Panama Bay Islands & the Panama Canal
We were treated to a beautiful sunrise and a strong cool breeze as we awoke this morning in the Bay of Panama. The Sea Voyager had sailed 190 nautical miles during the night. After dropping anchor, we set out in Zodiacs along the shore of Otoque and Bona Islands. These are volcanic islands with incredible bird rookeries. This area is influenced by Easterly tradewinds that blow the warm surface water away, allowing the cold currents to rise up from the bottom. This water, which is rich in nutrients, creates a marine food chain which provides ample food for seabirds. We saw brown pelicans nesting in the tree tops. The blue-footed and brown booby nests were built on the rock ledges. It was a sight to see the graceful magnificent frigatebirds soaring with their large wingspan that reaches almost 6 feet. The chicks stole the show however as the little ones were waiting to be fed.
After lunch the excitement was evident. We were approaching the world famous Panama Canal and the tall buildings of Panama City came into view. After a fantastic Panamanian buffet dinner we entered the first set of locks, the Miraflores locks. Everyone was out on the bow watching as we started our transit. About 40 ships a day make the transit. The canal is 50 miles long and extends from Panama City on the Pacific to Colon on the Caribbean. The second set of locks, Pedro Miguel, lifted us 86 feet above sea level into the large Gatun Lake. We completed the evening cruising through the Gaillard or Culebra Cut.
We were treated to a beautiful sunrise and a strong cool breeze as we awoke this morning in the Bay of Panama. The Sea Voyager had sailed 190 nautical miles during the night. After dropping anchor, we set out in Zodiacs along the shore of Otoque and Bona Islands. These are volcanic islands with incredible bird rookeries. This area is influenced by Easterly tradewinds that blow the warm surface water away, allowing the cold currents to rise up from the bottom. This water, which is rich in nutrients, creates a marine food chain which provides ample food for seabirds. We saw brown pelicans nesting in the tree tops. The blue-footed and brown booby nests were built on the rock ledges. It was a sight to see the graceful magnificent frigatebirds soaring with their large wingspan that reaches almost 6 feet. The chicks stole the show however as the little ones were waiting to be fed.
After lunch the excitement was evident. We were approaching the world famous Panama Canal and the tall buildings of Panama City came into view. After a fantastic Panamanian buffet dinner we entered the first set of locks, the Miraflores locks. Everyone was out on the bow watching as we started our transit. About 40 ships a day make the transit. The canal is 50 miles long and extends from Panama City on the Pacific to Colon on the Caribbean. The second set of locks, Pedro Miguel, lifted us 86 feet above sea level into the large Gatun Lake. We completed the evening cruising through the Gaillard or Culebra Cut.
