Yep!! The Post Office or should I say Post Office Bay.
History Lesson: Whaling Captain James Colnett established the wooden post barrel in the early 1793. At the time whaling was a big industry, ships were typically gone for 2 years at a time. The Galapagos Islands were a frequent stop for these ships. Outbound ships would drop off letters after rounding the cape and the ships returning home would mail them. Over the years thousands of ships have stopped to send and receive mail at Post Office Bay. Many have posted a sign of driftwood or other materials memorializing their visit. This is the only area in the Galapagos were graffiti is still acceptable. Upon arriving at Post Office Bay we are meet by sea lions lying in the sun. We walk to the post barrel and our guide pulls out a hand full of postcards for the group to go through. Continuing the tradition, the postcards are brought home and then mailed to the addressee. I did not want to pass up the opportunity to be apart of such a long tradition that I dropped postcards in the barrel in the hope that someone will find mine and post it home. Mum and Adam keep you eyes open for this postcard.
Back to the boat for a spot of lunch and another short sail around the island to our next destination.
This visit is to Punta Cormorant. Punta Cormorant offers two contrasting beaches. We first arrive on shore and notice that the sand has a green tinge (the green sand is caused by olivine crystals or magnesium and iron) this has been named "The Green Beach" from here we follow a train leading to a lagoon where pink flamingos can be seen (well that is if you go in the correct season). As we look into the mud of the lagoon there appears to be 'cracks' in the mud. These cracks are created by the footprints of the flamingos, not by from dryness as it first appears. The walk continues to another beach on the other side made of fine white sand particles known as "Flour Beach". In the waters we could see several turtles swimming close to shore. As we stand and watch we notice a pair of turtles mating, interesting to watch. Just like being 8 again and being at the zoo, "Mum what are those monkey's doing" :) hee hee. As we leave the beach and the turtles to swim and "play". We have the chance for our final swim and snorkel back at the Green Beach.
Being out last night on the boat I convinced the boat crew that it was time for a salsa night. After dinner all the passengers and some of boat crew got together to dance the night away.
