The Day That Left Me Speechless
Walking Into the Pages of National Geographic: My Lindblad Expedition Through Panama & the Darién
There are trips you enjoy… and then there are trips that quietly change you.
My recent expedition with Lindblad Expeditions aboard the National Geographic Quest through the Darién Jungle, Pearl Islands, and the Panama Canal was the latter. From the moment we stepped aboard, it felt less like a cruise and more like stepping directly into the pages of National Geographic—the very pages I wore thin as a little girl dreaming of faraway places.
This was not a vacation in the traditional sense. This was an expedition. A true exploration of land, people, wildlife, and self.
A Front-Row Seat to the Wild
Every day unfolded like a living documentary. Our onboard naturalists—many of them Panamanian—could identify birds mid-flight, name every sound echoing through the jungle, and speak with deep pride and reverence for their country. Their passion was contagious.
One of the most powerful moments of the voyage was spending time with Hernán Araúz, son of famed explorer Reina Torres de Araúz, who was featured in National Geographic in 1961 for her groundbreaking work in the Darién. He shared rare photos, artifacts, and even video footage of his mother speaking—bringing history vividly to life. Listening to him felt like touching a living thread of exploration.
Wildlife was everywhere—monkeys swinging overhead, birds of every color imaginable, and ecosystems so alive they felt almost electric. Yet surprisingly, the most moving moment of the entire trip didn’t involve wildlife at all.
The Day That Took My Breath Away
Our visit to the Emberá community is something I will carry with me forever.
Language was limited, but connection was not. Smiles, laughter, shared glances, and shared humanity filled the gaps words could not. We walked hand in hand with the children along jungle paths and sandy beaches, watched them play in the waves, and felt—deeply—the simplicity and richness of a life rooted in community.
As if that weren’t enough, we were there on a morning when over 100 baby sea turtles emerged from their nests and made their first journey to the ocean as part of the community’s conservation efforts. Watching those tiny creatures scramble toward the water while the villagers looked on with pride was one of those moments that leaves you speechless.
You don’t just visit a place like this.
You leave a piece of yourself behind.
More Than a Canal Crossing
Yes—we transited the Panama Canal, and yes, it was incredible. But it was so much more than “just” a canal crossing.
We passed through the Pacific locks, spent the night and a full day on Gatun Lake, and explored places like Barro Colorado Island, home to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Some guests hiked through the jungle; others explored Gamboa, spotting hummingbirds, toucans, and crocodiles.
Passing through the locks in the quiet of the night, looking back at the massive chambers we had just descended through, was surreal. A reminder of both human ingenuity and nature’s scale.
And then there was Portobelo, home of the Black Christ. The town’s dancers shared the powerful story of the enslaved Africans who built the canal—their music, movement, and emotion carrying centuries of resilience and history. You could feel the weight of it, and the pride.
Life Onboard the National Geographic Quest
This was not a luxury cruise—it was something far better.
Days began with our expedition leader Mao’s cheerful wake-up call:
“Buenos días! Buenos días! Good morning!”
Breakfast at 7 (or 7:30 if you were lucky), followed by Zodiac rides, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, or exploring ashore.
Evenings brought recap sessions, happy hour, fascinating lectures, and wonderful meals shared with people who—by then—felt like old friends. There’s something bonding about being soaked from a jungle hike together or helping each other back into a Zodiac.
The camaraderie was real. So was the food. And yes—follow the packing list. They mean it.
A Trip That Stays With You
I was one of the younger travelers on board at 50, with ages ranging from about 40 to 80. Many guests were on their fifth, sixth, even tenth Lindblad expedition—and already planning their next. That alone says everything.
This journey reminded me why I fell in love with travel in the first place. It was humbling. Exhilarating. Eye-opening. And deeply human.
This wasn’t a vacation you recover from.
It was one you carry with you.
Sharing this experience with my son made it even more meaningful. Watching him absorb the world with curiosity and respect, and knowing we were creating memories neither of us will ever forget, was the greatest gift of all.
I’ll be returning to Lindblad again soon—next stop, Antarctica—and I cannot wait. But this journey through Panama, the Darién, and the Pearl Islands will always hold a special place in my heart.
If you’re willing to lean in, to get a little muddy, to be curious, open, and present—this kind of expedition will give you something no resort ever could.
It will give you perspective.
It will give you connection.
And it just might give you a piece of yourself you didn’t know you were missing.
