Gulf of Panama
As the rising sun peeked through the dissipating morning clouds on the horizon, smattering a tranquil seascape with golden light, it became increasingly apparent we were going to be treated to a fantastic day. We arrived at Isla Pacheca an hour after dawn, and with the arguably melodic clattering of the anchor chain our day’s adventures began!
Under an increasingly open blue sky we took to the National Geographic Sea Lion’s four trusty Zodiacs and set about exploring the surrounding islands. Magnificent frigatebirds spiraled overhead, sometimes swooping down to catch an unlucky fish and displaying their massive wingspan. Their tirelessly graceful circling overhead was enchanting, with only the slightest sense of Hitchcock induced foreboding... Oystercatchers and night herons were so numerously distributed that one might think they were acting as vigilant sentries, complimented by brown boobies defending the vine covered rampart-like cliffs that encircled the natural emerald castle of an island.
Navigating close to the rocky shore with surgical precision, our sleek black vessels traced perfectly parallel perimeters, allowing close up views of Sally Lightfoot crabs, coral and fish wisely staying in the safety of the jigsawed intertidal zone. All the while with a delightful seascape at our backs and the occasional cool sea breeze to balance out any discomfort from the Panamanian sun.
With swift ease everyone was back on board, the boats were lifted and secured and we were underway once more, making our way ever northward towards Coiba, all the while keeping our eyes peeled for elusive sea turtles which populate these areas. Dancing merrily across our bow, dolphins took advantage of the ‘free ride’ created by the ship’s pressure wave, allowing them to ‘surf’ in front of us. While watching the crimson sunset that signified the end of our first pelagic day of the trip, we can found solace in the fact that this is still just the beginning of our expedition.
