Bona & Otoque Islands and The Panama Canal
This morning we anchored between the Islands of Bona and Otoque in the Bay of Panama on the Pacific Ocean. After breakfast we boarded Zodiacs, which took us around the islands to observe a fascinating process. Here, the trade winds come from the Caribbean, blow across the Isthmus of Panama and into this bay, causing an upwelling of the waters, in which the nutrients come up to the surface allowing large fish populations to flourish. The abundance of fish in this area sustains an equally large bird population. Frigate Birds, brown and blue-footed boobies as well as brown pelicans fill the sky in what seems to be an endless struggle among these neighbors for survival.
After cruising the islands we returned to the ship, which was repositioned at the entrance of the Panama Canal. There we waited for the pilot to come. The water in the ocean was so calm that every ship and every bird was duplicated in a beautiful reflection.
Around 4:30 p.m. the pilot came on board and almost immediately we entered the Canal. The light was beautiful and we were all excited to enter into one of the modern wonders of the world. The Panama Canal is much more than just a waterway. It is a symbol of human determination and creativity. The most mind-boggling aspect of the canal is that it continues to work in the same way that it did when it was completed almost a century ago. The sun was setting as we passed under the Bridge of the Americas and the sunset was spectacular. After crossing the first set of locks, which raised the Sea Voyager some 86 feet above sea level we entered Lake Gatun where we spent the rest of the night.
This morning we anchored between the Islands of Bona and Otoque in the Bay of Panama on the Pacific Ocean. After breakfast we boarded Zodiacs, which took us around the islands to observe a fascinating process. Here, the trade winds come from the Caribbean, blow across the Isthmus of Panama and into this bay, causing an upwelling of the waters, in which the nutrients come up to the surface allowing large fish populations to flourish. The abundance of fish in this area sustains an equally large bird population. Frigate Birds, brown and blue-footed boobies as well as brown pelicans fill the sky in what seems to be an endless struggle among these neighbors for survival.
After cruising the islands we returned to the ship, which was repositioned at the entrance of the Panama Canal. There we waited for the pilot to come. The water in the ocean was so calm that every ship and every bird was duplicated in a beautiful reflection.
Around 4:30 p.m. the pilot came on board and almost immediately we entered the Canal. The light was beautiful and we were all excited to enter into one of the modern wonders of the world. The Panama Canal is much more than just a waterway. It is a symbol of human determination and creativity. The most mind-boggling aspect of the canal is that it continues to work in the same way that it did when it was completed almost a century ago. The sun was setting as we passed under the Bridge of the Americas and the sunset was spectacular. After crossing the first set of locks, which raised the Sea Voyager some 86 feet above sea level we entered Lake Gatun where we spent the rest of the night.
