Panama Canal: Gamboa

For us, every trip usually starts with a long and arduous journey. This time we had a 4-hour direct flight from RDU to Panama City. Following a one-hour minivan transfer, we were in Gamboa, Panama, halfway between the Atlantic and Pacific, at the edge of tropical rainforests, the middle of the Panama Canal.

Gamboa is really a village, originally established to house canal workers. Its center looks like there has not been a new building since the Americans left at the end of the last century. Second below is our Airbnb.





In between the downpours, we managed to see quite a bit (during and after a deluge first and second below).

• A dozen cargo ships in the canal
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• A few Canal railway trains ferrying containers across the isthmus. Video below.
• Mammals: a dozen howler monkeys(1st below), countless agouti(2nd), one coati, a couple variegated squirrels
  
  
• Reptiles: two Caimans, one alligator, two iguanas
  
  
  
  
• Birds: thousands of birds, we were able to identify a few dozen. First below is a Juvenile Rufescent Tiger-Heron.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Butterflies: the most iridescent blue butterfly, half a dozen times.

We were rather pleased, though we missed the sloths. We could have easily hung out in Gamboa for a week wandering aimlessly looking for wildlife and ships.

Video of Leafcutter Ants


Lunch at Restaurante Gamboa


Sendero La Laguna




Audio - Howler Monkeys


The Chagres River flows into the Panama Canal at Gamboa.


Video of Container Ship MSC ANS


SL Spots A Bird


We happen upon cyclists and the Saturday Morning Running Club.




Bonus photo. When TSA fails to find what they were looking for: RDU Airport, Raleigh, NC.