Sunday 3rd April - Flamenco Island, Panama - Gatun Lake

Our tour isn't until this afternoon, and we decided to take it easy this morning - just pottering around the ship until then. The ship is not berthed, we are anchored out a mile or so from Flamenco Island, which is joined by a man made isthmus to Panama city. Quite a fantastic skyline - and we spent the morning enjoying the view and watching pelicans and flocks of cormorants go by.

At 12.45, we were stood at the doors in the side of the ship waiting to board the tenders. Within 30 minutes we'd crossed the bay on the tenders, and had boarded little buses that were to take us to Gatun Lake, which is actually a reservoir and part of the Panama Canal. Our tour guide was a loud and very knowledgeable lady by the name of Michelle and we had an excellent time.

First we all climbed into little boats which roared across the lake to what was left of the hills before the Gatun Valley was flooded. They are now little islands of course. And the boat driver knew exactly where to look to find the things that would interest the tourists.

Tarmarind Monkeys:

White Faced Capuchins

Howler Monkeys:

Iguana's:

We even got to see a crocodile and turtles but I haven't got photo's of those.

We were then taken to the fantastic Gamboa Resort hotel complex overlooking the lake. There are few little exhibition areas in the grounds and we got to wander around an orchid farm:

A butterfly farm - (Peter got the best picture though):

And a frog pen:

These frogs are very poisonous......... But not today apparently, because the poison comes from the insects they eat when they are in the wild. In captivity, their diet is much less dangerous.

A flowering tree outside proved to be a honey pot for humming birds - all different types. I tried, but I couldn't get a photograph. 

We were then taken to the hotel to use the loos and get a glass of fruit punch. The views from the hotel were just absolutely stunning, somewhere I would love to spend a couple of weeks for a holiday methinks......... when we win the lottery.

Then it was back on the bus, and back on the ship. A really good day finished off with a steak dinner in the veranda restaurant. You can't go wrong can you?

Tomorrow the ship will be making its way up the Panama Canal. People are looking forward to seeing the locks, but I'm looking forward to training my binoculars on the shore to see if I can spot any more crocodiles, or perhaps a toucan, or an osprey...... you never know.