Jungleland Panama!!

By far the most fun and interesting time we had in Panama was the Jungleland experience with Captain Carl. We knew it was going to be a unique experience when the good Cap'n arrived for the 9:15 pickup promptly at 9:45 and announced "if you've got to use the bathroom, there's the bushes!"  We were to go from the Gamboa public boat launch to a floating lodge somewhere in the jungle of Gatun Lake.  One of the day passengers asked how long the ride would be.  Cap'n Carl estimated 40 minutes.

Loading up and donning life jackets at Gamboa    

In the Panama Canal, we saw several freighter vessels.  We would see this one, the Stuttgart Express, again before we left Panama.

The tour took several side trips off the canal to see different flora and fauna of the jungle

 The container ships, Panamax class, were impressive.  14 containers wide, 18 long, and up to 6 high.  That allows for over 1500 containers above deck with many more secured below.

Cap'n Carl had an excellent Capuchin monkey call (and a healthy supply of delicious peanuts).  After several attempts we had a visitor drop onto the boat.

 Large iguana

 Cap'n Carl named this solo Capuchin Javier.  He did not come on the boat, but he was very adept at catching peanuts and banana.

 Another visitor aboard the boat

 Ashley was amused because the monkey took the peanut from her hand before she knew he was on the boat

 At another stop a tamarind, the smallest monkey in Panama, joined for some mushy banana

We arrived at the lodge!  Remember when Cap'n Carl said 40 minutes.  Well, actual trip time was more like 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Lunch was available shortly after we got there.  Oh yes, and there are crocodiles in Gatun Lake.  Captain Carl tried to show us a few but they kept sliding into the water.  Apparently it was hatching season so the moms were guarding their nests.

 Most of the people in the boat were only there for the afternoon.  We and one other guest were staying the night.  Our room was on the bottom floor facing the jungle, and the girls really liked the hanging beds.

The top floor of the lodge had two astroturf lawns and a bunch of hammocks.  These were a big hit.

 Being a lodge in the jungle, and named Jungleland, Cap'n Carl and crew had several creatures to share, including this boa.

 The Aussie crewmember showing the snake was impressed that the girls touched and held it.  He said most people scream and run off at the sight of it.

 One adventure guests could enjoy was a bit of fishing in the lake.  The girls had an absolute blast.  It helped that the hook baiting and fish removal was handled by the boat driver.

 Ashley now wants a fishing pole for her birthday.

 All three girls caught fish and found it very exciting.

The whole family in the croc infested waters.  No one asked why it was safe to swim near the lodge, and no one had stories of mangled tourist...so why not?

 Sarah and I struck out with a group of daytrippers on a kayak exploration to a hidden waterfall

 It was really neat to take a narrow path into the jungle

 It was the end of the dry season in Panama, so they hadn't had much rain in 4 months.  The lake was about 6 feet low, which made the path winding and shallow.

 When the water is high, you kayak all the way to the falls.  We had to walk about 1000 feet.  Notice how the stream is just a trickle?

 Sneaky bunch that they are, Jungleland puts a small dam upstream to make the falls impressive wet or dry.  Here it is ramping up.

 And at full flow.  The pool was about 8 feet deep, so Sarah and I took the plunge several times.

 The best thing was that it was cool and refreshing, much needed after paddling and walking through the steamy jungle.