We have been without internet since we left Quito for the Galapagos. We arrived in Quito this afternoon and I've posted  the blogs of the days we were internet and electronic free!  Will post yesterdays and today's once they are finished.   On our way home tomorrow.      

Monday, Feb. 22nd, started with a 7 a.m. wake up call; followed by a buffet breakfast that offered a wide variety of fruits, cereals, meats, cheeses, breads, juice, yogurt and on and on.  We would certainly not be hungry before lunch. The Coral I is a small vessel - 26 passengers on board - but it lives up to the cruise ship reputation of delicious and plentiful food. 

To start the day, we climbed into one of the dingys and  headed for Floreana Island and the Galapagos post office.   The postal barrel  there was first used in the 1700's, when sea going persons left messages to be picked up by someone passing through; taken to an actual post office and mailed.  It has existed for hundreds of years,  Passengers on the Coral i were invited to fill out a post card and leave it in the barrel for someone to pick up and mail for us.   We were also given an opportunity to look through the post cards, find one or more in our home vicinity and take them home to mail   I have one to mail to Chads Ford, PA.  Mary Lu taught for years in Sparks Elementary (MD) and found  one left by a man she thinks is very possibly one of her students, who is still (from the address) living in the Sparks area. 

Floreana was a somewhat settled Island at one time. There is a novel, The Galapagos Affair, by John Treherne, that tells the story of The Galapagos Affair, and a woman who had a series of lovers. Their lives intertwined and one by one her lovers disappeared.   According to Hernand, the book doesn't tell the complete story.  On his death bed, one of the persons intricately involved with her, confessed to his son that she had killed her lovers and he had helped her to eat them.   -- And that is supposedly the true end of the story. 

After hearing  that tale and more about the history of the islands, we took a group photo.  Our guide Lola taught us all a lesson on staying cool in the intense heat. (see photo).  I altered my dress somewhat and it is true, lightweight long sleeved tops and hats really do make hot weather more tolerable.  

Snorkeling was the major activity of the morning.  However, we soon discovered that the full moon of the night before, coupled with the alignment of two planets, which I think were  Jupiter and Saturn, made for very rough surf and no visibility.   So we gave up and simply enjoyed the surf.  Later in the day, after lunch and a rest, the strong swimmers went deep sea snorkeling and everyone else enjoyed a dingy ride circumnavigating Champion Island  searching for Blue Footed Boobies and Sea Lions.  Then we hiked the island and photographed sea lions, red crabs and found the  Galapagos flamingos.  

It is true, that the wildlife on the island have no fear of humans.  It is strongly stressed that we are not to get too close and to never touch anything....plant or animal.  Obviously these rules are honored and we are as much a part of the scenery as anything else.  The sea lions glanced at us casually and went right back to sleep. They are nocturnal....so were enjoying their dreams and not at all concerned about all the cameras pointed in their direction.  Birds didn't fly away as we walked the beach and the iguanas moseyed along without a passing glance at us.

When we returned to the ship, the crew was waiting to wash sand off our feet and out of our shoes....and had set out refreshing juice and healthy snacks. Dinner was a bar-b-que on the top deck of the ship.  There are only three decks, but on a small ship, the rocking and rolling caused by the waves had everyone off balance and wishing they had developed their sea legs.    Once the sun set, we went inside for a briefing on Tuesday morning's activities.....and were all off to bed. - hours of waking (largely uphill) in the heat made for a long and restful night.   The ship travels at night, and the increased movement of the waves has a rocking effect that has most of us sleeping very well.