Barro Colorado Island & the Panama Canal
Few things are as striking as sitting on a balcony, or on one of the outer decks watching the rainforest, and while you do so, a giant cargo ship or a bulk carrier suddenly makes its way through the deep, dark greenery. We were part of this scene today as this morning found us in the middle of the Gatun Lake, inside the Panama Canal. This vessel, the Sea Voyager, is the only cruise ship that actually gets to stop inside the lake and whose guests are allowed into the trails of the Barro Colorado Island (BCI). This island was formed when the valley was flooded to create the lake. As one might expect, the trails are not flat, but they allow us to access the wonders of the forest. Howling monkeys, buzzing cycadas, cricketing toucans, and four species of primates, welcomed us into their world, as we walked the paths where researchers of the tropical wonders wander. Many of us decided that a Zodiac cruise was what we needed, and as we patrolled the edges of the island, some monkeys, crocodiles, snail kites, and others didn’t hesitate to greet us.
After BCI, we returned to our ship for the second half of the Canal transit. Last night, as we settled ourselves for our home on the water, we began crossing the Panama Canal from the northern end towards the southern end, which would take us into the Pacific Ocean. At noon, our third pilot came on board, and we headed into the infamous Culebra Cut or Gaillard Cut, as we approached the second set of locks, the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. Crossing the isthmus under the Bridge of the Americas, we could only wonder what other exciting adventures this week would deliver to us.
Few things are as striking as sitting on a balcony, or on one of the outer decks watching the rainforest, and while you do so, a giant cargo ship or a bulk carrier suddenly makes its way through the deep, dark greenery. We were part of this scene today as this morning found us in the middle of the Gatun Lake, inside the Panama Canal. This vessel, the Sea Voyager, is the only cruise ship that actually gets to stop inside the lake and whose guests are allowed into the trails of the Barro Colorado Island (BCI). This island was formed when the valley was flooded to create the lake. As one might expect, the trails are not flat, but they allow us to access the wonders of the forest. Howling monkeys, buzzing cycadas, cricketing toucans, and four species of primates, welcomed us into their world, as we walked the paths where researchers of the tropical wonders wander. Many of us decided that a Zodiac cruise was what we needed, and as we patrolled the edges of the island, some monkeys, crocodiles, snail kites, and others didn’t hesitate to greet us.
After BCI, we returned to our ship for the second half of the Canal transit. Last night, as we settled ourselves for our home on the water, we began crossing the Panama Canal from the northern end towards the southern end, which would take us into the Pacific Ocean. At noon, our third pilot came on board, and we headed into the infamous Culebra Cut or Gaillard Cut, as we approached the second set of locks, the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. Crossing the isthmus under the Bridge of the Americas, we could only wonder what other exciting adventures this week would deliver to us.
