Barro Colorado Island, Panama Canal, 12/17/2022, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Today is our final day on this expedition. Guests enjoyed Zodiac tours, forest hikes, and crossing the last set of locks during the daytime. What a wonderful way to finish an unforgettable experience.
Frank is a naturalist guide with a long career path involving his beloved Costa Rica. He grew up in Escazu, a small town surrounded by blue and green mountains in the Central Valley. His admiration for nature and wildlife turned him into an autodidac...
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A gorgeous sunrise at the canal marked the start of our first journey in Panama, where we explored three amazing sites. National Geographic Quest is the only vessel to cross the canal in two tracts, so we visited Barro Colorado Island, Gamboa Rain Forest Discovery Center, Lake Gatun, and the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. Hikes, Zodiac cruises, and panga rides around the lake enhanced our exploration of the tropics, offering a first glimpse into the region’s high biodiversity. We saw snail kites, white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, a two-toed sloth, tamarin monkeys, anhingas, black-bellied whistling ducks, and wattled jacanas, all illustrating the wildlife and its beauty. There could not have been a better immersion than the combination of the rain forest experience and crossing one of the seven modern wonders of the world, the Panama Canal. Photos by Fico Chacón and Ronald Calvo Aguilar
National Geographic Quest woke early in Gatun Lake to a beautiful sunrise and stillness. Breakfast was early as well so we could head out to our morning activities. Local pangas (a term for a skiff with outboard motor) met the ship to take guests to the discovery center on Barro Colorado Island. This hike provided monkey sightings and great information about the island. Zodiac rides in the morning were held around the lake and led by local guides provided by the Smithsonian Institute. We were able to see the keel-billed toucan high in the trees, which was a treat to see in the wild. Excursions on the lake were also had this afternoon as we awaited a transit of the last and final lock to make our way to the Atlantic side of the canal at the end of our incredible expedition.
Early this morning, our ship anchored off the tranquil shores of Otoque Island. Guests eagerly boarded our Zodiacs to explore the island’s lush coastline and abundant bird life. The gentle waves lapped against the boats as they navigated through hidden coves, offering glimpses of the hundreds of frigatebirds, brown boobies, and pelicans that thrive in this secluded paradise. As evening approached, the ship set its course toward the Panama Canal, entering through the Pacific coast. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the water. Passengers gathered on deck to witness this engineering marvel that connects two oceans. The ship glided through the Miraflores Locks, rising steadily as it transitioned into Gatun Lake. There our ship anchored for the night, surrounded by the serene beauty of this vast artificial lake. Guests enjoyed dinner, reflecting on their day’s adventures. The sounds of nature enveloped them as they prepared for another day of exploration through one of the world’s most iconic waterways.