Floreana Island
Even though every day in the Galápagos is great, our second full day on the islands seemed somehow better than the day before. Our early morning visit to the famous Post Office Bay transported us back to 1793, the whaling days. It was during that time when they used a very old wooden barrel as their main mailing system. Due to protracted voyages, often lasting anywhere from one to five years, the sailors found it practical to establish a sort of postal service, wholly unofficial and friendly, but not on a regular schedule.
The “mailbox” on Floreana Island at first consisted of a box nailed to a post or a keg tied to a tree in a conspicuous place near the beach. Vessels that had just rounded the Horn, and which had several more years at sea ahead of them, would deposit letters to and from home. Ships that were homeward bound gathered up the mail and delivered it to the first port where mail service was available. From time to time, the mailbox was replaced by grateful sailors, who appreciated this unique service. From a box or cask tied to a tree, it evolved to a barrel perched on a post. Today, it is a wooden barrel. It is a delightful custom which survives to the present days.
One of the most wonderful experiences today was the snorkeling on Champion Islet, among hundreds and thousands of different kind of tropical fish, but the stars of the water kingdom were the playful and friendly sea lions, that with their acrobatic movements captivate everybody.
In the afternoon we went to Punta Cormorant, another visitor site on Floreana; here we saw a big group of pink flamingos in the lagoon. We finished our day with a peaceful walk on the island and a beautiful sunset.
Even though every day in the Galápagos is great, our second full day on the islands seemed somehow better than the day before. Our early morning visit to the famous Post Office Bay transported us back to 1793, the whaling days. It was during that time when they used a very old wooden barrel as their main mailing system. Due to protracted voyages, often lasting anywhere from one to five years, the sailors found it practical to establish a sort of postal service, wholly unofficial and friendly, but not on a regular schedule.
The “mailbox” on Floreana Island at first consisted of a box nailed to a post or a keg tied to a tree in a conspicuous place near the beach. Vessels that had just rounded the Horn, and which had several more years at sea ahead of them, would deposit letters to and from home. Ships that were homeward bound gathered up the mail and delivered it to the first port where mail service was available. From time to time, the mailbox was replaced by grateful sailors, who appreciated this unique service. From a box or cask tied to a tree, it evolved to a barrel perched on a post. Today, it is a wooden barrel. It is a delightful custom which survives to the present days.
One of the most wonderful experiences today was the snorkeling on Champion Islet, among hundreds and thousands of different kind of tropical fish, but the stars of the water kingdom were the playful and friendly sea lions, that with their acrobatic movements captivate everybody.
In the afternoon we went to Punta Cormorant, another visitor site on Floreana; here we saw a big group of pink flamingos in the lagoon. We finished our day with a peaceful walk on the island and a beautiful sunset.
