Coiba Island, Panama
This morning we woke up to the gray skies of the western side of Coiba Island, Panama’s own “devil’s island.” Since the early 1900’s the island was used as a prison for some of the country’s worst criminals, which ironically is the reason why the area has remained as pristine and unexploited as it is. This 50,000 hectare island plus the 222,000 hectares of marine area surrounding it is one of the most unexplored National Parks in Panama. We got to visit two of the most picturesque sites today. Early this morning, we disembarked onto the shore of the park’s ranger’s station for a birdwatching excursion. Some peopled noticed the gray skies and went prepared, but most of us did not and were surprised by one of the strongest showers we’ve seen in a while. Well, we did try for a dry landing but no promises were made about staying dry inside the Zodiac. After a twenty minute apparently-endless shower, the skies opened and turned bright blue. That was when the birds began to move: tanagers, flycatchers, vultures, thrushes, pigeons, parrots, and kingfishers were all in the menu, including agoutis and Sarah, the neurotic brocket deer.
We went back to the boat for a well-deserved breakfast and got ready for the later morning’s activity: snorkeling. The small island we visited called Granito de Oro – the little grain of gold – turned out to be truthful to its name. As the tide went down, it made it easier for us to see the island’s Gold: triggerfish, parrotfish, wrasses, Moorish idols, eels, sharks, and turtles welcomed us into their realm… As the sun began to set, we bade our friendly host good bye, waiting for the surprises our next destination might bring.
This morning we woke up to the gray skies of the western side of Coiba Island, Panama’s own “devil’s island.” Since the early 1900’s the island was used as a prison for some of the country’s worst criminals, which ironically is the reason why the area has remained as pristine and unexploited as it is. This 50,000 hectare island plus the 222,000 hectares of marine area surrounding it is one of the most unexplored National Parks in Panama. We got to visit two of the most picturesque sites today. Early this morning, we disembarked onto the shore of the park’s ranger’s station for a birdwatching excursion. Some peopled noticed the gray skies and went prepared, but most of us did not and were surprised by one of the strongest showers we’ve seen in a while. Well, we did try for a dry landing but no promises were made about staying dry inside the Zodiac. After a twenty minute apparently-endless shower, the skies opened and turned bright blue. That was when the birds began to move: tanagers, flycatchers, vultures, thrushes, pigeons, parrots, and kingfishers were all in the menu, including agoutis and Sarah, the neurotic brocket deer.
We went back to the boat for a well-deserved breakfast and got ready for the later morning’s activity: snorkeling. The small island we visited called Granito de Oro – the little grain of gold – turned out to be truthful to its name. As the tide went down, it made it easier for us to see the island’s Gold: triggerfish, parrotfish, wrasses, Moorish idols, eels, sharks, and turtles welcomed us into their realm… As the sun began to set, we bade our friendly host good bye, waiting for the surprises our next destination might bring.
