Panama Canal, August 22, 2023.

Yesterday we traversed the Panama Canal. As I learned, the canal was begun in 1881, by the French. It became such an onerous task that the French abandoned the dig. Under Teddy Roosevelt, the Americans formed a company and came in and completed the canal in 1914. It was operated by the United States until 2000 when it was handed over to the Panamanians. On the Atlantic side, one enters at the City of Colon. On the west is Panama City. We didn’t stop at either place. Our first trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific “through the canal” was 6 years ago with Larry and Rebecca on the train.

The old locks do not recycle water and can not handle the large tankers. The new locks were completed in 2016 and recycle 60% of the water that is used to move the ships through the canal. Due to global warming and lack of rain this year, Gatun Lake, the artificial lake where the water is drawn to be used in the locks, is down 10 feet. It is now less than 80 feet deep. The operators are worried that there will be severe drought and the big tankers won’t be able to come through. I read yesterday that right now, 200 large ships are waiting to come in. I think the operators are trying to renegotiate the cost of the travel and we are seeing delays. Over 40% of the 🌎 world’s goods are shipped through the canal.

We went through the new locks last Christmas and it was interesting, but traveling the old locks was much more interesting to me. You wouldn’t believe how excited everyone gets. Maybe it’s because not much happens on the ship and a new adventure is always fun!

So I will show you some photos and hope you have a great day. Today is our trivia partner, Gary’s birthday. So we’re going to one of the specialty restaurants, The Bayou, for dinner! Tomorrow we will be in Manta, Ecuador. A new country ( and a new magnet) for us!

We entered at Colon. It took us about 6 hours to traverse the canal.

A photo taken of our ship by the Panamanians. We are on the starboard side, so our cabin is not in this picture. It was a misty, rainy day.

We’re headed to the Pacific, the Sunrise Glory was going to the Atlantic….ships passing in the day!

They raised the Sunshine Glory in the lock to come in and then lowered her to our level to come through the next lock. The Atlantic side is lower than the Pacific. So we had to step up while the incoming ship had to step down. I’m still awed, amazed and confused!

Roscoe loves all the technical stuff!

Over the bridge camera they have a narrator who explains the procedure and gives you history. It’s well worth the listen.

Last picture of the Canal. It was a fun day. We will be in Manta, Ecuador on Thursday.