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Dana | profile | all galleries >> See the World >> Panama Cruise 2008 - 2009 >> Panama Cruise: Day 7: Panama Canal tree view | thumbnails | slideshow | map

Panama Cruise: Day 7: Panama Canal

We woke up at 4:30am to be out on the bow of the ship which was specially opened at 5:30am for the Panama Canal Entry. Each ship is at the whim of the Panamanian Government as to when they can enter even though over a year ago Holland America paid $300,000 to reserve the MS Zuiderdam's spot at 5:30am on January 4, 2009. Even with that, there was a forty-five minute delay. It was drizzly, but we had secured a prime spot along the front railing. We sat there until 8:30ish when we finally gained entry to the first set of the three locks at the Gatun Locks. There isn't much to do but take pictures, so there are a lot.
Waiting for the Green Light
Waiting for the Green Light		 Officially Entering the Canal
Officially Entering the Canal		 Ships Before Us
Ships Before Us		 Catching the Sunrise
Catching the Sunrise
Mom
Mom		 Ceremony of the Bell
Ceremony of the Bell		 Wasted Mimosa
Wasted Mimosa		 Getting Closer
Getting Closer
Random Shot of the Mast
Random Shot of the Mast		 Did I Mention Waiting?
Did I Mention Waiting?		 The French Failure
The French Failure		 I'm Really Here!
I'm Really Here!
Approaching the Docks
Approaching the Docks		 A Little to the Left or Right
A Little to the Left or Right		 Closing the Lock Doors
Closing the Lock Doors		 Moving Up
Moving Up
What do you mean the boats get priority?
What do you mean the boats get priority?		 Everyone Make a Single File Dash Across
Everyone Make a Single File Dash Across		 Steer Toward the Big Cruise Ship
Steer Toward the Big Cruise Ship		 Crossing the Other Direction
Crossing the Other Direction
No More Cars!
No More Cars!		 Above the Mule
Above the Mule		 Cargo Ship Moving On
Cargo Ship Moving On		 One. . .Two. . .Three. . .
One. . .Two. . .Three. . .
Here We Go!
Here We Go!		 Moving In
Moving In		 On Level with the Mule
On Level with the Mule		 Below the Gate Top
Below the Gate Top
Below the Mule
Below the Mule		 Moving on Up
Moving on Up		 Continuing our Ascent
Continuing our Ascent		 Above the Gate Top
Above the Gate Top
Everybody Waits
Everybody Waits		 Opening to the Second Chamber
Opening to the Second Chamber		 The Mule From Our Verandah
The Mule From Our Verandah		 Tight Squeeze
Tight Squeeze
Ship Setting Up Behind Us
Ship Setting Up Behind Us		 Breakfast in the Panama Canal
Breakfast in the Panama Canal		 View Off the Aft Deck
View Off the Aft Deck		 Two Feet of Clearance
Two Feet of Clearance
Waiting Ships
Waiting Ships		 Dad Enjoying the View
Dad Enjoying the View		 Rising Up for the Last Time
Rising Up for the Last Time		 Remember the Cargo Ship?
Remember the Cargo Ship?
Bell
Bell		 Lighthouse
Lighthouse		 Waiting Workers
Waiting Workers		 Sailing into Lake Gatun
Sailing into Lake Gatun
Deck Six
Deck Six		 Delayed Shore Excursion
Delayed Shore Excursion		 MS Zuiderdam
MS Zuiderdam		 Tendering Off
Tendering Off
Centennial Bridge
Centennial Bridge		 Pedro Miguel Locks
Pedro Miguel Locks		 Photographing the Canal
Photographing the Canal		 Pedro Miguel Locks
Pedro Miguel Locks
Rear View
Rear View		 Coming in from Behind
Coming in from Behind		 Lock House
Lock House		 Looking Forward Into the Canal
Looking Forward Into the Canal
Sharing the Locks
Sharing the Locks		 Everyone Waits in the Canal
Everyone Waits in the Canal		 Starting the Descent
Starting the Descent		 Touching the Panama Canal Locks
Touching the Panama Canal Locks
Moving on Down
Moving on Down		 A Leak in the Lock
A Leak in the Lock		 Opening of the Locks
Opening of the Locks		 Seagull
Seagull
Some Bird I Forget the Name Of
Some Bird I Forget the Name Of		 Pelicans After Fish
Pelicans After Fish		 Watching for Dying Fish
Watching for Dying Fish		 The Miraflores Locks
The Miraflores Locks
Level Equalized
Level Equalized		 Almost Back to Sea Level
Almost Back to Sea Level		 Pacific Ocean Here We Come!
Pacific Ocean Here We Come!		 18. . .19. . .20. . .Switch
18. . .19. . .20. . .Switch
Panama Yacht Club
Panama Yacht Club		 Millennium Bridge
Millennium Bridge		 Panama City, Panama
Panama City, Panama		 Errol
Errol
The Isla Morada
The Isla Morada		 Panama City
Panama City		 Unidentified Towel Animal
Unidentified Towel Animal		 Mysteriaque
Mysteriaque

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