Day 78 Saturday 5th August 2017 Panama CanalTop of page
8:30am
3pm
12pm
Some Canal background
The Panama Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is an artificial 77 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. There are locks at each end to lift ships up to Gatun Lake, an artificial lake created to reduce the amount of excavation work required for the canal, 26 metres above sea level, and then lower the ships at the other end. The original locks are 33.5 metres (110 ft) wide. A third, wider lane of locks opened in 2016. The new locks allow transit of larger, Post-Panamax ships, capable of handling more cargo.
France began work on the canal in 1881 but stopped due to engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. The United States took over the project in 1904 and opened the canal on August 15, 1914. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the Panama Canal shortcut greatly reduced the time for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, enabling them to avoid the lengthy, hazardous Cape Horn route around the southernmost tip of South America via the Drake Passage or Strait of Magellan.
After a period of joint American-Panamanian control, in 1999 the canal was taken over by the Panamanian government and is now managed and operated by the government-owned Panama Canal Authority.
Annual traffic has risen from about 1,000 ships in 1914, when the canal opened, to 14,702 vessels in 2008, about 40 ships a day.
It takes eight to ten hours to pass through the Panama Canal. The American Society of Civil Engineers has called the Panama Canal one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
30,000 workers died during the Canal’s construction.
Our ship paid US$325,000 or US$160 per passenger to pass through the Panama Canal.
Note the Chinese have planned an alternative route through Nicaragua, but this project appears to be having trouble finding the finances and has not started.
8pm
Below we head towards the first set of 3 locks (Gatun Locks) past the new bridge under construction
About 25 Lock Workers joined the ship to connect the Mules (small electric trains used to control ship)
The small canal to the right was the French attempt in 1881.
New larger Locks Original Locks
Still using rowing boats to connect cable from ship to Mules.
We are using the left set of locks
We are using older locks
Ship above has moved into second lock
We move into the first lock
Ship leaving East bound lock
Note the small gap of less than a 60cm each side of the ship.
Above one of the approximately 200 Mules used to control the ships.
Swimming (paddle) pool
Second ship travelling East was this Container ship.
Third ship travelling East was this Car Transporter
Basketball Court on roof
First Lock
Second Lock
Atlantic Ocean
Third Lock
Entering Gatun Lake, you can see the new bridge under construction in the background.
It took 3 hrs to cross Lake Gatun.
It is hard to see the entrance to the new canal.
Spot the Crocodile/Alligator
Lake Gatun
Dredging continuously
Gaillard Cut, the narrowest part of the canal cut through solid rock
The pastry chef even made a Panama Canal cake
Next the single level (dual) Pedro Miguel Locks
We took the left fork to the older locks while the red and white ship has taken the larger newer locks route
Through this single level set of locks both our ship and the red gas tanker were travelling west. Note the how the level of the red ship drops as it proceeds through the lock.
This ship is taking the newer locks and is still a lock level above us.
Finally the two drop Miraflores Locks to take us down to Pacific Ocean level.
The left lock was empty undergoing maintenance and we had the rare opportunity to see it empty.
For so unknown reason (rumour was the Princess Cheque bounced) we were delayed here for over an hour. You can see the later shots are taken after sunset.
Looking to the back above and forward to the closed locks below
Finally the lock gates to the last lock open the the loud cheer of the passengers, Kevin decided it was time for dinner as we had already cancelled our regular 5:30pm dinner and decided on a pizza.
Even the full moon was not enough to light up the Bridge of the Americas as we leave Panama City behind and head south towards Ecuador, our next country.
Early 5am arrival so Kevin was up early and used time to catch up on the Internet and Skype home, Sydney is now 15 hrs ahead of us.
7:55am excursion so breakfast in the pig pen this morning.
Away on time on our excursion, first problem ship was too low to the wharf with for our regular ramp so had to have Anne walk the small steps on different ramp.
First stop, Tagua Ivory Nut Factory where dried nuts are carved into intricate shapes. (Nuts laid out for drying below)
Next to the town of Montecristi to see the production of the Panama Hat.
The Panama Hats came in all shapes and sizes.
Back home around 12:15pm for the pig pen, SCAN, and website update.
Back to ship, the main income here is Tuna, this explains the big tuna at the roundabout.
Anne tried out a walking frame today, was happy with it and I suspect we may be looking for one when back in Sydney.
Tuna being unloaded all afternoon
These fishing boats even had their own helicopters
Day 82 Wednesday 9th August 2017 Lima (Callao), Peru Day 1Top of page
Day 83 Thursday 10th August 2017 Lima (Callao), Peru Day 2Top of page
Nuts drying
Restful day in preparation for our three shore days ahead
New Pop Choir rehearsal
Fruit carving
Helicopters
Arrived Lima 9:30am with a two hour delay before disembarking because of immigration processing.
Departed on our tour early at 1pm.
Anne and friend Julie commandeered the front seat today as we were last to the bus and Kevin and Julie’s husband Tony were relegated to a seat down the back of the bus.
Traffic, traffic on our one hour trip into centre of Lima.
No Dole here, so all possible ways are used to earn some money.
First stop a visit to Plaza Mayor with streets closed to traffic because of ongoing teacher protests. We had to walk pass riot police and show identification before entering the square. In the end of the first three bus loads were allowed in.
Next Park Del’amour (Park of Love) where on Valentines Day they have competition for longest kiss, record is 4 hours.
Note the pebble beach opposite.
Finally an hour for the girls to shop at the Indian markets.
We have a free day in Lima and the ship is offering free shuttle bus into the city and a safe mall to investigate, we have been advised not to travel into other areas of the city.
We paired up with friends Julie and Tony and lent Julie our manual wheelchair as she had sore back. Anne took the electric chair for a run
Above waiting for shuttle On our way, 10:45am
The Mall (Real Plaza Salaverry) was very upmarket and would feel at home in any modern western city, spent about three hours shopping with credit card, Starbucks and free Internet before returning home.
We are docked in a commercial port hence the need for the shuttle bus.
Afternoon tea back on board. Note, Kevin had this shot taken after he had the scone, jam and cream and before he had the waffle, syrup and cream.
The view from our balcony has changed as the car transporter next door unloaded
Breaking News
As Kevin writes this the Captain has announced that our next port, San Martin has been closed tomorrow because of bad weather there. So an extra night and day in Lima
Waiting this morning for the “Captain’s Call” on what we are doing today.
At breakfast he announced we were staying a third night in Lima, but had to change to another wharf at 5:30pm and would depart Lima at 6am tomorrow (Saturday).
Kevin lost count of how many times he apologised.
Sad news for whale this morning on News.com
Decided to take the free shuttle back into the modern mall to explore some more.
Soccer net on the road?? General city views
Even had a Bunnings type store
Short queue for return shuttle
Anne spent the last of our American money on the wharf before rejoining the ship.
We end an interesting three days here in Lima, sick bags are out on the stairs so we might be in for some rough weather tomorrow.
Joined Ross and Helen to celebrate their daughter’s success in being named Woman Lawyer of the year.
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