Floating the Panama Canal today was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we all enjoyed very much! We chose to take the partial day tour based on the time of day that you had to report, 9:00 am versus 7:00 am. After so many months on the road I don't think I can be anywhere as early as 7:00! (Yes, I'm possibly ruined for real work!!)
We took a taxi to the end of the Amador Causeway which we learned was built to connect the mainland to an island with some of the earth dug up in the building process. The tour began with a 40 minute bus ride to Gamboa where we boarded the boat. Rain cleared the upper observation deck except for Keith & me who snuggled under umbrellas as we left the dock. The rain stopped and the sun came out as we headed into the most narrow part of the canal. Building clouds saved us from oppressive heat and light sprinkles on and off throughout the journey were welcome.
The canal is under constant improvement, they are scraping the bottom of the canal to deepen it in some places as well as digging a new canal so that boats can travel in both directions simultaneously.
The ship traffic wasn't as busy as I had thought it would be but we did pass some very impressive, giant ships.
We also saw a U.S. frigate and submarine docked at the old U.S. Military Base site.
Our tour took us through three different sections of locks where the water level dropped some 38 feet in just eight minutes.
A nice lunch was provided and we enjoyed eating with two new friends from Australia, father & son named Murray. They have traveled all over the world and it's always fun to swap travel tales. We hope to share dinner with them tonight.
The boat passes under two impressive , the Centennial Bridge and Bridge of the Americas.
Entering the Pacific Ocean the view of the cityscape was awesome, this city is being built UP very quickly. Our taxi driver said most of the skyscrapers have been constructed in the last year, WOW! It's sad to see the contrast in the living conditions, some of the apartments and areas of town we have driven past are very rundown, scary really. Other areas are posh, many of which stand empty because of the economic problems worldwide. Panama is growing, hopefully it can hang on for better financial times. In the meantime they are experiencing a tourist boom here which pumps lots of cash into the pockets of everyone. Our purses are lighter today, this was our most expensive day yet, but we are all very glad we have 'cruised' the Panama Canal!
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