The Panama Canal

I finally got to transit the Panama Canal! I made a point of getting up early so I didn't miss anything.  I was outside by 6:30, in time to watch the sunrise as we made our way toward the entrance.  Just before we entered the canal, we spotted a crocodile swimming along the banks.  We had heard they could be sometimes seen, but weren't really expecting to see one.  We entered the first lock around 8am.  We had taken on (by way of little boats coming alongside) our official Panama Canal crew, who have to be present on every ship that goes through the canal.  The ship is tied up on either side to "mules", little train-car contraptions made by Mitsubishi that help to stabilize the ship and keep it centered in the middle of the canal, avoiding scraping the sides.  We did bump the side once that I felt, there is only a few feet of clearance on either side.  Our ship is nearly the absolute maximum size allowed in the canal, and as such paid a hefty fee to transit - around $350,000.  Cruise ships are charged per berth, so per possible passenger capacity, whether the berths are full or not.  Before you enter, you wait in front of a huge set of gates, that are holding back the water as the ship in front of you is raised up.  While you wait a bridge is opened right in front of the ship to allow traffic to cross the canal, then just as you are about to move, they stop the traffic, retract the bridge, and clear the way.  Once the water level has returned to normal, those gigantic gates slowly open (A la Jurassic Park) and you can pass through.   On top of every gate is a narrow walkway used by crew carefully timing their crossings before the stairs and guardrails disappear as the gates open.  Once inside the lock, you wait and wait while the water level is raised enough, then another set of gates open and you pass into the next one.  There are actually two parallel canals, so we were watching several ships ahead of us and to our right slowly making their way through the locks.  After the first set raises you up, you then sail through a river that was widened to form a sort of man-made lake through the countryside for a few hours, then two more sets of locks slowly lower you back down to sea level.  At the end is a hotel where crowds gather to cheer the ships as they clear the final lock.  It was really a fascinating day - incredible that the system works so well and was created nearly 100 years ago.  The genius behind it is amazing.  It was hot!! And I have half a dozen bug bits to show for my trouble, but it was worth it! 

Cartagena, Columbia

This morning I had a quick final ship safety training (Induction No. 3 to be exact) and then I skipped off the ship with Nick and Jane, quite excited to be on a brand new continent!! South America, for the first time.  It was a very short introduction to the continent, as I had only a couple of hours, but it was a nice place to visit.  From where the ship docks you can see the skyscrapers of the new part of Cartagena.  Our taxi driver (who patiently worked with my rusty Spanish) told me it is known as the "Boca Grande", or "big mouth".  At least I think thats what he said. Jane suggested maybe its a nickname because the skyscrapers look like teeth.  As good a guess as any, I suppose.  Anyone want to google it for me?? 

We got dropped off by our taxi driver outside the old town of Cartagena, and had a nice wander through the city streets and up on the old wall surrounding the town.  We looked at a couple of the cathedrals and squares, and did a bit of shopping.  We got some great coffee that we took back to make on the ship in Nick's french press, and I got a new flute for my collection back home.  We sidestepped vendors and aggressive taxi drivers at every turn, but it didn't really bother me.  I'm getting better at ignoring people, as bad as that might sound.  It is the only way to be left alone in that regard.  Once the heat and humidity had completely worn us out (it was hot!!), we stopped for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe Cartagena, a desired destination for both Nick and Jane, who have visited different ones around the world and are collecting the pins/shot glasses, etc.  They also had a trusty veggie burger and water that wouldn't make us sick, so it was a safe choice for lunch.  All day I looked longingly at the street vendors with their fresh fruit and baked goods…..but having been warned multiple times that the water it is washed in or prepared with often causes stomach problems with gringos new to the area, I decided on playing it safe this time.  After all, tomorrow is a big day too, transiting the Panama Canal! I can't wait!!   I have a Panama hat and everything.  (Its your size, Dad, its for you when you get here, I'm just breaking it in)