Gatun Lake Barro Colorado, Pedro Miguel & Miraflores locks
Welcome to Panama! This amazing country in the southern Central American region will be the beginning of a great week aboard the Sea Voyager. Last night we started our adventure in the area of Colon and the first part of our transit in the Canal of Panama: Gatun locks.
Before breakfast a second pilot boarded the ship to reposition the ship in front of the nature reserve of the island of Barro Colorado. An ecological reserve since 1923, this biological station sits amongst a unique rainforest. Here scientists find great infrastructure and facilities to study new species or special interactions among the natural inhabitants in this marvelous site. This location administrated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute welcomed all of us to explore their trails and surrounding areas either walking or in Zodiac cruises.
As the day progressed, lots of special sightings occurred: Central American spider monkeys, mantled howler monkeys, agoutis, American crocodiles, trogons, antbirds, and leaf-cutter ants (just to mentioned a few) were spotted by our guests.
After our visit to Barro Colorado Island our guests were ready to undergo the continuation of the Canal crossing. This marvellous piece of engineering inaugurated in 1914, and still serves as a main artery for the international trade of products throughout the world. As we were passing through Culebra Cut, we witnessed the major endeavor of its future expansion. Crossing the final locks of Pedro Miguel and Miraflores in addition to the Bridge of the Americas completed a once in a lifetime event for most of us.
Welcome to Panama! This amazing country in the southern Central American region will be the beginning of a great week aboard the Sea Voyager. Last night we started our adventure in the area of Colon and the first part of our transit in the Canal of Panama: Gatun locks.
Before breakfast a second pilot boarded the ship to reposition the ship in front of the nature reserve of the island of Barro Colorado. An ecological reserve since 1923, this biological station sits amongst a unique rainforest. Here scientists find great infrastructure and facilities to study new species or special interactions among the natural inhabitants in this marvelous site. This location administrated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute welcomed all of us to explore their trails and surrounding areas either walking or in Zodiac cruises.
As the day progressed, lots of special sightings occurred: Central American spider monkeys, mantled howler monkeys, agoutis, American crocodiles, trogons, antbirds, and leaf-cutter ants (just to mentioned a few) were spotted by our guests.
After our visit to Barro Colorado Island our guests were ready to undergo the continuation of the Canal crossing. This marvellous piece of engineering inaugurated in 1914, and still serves as a main artery for the international trade of products throughout the world. As we were passing through Culebra Cut, we witnessed the major endeavor of its future expansion. Crossing the final locks of Pedro Miguel and Miraflores in addition to the Bridge of the Americas completed a once in a lifetime event for most of us.
