Isla Taboga & the Panama Canal
After a much calmer than expected night’s passage around Punta Mala, we awoke to a beautiful sunrise in the Gulf of Panama. A late breakfast (you mean we’re actually on vacation?!) was followed by the showing of the fine documentary film, A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama, in preparation for our afternoon arrival to the Panama Canal.
Mid-morning, we headed to shore for a morning visit to the small island of Taboga, in the northern Gulf of Panama. Our Hotel Manager, Erasmo Estripeaut, has a family home here, and a long connection with this quaint and historic island, which he shared with us today.
Vasco Nuñez de Balboa is thought to be the first Spaniard to have set foot on the island, in 1513, and one of the oldest churches in the Western hemisphere still stands here, originally constructed in 1524. We photographed, stopped at a local tienda for paletas and enjoyed the view from Erasmo’s deck while sipping ice-cold tea. Back at the landing, all the kids (young and old), dove in for one last swim in the Pacific. El Niño conditions have made for a hotter than normal winter, and today was hot!
Back aboard, we repositioned to the Flamenco anchorage, where the formalities for our Canal transit began. Various boats came and went, while we gathered in the lounge for Mauricio’s presentation on Panama’s history and the progress of the current expansion of the Panama Canal.
Mid-afternoon the excitement began. Anchor raised, maneuvered into position, pilot aboard and we were off. The Bridge of the Americas was our first landmark, and then the approach to the first chamber of Miraflores Locks. Keen eyes spotted a swimming crocodile, several ospreys and capybaras(!) in this stretch of the channel. We watched the line handlers and mule drivers do their work, as we transited the locks.
The Hotel Department served ceviche and mojitos on the Bridge Deck to add to the excitement. After transiting Pedro Miguel Locks and passing under the Millenium Bridge, we went below for a traditional Panamanian New Year’s dinner. Dessert was followed by the breaking of a piñata and salsa dancing on deck, and the countdown to ring in the New Year. We happily bid farewell to 2009, and welcomed 2010 with a hearty “Salud”!
