The Allyn and Debby Fresh Family: Panama Paradise

On Saturday we* had the opportunity to take a boat excursion on the Panama Canal and see firsthand how the locks work. There are three sets of locks in the canal. A two-step flight at Miraflores, and a single flight at Pedro Miguel, lift ships from the Pacific Ocean up to Lake Gatun; then a triple flight at Gatun lowers them to the Atlantic Ocean side of Panama. All three sets of locks are paired; that is, there are two parallel flights of locks at each of the three lock sites. This, in principle, allows ships to pass in opposite directions simultaneously; however, large ships cannot cross safely at speed in the Gaillard Cut, so in practice ships pass in one direction for a time, then in the other, using both "lanes" of the locks in one direction at a time. This is Allyn waiting for our boat to arrive.

This is Dad with the Bridge of America,

an arch bridge, in the background.

"We're ready to go . . . Where's the Boat?"

These next two photos are a close up version of a lock which is in

the process of closing; and then when it is actually closed.

You can see people walking across when it is totally closed.

These next photos shows a more distant view

of the Pedro Miguel Locks closing;

and then when they are totally closed.

This is each of us with the pilot of our boat. An official pilot was required on our boat and one or more pilots are required to be on other boats, depending on their size. The pilot is responsible for safe passage of the boat through the locks.

We saw many interesting things as our boat took us up the Panama Canal. These pelicans were just sitting on the side of the canal.

Cargo boat carrying many containers

filled with a variety of things.

Flag on the highest hill in Panama.

Ship from Norweigen Cruise Lines named the Norweigen Jewel.

The boat we rode on.

The two of us after the cruise was over. It was interesting and informative to not only learn about the locks on the Panama Canal, but to also travel on them.

After the excursion we returned to the hotel and Allyn enjoyed swimming in the pool. Our room was on the 6th floor of the hotel and we had this view of the Centennial Bridge from our balcony.

We had a very nice dinner at La Jacana the restaurant in the hotel. Allyn ordered chicken and Dad got lamb chops. Both of them were delicious! You can tell this is fine dining by the way they drizzled the sauces so artistically over the food!