Barro Colorado and Gatun
This morning the sun found the National Geographic Sea Lion in Gatun Lake within the Panama Canal. After breakfast, Doctor Leigh a senior resident scientist from Barro Colorado Island greeted our guests onboard the National Geographic Sea Lion. After a quick introduction to the BCI Research Center, we proceeded to disembark onto one of the oldest research station in the neotropical region.
Once on the island, some of us explored the borders of the island on Zodiacs while others walked some of the trails. Howler monkeys and centenary trees were on our path. We had the chance to hear about the research projects that are taking place in this magical area, and spent the morning exploring, taking pictures and hearing about many interesting things.
As we explored the island we could see markers and signs from all the research going on. Every time we saw a colored ribbon we wondered what kind of information was being collected and how many researchers and scientists had walked the trails we were walking, in the last eight decades.
Close to midday everybody returned to the National Geographic Sea Lion to continue our voyage towards the locks of Gatun, where we arrived after two hours. Our expectations were at their peek, as the line handlers pulled the ropes and the Panama Canal Pilot was giving our vessel directions through the locks and chambers. Once again the locks were closing behind us and within minutes the National Geographic Sea Lion descended around 85 feet, this time for good.
Now we were navigating in the waters of the Caribbean Sea and behind the last set of gates we left pictures, stories, laughs and an incredible amount of memories that we will always keep in our hearts.
