Bona & Otoque Islands and the Panama Canal
A smooth night sailing brought us to the unique Bona and Otoque, two amazing islands in the Gulf of Panama. Right after breakfast our Zodiacs were ready to take us on a tour around these two outstanding jewels of the Pacific Ocean.
Upwelling is an interesting phenomenon that starts with the Trade Winds coming from the Caribbean finding a narrow, low-lying passage through the Panamanian isthmus, and eventually expelling out to the Pacific and blowing away the surface waters. As a result of this many organisms and nutrients will come to the surface setting the stage for the food chain to begin. And thanks to this we had the opportunity to observe the Brown Pelicans swimming and taking baths, the brown boobies taking care of their offspring, the blue-footed boobies diving for their food and the male Magnificent Frigatebirds showing their bright red gular pouches or trying to steal the other birds’ precious food.
After the wonderful trip around the islands, the Sea Voyager sailed towards the Panama Canal and while we were waiting for the pilot of the Panama Canal Authority we enjoyed the views of the Panama City and its surroundings. The pilot arrived before the expected time and our vessel started to sail towards the canal entrance, first going under the Bridge of the Americas, and then at the same time we were enjoying a delicious Panamanian buffet up in the lounge, we got to witness how our vessel made it through the first chamber at Miraflores Locks. Finally, we got to the level of the Culebra Cut, at an elevation of 85 feet, and then we anchored in the Gatun Lake where we spent our night after an astounding day and expecting the next adventure day at Barro Colorado Island.
A smooth night sailing brought us to the unique Bona and Otoque, two amazing islands in the Gulf of Panama. Right after breakfast our Zodiacs were ready to take us on a tour around these two outstanding jewels of the Pacific Ocean.
Upwelling is an interesting phenomenon that starts with the Trade Winds coming from the Caribbean finding a narrow, low-lying passage through the Panamanian isthmus, and eventually expelling out to the Pacific and blowing away the surface waters. As a result of this many organisms and nutrients will come to the surface setting the stage for the food chain to begin. And thanks to this we had the opportunity to observe the Brown Pelicans swimming and taking baths, the brown boobies taking care of their offspring, the blue-footed boobies diving for their food and the male Magnificent Frigatebirds showing their bright red gular pouches or trying to steal the other birds’ precious food.
After the wonderful trip around the islands, the Sea Voyager sailed towards the Panama Canal and while we were waiting for the pilot of the Panama Canal Authority we enjoyed the views of the Panama City and its surroundings. The pilot arrived before the expected time and our vessel started to sail towards the canal entrance, first going under the Bridge of the Americas, and then at the same time we were enjoying a delicious Panamanian buffet up in the lounge, we got to witness how our vessel made it through the first chamber at Miraflores Locks. Finally, we got to the level of the Culebra Cut, at an elevation of 85 feet, and then we anchored in the Gatun Lake where we spent our night after an astounding day and expecting the next adventure day at Barro Colorado Island.
