As soon as I woke up, I could feel our ship moving. Scheduled to go through the locks at 6, I didn’t want to miss anything. A tug boat pulled along side of the Discovery and a pilot hopped on board. A pilot must accompany the captain going through the locks. Notice the big ship ahead of us was the “O’Dori”.
The tanker “O’Dori” entered the lock first.
It was a slow process. On the big cargo ship, metal cables attached to train engines on both sides hooked to the boat to keep it centered. Since we were entering on the Pacific side, the two sets of locks would raise our boat 85 feet to the level of Lake Gatun. The first set are the Miraflores Locks and then the Pedro Miguel Locks.
When the gates closed you could see there were actually two gates in case one would fail. Next the water level started to rise.
This is the Miraflores Locks Visitors Center that we visited on Friday taken from the our ship. The observation deck we were on was at the top floor.
This is our captain. He was steering on this wheel which was on the right side of the ship while we were in the locks.
Our captain at the helm as we were leaving the first set of locks.
The gates were closing when we entered the middle lock. Notice the water level is the same.
We passed through the Culebra Cut. It is an artificial valley cut through the Continental Divide. Culebra is the name of the mountain ridge it cuts through linking Gatun Lake to the Gulf of Panama.
We dropped anchor in Gatun Lake where we docked for the night. Then it was time for some fun. I am getting ready to kayak. Right up my alley!
I was in the yellow kayak with Dean. It was his first time kayaking; he was a quick learner.
We also went out on the zodiacs looking for wild life. Frank is on the left and our tour guide Kenny on the right. We spotted monkeys, three toed sloths, toucans, and parrots. One of the groups even saw a crocodile. What a way to experience the Panama Canal!
The next morning, we went by zodiac to the Agua Clara Visitor’s Center. This is one of the new wider locks on the Atlantic side. We got to see a ship going through the lock. Instead of using two engines to stabilize the ship, tug boats maneuvered the ship. There are three holding tanks for water, so it can be used again. About 40% of the water is recycled.
Here a Carnival cruise ship going through the Aqua Clara locks. Notice the retention ponds on the left.
After touring the Agua Clara locks, the M/S Discovery made it’s way to the Gatun Locks, which would bring us out to the Carribean.
Here a crew member is releasing the rope that kept our boat centered in the lock. There was a worker on top of the lock who pulled it back up.
A pelican followed us as our boat left the last set of locks into the Carribean.
Coming out of the canal channel we passed under the Atlantic Bridge. The bridge opened in August of 2019 and is the third bridge over the canal.
Our ship docked in Shelter Bay Marina for the night. We then took a nature walk with our cruise director Joshua. We saw a group of Capuchin monkeys.
We also watched a parade of leafcutter ants carrying leaf pieces to their underground nest. Leaf cutters are the only insect to farm their own food, a fungus which grows on the decaying leaves. Can you find them them on the curb?
After our walk, we had time to relax until our Captain’s Farewell dinner. We were scheduled to disembark after breakfast the next day.
Frank posing with the cook( right) and her assistant in the gallery.
Uh, oh . Look what we saw on our galley tour!
Our tour group of 22 with our tour leader Kenny and the captain and crew of the M/S Discovery. Can you find Frank and me?
What a great way to experience the Panama Canal on the M/S Discovery! O.A.T. is the only tour company that stays inside the canal for a night. We saw and did so many interesting things. I now know why the canal is considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world!
One Reply to “Panama Canal Cruise: 1.26-1.28.20”
WOW, love following your blogs!!! Oh no, a rat!!! Good you were getting off the next day…….although he was probably on the ship the whole time??!! Yes, I could see the ants. Your pictures and explanation of the canal was great!! Looking forward to your next adventure!!
WOW, love following your blogs!!! Oh no, a rat!!! Good you were getting off the next day…….although he was probably on the ship the whole time??!! Yes, I could see the ants. Your pictures and explanation of the canal was great!! Looking forward to your next adventure!!