On the surface, Portobelo appears to be another site for religious pilgrimage in the Americas, but the ambiance in this small town on the Panamanian Caribbean coast goes far beyond mere fervent Catholicism and is where African beliefs meet those of Europeans’ and blend into something unique. A brisk walk through the town brings you to castles sacked on numerous occasions by English privateers, and formerly important bastions for the Spanish Empire. There is an unforgettable museum made from coral detailing the slave history of Portobelo and the culture of the new settlers, including an imposing church where even the Virgin Mary is holding a pair of handcuffs. “Why?” you may ask. Well, you will have to visit to find out.
11/9/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Barro Colorado Island and the Panama Canal
The last full day of our expedition began with an early wake-up call performed by several troops of howler monkeys. From the bow of National Geographic Quest, several guests gathered to enjoy the majestic howl of these primates. They were announcing, up in the canopy of the trees of Barro Colorado Island, where they had decided to forage. Right after breakfast, we geared up and separated into three different groups. One group of our guests went to explore some of the trails of this island run by scientists of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Another group jumped in one of our Zodiacs and left to explore the surroundings of the island. The last group loaded onto outboard engine boats and cruised to the midpoint of the Panama Canal; from here they rode coach buses to a pristine area in the Soberania National Park. It was a very active morning, loaded with mesmerizing sightings of birds, primates, and reptiles. Afterward, we returned to the ship for lunch. Right after recharging our energy, we went out again and loaded onto local boats to explore other coves and small islets of Gatun Lake. Once back on board, we all gathered to share our thoughts of how amazing our journey has been, exploring the Caribbean coasts of Colombia and Panama.
