Floreana Island
A beautiful morning of clear skies greeted those of us who rose early for a step into history. Post Office Bay has been receiving visitors for at least a couple hundred years, starting with the whalers during the 1800’s, and continuing with private vessels even today. Quiet waters along the shore showed sea lions swimming and penguins perched precariously on black lava outcroppings. Several postcards were exchanged: ours for ones left behind in whaling tradition fashion, undoubtedly with the same deep hope and desire that they make their way to the addressee as soon as possible. Nowadays it only takes a few days. Back then, they could hope for a successful delivery in a matter of months.
The rest of the morning had us anchored off the small, round islet of Champion, named precisely for one of the original whaling companies who hunted these waters. Today the islet is surrounded by schools of fish of strange shapes and dramatic colours. Steel pompanos, surgeonfish, damselfish, angelfish, sharks…and finally, the sea lions. As we made our way around to the more sheltered side, the “gang” appeared…and were they ever interested! Shiny, squirming, streamlined, fidgeting masses with huge dark eyes with bubbles coming out their noses, they seemed like kids on the street corner gathered to see the circus show in town…us! I would like to make special mention here of Noel, who, at 7 years old jumped into deep, deep water because there was no choice if he wanted to see the action, and has therefore now turned into a snorkeler “par excellence.” Since many of the creatures were of an equivalent age in sea lion years, a mutual fascination arose, and eyes were big all round. Also Paige, terrified of water her entire life, but so determined to overcome this limitation, also jumped into the water here. How could one not? And Lynlee, who danced with the sea lions, would still be there if time and temperature hadn’t made their presence felt after a while. For a long time this morning, we imagined we were part of the undersea world and dreamed of fins and fur, bubbles and beauty.
The afternoon was spent in an easy visit of Point Cormorant, Floreana. Flamingos in the lagoon, marine turtles offshore “flour” beach, and beautiful light as the sun took off for the horizon.
A beautiful morning of clear skies greeted those of us who rose early for a step into history. Post Office Bay has been receiving visitors for at least a couple hundred years, starting with the whalers during the 1800’s, and continuing with private vessels even today. Quiet waters along the shore showed sea lions swimming and penguins perched precariously on black lava outcroppings. Several postcards were exchanged: ours for ones left behind in whaling tradition fashion, undoubtedly with the same deep hope and desire that they make their way to the addressee as soon as possible. Nowadays it only takes a few days. Back then, they could hope for a successful delivery in a matter of months.
The rest of the morning had us anchored off the small, round islet of Champion, named precisely for one of the original whaling companies who hunted these waters. Today the islet is surrounded by schools of fish of strange shapes and dramatic colours. Steel pompanos, surgeonfish, damselfish, angelfish, sharks…and finally, the sea lions. As we made our way around to the more sheltered side, the “gang” appeared…and were they ever interested! Shiny, squirming, streamlined, fidgeting masses with huge dark eyes with bubbles coming out their noses, they seemed like kids on the street corner gathered to see the circus show in town…us! I would like to make special mention here of Noel, who, at 7 years old jumped into deep, deep water because there was no choice if he wanted to see the action, and has therefore now turned into a snorkeler “par excellence.” Since many of the creatures were of an equivalent age in sea lion years, a mutual fascination arose, and eyes were big all round. Also Paige, terrified of water her entire life, but so determined to overcome this limitation, also jumped into the water here. How could one not? And Lynlee, who danced with the sea lions, would still be there if time and temperature hadn’t made their presence felt after a while. For a long time this morning, we imagined we were part of the undersea world and dreamed of fins and fur, bubbles and beauty.
The afternoon was spent in an easy visit of Point Cormorant, Floreana. Flamingos in the lagoon, marine turtles offshore “flour” beach, and beautiful light as the sun took off for the horizon.
