Floreana Island
Today is the second day of our exploration of the Galápagos Islands. This archipelago is well known for the uniqueness of its flora and fauna. In addition, the human history has also played a very important role in making Galápagos what it is today. Whalers and buccaneers visited these islands in the early eighteen hundreds and the populations of both the giant tortoises and the whales were greatly diminished because of their activities.
This morning we disembarked at Post Office Bay and learned about one of the most unusual and famous post offices in the world. Our guests enjoyed not only dropping post cards in it, but also picking up some to be delivered in a rather unique manner: personally! The crew of ships that were sailing in the Pacific originally used this post office barrel. This was the only way for the ship’s crews to communication with their families. Any ship that was heading back home was compelled to stop by the post office barrel and pick up homeward bound letters. When the ship reached its destination the mail would be distributed and delivered by hand.
This unique mail delivery system is still functioning today. It has prevailed over all these many years, and the whalers, sealers, sailors and wealthy yachtsmen that have visited this archipelago, have carried mail from Galápagos. This morning the Polaris guests continued the tradition. It is possible that some of the cards we left in the barrel will make it to their destination before those we have sent home with the Ecuadorian postal service!
Today is the second day of our exploration of the Galápagos Islands. This archipelago is well known for the uniqueness of its flora and fauna. In addition, the human history has also played a very important role in making Galápagos what it is today. Whalers and buccaneers visited these islands in the early eighteen hundreds and the populations of both the giant tortoises and the whales were greatly diminished because of their activities.
This morning we disembarked at Post Office Bay and learned about one of the most unusual and famous post offices in the world. Our guests enjoyed not only dropping post cards in it, but also picking up some to be delivered in a rather unique manner: personally! The crew of ships that were sailing in the Pacific originally used this post office barrel. This was the only way for the ship’s crews to communication with their families. Any ship that was heading back home was compelled to stop by the post office barrel and pick up homeward bound letters. When the ship reached its destination the mail would be distributed and delivered by hand.
This unique mail delivery system is still functioning today. It has prevailed over all these many years, and the whalers, sealers, sailors and wealthy yachtsmen that have visited this archipelago, have carried mail from Galápagos. This morning the Polaris guests continued the tradition. It is possible that some of the cards we left in the barrel will make it to their destination before those we have sent home with the Ecuadorian postal service!
