Barro Colorado Island & Panama Canal
After transiting the Gatún Locks last night, we spent a lovely quiet night “on the hook,” anchored in Gatún Lake. At 0500 this morning, a second Panama Canal Pilot boarded the National Geographic Sea Lion, to take us the short distance to Barro Colorado Island (BCI). This lush island was created after the damming of the Chagres River in the early 20th century, as part of the construction of the Panama Canal. Today, we explored this island as guests of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).
Some of us chose to explore on foot, joining STRI researchers and guides on the island’s many trails. Most were excited for their first chance to hike in this verdant rainforest. Others preferred to explore by Zodiac, motoring around the periphery of the island, for a scenic ride. On the hikes, our guides showed us many fascinating tropical trees, understory plants, bromeliads and other epiphytes. In the Zodiacs, we were introduced to the Panama Tree and wild cashew. Tropical wildlife is always a highlight, and we were not disappointed today. There were mantled howler monkeys with babies, keel-billed toucans, a single spider monkey and a pair of white-faced capuchins, agoutis and one of the symbols of the Central American tropics, blue morpho butterflies. Although each group had slightly different sightings, we all enjoyed our time at BCI.
By late morning, our third Canal Pilot boarded the ship and by mid-day, we were underway and continuing our Canal transit. Just before the Gaillard Cut (the narrowest point of the Canal), our pilot made passing arrangements with the pilot of the gargantuan car carrier in front of us, so we scooted ahead and entered Pedro Miguel Lock first. This gave us a great view down the canal from our foredeck, and an imposing view of the hull of the car carrier looking up from our stern. After transiting the single chamber at Pedro Miguel, we continued on to Miraflores, and transited our last set of locks. By 5 p.m. we were sailing under the Bridge of the Americas and out into the Gulf of Panama.
Our Hotel Staff prepared a festive cocktail party on the Bridge Deck at sunset, complete with ceviche and mojitos, followed by a delicious traditional Panamanian buffet dinner. An after dinner viewing of the excellent film, A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama completed our very full day.
