The Amazing Panama Canal

We got up at 5:30 a.m. on March 19th to watch our ship enter the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal.

The American Society of Civil Engineers named the Panama Canal one of the 7 Wonderes of the Modern World.  The construction of the canal was originally started by France but they stopped their work in 1881 due to engineering difficulties and the high worker mortality rate.  The United States took over in 1904 and opened the canal on August 15, 1914.  Three locks lift the ships up 87 feet above sea level.  Three locks at the other end of the canal lower the ships back to sea level.  The original locks are 110 feet wide.

Our ship was the largest vessel that can fit in the original locks.  The little train tugs as seen above are used to keep the vessel in the correct position as it travels through the locks.  Eight trains are tethered to the ship--four on each side.  The pilot continually gives the engineers instructions on adjusting the tethers.  There is only about 24" of clearance space between the ship and the sides of the locks so that means 12" on each side.  It is incredible to see how tight it is.

By daylight, the decks were crowded with passengers taking photos and exclaiming their amazement.

The canal is composed of artificial lakes, channels, locks and dams.  The original locks use gravity, not pumps, to fill the locks and raise the ships.

In the photo below, you can actually see the tethers from the ship to the train type engines.

You can't even see the space between the ship and the locks.

Here is a closeup photo of one of the engines tethered at the side of the ship.

After we were finished traveling through the three locks, we boarded tender boats to take us to the shore.  Only the passengers who had board shore excursions through the cruise lines were allowed off the ship at the Gatun locks.  We had scheduled an excursion that allowed us to travel across the entire isthmus of Panama.  Steve wanted to see the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.  The excursion took us about 7 hours but the distance is only about 50 miles.

First we boarded buses which took us to the official Gatun locks.  While we were sitting on the bus, we observed this animal running around.  It is a coati which is common in Panama.  We have seen one in the zoo before.

We climbed up to the observation deck and watched another ship travel through the locks.  It really was fascinating.

In 1977, President Carter gave the canal to Panama but maintained joint control until 1999.  It is now managed by the Panama Canal Authority and is self-funded.  In fact, most years, the PCA gives some of his proceeds to the Panamainian government to assist with education, etc.  The most expensive toll was paid by the Norwegian Pearl on April 14, 2010 at $375,600 according to Wikileaks.  I'm better the Pearl, which was our vessel, paid at least that much or more on March 19, 2017.

The photo below is the new locks which were completed last year and opened for operation on June 16 2016..  The expanded locks are 70 feet wider and 180 feet deeper.  They an handle much larger Panamax ships.  Both sets of locks can be used on the same day so this really increases the number of vessels that can move through the canal.

Next we boarded a refurchised-type 1950's passenger train to travel to Panama City.

This little map was on a small box of snacks that they gave to us immediately after they went through the cars offering snacks for sale.  Of course, almost everyone bought snacks and beverages.  Then they gave us the little box.  It was too funny!

We were told that the buildings we were passing by were a prison.  A lot of rowdy workers were brought in to help build the canal.  I guess a little rum goes a long way in causing trouble.

Currently they are building bridges and we saw these huge pillars being constructed.

I believe that these are part of the locks on the Pacific side.  There is the San Pedro Miguel lock and the Miraflores locks.

These gold trees bloom this time of the year.  They were dotted throughout the hillsides adjoining the canal and they were stunning.  My photos don't do them any justice at all.

I included this picture even though it wasn't very clear because it was taken from the train.  It shows a ship approaching the lock and the gold trees on the hillside.

Here is Steve standing by the train when we got off at the Pacific side.  Here we boarded another bus for a ride around part of Panama City and then back across the isthmus to Colon where we are scheduled to meet our ship again.

There is the Pacific ocean and below is a view of Panama City from our bus.

The colonial side of the city was on our left and the modern financial center was on our right.

At the end of this tree-lined road was the building where the U S administered the Panama Canal for 85 years.  It was a beautiful area with many buildings which have all been turned over to Panama now.  Most of the military buildings were required to be used for educational purposes.  Some are still empty.  We realized that without the United States and their hard work and efforts, Panama wouldn't even exist as a country.  Now this country is a financial hub for Central America and it is relatively prosperous.  Thanks to the U.S.A.

We were dropped off at this artisan mall for a 20 minute shopping experience.  This was a military courtyard and the big building below is where the top brass lived.  It is being remodeled to be a hotel.

Steve got some nice shots of the city's skyline.

I was trying to get better photos of the gold trees.  I wasn't too successful from the moving bus.

Once we arrived back in Colon, we had a little time before we could board our ship.  We always find it interesting to browse through local markets and grocery stores.  The food seemed very expensive in relation to their wages.

Here are the souvenir shops and restaurants near the pier at Colon.  Very slummy looking housing areas were only a few blocks away.  It was an area of contrasts for sure.

We were very happy that we got to experience this amazing trip into the Panama Canal and the Gatun Lake from the Atlantic side.  Our ship basically turned around in the lake and went back through the Gatun locks to the Atlantic Ocean.  That is why we wanted to ride the train across the Isthmus.  It was a remarkable day.

Goodbye Panama Canal!  You are incredible!