Barro Colorado Nature Monument and Gatun Locks Passage, 12/8/2017, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
This morning we woke up in front of majestic views of the tropical rainforest at Barro Colorado Island. This was the largest hill flooded by the making of Lake Gatun. Its lush rainforest and diversity of plants and mammals has driven researchers worldwide to conduct tropical research here.
Later today we culminated an amazing week aboard National Geographic Questby crossing through the last portion of the Panama Canal. We also saw the Neo Panamax ship using the new expanded locks project that has been operating since June 26th 2016.
Gabriel grew up in the outskirts of Panama City and became member of the Panama Eco tourism family back in 2007. He has led many expeditions in Central America and South America working as a naturalist. His expertise in natural history has inspired...
David Pickar is a native of Portland, Oregon. He studied anthropology at the University of Oregon, then spent several years working as a field archaeologist. Participating in excavations in countries like Jordan, Belize and Italy and in every corner ...
Today, National Geographic Quest arrived in the gateway of Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica’s most ecologically intense rainforest. Its diversity is unparalleled. In the morning, our guests enjoyed either a long hike or a walk along the coastline. In both activities, guests spotted scarlet macaws, their colors blazing in the tree canopy. Other tropical birds also displayed extraordinary colors. Among others, we spotted scarlet-rumped tanagers, bay-headed tanagers, and red-legged honeycreepers. We also observed land mammals, including white-nosed coatimundis, on the grounds of the coastal walkway of San Josesito Beach. Later in the afternoon, we repositioned to San Pedrillo, one of the stations of the national park and a highlight of our voyage. The chance to dip into a waterfall pool made every meter of the walk worth it. Along the hike, guests spotted American crocodiles and many types of tropical birds. The importance of this area is demonstrated by the size of its trees. The park, 80% of which is protected, maintains a good balance of the species that inhabit this gorgeous rainforest. The pargo trail was another option for hiking today, and guests enjoyed great sightings of spider monkeys, black-hooded antshrikes, dot-winged antwrens, and rufous pihas. After the afternoon activities, we headed back to the ship. We enjoyed the recap sessions, a great end to this day.
The sun was rising this morning as National Geographic Quest docked in the Port of Golfito. The Standard Fruit Company exported its banana production through the port until the mid-1980s. After this, the company formally began operations in Costa Rica. Ship handling was the main interest of the site, so very little land was used for settlement. Much of the original forest was left in place to guarantee not only the water supply, but also for the delight of those who lived here. After clearing Customs this morning, we went out to explore the mangroves of this beautiful place. Some guests enjoyed Zodiac tours. Other guests desired more exercise, so they observed the mangroves while kayaking. After repositioning the boat inside Golfo Dulce in the afternoon, we explored the trails of Dolphin Quest, a private reserve connected to Piedras Blancas National Park. We observed scarlet macaws, white-faced capuchins, white-lipped peccaries, and several species of small amphibians and reptiles. We were pleased to spot a tree frog called Hyla rosembergii , a species rarely found close to the ground, especially during the day. The day was a success, starting with a beautiful morning and ending with a fantastic sunset.
Once more today, we had the privilege of waking up in this majestic place on the Pacific side of Panama. Coiba National Park is one of the most pristine and diverse national parks on the continent. Its vast marine extension makes it a gem for the wildlife that we encounter living in its array of ecosystems. Cocos Island is without a doubt one of the highlights of our voyage. It is a privilege to go underwater and see one of the most endangered habitats on the planet. We enjoyed the opportunity to observe the coral reef. Now we understand firsthand the threats faced by the reef due to climate change and the resulting conditions that limit its growth. Cocos Island is one of the reef’s hotspots for marine life observation. We observed different schools of fish, sea turtles, and whitetip reef sharks during our snorkel activity. We spent time at the national park’s headquarters, relaxing on the beach and swimming in the beautiful water. The sheltered bay makes for calm and smooth paddleboarding and kayaking. We also organized walking tours around the island. We learned how thousands of years of isolation produced subspecies. Coiba is a World Heritage Site due to the uniqueness of its natural history and the protection of its territory.
