EC Amazon & Galapagos Day 9

Day 09 - Thursday, December 11, 2008 - Galápagos Cruise

The captain and crew navigated our yacht to the Island of Floreana during the night and was it ever a roller coaster ride. There were times that we had to hang on to the bed so we would not be thrown out!

When I went out to check the weather it was 72º, the humidity was 83%, and there was a 9 mph breeze to keep us all cool. The skies were overcast but we are learning that this garua burns off by mid morning.

We had breakfast with Don & Marilyn and then met at 8:00 for a wet landing on the island of Floreana, one of the 5 inhabited islands of the Galapagos. As soon as we went ashore at Post Office Bay, Danny gave us a history of the inhabitants of the islands discovered in 1530.

The islands were originally inhabited by pirates who preyed on the gold and silver shipments from South America back to Spain. Ecuador was especially rich in gold, so much of the treasure came from this nearby mainland.

Our first stop was Post Office Bay which is the famous communication center where early traders and present day tourists leave letters or post cards in a barrel. Each group goes through the messages and if a person lives close to an address, they hand deliver the letter.

We left a post card for our son Eduardo in Austin, Texas and we took one for Joe & Janice Clements from Castle Rock, Colorado. Now it will be interesting to see if he ever gets his postcard and how long it takes to arrive.

Danny gave us a history of the habitation and the book, Floreana and the Wittmer family who along with Darwin made the islands so famous. We stopped at a deserted cannery used by Norwegians who fished these waters long ago.

By the time we left Post Office Bay, the sun was hot and the skies were clear with a few scattered clouds. Orlando brought the panga and took us back to the Tip Top III.

We had plenty of time to proofread last night’s journal and to get ready to go deep water snorkeling. The captain brought us around to Punta Cormorant and as soon as we anchored, Danny called us.

There were only 5 of us again today; Chuck, Colleen, Gennie, Danny and I took a panga to Devil’s Crown Island known for its excellent snorkeling in the sparkling clear aqua water.

The water was cold as we jumped off of the side of the panga into the surf. The current was very strong but luckily we were swimming with it so it actually carried us along the rock face.

All of us were amazed at the sea life below. We saw 2 huge sting rays, schools of yellow tail, stone, angel, puffer, and star fish, and more sea stars.

The current brought us to the north side of the island and then we swam against the current into the center of the crown. The water was much calmer here but swimming against the current was tougher.

A sea lion swam just to the left and below me – what a thrill but it startled me as it was so large and sleek and came up on me so fast.

Danny spotted a lone Galapagos penguin on the rocks just sitting there waiting for the right morsel for lunch. There were cormorants, gulls, and blue footed boobies.

Chuck and Colleen had brought a cheap disposable under water camera with them from New York. Danny used it to take photos deep under the surface.

He is a great diver and can hold his breath for long periods of time. We were reluctant to bring our cameras out on the panga, but it will be great to have a few pictures of our underwater adventures.

Polo, our bartender and dining room manager, was calling people to lunch when we got back to the ship. We hurried in and out of the shower and joined our friends who had stayed behind.

The ship carries 2 kayaks and several people went out today. The surf has been too rough so today was a great opportunity for those who had not tried the sport.

Bob and Joanne had camera problems and had somehow deleted all of their photos from the trip. I took time to see if I could recover them and was very pleased to know that I was able to save them so their memories were not lost completely.

Several folks were swimming off of the back of the boat and I joined them by jumping off of the top level of the boat. We had fun swimming until I tried to climb out of the water and cut my foot on the barnacles on the ladder. Several people helped me with band aides and antiseptic cream, and I was as good as new in no time.

By 3:00 Danny was back from his soccer game so we debarked for the last hike on Floreana. We had a wet landing and came up on a beach covered with sea urchins.

As Danny was explaining about the digestive system of the urchins, Chuck and Colleen saw two green sea turtles mating in the water. We immediately switched topics and were amazed at the four hour mating ritual and the effort these giants take to reproduce. No wonder their population is declining!

We hiked back to the brackish water of the flamingo pond to see these bright pink wadding birds hunting for small pink shrimp. Danny gave us more information about these long legged birds that are not endemic to the islands but have somehow found a safe haven here from predators.

Our last stop on Floreana was to Flour Beach named because of the fine sand here, almost as fine as flour and very difficult to wash off of your feet. We met a group of 12 on a photographic expedition. We compared notes on equipment and all agreed it was not the size or expense of the cameras and lens, but how creative you are in capturing the images.

We retraced our steps and got back to Cormorant Beach where our two pangas were waiting for us. It was about 5:30 when we arrived back at the Tip Top III. After our third shower of the day, we joined our friends for a toast to the captain, crew and passengers and then reflected on our time here in the islands.

Our meal was a special farewell dinner. The meals on the ship have been excellent and plentiful. Danny gave us an overview of our morning and departure from the ship and procedures for leaving the islands.

I talked to the group about the CD that I would make for all of them and we said goodnight as we have a very early morning tomorrow. Gennie finished typing the journal for today and I went to work sorting photos.

We have a long voyage tonight and as soon as the crew finished cleaning up after dinner, we started navigating our way back to Santa Cruz.

Accommodations: Galápagos Tip Top III Small Ship - - - Meal: B, L, D

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Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

Island Beauties

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