Bona and Otoque
Soothing breezes and calm seas swept us into the early morning stretch class on the sundeck of the Sea Voyager. As magnificent frigatebirds circled above, we welcomed the unique opportunity to share the sunrise and remark on the mutual curiosity taking place as the birds observed our technique and we marveled at their flight.
After breakfast, we departed via Zodiac to explore the islands of Bona and Otoque. The nutrient rich waters that emerge here, from the bottom of the Gulf of Panama, attract an abundance of marine birds for nesting and feeding on and around these islands. The magnificent frigatebirds led us to their nests among brown pelicans, osprey, peregrine falcons, brown and blue footed boobies. Outnumbered in a phenomenal community of birds, we returned to the ship, awed and inspired by the power of nature to seek out the best means of survival and reproduction.
Speaking of survival, we were ready for lunch and enjoyed a delightful taco buffet, complete with an ice cream social. So settling back into our habitat, the afternoon activities kicked off with a presentation by our distinguished World Wildlife Fund Naturalist, Robin Naidoo, on the Global Conservation Priorities of the WWF. Founded in 1961, the WWF has 70 offices around the world and is active in 96 countries. The destinations are chosen by a combination of criteria including environmental threats and limited resources in each “ecoregion” across the planet. A discussion ensued about the efforts of the WWF, past and present, inspiring us all to promote conservation and exploration locally, as well as internationally.
With vision and progress on our minds, we scattered to the decks for fresh air and to watch for marine life. After enjoying the precious sunset, we gathered again for cocktails and an informative presentation by our Panamanian naturalist, Christian Gernez, about the Panama Canal expansion. Approved last year by Panama, construction on the third set of locks of the Canal has already begun. Yet so many questions still prevail, like international security and the drawback of having only one location for canal passage when Nicaragua still offers the lowest pass anywhere on the Cordilleras from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Is Panama the best, or only location for expansion? As in the past, we look upon the intellect of the present, and the generations to follow, to best accomplish this global initiative.
Soothing breezes and calm seas swept us into the early morning stretch class on the sundeck of the Sea Voyager. As magnificent frigatebirds circled above, we welcomed the unique opportunity to share the sunrise and remark on the mutual curiosity taking place as the birds observed our technique and we marveled at their flight.
After breakfast, we departed via Zodiac to explore the islands of Bona and Otoque. The nutrient rich waters that emerge here, from the bottom of the Gulf of Panama, attract an abundance of marine birds for nesting and feeding on and around these islands. The magnificent frigatebirds led us to their nests among brown pelicans, osprey, peregrine falcons, brown and blue footed boobies. Outnumbered in a phenomenal community of birds, we returned to the ship, awed and inspired by the power of nature to seek out the best means of survival and reproduction.
Speaking of survival, we were ready for lunch and enjoyed a delightful taco buffet, complete with an ice cream social. So settling back into our habitat, the afternoon activities kicked off with a presentation by our distinguished World Wildlife Fund Naturalist, Robin Naidoo, on the Global Conservation Priorities of the WWF. Founded in 1961, the WWF has 70 offices around the world and is active in 96 countries. The destinations are chosen by a combination of criteria including environmental threats and limited resources in each “ecoregion” across the planet. A discussion ensued about the efforts of the WWF, past and present, inspiring us all to promote conservation and exploration locally, as well as internationally.
With vision and progress on our minds, we scattered to the decks for fresh air and to watch for marine life. After enjoying the precious sunset, we gathered again for cocktails and an informative presentation by our Panamanian naturalist, Christian Gernez, about the Panama Canal expansion. Approved last year by Panama, construction on the third set of locks of the Canal has already begun. Yet so many questions still prevail, like international security and the drawback of having only one location for canal passage when Nicaragua still offers the lowest pass anywhere on the Cordilleras from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Is Panama the best, or only location for expansion? As in the past, we look upon the intellect of the present, and the generations to follow, to best accomplish this global initiative.
