A man has traveled 37,000 miles around the world as part of a 200-year-old tradition, hand-delivering postcards left on a remote Pacific island.
51-year-old Londoner Jonny Beardmore, who volunteered to become the “Galapagos postman” after his father’s death, has visited countries across the globe over the past five months. Starting from the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador, Beardmore collected 50 letters from an ancient mailbox on Floreana Island known as Post Office Bay and plans to deliver them personally over the next 12 months.
Since setting off in March, this solo courier service has been knocking on the doors of unsuspecting recipients without prior notice, traveling from the United States to Iceland and then Brazil. Beardmore will traverse seven continents within 365 days, culminating in delivering the final letter on March 1, 2025.
The tradition of the remote mailbox dates back to 1793 when sailors would leave letters for loved ones, hoping passing ships would take them—thus naming the location Galapagos Post Office Bay. Today, tourists and travelers leave postcards in the mailbox made from a whiskey barrel, hoping someone will collect and deliver them someday.
Beardmore has taken on the mantle of this tradition, delivering 50 postcards to recipients worldwide unprepared, aiming to “connect the world—one letter at a time.”
So far, he has visited 12 countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador. Recipients range from a doctor in São Paulo, Brazil, to a honeymoon couple in Vassago, Canada, to lovers in San Pedro, Belize.
Carrying only a carry-on bag, Beardmore arrives at the addresses on the postcards, sometimes waiting an entire day in hopes of personally delivering the mail. If unable to find the recipients, the postcards end up in their mailboxes with the note “Galapagos postman continues to deliver.”
He also has an interactive tracking map where people can follow his adventures.
Following his father’s passing due to Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2022, Beardmore discovered the mailbox tradition while visiting islands near the Ecuadorian coast shortly after. Inspired by his experiences, he embarked on this unique delivery journey to honor his father and reconnect with people through written messages.
Beardmore has raised nearly £20,000 ($26,000) for MND charities through his travels and personal deliveries. With a budget of £50,000 ($65,600) earmarked for the project, Beardmore has utilized his air miles and minimal luggage to save costs.
This initiative emphasizes the loss of mobility and freedom experienced by individuals like his father suffering from Motor Neuron Disease, highlighting the importance of not taking such abilities for granted.
His final delivery will be in London, self-funded and driven by the desire to make a difference while drawing attention to the challenges faced by those affected by MND.
For Beardmore, this endeavor is not just about delivering postcards but serves as a reminder of the power of human connection and the importance of taking action to preserve freedoms that many may overlook in their daily lives.