Colon, Panama and the Panama Canal

This port of call was absolutely fantastic.  Our experience was filled with historical and engineering interest.  We took a ferry boat through three locks, from the center of the country to the Pacific Ocean.  When we disembarked, we boarded a bus which immediately and magically transformed us into creatures of the sardine variety.  But, alas, it was an air conditioned vehicle, so the squishage was totally acceptable. 

Without further adieu, here are the many photos of our day.  These were selected from over 300 different pictures, so be thankful for my discretion.  ;-)

This is the port of Colon, Panama, on the East side of the Panama Canal.  It was fascinating to watch all of the massive vessels coexist peacefully with one another in the port. 

 

Here we are at the entrance to the Panama Canal. Look at the very large cruise ship navigating the canal!

 

This tugboat is pushing a barge to a dredging site.  The upkeep on the canal is continuous -- 24/7.  Amazing. 

 

Here's the dredger that the tug was headed toward.  Look, Joshie!  A HUGE tractor, floating on the water!

Here's a view of the Continental Divide, and one of the two bridges we saw that spans the canal. 

 

Artsy Fartsy shot of the bridge. 

 

This is the entrance to the first set of locks we crossed. 

 

Happy Day.  Pretty much sums it up. 

 

Now we're inside the lock, headed toward the front doors. 

One of the lock doors, open in this photo.

The lock wall.

 

Look how close we are!  Our boat is tied to the wall. 

You can sort of see the height differential in this shot.  We're waiting for the water to be released from our lock into the next. 

 

See?  We really were there. 

 

A couple of sailboats joined us in our lock crossing. 

 

Here we are, in good tourist form, touching the canal wall. 

 

 

Here, the lock is about half empty.  SO FREAKING COOL.

 

See?  Still here.  Still tourists. 

Now, the lock is beginning to open.  The next few photos demonstrate its progression from closed to fully open.  This is seriously an engineering marvel.  Did you know that the Canal is 96 years old?  96 years ago, the canal was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.  Wow. 

 

  

  

  

  

This is how close we were to the canal wall. Very impressive. 

 

 

  

  

The very large vessels who traverse the canal are tied to small train cars instead of the wall of the canal.  These cars guide them through the canal safely.  They run on specialized tracks that all them to have traction. 

 

  

At the very tippy top of this photo, you can see a couple of the train cars.  This picture was taken as we were departing the canal for the Pacific Ocean.  

 

Buh bye, canal. 

 

This is a photo of Panama City. 

 

MMmmmm...chocolate cake topped with flan.  And, of course, coffee. 

These were enjoyed in a small cafe in Colon. 

 

  

A view of the ship from the pier. 

And, finally, a view of the pier from the ship.