Floreana Island
We rocked and rolled a bit last night as we traveled the distance between southern Isabela and Floreana Islands. But by the time we heard the optional early wake-up call at 6:00 a.m., we were peacefully anchored at Post Office Bay. The pre-breakfast outing to the P.O. barrel that has been used as a hand delivered mail system since the 1790’s, was combined with a short Zodiac cruise around tiny islets called La Loberia, a sea lion nursery. What a lovely area! And the perfect time of the day to explore it. We were eager for breakfast by the time we returned to the ship.
The snorkeling at Champion Island, to the east of Floreana, was fabulous. Though the water was choppy and the current pushed us along, there were huge schools of colorful fish: yellow-tailed razor fish, king angel fish and some sassy young sea lion teenagers that twirled and spun and dove around us, making us feel like the clumsy terrestrial creatures we are. For the bird lovers among us, we offered a Zodiac cruise around Champion. In particular we went in search of red-billed tropic birds and the rare and elusive Floreana mocking bird. We found and photographed the tropicbirds; what a gorgeous creature of glowing white and glossy black feathers completed by its fire-engine red bill. But we really had to work to find a mockingbird. At last we spotted one, feeding on a cactus flower not too high above us on the cliff. Everyone got a great look at it and we happily returned to the ship for lunch.
What a lunch we found, arranged in the dining room as a magnificent buffet! There were traditional Ecuadorian dishes from both the coast and highlands of the country and we tried mightily to taste all that was offered. In the afternoon we hiked a cindery trail behind a greenish, olivine beach and to the edge of a brackish lagoon where brilliant pink flamingoes were feeding. We crossed a rise to the white sand beach that is used by sea turtles for nesting. Back on the olivine beach we had time for a swim before taking the pangas back to Islander.
It is hard to believe this is Christmas Eve, but to our delight Santa Claus appeared in the bar just before dinner. He had on the traditional red outfit and cap, and had a huge white beard. Funny latino accent however…? Oh well. Just another lovely day in paradise.
We rocked and rolled a bit last night as we traveled the distance between southern Isabela and Floreana Islands. But by the time we heard the optional early wake-up call at 6:00 a.m., we were peacefully anchored at Post Office Bay. The pre-breakfast outing to the P.O. barrel that has been used as a hand delivered mail system since the 1790’s, was combined with a short Zodiac cruise around tiny islets called La Loberia, a sea lion nursery. What a lovely area! And the perfect time of the day to explore it. We were eager for breakfast by the time we returned to the ship.
The snorkeling at Champion Island, to the east of Floreana, was fabulous. Though the water was choppy and the current pushed us along, there were huge schools of colorful fish: yellow-tailed razor fish, king angel fish and some sassy young sea lion teenagers that twirled and spun and dove around us, making us feel like the clumsy terrestrial creatures we are. For the bird lovers among us, we offered a Zodiac cruise around Champion. In particular we went in search of red-billed tropic birds and the rare and elusive Floreana mocking bird. We found and photographed the tropicbirds; what a gorgeous creature of glowing white and glossy black feathers completed by its fire-engine red bill. But we really had to work to find a mockingbird. At last we spotted one, feeding on a cactus flower not too high above us on the cliff. Everyone got a great look at it and we happily returned to the ship for lunch.
What a lunch we found, arranged in the dining room as a magnificent buffet! There were traditional Ecuadorian dishes from both the coast and highlands of the country and we tried mightily to taste all that was offered. In the afternoon we hiked a cindery trail behind a greenish, olivine beach and to the edge of a brackish lagoon where brilliant pink flamingoes were feeding. We crossed a rise to the white sand beach that is used by sea turtles for nesting. Back on the olivine beach we had time for a swim before taking the pangas back to Islander.
It is hard to believe this is Christmas Eve, but to our delight Santa Claus appeared in the bar just before dinner. He had on the traditional red outfit and cap, and had a huge white beard. Funny latino accent however…? Oh well. Just another lovely day in paradise.
