Panama Canal, Barro Colorado Island
Welcome to Panama! Last night we started our wonderful week in southern Central American crossing the first section of the Panama Canal at Gatun Locks. We were in the middle of our social hour when our pilot from the canal came on board. He surprised all of us; we would cross the Gatun Locks one hour earlier than expected. Excellent news!
By 2130, we were raised 85 feet above sea level. We had reached the Gatun Lake, and ended a successful moment in our program.
Barro Colorado Island was our first visit off the ship. By a special and unique arrangement, the National Geographic Sea Lion is the only ship authorized to interrupt its canal transit to visit this research facility.
Barro Colorado Island is administrated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). Since its creation as a reserve in 1923, the human knowledge of rainforest ecology has expanded. Information from early naturalists inspired human curiosity and provided a better understanding of tropical forests. There are millions of people around the world that depend on tropical forests for water, medicine, food, recreation and building materials; they also help with the mitigation of soil erosion. These reasons make the preservation of tropical forests essential.
Our guests had the option to take a Zodiac cruise around the shoreline of the island or to walk on a couple of trails right on the research grounds. Certified naturalist guides from STRI facilitated our visit, guiding us and showing us unique wildlife. Mantled Howler monkeys, American crocodiles, Central American Agoutis, several kinds of birds and even a Vine Snake of the genus Oxybelis were some of the exciting wildlife we spotted throughout our morning.
After lunch, we completed our mandatory safety drill and continued with our transit of the canal. Chagres River, the Gaillard Cut, the passage of Centennial Bridge, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks kept us fully vigilant and busy taking pictures. In a certain way, I felt that we were exalting the engineers, designers and workers who made the Panama Canal an inspiration for human brilliance.
