Post Office Bay - NO stamps required

Friday, December 30, 2011
Floreana, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The crew all dressed up from a neighbouring boat came aboard ... because it was New Year's Eve ....

All aboard the zodiac at 3 pm for a wet landing at Post Office Bay - I have seen pictures of this unique post office and the service that it offers.

While the crew from several boats had a soccer match, we went to the Post Office.

Here we could deliver post cards to people in cities we are to visit as well as place post cards or letters for future delivery by anyone. No postage stamps were required. Wonder if mine will get to its destination?

How did it all start? A barrel was placed here in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels to be used as a post office. Passing ships would stop to leave mail for loved ones, collecting at the same time any mail destined for ports on their itineraries. Today the box is used mainly by us tourists who drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far away destinations. Most were address to USA. I saw one for Dunedin. Too far for me to hand deliver it. In the distance was the remain of a Norwegian canning factory.

The sun set photos I will move to the next entry later.

Video to be uploaded, photos labelled and re-ordered.

PS 29 February 2012. To my utter surprise and delight, the postcard that I addressed to myself was awaiting me in my letter box today. Eve at Adventure World also got hers today. Wonder who else will be lucky? Thanks Judith and Simon.
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2023-11-28