Post Office Bay

 Post coming soon!

26 March

7AM: Wet landing in Post Office Bay, Floreana. The post office barrel is located only a short walk from the beach, and it had many artifacts left behind by previous visitors. There were many wood plaques with native animal art, names and dates of voyages, and even a goat skull. We approached the barrel and each grabbed a stack of post cards to begin rummaging through them to see if any would be hand-deliverable to addresses in our necks of the woods. We also left some of our own behind to be found and transported by other visitors to the islands. Continuing along the trail, we came across the remains of an old cannery, and then a lava tube. The cave had a step-ladder entry, with a rope on one side to help stabilize. At the bottom, there was ankle-deep water that we waded into before turning off all light sources for the “cave experience”- very spooky.

12PM: Return to Aida Maria for lunch and cruise to Cormorant Point.

1PM: Wet landing on the olivine green sand beach at Cormorant Point. A subadult male was nearby, sleeping under a small overcropping on the beach, and quite wedged into his spot. We hiked up to an overlook and looked below to see foraging greater flamingos cutting little foraging trails in the lake below. Continuing on the trail, we found some barrels that we learned had sugar in them to attract and drown invasive wasps, which had recently started to become a larger problem in the Islands. We returned to the beach, where the sand had a really interesting jelly-like consistency. Several sea turtles were observed in the water, and small man-o-war jellies all over the beach meant it was too risky for a swim. Ruben said there were many stingrays at this beach also, and on occasion, killer whales came to forage upon them.

3PM: Short cruise to Devils Crown for snorkeling off the panga. Devils Crown is the leftovers of an old cinder cone, and one of the best snorkeling sites when the visibility is clear, but there’s often a strong current. Although not a relaxing snorkel, I really enjoyed this location, navigating the shallow rocks while surfing through on the current. We saw several guinea fowl puffers, and I was able to follow a green sea turtle for a short while. It also had one of my favorite fish species- moorish idols.

5PM: Return to Aida Maria for dinner and cruising back to Puerto Ayora. We enjoyed pina coladas, popcorn and a farewell cake made by Edgar during our final briefing of the trip.

7PM: Arrival at Puerto Ayora- always an adventure, the entire port was without power, except for the small grocery store. We explored, looking for gift shops operated by candle-light and gradually power returned to the island. We checked emails, returned wetsuits and gear, and enjoyed helado before dinner at el Yate, and returning to the Aida Maria for the night.

POST OFFICE BAY -Floreana lava lizard

CORMORANT POINT -greater flamingo -Pacific green sea turtle -Portugese man-o-war -Floreana lava lizard

DEVILS CROWN -Yellow-tailed surgeon fish -Pacific cushion starfish -bluechin parrot fish -humphead wrasse -Panamic sergeant major -white-tip reef shark -yellow-bellied triggerfish -slate pencil urcin -king angel fish -creole fish -guinea fowl pufferfish -Pacific green sea turtle -Panamic sergeant major -moorish idol -blue starfish