Panama

So today was what the trip was all about - sailing through the Panama Canal.
We were up before dawn to see us arrive at the Atlantic Ocean entry to the Canal. The photos don't do justice to the sheer scale of the line up of container ships waiting to get into port and/or make the journey across Lake Gatun.
It took a couple of hours to get through the first lock system - the Agua Clara Locks. It was incredibly impressive how quickly a ship the size of this cruise liner could be raised up.
Once through this system we entered this massive man-made lake created solely for the purpose of providing the water for the locks. However, in a poignant reminder that the Panama Canal is running out of water we had to anchor for virtually all day to wait for the tides.
Finally on our way late afternoon we sailed by Gamboa- the area of the Canal which was blasted through to create the channel.
We are now through the other side - the Cocoli Locks - and in the Pacific Ocean - but again going nowhere until the tides work.
In an unexpected bonus we spotted a very large crocodile cruising by the ship - who knew there were crocs in Panama?
A long day but truly an example of amazing engineering and an amazing experience for us which may not be here too much longer into the future if the water levels keep falling.Read more