After navigating 190 nautical miles from the island of Coiba, we arrived this morning in the outer islands of the Gulf of Panama.
Only 16 miles from the entrance to the Panama Canal, we had the great opportunity to explore these islands, including the forest-covered rocky island of Bona. Enjoying the marine cliffs, we had several sightings of frigates, boobies and pelicans, birds that dominate these unpopulated islands. We enjoyed watching the male magnificent frigates with their inflated pouches and the boobies, notorious for the arrow plunge dive.
Later we had a surprise visit to the Island of Taboga, known as a Panamanian summer house retreat. This island is infused with rich colonial history. It was here that Francisco Pizarro launched his expedition in 1532 to explore the South American Pacific coast which eventually would land in Peru. Our short visit allowed us to walk through this colorful town and see one of the oldest churches in the Americas, established in 1534 and still functioning.
What great way to enter the Bay of Panama! While making our way toward the canal anchorage area, our creative hotel staff greeted us with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. We were eagerly awaiting our journey through the canal.
Transit through the canal is very exciting. We are looking forward to seeing its new expansion: the administrator of the Panama Canal has announced that the first ship to enter the new locks will be in April of 2016!
