Gee, the Traffic is Terrific

Wednesday, 30 September 2009 - Panama Canal Transit

A strange phenomena this Panama Canal thing. As part of the (somewhat unexpected) entertainment provided by Silversea Cruises on this cruise, we arrived early to see dozens of large cargo ships all at anchor awaiting their performances for our amusement. All of a sudden at 7:30 am or so, we joined in the conga line behind a fully laden ZIM Israeli container ship with another smaller container ship into the first of three 1000 by 120 foot Gatun Locks. After being raised (not an Israeli concept) 85 feet, we were allowed to travel for hours through the lovely untouched tropical paradise of Gatun Lake. Untouched except for a number of classy dredges and those dozens of bulk, car, container, and rust carriers joining us for the performance. Within the lake we passed Gamboa where we glimpsed the "1st Transcontinental Railway" right of way (and saw a train pass), and then traveled through the being widened cut to the Pedro Miguel and double Miraflores Locks back into the sea, but not the same one. Panama City passed by just to the left (south!) side just after the new Millennium Bridge connection North and South America before they drift away. We then watched the sun set over land to the West of the Pacific just as we had watched the sun set the night before over the Atlantic to the West. All is explained by the Atlantic to Pacific transit of the Canal being NW to SE or maybe due to the Pisco Sour before dinner. Or maybe not.

At any rate, we stayed on deck for the entire 8 hour, 45 nautical mile transit, got wet and sunburned (but not at the same time) and listened to a fantastically good narration provided by a local who had grown up in the US Canal Zone (when there was a US Canal Zone). She pointed out all sorts of geeky details and kept quiet when appropriate. My, my, this isn't your average Princess Cruise. We also had three (3) Panamanian guides circulating around the ship to chat with the half of the 49 guests who chose to watch the transit about anything of interest regarding Panama and the Canal. This was one of the best days ever on a cruise. I did make sure to show every fly that I observed my Yellow Fever inoculation booklet. You can't be too careful.