Barro Colorado Island & The Panama Canal
The last day of our journey found us in Barro Colorado Island (BCI) a lush island in the middle of Lago Gatun – Lake Gatun – which was formed by the damming of the Rio Chagres and the creation of the lake. It is managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), which administers a world-renowned research facility there. This island is one of the three best known research stations in the Neotropics; many of the mysteries of the forest were understood here for the first time.
Although the 1500 hectare (3750 acres) island was once restricted only to scientists, a limited number of guided groups, which include us, are now allowed. As we walked along the trails or took a Zodiac cruise, the forest rewarded us with sights of monkeys – three species of them – birds, butterflies, army ants, and the lushness only tropical rainforests have.
As the third Panama Canal pilot came on board, and we weighed anchor from our spot in BCI, we headed towards the second half of our Canal transit, the Gatun Locks. As a fantastic week of many contrasts, meeting new friends and doing new things, came to an end, we can only hope that life will grant us the chance to travel together again.
The last day of our journey found us in Barro Colorado Island (BCI) a lush island in the middle of Lago Gatun – Lake Gatun – which was formed by the damming of the Rio Chagres and the creation of the lake. It is managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), which administers a world-renowned research facility there. This island is one of the three best known research stations in the Neotropics; many of the mysteries of the forest were understood here for the first time.
Although the 1500 hectare (3750 acres) island was once restricted only to scientists, a limited number of guided groups, which include us, are now allowed. As we walked along the trails or took a Zodiac cruise, the forest rewarded us with sights of monkeys – three species of them – birds, butterflies, army ants, and the lushness only tropical rainforests have.
As the third Panama Canal pilot came on board, and we weighed anchor from our spot in BCI, we headed towards the second half of our Canal transit, the Gatun Locks. As a fantastic week of many contrasts, meeting new friends and doing new things, came to an end, we can only hope that life will grant us the chance to travel together again.
