9/23/2001

Morning stop was Floreana, at P. Cormorant. We visited a lagoon with flamingos (saw 19) and some shore birds, crossed to a beach with dozens of stingrays just at the shore, and large red ghost crabs on the beach. There were some heaps of driftwood including bamboo.

Then we walked back to the landing beach and I and some others caught a panga to Devil's Crown, a small submerged caldera in the bay. There was some great sea life, but it wasn't a very good trip for me. I wore both vest and full wet suit, so was fairly toasty. However, I needed to pee quite badly, and didn't want to in Dickie's suit, my mask was alternately leaking or fogging, I was supposed to buddy with Louise and I couldn't find her for a long while, and then found that she had caught the current and zipped past a lot of the best life. I did see four small white-tip sharks and a good-sized ray. Also a sea lion. Lots of fish, small and large. My ears weren't clearing well, either. I'd love to dive it again.

We then sailed to the island of Santa Fe. We took a fairly short walk there and saw the other species of land iguana.

Next was a group picture as we sailed to San Christobel.

We had a lovely last dinner with chicken and filet mignon, and a glass of wine. Jello was desert, but then they had a cake for Chris and Francine. And then they awarded us diplomas for crossing the equator, along with a cocktail that matched the jello and had vodka.

We danced once stopped in St. Christobel. I was feeling decidedly woozy from the alcohol and the rocking boat. Luckily we started with waltzes, and English before going to contra and swing. very nice dancing. I mostly packed before going to bed.

I woke several times in the night. I finally actually got up and wandered around the deck. The wake was phosphorescent again. It was largely cloudy, but some stars broke through. I recognized Orion directly overhead, the Pleiades, Taurus, and Cassiopeia toward the horizon. I didn't recognize any of the southern constellations -- don't think they were visible.