Tuesday, April 5, 2016, WTRD 88
Thinking of my Mom today, as she would have been 89 on this birthday.
We rocked and rolled on our way to our destination last night. Russ and I slept soundly, but many of our fellow passengers had a rough night. it is a bit overcast this morning. While snorkeling yesterday, black flies kept landing on my buoyant fanny and nipping me right through my suit bottom. They didn't bother me until this morning, now they itch like crazy. Time for some hydrocortisone cream. First time I've had to use it.
Breakfast is 7:00 pm and we are out for a panga ride, short walk and human history lesson of the Galapagos by 8:00. Sometimes, I think it is more to get us off the ship so the crew can clean our cabins, than for a compelling offshore experience. I'm a bit cranky today I think, but the onshore excursion turned out fine, even though it was blistering hot and humid.
We saw a few critters this morning on our way to Florena, but our camera lenses were so steamed up we couldn't see through them. The combination of humidity, cold air conditioning, and rising morning temperature created very foggy lenses. We never seemed to have this problem when we were sailing on our own boat primarily because we did not have air conditioning. A fellow passenger said we should put our cameras in a dry bag and leave them outside on our balcony at night. We will have to give that a try. Russ's camera recovered a little faster than mine, and we were able to catch a few shots in the morning, and a few more as the day wore on and the camera's dried out.
Today we took something special from the Island! When my parents were alive, they loved getting messages from us as we traveled around the world. That is why we started this blog. Early sailors and cruisers used to stop in Floreana and leave messages for each other, basically "we were here, going there, where are you?" Since cruisers are no longer allowed on the islands, those types of messages have been replaced with an informal mail delivery service for island visitors.
Our short walk this morning involved a visit to a mailbox, where we could deposit unstamped mail and pick up unstamped mail. The idea is to hand deliver mail close to your residence or near future destination. Unfortunately, we didn't come prepared to drop off anything, BUT
we did pick up a post card for "Mom" from newlyweds out of Cameron Park, about 35 miles from our home in California.
It is my Mom's birthday today and because she is lovingly in my mind and no longer living, I am drawn to this particular postcard.
Happy Birthday Mom!
We look forward to delivering this card when we return, to "Mom".
We saw some more sea lions this morning lounging about. They look less like our California sea lions and more like our seals. They are smaller, but the distinction between a seal and sea lion here, is that the seal isn't here and the sea lion unlike a seal that drags its lower fins through the sand, uses the back fins like legs and walks on all fours. Very interesting to see these sea lions walking like dogs.
I bowed out of the morning snorkel. I think I just needed some down time. The snorkelers were gone for 45 minutes to a rocky beach close to the boat. I tried to take a nap, but the activity and noise level on the ship from the crew squashed that notion, so I just read instead. Russ came back with a couple of photos of a sea turtle in murky sea tossed waters.
1:00: Lunch is over and now the boat is quiet. Even the crew takes siesta. There is another shore walk and snorkel this afternoon. We enjoy the air conditioned stateroom.
We saw a few critters this morning on our way to Florena, but our camera lenses were so steamed up we couldn't see through them. The combination of humidity, cold air conditioning, and rising morning temperature created very foggy lenses. We never seemed to have this problem when we were sailing on our own boat primarily because we did not have air conditioning. A fellow passenger said we should put our cameras in a dry bag and leave them outside on our balcony at night. We will have to give that a try. Russ's camera recovered a little faster than mine, and we were able to catch a few shots in the morning, and a few more as the day wore on and the camera's dried out.
THE GALAPAGOS "Post Office". THE EXCEPTION TO TAKE NOTHNG, LEAVE NOTHING
When you are in National Parks, you are supposed to leave only light footfalls, and take only photos.Today we took something special from the Island! When my parents were alive, they loved getting messages from us as we traveled around the world. That is why we started this blog. Early sailors and cruisers used to stop in Floreana and leave messages for each other, basically "we were here, going there, where are you?" Since cruisers are no longer allowed on the islands, those types of messages have been replaced with an informal mail delivery service for island visitors.
Our short walk this morning involved a visit to a mailbox, where we could deposit unstamped mail and pick up unstamped mail. The idea is to hand deliver mail close to your residence or near future destination. Unfortunately, we didn't come prepared to drop off anything, BUTwe did pick up a post card for "Mom" from newlyweds out of Cameron Park, about 35 miles from our home in California.
It is my Mom's birthday today and because she is lovingly in my mind and no longer living, I am drawn to this particular postcard.
Happy Birthday Mom!
We look forward to delivering this card when we return, to "Mom".
We saw some more sea lions this morning lounging about. They look less like our California sea lions and more like our seals. They are smaller, but the distinction between a seal and sea lion here, is that the seal isn't here and the sea lion unlike a seal that drags its lower fins through the sand, uses the back fins like legs and walks on all fours. Very interesting to see these sea lions walking like dogs.
I bowed out of the morning snorkel. I think I just needed some down time. The snorkelers were gone for 45 minutes to a rocky beach close to the boat. I tried to take a nap, but the activity and noise level on the ship from the crew squashed that notion, so I just read instead. Russ came back with a couple of photos of a sea turtle in murky sea tossed waters.
1:00: Lunch is over and now the boat is quiet. Even the crew takes siesta. There is another shore walk and snorkel this afternoon. We enjoy the air conditioned stateroom.
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| Galapagos Penguin |
2:00-4:00 We took a walk today from one side of Santa Fe Island to the other over a small saddle from leeward to windward. On the leeward side, we saw some blue footed boobies,
heron,
sea lions,
and penguins.
Mid island near the lagoon we spotted more flamingos.
On the windward side which was also to the east, we came to a beautiful beach where sea turtles have nested, frigates sailed overhead in the onshore breeze, and crabs either scurried or walked in slow motion over the lava rocks as the tide went out.
heron,
sea lions,
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| Add caption |
Mid island near the lagoon we spotted more flamingos.
On the windward side which was also to the east, we came to a beautiful beach where sea turtles have nested, frigates sailed overhead in the onshore breeze, and crabs either scurried or walked in slow motion over the lava rocks as the tide went out.
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| Galapagos Nature's Art |
4:15 Today's snorkel is at Devil's Crown. We were looking forward to it, but decided it might be more than we wanted to do when we realized we would be jumping into a washing machine of ocean swells on the windward side of the crown and a strong current around the outside that wrapped around the crown crashing on to the rocks so we didn't go.
Tonight we say goodbye to some fellow passengers who are leaving in the morning. Tomorrow we may be able to post the blogs on Santa Cruz Island, population 22,000 people.
All is Well wth the Worrall Travel Rs leaving Floreana for Santa Cruz
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