The Panama Canal is truly an amazing feat of accomplishment which stems back to the 16th century when the Spanish arrived on the Isthmus. Since then, the idea of building a route that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans was always desired.
The French were the first to attempt this all water route through Panama in about 1880 but this attempt was quickly hit with financial troubles and diseases causing it to fail. After it independence in 1903, Panama negotiated with the US for the construction of the canal which the United States completed on August 15, 1914. The US managed this waterway until 1999. At noon on December 3, 1999 , Panama took over full control over the administration, operation and maintenance of the canal.
We had another amazing day as I was awoken by the sounds of us entering the first set of three locks on the Gatun side of the canal. 26 meters or about 85 feet later we where floating on the manmade Gatun Lake. We had started with a little rain at about 6:30 but this had stopped by about 7am. The best part of today, well there were actually two best parts, one was the weather, overcast most of the day, so very warm but without intense sun, second, was at 2pm we were all called (all meaning passengers and crew) for the last group picture to be taken on the locks of the Panama canal on the Prinsendam, we all gathered around the main Lido pool for this momentous picture. For more on the Panama Canal, please simply google it as the second much larger set of locks are now in operation, our last time through here was in 2014 while still under construction.
So all in all a fantastic day as we also swam in the Canal (well part of the HAL version of swimming in the canal, meaning on the aft pool, lol). Great commentary as we floated along al day, looking forward to visiting Panama City tomorrow. For now, good night from the Pacific Ocean. Hope you enjoy our pics of the day…
Quote of the day: May favourite thing to do is to go where I’ve never been - Diane Arbus
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