Floreana Island
Our day started early at Floreana. We landed at 6:30 am at Post Office Bay, one of the most famous bays in Galápagos where a historic tradition is still going on today. Around 1793, a wooden barrel was placed here by the English whalers (Perhaps Captain Colnett) to facilitate mail between England and USA. Whalers placed their letters or messages here and ships passing by on their way home collected those letters and delivered them back in Europe or the States.
Of course, the National Geographic Endeavour guests honored this tradition collecting some postcards left by earlier visitors with the promise of delivering them as soon as possible to their final destination.
After this historic visit, our next outing was at Champion Islet, in search of the elusive Charles mockingbird only found on the satellite islets of Floreana. With photographic evidence that proved the existence of this unique bird, we came back on board to get our snorkel gear and immediately go after a fantastic deep water snorkel where sea turtles, white tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions delighted us for more than one hour.
Lunch and a nap were a must before a very active afternoon. Kayaking, swimming or relaxing at the beach and a walk were the options for the rest of the day, and it was hard to choose, though some did a bit of everything!
A green beach with olivine crystals, a salt water lake with more than 45 flamingos, a white coral sand beach with green sea turtles, an unbelievable human history of the first settlers, a unique volcanic landscape and a breathtaking sunset were the “highlights” of Punta Cormorant.
What else could we ask for?
