observed the mockers plus a lot more!
We dined on Peruvian specialties at lunch, took a short siesta and then it was time to kayak. Two rounds of kayakers paddled on a smooth sea under a damp, gray sky. We were thrilled to cruise quietly alongside a shark, rays, sea turtles and sea lions. The afternoon hike at Punta Cormorant was peaceful but magnificent. Gorgeous pink flamingos fed on miniscule brine shrimp in the muddy bottom of a brackish lagoon. They scratched and stretched and went about their business completely ignoring the appreciative humans nearby who were snapping photo after photo. We hiked over a rise and down to a fine white sand beach where we saw numerous sting rays churning in the surf. Lazy sea lions on the greenish olivine beach didn’t even lift their heads to acknowledge us as we boarded the Zodiacs and returned to the ship. This has been yet another magical day in the Galápagos; each day different and special and we feel blessed to be here and a part of this unique place.
