Barro Colorado and Panama Canal, Panama
The constructors of the Panama Canal made sure that this masterpiece of engineering would have plenty of water to run the operation for centuries to come. In order to achieve this, they decided to flood the Chagres River Valley, which from that point on became known as Gatun Lake. After four years of flooding, all that remained above water where the mountaintops, one of which then became what we now refer to as Barro Colorado Island. In time, animal populations living in the lowlands were displaced into the mountaintops and became isolated from the rest of the Panamanian territory. By 1923, the Smithsonian Institution was given permission to establish a biological station, which nowadays is credited for a large part of the most innovative studies in tropical biology. And this is where we were today.
Early in the morning we awoke to the sight of the Barro Colorado Natural Monument. After breakfast a group of Smithsonian researchers and guides came aboard our ship, to give us a talk on the research that is carried out at Barro Colorado. Then we divided into several groups: some went to the island itself, while others went either to one of the peninsulas which make up this gigantic biological laboratory or else took the easy way out by going on Zodiac cruises. Whatever the choice, we all came back onboard satisfied and inspired.
After lunch we patiently waited for the Panama Canal Pilot to come onboard. Finally he appeared, and by mid afternoon we continued the transit of the canal. A fresh and strong breeze welcomed us into the Caribbean Sea as we approached our final destination at sunset. Our adventure on the wild side of Costa Rica and Panama was coming to a happy ending.
The constructors of the Panama Canal made sure that this masterpiece of engineering would have plenty of water to run the operation for centuries to come. In order to achieve this, they decided to flood the Chagres River Valley, which from that point on became known as Gatun Lake. After four years of flooding, all that remained above water where the mountaintops, one of which then became what we now refer to as Barro Colorado Island. In time, animal populations living in the lowlands were displaced into the mountaintops and became isolated from the rest of the Panamanian territory. By 1923, the Smithsonian Institution was given permission to establish a biological station, which nowadays is credited for a large part of the most innovative studies in tropical biology. And this is where we were today.
Early in the morning we awoke to the sight of the Barro Colorado Natural Monument. After breakfast a group of Smithsonian researchers and guides came aboard our ship, to give us a talk on the research that is carried out at Barro Colorado. Then we divided into several groups: some went to the island itself, while others went either to one of the peninsulas which make up this gigantic biological laboratory or else took the easy way out by going on Zodiac cruises. Whatever the choice, we all came back onboard satisfied and inspired.
After lunch we patiently waited for the Panama Canal Pilot to come onboard. Finally he appeared, and by mid afternoon we continued the transit of the canal. A fresh and strong breeze welcomed us into the Caribbean Sea as we approached our final destination at sunset. Our adventure on the wild side of Costa Rica and Panama was coming to a happy ending.
