| The Panama Canal was probably our favorite part of the cruise! The Republic of Panama has assumed full responsibility for the operation of the canal. They appear to be doing a fantastic job. The Panama Canal is a lock-type canal that united the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We traveled through the 3 locks too reach Gatun Lake. Then we were off to take a tour. Later we returned to the shipm where it was docked in Colón. . We were told it cost $168,000 for the Sun Princess to go thru the canal, where it was raised and then lowered 85 feet. While there we took a tour of the Gatun Locks and then Fort San Lorenzo, which was located in the rain forest. The fort was built from 1566 to 1598 to help protect the gold shipments, but Captain Morgan and his men eventually took it. We also visited the Gatun Observation Area, and watched a ship lowered over 20 feet. |
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French cut (A canal the French tried to do) |
A ship following us through the locks |
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Gatun Locks |
One lock of 3 |
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Some of the equipment |
More equipment |
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An old "mule" that pulled the ships in place
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Fort San Lorenzo |
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Some local friends.
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Cutting a coconut |
Look for the World War II bunker in the water
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Bananas |
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Our tour bus |
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Iguana
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See if you can find the Howling Monkey in this photo!
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