Panama Transit

Today was the highlight of the cruise a partial transit of the Panama Canal and it has certainly lived up to its billing. It started with a 6am alarm call followed by finding your position to take in the sights and sounds of this 2.5 hour journey through the three locks we needed to go through to get to Gatun Lake where people on various tours were tendered ashore. One of the first things to strike you was how green and lush the surrounding areas were, with forest as far as the eye could see, coming right down to the side of the canal, with frigate birds soaring overhead, accompanied by Pelicans fishing and swallows gathering up insect life close to the waters surface. The odd alligator was also sighted in the water margins. We have been told that we have been very lucky with the weather as lots of rain then sunshine is the usual order of the day, which explains the verdant surroundings, as the sun came up and burnt off what little cloud was in the sky, the temperatures started to climb and could lull you into a false sense of security with a gentle breeze off the water. I am sure there will  be a few cases of sunburn/dehydration later as the temperature climbed to the mid 80s (sorry for mentioning this back home). From the upper decks you were able to see for miles. As there was going to be a rugby style clamber for vantage points on the sharp end, I decided to make camp in the blunt end or stern as the nautical types like to call it. With out previously arranging it I had the good luck to meet up with Malcolm who had the same idea, and spent a most pleasant morning in one another's company, marvelling at this modern wonder of the engineering world. Watching the skill of the mule drivers ( a small towing train) keeping and positioning the ship correctly with only inches to spare either side. If you were foolhardy enough you could put your hand out on the lower decks and touch the side of the lock, so tight are the margins in fitting the ship in. When I get back to the UK I will post a load of pictures from the canal when I can access a fast internet connection. The ships internet is so slow it would take weeks to upload just one photo and use up all my time. I would like to thank Malcolm for his company and making this transit special.

Ships waiting to transit the Canal

Entering the first lock

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New road bridge being built to cross the Canal

Admiral Horatio Tucker

4 inches either side of the ship to spare. A marvel of engineering.