Panama Canal, Gatun Lake, 3/29/2025, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Caribbean
Hola (Greetings) from Panama!
Our grand ship, National Geographic Orion, passed through the famous locks of the Panama Canal today, crossing from the Pacific Ocean into the Gatun Lake. We anchored to await our turn to cross through the second lock into the Atlantic Ocean.
Guests enjoyed the morning with various tours offered within the area, including hikes and Zodiac cruises. We spotted many varieties of birds along with monkeys and crocodiles. A great day was had by all as we awaited our turn to pass through the last lock before entering the Caribbean Islands. Cheers!
Internationally acclaimed as a traditional master navigator, Tua has navigated canoes across the great oceans of our planet from the coastlines of Asia through to the shores of the Americas for more than 30 years, without the use of modern instrument...
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We enjoyed a day at sea aboard National Geographic Orion. As we transited the south Caribbean Sea, we were treated to a few presentations about Colombia, reef fish, and music of the region, but the real stars of the day were the masked and brown boobies hunting flying fish. There were spectacular displays of hunting from the birds and avoidance by the fish.
Today we had the opportunity to explore Colombia’s oldest town, Santa Marta, founded in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas. This small town is well known for having one of the highest points in the country, is very close the Caribbean Sea, and is one of the most important Natural Parks in Colombia, Tayrona National Park. A mixture of tropical dry forest, stunning coral reefs, and a lush cloud forest loaded with a large diversity of birds made our guests eager to disembark and explore all these wonders. Our guests chose their excursions according to their interests. One group went on a hike in Tayrona National Park. They enjoyed exploring, from the forest to the pristine crystal beaches. Another group of guests mingled among the locals in town, enjoying the flavors of Colombia. They learned about the culture and had a culinary experience, tasting different local recipes. The last group visited a traditional coffee farm in the foothills of Sierra Nevada. Here the owner, Mrs. Claudia Weber, guided them throughout the process, from the planting of the coffee, the harvesting process, drying, roasting, and bagging. They also had enjoyed the flavor of a cup of delicious Colombian coffee. It was another outstanding day of our expedition exploring the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
Today in Cispata Bay, we eagerly launched a thrilling panga excursion into lush mangroves, culminating in the memorable release of a juvenile American crocodile into protected waters. Onshore, a vibrant local dance performance dazzled our group. By the afternoon, we reached Sanguare Nature Reserve for invigorating hikes and serene kayaking. The day ended with lively music and energetic dancing, truly embodying the region’s rich traditions and capping an unforgettable Colombian adventure.
