January 18th, We arrived at 6:30 while we were eating breakfast and we were amazed at how big the city is. A population of over 1 million people. No one goes to the new city as it is not safe to walk around. Most tourist go to the old city.
We left the ship at around 8:30 and took a shuttle to the Port Terminal which of course is filled with shops. Betty bought a pair of earring that match her glasses. I bought a pair of Ray Ban’s for $8.00. Nice but counterfeit for sure. The label states they are tinest sunglasses made. I think they meant finest because they fit my big nose fine. It was warm but not hot, we stopped and Betty had some Juan Valdez coffee while I had a couple Columbian beers, the names are on the beer list. The beers were nice and cold and it was noon somewhere.
Above is a local Colombian woman dressed in tradition clothing. Obviously this is not what they commonly wear since she has running shoes on.
Outside the terminal was an animal sanctuary filled with flamingo’s, parrots, lizards, iguanas, monkeys, a deer, humming birds and various other birds.
On returning to the ship, the crew was having the emergency drill and right above the gangway a Zodiac exploded open scaring us half to death. A Officer was observing from the bridge area. We have never seen this extensive of a drill, it must be because of what happened on the Costa.
We sailed away at 1:00 and retraced our steps back through the Bocachica Channel before setting a westerly course to the Panama Canal. During the day we made a sign to display going through the Gatun and Mira Flores locks. Hope somebody saw us!
I know we are not artists.
January 19, We arrived at the Gatun Locks around 6:30 and entered 7:20 we displayed our sign for a little over an hour. No one knew where the web cam was, 95% did not know there was one, even the staff. Being through the canal for the 3rd time it was nearly as exciting. The work on the addition of a third lane is moving quickly, and it should all be open in 2014 for the large ships. Here I will say that Holland America does a better job of scheduling events for the transit. We missed the Panama Rolls and juice they served on deck. It is always about the food!
Above the Panama canal workers are lassoing the ship and then 2 workers are pulling the ship through the lock. (Not really)
The ship is not stopping in Panama City, pictured below from the ship. I find that unusual but we are glad we are not stopping since we have seen the new and old cities and felt the heat and humidity.
Betty fell yesterday and injured her foot so she will have time to mend. Don’t worry she is okay. We also booked another cruise we might take in 2013 to Scandinavia and the Land of the Midnight Sun. At least we hope to, but it fully refundable if we don’t.
We have sailed out of the Mira Flores Locks with our sign out there for about 1/2 hour. This may be where the web cam is, who really knows. It was very hot and the sun intense. My doctor will be yelling at me for standing outside without sunscreen.
We just sailed under the Bridge of the Americas which connects Central America with South America and are now in the Pacific Ocean.
January 20,
PAT
Today we are sailing along the southern coast of Panama and this afternoon we will be altering onto a north westerly course heading to Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica This morning we saw porpoises from the dining room. Also there are many Brown Boobies flying along with the ship looking for fish. (Bill is in his glory)
I see the morning temperature in Cleveland was 7 degrees, damn that is cold here it is a balmy 80 degrees. Has there been a lot of snow?
One person emailed and said they saw us and our sign as we transited the canal. Anyone else?
Next blog will be after our next 2 ports around the 25th. I need the time to figure out what I am doing. We then have 5 days at sea until we arrive in San Diego.
