Floreana, Island
Whalers, buccaneers, hunters, strange people, and Darwin all visited Floreana Island in the past. They came to this place, each for a different reason: science, money, and hiding. Today, we are a group of visitors, on an expedition just to observe and understand the nature of this place. Our first glimpse tells us that, at some point, there was a lot of volcanic activity here. We can still observe, in the distance, the many volcanic cones that outline the shape of the island.
We began the day with an early wake up call. It was a beautiful morning, and some of the group jumped into the pangas (Zodiacs) to visit Post Office Bay, an historical site. There we simply left a postcard, some to friends and some to relatives, wondering how long it will take for each card to get to its destination.
Why are we doing this? Well, in the year 1792, a whaler started this form of postal service to keep in touch with family, who they might not see for five years while being here in these waters. Any mail dropped in the barrel was picked up and hand-delivered by someone else passing by who might return home sooner. This place is perhaps the oldest mailbox in the southern hemisphere.
Later on in the morning, we navigated to Champion Island, a small tuff cone off the coast of Floreana. This place is a hideout for the Floreana Mockingbird, extinct on the big island by now, many other seabirds, and perhaps the most beautiful opuntia cactus we have on this archipelago.
Everybody had some activity to choose. No one was left behind. Some went snorkeling, and it was awesome with schools of different fish everywhere, so close that one could see all the details of many different species, such as colors, body shape, etc. Some chose the glass-bottomed boat so they could get an idea of what there to see in these waters. The last activity was a boat the ride along the islet, were we finally saw the elusive Floreana mockingbird. As far as we know, there are only 20 pairs left on this little place.
The afternoon came. We were still on the same island, in a different place called Cormorant Point. The children played on the beach while others went exploring by kayak from the coast.
Just before the day came to an end, we took a walk along a short path starting from a green beach, formed by olivine, volcanic glass. We wanted to see flamingos, and we did. One very pink one was very close by, surrounded by a volcanic landscape. It felt out of place, but then we found out there were a few more flamingos further in the distance.
Finally we got to the other side of this point where another beach is found, this time very white. It was loaded with turtles’ nests. Above them, a frigate was hunting, expecting and looking for hatchlings to eat.
But the day was coming to an end, and we had to go since the Park closes at sunset. We left the island behind, and returned back on board the National Geographic Endeavour.
