Barro Colorado Island, Pedro Miguel & Miraflores locks
Our day began when we anchored a short distance off Barra Colorado Island (BCI) just after sunrise. This lushly forested isle was created when the Chagres River was dammed to create Gatun Lake during construction of the Panama Canal. Maintained in a pristine state since its creation, BCI is administered as a natural sciences research center by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). After breakfast we gathered in the lounge to hear STRI’s director, Dr. Egbert Leigh, brief us about BCI and the all-important biological research undertaken here.
STRI’s own naturalist guides then led tours of the island. After being ferried ashore by our Zodiac crew, the more energetic-minded participants set out along the hilly forest trails, while the remainder toured the perimeter of the island by Zodiacs. Both groups were richly rewarded with wildlife sightings, and with fascinating insights into forest ecology. The biological field station facility proved a veritable menagerie: giant beetles, agoutis, a harlequin poison-dart frog, hippo-sized bullfrogs, army ants, and scintillatingly blue morpho butterflies were all viewed at fingertip reach even before we stepped onto the forest trails. Crocodile and howler monkey sightings were thrilling highlights for those on the Zodiac tour.
We were back aboard National Geographic Sea Lion by 11:30am and thereafter continued across Gatun Lake. Our Panamanian guide Joshua Hall narrated on the PA system as we passed through Culebra Cut and beneath the graceful Centennial Bridge to enter the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks. Having passed through the Gatun locks (on the Caribbean side) the previous night, passengers were excited by the chance to experience our Pacific locks passage in mid-afternoon. Beyond, we passed under the Bridge of the Americas and marveled at the skyscrapers of Panama City scratching a deep-blue sky.
We ended our day in style as Hotel Manager Erasmo Estripeaut invited guests onto the sundeck to enjoy delicious fresh-fish ceviche and margaritas at sunset. Captain Dan Dion then joined us in the lounge to formally introduce himself, and Maguil Céspedes followed with a fascinating recap focused on army ant ecology. After yet another superlative dinner, we convened in the lounge to view the PBS special, “A Man, A Plan, A Canal… Panama”—a fitting and fascinating end to our passage through the Panama Canal.
