October 14th
Panama Canal


Whew! what a long day. We spent all day transiting the Panama Canal. We were supposed to enter the first lock (Miraflores Lock) at 8:30 AM. That didn't happen. We finally entered around 10 AM. The last lock (Gatun Lock) we were supposed to go through at 2:40 PM and ending at 5:05 PM. We ended up getting out of the lock at 8 PM. There are three series of locks to traverse. There are so many ships waiting to go through the canal. I counted more than 65 just hanging around. Cruise ships have priority. My understanding is that is costs the cruise line around $230,000 to go through the Panama Canal. You pay for tug boats whether you use them or not. I have tons of pictures and videos of today's escapade. Including the construction of the new canal for the megaships. It also includes the transfer of four passengers to ambulances at the end of the first lock.

Ships waiting and rain

More ships waiting.

Unfortunately the blog/satellite system doesn't want to work tonight. I will try and include them in tomorrow's post. Tomorrow we will be in Cartagena where we will partake in another tour. This time it will be "Chiva Party Bus". Something about an open bar. I'm not sure if their talking about the bars on the doors. Sure they are. Until tomorrow.