Barro Colorado Island & the Gatun Locks
Very early in the morning we anchored next to one of the most important natural monuments of Panama, Barro Colorado Island (BCI). Before being an island, it was the highest peak in the valley of the Chagres River. When the area was flooded, the animals around began to gather on this hill known as Palenquilla Hill. Once the lake was completed, the animals were trapped, making that area rich in biodiversity. Since 1942, Barro Colorado has been under the supervision of the Smithsonian Tropical research Institute.
Right after breakfast we geared up and together with the local guides of BCI we went to explore what this interesting place had to offer. Some went in Zodiacs to cruise around the island and other went to hike one of the several trails that scientist use for their research. BCI is one of the largest “open labs” in the world. Here you can find scientists from around the world doing different research about the biodiversity of the island. The forest was spectacular! Huge trees controlled the canopy layer while in the forest floor small rodents collected different seeds to disperse them far away from the parents’ trees. Howler monkeys would announce that we were around the trails while toucans and trogons would confirm our direction on it. The locals guide explained to us the different projects that are being done in the island. Getting to know about how the island has changed since the flooding of the valley made us understand the importance of conservation and preservation of the tropical forest.
Back on board the Sea Voyager, the captain weighed anchor and started sailing towards Gatun locks. This was the last set of locks that we had to go through in order to complete our northbound transit that had started the night before. Once again we had a tandem lockage. We could see how the panamax vessels would go through the locks with two feet of clearance on each side while they were also assisted by electrical locomotives. What a wonder of engineering! As we were descended the last 28 feet, to equalize the sea level, we realized that our trip had come to an end. Being welcomed to the Caribbean Sea, we discussed memories about our seven days of trips. All that we have experienced has changed our way of seeing the forest and its importance to the humans. Now it’s our duty to spread the word. As long as more forest are protected and connected we can assure that our sons will also have the privilege to enjoy the paradise of Costa Rica and Panama!
Very early in the morning we anchored next to one of the most important natural monuments of Panama, Barro Colorado Island (BCI). Before being an island, it was the highest peak in the valley of the Chagres River. When the area was flooded, the animals around began to gather on this hill known as Palenquilla Hill. Once the lake was completed, the animals were trapped, making that area rich in biodiversity. Since 1942, Barro Colorado has been under the supervision of the Smithsonian Tropical research Institute.
Right after breakfast we geared up and together with the local guides of BCI we went to explore what this interesting place had to offer. Some went in Zodiacs to cruise around the island and other went to hike one of the several trails that scientist use for their research. BCI is one of the largest “open labs” in the world. Here you can find scientists from around the world doing different research about the biodiversity of the island. The forest was spectacular! Huge trees controlled the canopy layer while in the forest floor small rodents collected different seeds to disperse them far away from the parents’ trees. Howler monkeys would announce that we were around the trails while toucans and trogons would confirm our direction on it. The locals guide explained to us the different projects that are being done in the island. Getting to know about how the island has changed since the flooding of the valley made us understand the importance of conservation and preservation of the tropical forest.
Back on board the Sea Voyager, the captain weighed anchor and started sailing towards Gatun locks. This was the last set of locks that we had to go through in order to complete our northbound transit that had started the night before. Once again we had a tandem lockage. We could see how the panamax vessels would go through the locks with two feet of clearance on each side while they were also assisted by electrical locomotives. What a wonder of engineering! As we were descended the last 28 feet, to equalize the sea level, we realized that our trip had come to an end. Being welcomed to the Caribbean Sea, we discussed memories about our seven days of trips. All that we have experienced has changed our way of seeing the forest and its importance to the humans. Now it’s our duty to spread the word. As long as more forest are protected and connected we can assure that our sons will also have the privilege to enjoy the paradise of Costa Rica and Panama!
