Barro Colorado Island & Panama Canal
Our journey through Costa Rica and Panama started a week ago as our guests descended from the cloud forest of Villa Blanca at 4,500 feet above sea level into Herradura Bay. Throughout the week, we explored the transition forest of Manuel Antonio National Park, the rainforests of the Marenco Reserve and Corcovado National Park. We walked through the beautiful trails of Casa Orquideas Botanical Gardens and kayaked along the pristine mangroves of Rincon River. Then we snorkeled in the warm coral reefs of Coiba Island and cruised around the bird colonies of Bona Island just before entering into the Panama Canal. Each day we have added a new jewel to a necklace of memories that we will keep for the rest of our lives.
Today we completed our adventure as we woke up in the waters of Gatun Lake and explored Barro Colorado Island where generations of scientists from all over the world have come to carry out their research on the nature of the tropical forests. After lunch, the Panama Canal Authority Pilot came on board and led us through the last segment of the path between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Together, Costa Rica and Panama form a bridge that connects two continents and separates two oceans. The geographical location of this narrow and apparently insignificant strip of land has made it a formidable menagerie where over 5% of the world’s species of plants and animals live.
Having had the privilege of seeing habitats which elsewhere have been destroyed and the efforts that small countries are making to preserve them increases our commitment to nature. Sloths, agouties, coatis; howler, capuchin, squirrel and spider monkeys; toucans, macaws, frigate birds and brown boobies; Moorish idols, Cortes angel fish, white tip sharks and olive green turtles are no longer curiosities that we have seen in books. During this week they have become part of our life, our journey through this wonderful life, very much in the same way that everyone traveling on this ship during this week has left their mark on us.
Our journey through Costa Rica and Panama started a week ago as our guests descended from the cloud forest of Villa Blanca at 4,500 feet above sea level into Herradura Bay. Throughout the week, we explored the transition forest of Manuel Antonio National Park, the rainforests of the Marenco Reserve and Corcovado National Park. We walked through the beautiful trails of Casa Orquideas Botanical Gardens and kayaked along the pristine mangroves of Rincon River. Then we snorkeled in the warm coral reefs of Coiba Island and cruised around the bird colonies of Bona Island just before entering into the Panama Canal. Each day we have added a new jewel to a necklace of memories that we will keep for the rest of our lives.
Today we completed our adventure as we woke up in the waters of Gatun Lake and explored Barro Colorado Island where generations of scientists from all over the world have come to carry out their research on the nature of the tropical forests. After lunch, the Panama Canal Authority Pilot came on board and led us through the last segment of the path between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Together, Costa Rica and Panama form a bridge that connects two continents and separates two oceans. The geographical location of this narrow and apparently insignificant strip of land has made it a formidable menagerie where over 5% of the world’s species of plants and animals live.
Having had the privilege of seeing habitats which elsewhere have been destroyed and the efforts that small countries are making to preserve them increases our commitment to nature. Sloths, agouties, coatis; howler, capuchin, squirrel and spider monkeys; toucans, macaws, frigate birds and brown boobies; Moorish idols, Cortes angel fish, white tip sharks and olive green turtles are no longer curiosities that we have seen in books. During this week they have become part of our life, our journey through this wonderful life, very much in the same way that everyone traveling on this ship during this week has left their mark on us.
