Floreana Island
Today we started a little bit earlier than usual for a pre-breakfast walk. Our destination was Cormorant Point at Floreana Island. After a wet landing on a green sand beach created by tiny small pieces of olivine mixed with volcanic ashes, we walked through a native forest. We found a brackish water lagoon with a few Greater flamingos and some shore birds. The air temperature was very enjoyable and the colors were increasing in intensity while the sun was rising on the horizon. We ended on a white coralline sandy beach that is one of the main nesting grounds for the Pacific green sea turtles in Galápagos. After enjoying the peaceful landscape we headed back to National Geographic Islander.
Later in the morning after our breakfast, a Zodiac ride and a deep water snorkeling outing were the activities planned. On the Zodiac ride around Champion Islet, we spotted several different species of seabirds and the rare Charles mockingbird, which can only be found in this area. Snorkeling along Champion Islet was a great chance to play with many Galápagos sea lions in the water. These wonderful creatures with their acrobatics maneuvers and quick turns amazed everyone underwater.
In the afternoon, kayaking, Zodiac riding and a short visit to the Post Office Bay were the activities. Both kayaking and the Zodiac rides took place in the same area, close to a sea lion colony. During the ride a few species of herons and egrets were seen; we had a wonderful time while the sun was setting and a rainbow painted the sky with bright colors.
Our day finished with a short visit to the Post Office Barrel, where everybody had the chance to keep this old tradition alive by collecting and dropping mail with the promise to hand deliver the collected mail, as whalers did in the 1800’s. What an interesting way of ending another day on the Enchanted Islands.
