Bona Island & Panama Canal
Throughout these past days of exploring Central America, we have been emphasizing the fact that this region is both a biological and a cultural bridge linking two continents. However, today as we reach the Panama Canal, we came to realize that the Isthmus is also a great barrier which separates two oceans. It is thanks to the existence of this barrier that the Gulf Stream Current was formed some 10 million years ago, changing weather patterns all over the globe. Few places on earth can claim such an impact on world events as this small extension of land… and it has accomplished all of that just by being there.
In Central America, the Panamanian Isthmus is both one of the narrowest and lowest points in the region. This enables the Trade Winds from the Caribbean Sea to blow across the territory, pushing the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean southwards and bringing large amounts of fish and nutrients to the surface which sustain huge seabird colonies. This phenomenon is known as upwelling and is precisely what we witnessed this morning as we took Zodiac cruises around the Island of Bona. Perhaps the most exciting moment was when we saw pelicans, boobies and frigate birds in a feeding frenzy.
In the afternoon we arrived at the entrance of the Panama Canal. Once the pilot came onboard the Sea Voyager we proceeded to transit this wonder of modern civilization. It was a good thing to watch the documentary by historian David McCollough entitled “A Man a Plan a Canal: Panama” which narrates the fascinating story of how man was able to overcome the barrier that divides the oceans and brings the world closer together.
Throughout these past days of exploring Central America, we have been emphasizing the fact that this region is both a biological and a cultural bridge linking two continents. However, today as we reach the Panama Canal, we came to realize that the Isthmus is also a great barrier which separates two oceans. It is thanks to the existence of this barrier that the Gulf Stream Current was formed some 10 million years ago, changing weather patterns all over the globe. Few places on earth can claim such an impact on world events as this small extension of land… and it has accomplished all of that just by being there.
In Central America, the Panamanian Isthmus is both one of the narrowest and lowest points in the region. This enables the Trade Winds from the Caribbean Sea to blow across the territory, pushing the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean southwards and bringing large amounts of fish and nutrients to the surface which sustain huge seabird colonies. This phenomenon is known as upwelling and is precisely what we witnessed this morning as we took Zodiac cruises around the Island of Bona. Perhaps the most exciting moment was when we saw pelicans, boobies and frigate birds in a feeding frenzy.
In the afternoon we arrived at the entrance of the Panama Canal. Once the pilot came onboard the Sea Voyager we proceeded to transit this wonder of modern civilization. It was a good thing to watch the documentary by historian David McCollough entitled “A Man a Plan a Canal: Panama” which narrates the fascinating story of how man was able to overcome the barrier that divides the oceans and brings the world closer together.
