Gulf of Panama & Western Panama Canal
At about 1:30 a.m., the National Geographic Sea Lion rounded the “heel” of Panama at Punta Mala, and headed north into the Gulf of Panama. Moderate trade winds blowing across the isthmus generated a few “bumps in the night” but made for a lovely fresh morning. As we motored towards the islands in the northwestern part of the Gulf of Panama, we were escorted by dozens of brown boobies. These agile seabirds surfed the pressure wave immediately ahead of the ship’s bridge, making us laugh as they waggled their tail feathers, before plunge-diving dramatically right in front of the bow. As we neared Bona and Otoque islands, the boobies were joined by a number of magnificent frigatebirds.
Mid-morning, we anchored near these two lovely islands, and prepared to explore their shorelines by Zodiac. We found many brown boobies roosting, and a few nests with chicks as well. Perhaps one of the most interesting sightings was a tree that one of our guests remarked appeared to be full of red fruit; however, on closer inspection turned out to be filled with male magnificent frigatebirds with inflated throat pouches! Some nice looks at two green iguanas, and, of course, beautiful tropical vegetation rounded out our cruises.
Just before lunch, we raised the anchor and continued north, to anchor at Flamenco Station for the formalities that preceded our entry into the Panama Canal. During our wait, we heard about the progress on the expansion of the Panama Canal from Deibys, and about how to photograph in low light settings, from Richard and Willy. We enjoyed an afternoon siesta, and perhaps a little time on deck or a spa treatment.
Then the action began… Anchor up, pilot boat approached, and we were off, steaming into the Pacific approach to the Panama Canal, and under the Bridge of the Americas. Another boat approached, and a team of line handlers stepped aboard, taking their positions on the bow and the stern. We hove to in the channel, waiting for the green arrow, and our entry into Miraflores Locks. We could not have had more perfect timing, as we entered the brightly lit lock chamber in the gorgeous “purple hour” just after sunset.
Our Hotel Staff served ceviche and mojitos on the Bridge Deck, while photographers snapped away – the excitement and anticipation on deck was palpable. Once secure in the lock chamber, with cables fore and aft from ship to shoreside “mule”, we waited for our companion vessel to arrive. Soon, a Venezuelan navy ship entered the lock chamber behind us, the downstream gate closed and we were rising to the second lock chamber and finally to the level of Miraflores Lake. More photos as the upstream gate opened, a short transit to Pedro Miguel Locks, a delicious buffet of traditional Panamanian foods, and we were finally above the three sets of locks on the Pacific side of the canal. Our line handlers departed, and we sailed smoothly under a starry sky towards our night’s anchorage at Gatun Lake.
