It was OK last night, not too much engine noise, not really audible over the a/c.

I woke at 6.15, breakfast was to be at 7am and we were to be wakened by Brunhilda at 6.45 if we had not surfaced by then.

So, having applied a lot of suncream I went up to the blunt end, collecting coffee along the way. Floreana Island is very pretty and quite green at the moment as we are in the rainy season. Breakfast was plentiful with freshly baked breads, fruit and scrambled eggs.

We were invited to choose our snorkelling gear at this point. I wasn't sure about doing any snorkelling after my last experience but I picked out a very fetching pair of lime green fins and a matching lime green snorkel and mask - to go with my green complexion which appears, as if by magic, whenever I enter any deep water!!. They are all kept in a labelled net bag in one of the lockers, so you know which ones are yours. very organised and - you don't want someone else's spit, do you??

It was then time for our first shore excursion. It was a wet landing at Cormorant Bay, jumping off the panga into shallow waters.  On the way in we saw sea lions sleeping on the rocks, blue footed boobies, a marine iguana, loads of sally lightfoot crabs and frigate birds.

That was all before we got off the panga!

Once we started walking, we were surrounded by Darwin's finches and lava lizards which are very gecko like. There was also a lagoon which was home to a flock of flamingos. Again, I have taken more photos than I need, so a bit of culling is needed!

 We walked on a little further and came to a beach which turtles use for nesting. It was full of Sally Lightfoot Crabs scuttling this way and that. They leave really strange footprints on the damp sand, it looks like graffiti in some kind of strange alphabet! On the way back our path was blocked by a large iguana so we had to take a diversion. 

My camera battery died on the way back, so I'm hoping it will be charged enough for this afternoon. There is so much to see here and obviously to photograph, camera batteries just become exhausted so quickly!

Everyone then went out deep water snorkelling at the Devil's Crown which looks like the top of a volcanic cone or crater. I decided to stay on board as there was quite a strong current and I'm not sure that I like it much anyway. There is another chance this afternoon to snorkel off the beach which is probably more to my liking.

Graham is a non swimmer but bravely decided to go snorkelling in a life jacket as did Hebe. Unfortunately they had to get out again due to the life jacket lifting up and knocking the snorkel out of place and they spent the rest of the time in the panga. This resulted in roast leg of Graham, as he was exposed to the vicious sun.

Lunch was a fishy starter which I didn't have, donating it to Nick. Then it just kept on coming, potato, pork, chicken, lentils in a sauce, some kind of super sized white sweetcorn, salad and rice all followed by fresh fruit. Excellent!

Then it was a kind of siesta time until 3pm when it was time to visit Post Office Bay.

Here there is an old barrel mounted on a pole where people put addressed but unstamped post cards. The idea is that you sort through them, find one in or near your home town and take it round and post it through their letter box, no stamp required!  I found one for Poole that went in a couple of days ago, so I swapped mine for theirs, hopefully some kind soul will take mine home and do the same! It has been addressed to Ayla so I just hope she hasn't left home by the time it arrives!

Now was my chance to go snorkelling. As we got back to the beach there was a basking sealion just near the shore. It swam off after waving its flipper at us, almost human! We were then joined by a small Galapagos penguin who swam along on the surface, looking just like a small child splashing around in the sea. They are really quite a bit smaller than I expected, more like  Jack Russel size.

Now down to serious business, will she sink or will she swim? Well, let's face it, you can't sink with a snorkel vest on, so she swam, probably not pretty but it has given me back some lost confidence. I decided against putting the fins on to start with. They can make you feel a bit unstable to start with, so I thought I would probably try them the next time, if this one went OK. Didn't see much other than some tiny fish and a sea urchin before the mouthpiece started taking in water. Obviously my poor technique!!

I came back early from the beach as there were some really nasty horseflies on the prowl. A quick shower and here I am with a cold beer. They've just put up the sails  and it feels like a proper sailing ship now! We have a lifeboat drill at 6pm, then Brunhilda is giving a fish lecture. Hmm can't wait! She will also be telling us what will happen tomorrow, so excuse me now whilst I polish off this beer and relax in the equatorial sunset. Xxxxx

As suspected, the fish lecture was a bit dull. As I'm not a great swimmer and a real nervous novice at snorkelling, the chances of me meeting any of our finny friends, face to face, in the open seas are very remote unless the ship sinks!!. They were all amazing colours and I would like in my next life to be fearless in water please!

Tomorrow's programme looks a bit boring, if I'm honest.  An even earlier breakfast, followed by a trip to the Darwin Breeding Centre in Puerta Ayora on Santa Cruz. almost back where we started from on our arrival!. Then afterwards some shopping time and lunch, followed by another beach trip.

Dinner was to be served inside but first there were cocktails and a chance to be introduced to the crew.  Graham is now suffering from extreme sunburn to his upper legs. When they were sat in the panga whilst the others swam, Hebe covered up with a towel, Graham didn't,  the rest as they say, is history.

As the rest of the others settled down to some serious gin drinking, I retired to my cabin. I have discovered in the past that hangovers and sleep deficit are not conducive with an enjoyable holiday.