Barro Colorado and the Panama Canal
The final day of the Panama Canal crossing began with an early morning sunrise stretch class on the sundeck. Amidst one of the world’s greatest shipping lanes, we quietly moved through the asana, sensing the lush wilderness of Lake Gatun and the surrounding rainforests.
After breakfast Dr. Lee, from Barro Colorado Island (BCI) Smithsonian Research Station, welcomed us with a fascinating introduction to, “this tropical intact rain forest,” that was once the summit of a small mountain. With more than 230 species of wildlife, we explored the island via lush hiking trails and scenic Zodiac expeditions. Highlights were the sightings on the island! First the rare green vine snake and then the Howler Monkeys hanging around the launch to bid us farewell.
Upon returning to the Sea Voyager we enjoyed a festive Spanish style lunch in the aft lounge surrounded by ships lining up for their advance in to the Gatun Locks. With our Panamanian Naturalist Ivan Hoyas narrating our journey, we crossed 3 locks, lowering us 85 feet and out into the calm Caribbean Sea.
As night fell we sailed to our final destination, Colon, where we enjoyed a lively cocktail hour and parting dinner to celebrate our significant voyage. The opportunity to cross the canal links us to the same determination that drove the original canal builders to complete the waterway so many years ago. Present day engineers believe that with specific improvements, the present canal could certainly increase the capacity of ships crossing per year. But, a new and wider canal is to be built, thus expanding man’s progress across the world, and inspiring us to continue to achieve, explore and travel.
The final day of the Panama Canal crossing began with an early morning sunrise stretch class on the sundeck. Amidst one of the world’s greatest shipping lanes, we quietly moved through the asana, sensing the lush wilderness of Lake Gatun and the surrounding rainforests.
After breakfast Dr. Lee, from Barro Colorado Island (BCI) Smithsonian Research Station, welcomed us with a fascinating introduction to, “this tropical intact rain forest,” that was once the summit of a small mountain. With more than 230 species of wildlife, we explored the island via lush hiking trails and scenic Zodiac expeditions. Highlights were the sightings on the island! First the rare green vine snake and then the Howler Monkeys hanging around the launch to bid us farewell.
Upon returning to the Sea Voyager we enjoyed a festive Spanish style lunch in the aft lounge surrounded by ships lining up for their advance in to the Gatun Locks. With our Panamanian Naturalist Ivan Hoyas narrating our journey, we crossed 3 locks, lowering us 85 feet and out into the calm Caribbean Sea.
As night fell we sailed to our final destination, Colon, where we enjoyed a lively cocktail hour and parting dinner to celebrate our significant voyage. The opportunity to cross the canal links us to the same determination that drove the original canal builders to complete the waterway so many years ago. Present day engineers believe that with specific improvements, the present canal could certainly increase the capacity of ships crossing per year. But, a new and wider canal is to be built, thus expanding man’s progress across the world, and inspiring us to continue to achieve, explore and travel.
