Cruising the Panama Canal

 

We took a bus from the Zuiderdam, drove to the other side of Lake Gatun and boarded a sight-seeing boat.  The crew took us all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

 

 

Entering the Panama Canal

On March 22, we cruised the Panama Canal.

 

We approached the northern locks from the Caribbean Sea at about 6:30am.  We were allowed to enter about 7am.

 

 

We got the western lock while the Monrovia container ship, MSC Anisha R, took the eastern lock. Ships are allowed into the canal in the morning and out in the afternoon.

 

Approaching the first gate.

 

Entering the first chamber.

 

One of the "mules" that held the Zuiderdam in place.  Our ship moved through the locks under her own steam but the mules are there to guide her, because she had only 2' clearance on either side.  The Zuiderdam is in the Panamax class of ships, which means she is the largest type ship that can use the canal.

 

We arrive at the second gate.

 

They flood the chamber with water and we rise!

 

 

Into the second chamber.

 

 

At the gate at the end of our chamber.

 

 

Going up!

 

Entering the third chamber.

 

The last gate before Lake Gatun.

 

Almost full.  Note the railings across the gate are lowered.

 

Into Lake Gatun.

 

Look how far we haven't come in 1 1/2 hours!  It cost the Zuiderdam about $380,000 to use the canal. 

Cruising Willemstad, Curacao

The day after we visited Aruba, we visited Willemstad, Curacao March 22.  We didn't take a shore excursion so we just walked around town. 

 

 

 

 

This city has much more of a European, i.e. Dutch, flair than Aruba.

 

 

The pontoon bridge behind the Zuiderdam swung out to allow the ship  to enter. 

 

Now it swings back closed.

 

Took pictures of my Fuzzy!

 

 

A cast-iron, 18th Century cannon recovered in 1995.

 

 

Streets are narrow like they are in Amsterdam.

 

The Zuiderdam is ready to leave so the bridge has to open.

 

We literally backed out of river into the Caribbean Sea.