Lake Gatun, Barro Colorado Island & the Panama Canal
Shortly before dawn we departed from our peaceful anchorage in Lake Gatun, entering the shipping channel of the Panama Canal again for several miles to reach our morning destination of Barro Colorado Island. A brilliant orange sunrise appeared over the fringes of the forest bordering the canal as we turned off of the main channel into a bay on the northeastern shores of Barro Colorado. On shore we could see the facilities of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) where much of the pioneering research on tropical rainforest flora, fauna and ecology has taken place. Once a hilltop, this island was formed by the flooding of the region when the Gatun Dam was built to create the waters that are used to operate the canal. After an introductory presentation by a Smithsonian guide, we set out to view this densely forested island by foot or Zodiac. Amid a fantastic array of tangled green palms, trees and vines, the groups saw monkeys of different species, unusual birds, lizards, and many other creatures of the region.
Back onboard, the ship pulled anchor and headed off on our journey toward the Pacific. In the mid-afternoon we sailed through the famous Gaillard Cut. It was a lovely, relaxing afternoon and the light was getting quite dramatic as we approached the Centennial Bridge. Just under the bridge, a tugboat was testing its firefighting equipment, putting on a wonderful, swirling aquatic display for us, turning one direction and spraying water the other. We then arrived at the Pedro Miguel locks where a huge Panamax vessel, the Iver Excel joined us for our descent to the lower Miraflores Lake leading to Miraflores locks, the final step down to the level of the Pacific Ocean. On the skydeck, the hotel staff made a Panama Canal party with delicious ceviche appetizers with bartender Rolando’s unique concoction called a Continental Divide (strawberry daiquiri layered over piña colada), a fitting celebration for crossing between the two oceans. Sailing out of Miraflores Locks, we completed our canal crossing, and continued our festive evening with a Panamanian buffet dinner served in the lounge.
Shortly before dawn we departed from our peaceful anchorage in Lake Gatun, entering the shipping channel of the Panama Canal again for several miles to reach our morning destination of Barro Colorado Island. A brilliant orange sunrise appeared over the fringes of the forest bordering the canal as we turned off of the main channel into a bay on the northeastern shores of Barro Colorado. On shore we could see the facilities of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) where much of the pioneering research on tropical rainforest flora, fauna and ecology has taken place. Once a hilltop, this island was formed by the flooding of the region when the Gatun Dam was built to create the waters that are used to operate the canal. After an introductory presentation by a Smithsonian guide, we set out to view this densely forested island by foot or Zodiac. Amid a fantastic array of tangled green palms, trees and vines, the groups saw monkeys of different species, unusual birds, lizards, and many other creatures of the region.
Back onboard, the ship pulled anchor and headed off on our journey toward the Pacific. In the mid-afternoon we sailed through the famous Gaillard Cut. It was a lovely, relaxing afternoon and the light was getting quite dramatic as we approached the Centennial Bridge. Just under the bridge, a tugboat was testing its firefighting equipment, putting on a wonderful, swirling aquatic display for us, turning one direction and spraying water the other. We then arrived at the Pedro Miguel locks where a huge Panamax vessel, the Iver Excel joined us for our descent to the lower Miraflores Lake leading to Miraflores locks, the final step down to the level of the Pacific Ocean. On the skydeck, the hotel staff made a Panama Canal party with delicious ceviche appetizers with bartender Rolando’s unique concoction called a Continental Divide (strawberry daiquiri layered over piña colada), a fitting celebration for crossing between the two oceans. Sailing out of Miraflores Locks, we completed our canal crossing, and continued our festive evening with a Panamanian buffet dinner served in the lounge.
