I know, shame on me. It's been a while.
After El Boquete, we opted to drive back to the city (rather than fly). It saved money.. but added time. A 30 minute plane ride translated to 8 hours by bus since we were in the mountains. Eventually we made it back home.
The next day we were off again to BCI (Barro Colorado Island). It's a Smithsonian Institute where scientists from around the world study the various species there.
BCI a fairly interesting phenomenon in itself. The island was created from the flooding of the surrounding lands when the canal was constructed. Therefore the only way to get there is by boat. Yet somehow, all types of species managed to get on and off the island... including large cats (jaguars, tigers, the like). How? Maybe all species are secretly really good swimmers.
Anyways, highlights of that one night trip. Nice facilities, Spoke English (though it was awkward), had a cool tour guide who'd worked in many places over the years, enthusiastic lecturer on ants, and the bat lady. Gotta say, watching her monitor her equipment that picked up all the sounds we couldn't hear was pretty cool. We'd see activity on the computer and within seconds a bat would fly by. Cool, neh?
