Otoque, Bona & Iguana Islands
Marcel Proust once write, “The only true voyage of discovery is not to go to new places, but to have new eyes.” In my case, today, it was about new places, about a new ship and about new people; and thanks to everything together, my eyes were new as well, fresh for perceiving these amazing Panamanian islands rich in wildlife and beauty.
Why new places? Because I had never been at Otoque and Bona Islands, I had never been at Iguana. New ship? I hadn’t been on board Sea Voyager for more than a year, and the warmth of her crew, staff, and officers make me feel at home, and happy. Our guests this week have, each and everyone of them, an interesting story to share, and different appeals and perspectives, so they add unique light to the distinct sightings. Everything is novel, and in this whirl I feel renewed and refreshed.
Conclusion? I am content. How couldn’t I be happy when dozens of brown pelicans flew right next to my Zodiac, while we were riding around Bona Island? How couldn’t I have a big smile when magnificent frigates showed off their pouches, red and bright and huge, to the several females in flight, above our heads? Brown booby chicks and a few blue booted boobies were spotted from the Zodiac, while golden rays passed by.
In the afternoon we had our first snorkeling outing; we saw a lot, from the tiny and cute rainbow wrasses to a small school of tunas that ventured really close to the shoreline. Cristian Moreno, our Panamanian Naturalist, got amazing underwater footage and had a personal encounter with a sea turtle.
A short walk took us close to magnificent frigates in courtship display. What else? A joyful sunset, a delightful dinner and salsa dancing lessons. This is truly enjoying a new place with completely new eyes!
Marcel Proust once write, “The only true voyage of discovery is not to go to new places, but to have new eyes.” In my case, today, it was about new places, about a new ship and about new people; and thanks to everything together, my eyes were new as well, fresh for perceiving these amazing Panamanian islands rich in wildlife and beauty.
Why new places? Because I had never been at Otoque and Bona Islands, I had never been at Iguana. New ship? I hadn’t been on board Sea Voyager for more than a year, and the warmth of her crew, staff, and officers make me feel at home, and happy. Our guests this week have, each and everyone of them, an interesting story to share, and different appeals and perspectives, so they add unique light to the distinct sightings. Everything is novel, and in this whirl I feel renewed and refreshed.
Conclusion? I am content. How couldn’t I be happy when dozens of brown pelicans flew right next to my Zodiac, while we were riding around Bona Island? How couldn’t I have a big smile when magnificent frigates showed off their pouches, red and bright and huge, to the several females in flight, above our heads? Brown booby chicks and a few blue booted boobies were spotted from the Zodiac, while golden rays passed by.
In the afternoon we had our first snorkeling outing; we saw a lot, from the tiny and cute rainbow wrasses to a small school of tunas that ventured really close to the shoreline. Cristian Moreno, our Panamanian Naturalist, got amazing underwater footage and had a personal encounter with a sea turtle.
A short walk took us close to magnificent frigates in courtship display. What else? A joyful sunset, a delightful dinner and salsa dancing lessons. This is truly enjoying a new place with completely new eyes!
