Got up about 0530 this morning to have an early breakfast and coffee. In about an hour we will be in line to enter the Panama Cnal. Debby and I had a sweet roll and coffee before making our way to the front deck on level 4. As we approached the entrance door, we saw several people standing in the hallway. We were told that the line began down "that way" to the end of the hall. We cut through the crowd and soon come to the end of the line. We waited. Others came along and stood with us.We were soon joined by a family, or group, of people who seemed to make it their mission to make sure no one cut into the line. Noticing that people were NOT coming to the rear of the line, but instead making a new line from a new hallway closer to the entrance to Deck 4, seemed to irritate the two large women in this family group.
At first one had to go see for herself if this was happening. She came back and reported what she saw. Then, as if in charge of all this, both of these rather large women decided they would go and police the second line. In a few minutes the door to the Deck 4 viewing area was opened and our line began to move. Our line was moving pretty well. As we approached the door, we noticed these two large ladies were physically restraining the people from the second hallway line and telling them in no uncertain it terms that some heads were going to get hurt of they tried to force their way ahead of those who had been waiting much longer! We could hear voices of irritation from those not being allowed to proceed. It was a very funny sight!
We found a nice spot on the rail where we could get a good view of the local in action.
WEe were soon given permission to enter the locks and to proceed to the first of three stages . These locks were dedicated in 1914 and most all of the original parts are still in good working order.
Our guide said that cruise ships have priority to enter the locks because they pay dearly for that privilege. Since the building of the original canal, another has been added that allows passage for the really large ships; those carrying thousands of cargo containers. Some of these ships also pay dearly to use this canal. The largest sum eve charged was right at one million six hundred thousand U.S. dollars.
After our ship entered the canal and proceeded to clear the 3 designated lock, we proceeded into the man made lake that was retention water for the operation of this lock. The ship dropped anchor as many of us got off into the smaller boats to go out on our tours. Our tour was interesting and enlightening.
We also got to go out on smaller boats that gave us a tour of the lake itself. The jungle was thick with vegetation that grew in abundance along the banks of the lake. Wild monkeys, birds and Sloths roamed this jungle. W were able to spot many of them as we rode along near the banks.
One of our straying areas was inside the Panama Resort, a beautiful resort where one could come for a week or more and spend time here exploring the area and learning about the locks.
Soon we were headed back to our ship for dinner.
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