This morning National Geographic Sea Lion found herself anchored in Gatun Lake, not too far from an island named Barro Colorado. Barro Colorado Island is a great location to observe and study tropical plant and animal life. The laboratory facility found on Barro Colorado, is managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. After breakfast, we had an opportunity to have a meet and greet with Dr. Leigh, who filled our heads full of knowledge about a typical day at the research institute. We had a chance to venture by foot, and take a walk on the property, and learn about the tropical life on the island. Those who were not interested in hiking, had a chance to enjoy an expedition landing craft ride, and cruise the coast that surrounds the island. There was amazing animal spotting that took a sharp eye to see among the dark jungle foliage. Such as howler monkeys, iguanas, a young crocodile, and a range of birds.
The rest of the day was beautiful and not a minute was wasted. We cruised towards the Gatun Locks, and waited for our turn to finish our transit through the Panama Canal. There were excited cheers, as a little row boat approached the National Geographic Sea Lion, and tied the first lines to the ship that would take us through the canal. Once we made it through and lowered to the level of the Atlantic Ocean that finished our transit through the Panama Canal!
