Barro Colorado Island, Gatun Lake & Gatun locks, Panama
The simple experiences and interactions with nature will always fulfill our souls. As travelers, we are always looking forward to the events that will illustrate the splendor of our planet. Today on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal, we enjoyed two different experiences worth mentioning: our morning in Barro Colorado Island (BCI) from the Smithsonian Research Institute and the afternoon with the continuation of the crossing of the Panama Canal in the Gatun Lake and locks.
It is worth mentioning that the National Geographic Sea Lion is the only ship that it is allowed to interrupt its transit in the Panama Canal in order to stop at this research facility.
After a short welcome speech from our friends at BCI, we went in search of the special wildlife that has attracted so many scientists around the world to this island in the middle of the Gatun Lake. Vast information has provided the world with a better understanding of the complex dynamics within the rain forest species. Close encounters with mantled howler monkeys, Central American agoutis, keel-billed toucans and others were enjoyed by most of us. The additional interpretation from a Naturalist BCI guide or researcher that walked or rode in a Zodiac cruise with us granted a better chance to understand the tropics.
By noon, as soon as we returned to the ship, we found out that our pilot from the Authority of the Panama Canal was already on board. His main responsibility was to take control of the ship for the culmination of the transit through the Panama Canal. By early afternoon, with a very comfortable temperature, we had already reached the Gatun locks and entered its first chamber. All of us were extremely delighted with an expedited and impeccable transit through these last set of locks to finally reach the Caribbean Sea.
It has been a special week with lots of great memories, together in our expedition to Costa Rica and Panama.
