Barro Colorado Island & Panama Canal
We had spent the night anchored in Gatun Lake after our first partial transit through Gatun locks in the Panama Canal. A new pilot came on board and assisted us while we repositioned the Sea Voyager close to Barro Colorado Island (BCI). This island used to be the peek of the highest hill in the valley of the Chagres River. When they flooded the area, creating Gatun Lake, many animals ran looking for the highest hill in order to survive. It was in this place where most of these animals concentrated. When scientist began to study the area, they realized that this island was great for research because of the biodiversity found in it. Today, BCI is run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Scientists from all around the world come here for different investigations.
After breakfast, we met the local BCI guides and went to visit the island. While some went on hikes others explored the surroundings by Zodiac. We all had the opportunity to view how humans can impact an area. The biodiversity in many ways can be threatened by us if we don’t keep good care of our actions in the environment. The scientist explained to us the positive results of their research in terms of how we can help in conservation. The mammals around still have a hope in surviving if we do our part. We got to understand the connection that exists with the animals and humans. It is our responsibility to pass the word to others to save our planet!
Back on board, we waited for our pilot. As soon as he arrived, we started sailing the last part of our transit through the Panama Canal. As our ship sailed trough the Gaillard Cut, we could see the work being done in expanding the canal. The project of the expansion of the Canal includes making the cut wider to allow two panamax vessel sail side by side. We saw drill boats, responsible to locate dynamite in the bottom, doing their work along the side of the cut.
We had the opportunity to see the contrast between modernization and the fight to preserve our environment. As the sun began to say good bye, we left behind the Panama Canal, looking forward to our following days of exploration of Panama and Costa Rica.
We had spent the night anchored in Gatun Lake after our first partial transit through Gatun locks in the Panama Canal. A new pilot came on board and assisted us while we repositioned the Sea Voyager close to Barro Colorado Island (BCI). This island used to be the peek of the highest hill in the valley of the Chagres River. When they flooded the area, creating Gatun Lake, many animals ran looking for the highest hill in order to survive. It was in this place where most of these animals concentrated. When scientist began to study the area, they realized that this island was great for research because of the biodiversity found in it. Today, BCI is run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Scientists from all around the world come here for different investigations.
After breakfast, we met the local BCI guides and went to visit the island. While some went on hikes others explored the surroundings by Zodiac. We all had the opportunity to view how humans can impact an area. The biodiversity in many ways can be threatened by us if we don’t keep good care of our actions in the environment. The scientist explained to us the positive results of their research in terms of how we can help in conservation. The mammals around still have a hope in surviving if we do our part. We got to understand the connection that exists with the animals and humans. It is our responsibility to pass the word to others to save our planet!
Back on board, we waited for our pilot. As soon as he arrived, we started sailing the last part of our transit through the Panama Canal. As our ship sailed trough the Gaillard Cut, we could see the work being done in expanding the canal. The project of the expansion of the Canal includes making the cut wider to allow two panamax vessel sail side by side. We saw drill boats, responsible to locate dynamite in the bottom, doing their work along the side of the cut.
We had the opportunity to see the contrast between modernization and the fight to preserve our environment. As the sun began to say good bye, we left behind the Panama Canal, looking forward to our following days of exploration of Panama and Costa Rica.
