Floreana Island
Every time that I visit Floreana, I recall how this island was first colonized. To live here was to live like Robinson Crusoe: without water, electricity, or any of the facilities that we have today. Many people attempted to live here, but most of them gave up and only a few of them stayed. In a way, the island’s tough environment “selected” only the strongest and these were the ones who “adapted” and remained.
Charles Darwin named Floreana, the island of the hundred volcanoes. The landscape is unique and there is a mystery that surrounds the place and involves even the weather and affects the people that visit this island. Several people disappeared here, in the past and that is why we call this “The Mystery Island.” Because they are superstitious, local fishermen don’t like to anchor too close to the shore; they fear that an unhappy ghost may appear in the night and rob them of their soul.
Today we disembarked on this enchanted island before breakfast and we visited a traditional post office barrel. This barrel was set up in the 1790’s and used first by the whalers. The postal tradition continues and some of our guests picked up cards and letters that they will hand deliver.
Later we snorkeled in crystal clear waters under a sunny sky among colorful fish and sea lions, watched common dolphins bow ride alongside the Polaris (and a few of us were privileged to have them bow riding our Zodiacs!) and feasted at lunch on traditional Ecuadorian foods. In the afternoon we walked on a lovely cindery trail that led us from a greenish, olivine beach, past a flamingo lagoon, to a small, crescent, fine white sand beach. Another marvelous day!
Every time that I visit Floreana, I recall how this island was first colonized. To live here was to live like Robinson Crusoe: without water, electricity, or any of the facilities that we have today. Many people attempted to live here, but most of them gave up and only a few of them stayed. In a way, the island’s tough environment “selected” only the strongest and these were the ones who “adapted” and remained.
Charles Darwin named Floreana, the island of the hundred volcanoes. The landscape is unique and there is a mystery that surrounds the place and involves even the weather and affects the people that visit this island. Several people disappeared here, in the past and that is why we call this “The Mystery Island.” Because they are superstitious, local fishermen don’t like to anchor too close to the shore; they fear that an unhappy ghost may appear in the night and rob them of their soul.
Today we disembarked on this enchanted island before breakfast and we visited a traditional post office barrel. This barrel was set up in the 1790’s and used first by the whalers. The postal tradition continues and some of our guests picked up cards and letters that they will hand deliver.
Later we snorkeled in crystal clear waters under a sunny sky among colorful fish and sea lions, watched common dolphins bow ride alongside the Polaris (and a few of us were privileged to have them bow riding our Zodiacs!) and feasted at lunch on traditional Ecuadorian foods. In the afternoon we walked on a lovely cindery trail that led us from a greenish, olivine beach, past a flamingo lagoon, to a small, crescent, fine white sand beach. Another marvelous day!
