The Panama Canal

The reason we took this particular cruise was to have the chance to see the Panama Canal and the Central America rainforest for the first time. It was exciting to wake-up and see that we were heading toward the locks. We were approaching from the Atlantic side obviously so we were to go through the Gatun Locks which would take us into the lake. Jerry, as usual, was up early so he was in his spot in the Horizon Court. Because of the rain he didn't chance the open decks that he had explored previously. I braved the weather with my windbreaker and took pictures from different decks and places around the ship before running into Jerry again.

It took us 45 minutes to make our way through the locks and into Gatun Lake, once there those passengers who had booked excursions were tendered ashore.

Click here for our train ride to the Pacific side.

Click on the thumbnails below to view the full image.

approaching the Gatun Locks	Gatun Locks	Gatun Locks	Gatun Locks
Gatun Locks	Gatun Locks	Gatun Locks	Gatun Locks
Gatun Locks	Mule at Gatun Locks	Beth and Jerry as we go through the Gatun Locks	Gatun Locks
Gatun Locks	Gatun Locks	tender to take us ashore in Gatun Lake	Jerry at the shopping center
shopping at the pier in Colon	shopping at the pier in Colon	shopping at the pier in Colon	shopping at the pier in Colon
Native Indians selling their wares	Native Indians selling their wares	Port of Colon	sailboats at the Port of Colon