Barro Colorado Island, Panama
The early wake up call announced that we had arrived to Barro Colorado Island. Right in the middle of the Panama Canal, this nature monument is one of the biggest tropical laboratories. Scientists from all around the world come here for different research. This island was created during the construction of the canal. They had to flood the valley of the Chagres River in order to create Gatun Lake. It took around four years to do this. Little by little, the animals began to look for the highest peek in order to preserve their lives. The highest peek by then was Palenquilla Hill. Today, what used to be hilltops are islands. So Palelenquilla Hill became Barro Colorado Island. Rich in biodiversity, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute took control of this paradise in the 1940s.
Next to one of the wonders of the world, this nature monument is a testimony of efforts in preserving mankind by saving our environment. So we couldn’t avoid getting to know about this place. Hikes to the different trails on the main island and also on one of the peninsulas were included, as well as monument and Zodiacs cruises as the options of the day. So right after breakfast we went with the guides of the island to visit the area and learn about the research that is being done over the area.
After this interesting morning, back on board, we waited for the pilot of the canal to complete our transit in the Panama Canal. We saw a parade of Panamax Vessels cruising in the waterway of the canal. When it was our turn to go through the locks, a group of Capybaras showed up to give us a farewell. Being welcomed to the Caribbean side, we realized that our journey through paradise had ended. We could conclude many things from these adventures over the past seven days, but one thing we were sure of was that there is much yet to be seen and a lot to preserve. The trip had changed our lives and now it is our turn to protect and preserve what nature has given us to enjoy!
The early wake up call announced that we had arrived to Barro Colorado Island. Right in the middle of the Panama Canal, this nature monument is one of the biggest tropical laboratories. Scientists from all around the world come here for different research. This island was created during the construction of the canal. They had to flood the valley of the Chagres River in order to create Gatun Lake. It took around four years to do this. Little by little, the animals began to look for the highest peek in order to preserve their lives. The highest peek by then was Palenquilla Hill. Today, what used to be hilltops are islands. So Palelenquilla Hill became Barro Colorado Island. Rich in biodiversity, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute took control of this paradise in the 1940s.
Next to one of the wonders of the world, this nature monument is a testimony of efforts in preserving mankind by saving our environment. So we couldn’t avoid getting to know about this place. Hikes to the different trails on the main island and also on one of the peninsulas were included, as well as monument and Zodiacs cruises as the options of the day. So right after breakfast we went with the guides of the island to visit the area and learn about the research that is being done over the area.
After this interesting morning, back on board, we waited for the pilot of the canal to complete our transit in the Panama Canal. We saw a parade of Panamax Vessels cruising in the waterway of the canal. When it was our turn to go through the locks, a group of Capybaras showed up to give us a farewell. Being welcomed to the Caribbean side, we realized that our journey through paradise had ended. We could conclude many things from these adventures over the past seven days, but one thing we were sure of was that there is much yet to be seen and a lot to preserve. The trip had changed our lives and now it is our turn to protect and preserve what nature has given us to enjoy!
