Into a Lava Tube: Isla Floreana, Galapagos Islands

Isla Floreana
The Post Office

After visiting the famous post office box, where we left a postcard addressed to ourselves, and picked up several addressed to Albuquerque residents, some of us visited a lava tube. Larry and Margaret backed out after the first two ladders down, but Linda, Ed, Kent, and I continued with Paola and Juan Carlo to the end of the tube, where we waded in darkness in cold salt water that came above our knees.

Paola in the lava tube

I’ll admit, I found it a bit scary.  I don’t really like dark holes in the ground.  But it was an interesting experience, and climbing out was easier than going down when my Teva sandals slipped on the gravel.

I was surprised and happy to see the bright light of day pouring down from the opening, sooner than I’d expected it.

We also had the opportunity to swim at the beach near the “post office,” but the water over the brown sand was murky, and as I was about to wade in I spied numerous sting-rays swimming in clusters along the water’s edge.  I decided to wait for a better opportunity to swim!

Sting Rays at Post Office Beach

We also saw Numerous turtle tracks on the beach.

Turtle tracks, Post Office Beach