Panama Canal morning

 The plan of the day for the ship going through the canal

When we woke up, we were nearing the Atlantic Coast of Panama.

Nice sunrise

The front of the ship on the same floor as our cabin has an nice viewing area at the front of the ship.  Perfect for watching us go into the canal

We are finally preparing to go into the canal.  They are draining the water in that first section until it is at same level as us, then they will open the doors and we will go in.

We entered the first lock. Now they closed the doors behind of us and are adding water until we  are at the same level as the next section.

My buddy the Captain talking to the Canal Pilot on the bridge.

A ship coming the other way was called the Texas Highway and was filled with cars.  Maybe it will be going to Baltimore. I have seen the big lots of cars after they come off the ships when we have gone over the Key Bridge.

There was a road right next to the canal and there was a sign that looked like a stop sign but it said Alto. So I asked Rob if Alto is stop in Spanish. But when he looked it up, most stop signs in Spanish speaking countries us the word Pare for stop. And there wasn't a good story whey some use Alto.

  

We also checked the view from our room balcony

 

We went to the buffet from a late breakfast.  I told Toni she should get dippy eggs!

We found a high deck viewing area as we were exiting the last of the morning locks

 

After the first set up locks, you are in a lake which is the high point. We slowly went through the lake until we were supposed to get into the locks at the Pacific side. In those locks, we would be lowered to the level of the Pacific Ocean. In the lake, you can see the steps in the mountain.  That shows the levels that they cut out of the mountain to form this lake and the canal.

We watched going into the next locks from the back of the ship. With only two locks, they lowered us about 40-45 feet in both locks. This morning there were ships coming in the opposite direction but this afternoon both ships were heading to the pacific as we went through this set of locks.

We were exiting the locks as another ship was getting ready to enter. You could see how much they had lowered us.

And then it started rain hard, so we went inside to stay dry. After the rain slowed up, we were at the same level as the ground.

This picture really shows how close the side of the ship was to the wall of the canal. Just a couple feet on each side.

It was then time for dinner. And now Table 205 is our table.

 

Appetizers. Bruschetta for Rob and Crispy Chicken Pot Stickers for Toni.

Main Course was Spaghetti for Toni and  Beef Short Ribs for Rob

Desert was Princess Love Boat Dream for Toni and Apple Pie for Rob

A reminder was on the bed to turn back our clocks an hour overnight.

Tomorrow will be an at Sea day as we go around the coast of Panama and toward Costa Rica.