Floreana Island (also known as Isla Santa Maria, or Charles Island)
Every week we go shopping in Puerto Velasco Ibarra for local products to include on our menu. While our guests were off on a visit to Post Office Barrel and the “Loberia,” where sea lions hang out (the albino sea lion hasn’t been spotted in a while. She’s older now, and wandering further afield), Henry, one of our Zodiac drivers, and a few other crew, took off to “town” with a shopping list in hand. The town referred to is a very small gathering of buildings on the western shoreline of the island. The most prominent construction is the Port Captain’s residence, with the two-room schoolhouse off to the side. Today we picked up pineapple, papaya, manioc and the pig. All traditional Ecuadorian food items, and integral to the extraordinary buffet lunch prepared by the Polaris galley.
It is important to us here on board that we support local producers and growers, because much of the most recent problems for the archipelago originate with the importation of food to support the growing (but under control and regulated) population of the islands, both resident and temporary (including vessels). In the last few decades, in cargo ships and airplanes, the small invaders such as invertebrates and others have made their way out over the Eastern Pacific Ocean to the islands. Today, a quarantine program is in effect at the airport and ocean ports, but everyone needs to remain vigilant.
On a regular basis, we are in contact with the residents of Floreana Island. We put in an order, and pick up on schedule. The results for both people and palate are outstanding.
Every week we go shopping in Puerto Velasco Ibarra for local products to include on our menu. While our guests were off on a visit to Post Office Barrel and the “Loberia,” where sea lions hang out (the albino sea lion hasn’t been spotted in a while. She’s older now, and wandering further afield), Henry, one of our Zodiac drivers, and a few other crew, took off to “town” with a shopping list in hand. The town referred to is a very small gathering of buildings on the western shoreline of the island. The most prominent construction is the Port Captain’s residence, with the two-room schoolhouse off to the side. Today we picked up pineapple, papaya, manioc and the pig. All traditional Ecuadorian food items, and integral to the extraordinary buffet lunch prepared by the Polaris galley.
It is important to us here on board that we support local producers and growers, because much of the most recent problems for the archipelago originate with the importation of food to support the growing (but under control and regulated) population of the islands, both resident and temporary (including vessels). In the last few decades, in cargo ships and airplanes, the small invaders such as invertebrates and others have made their way out over the Eastern Pacific Ocean to the islands. Today, a quarantine program is in effect at the airport and ocean ports, but everyone needs to remain vigilant.
On a regular basis, we are in contact with the residents of Floreana Island. We put in an order, and pick up on schedule. The results for both people and palate are outstanding.
