That last post was getting out of hand so time for a new entry just in time to transit the Panama Canal from the Atlantic side to the Pacific side, traveling Southeast. It is very confusing when, on the morning after the transit, the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean.
Here are a few highlights of our transit. As we are cruising on a Panamax ship (maximum size to fit through the canal) our transit cannot begin until daylight. So, here we are just before 6 am approaching the Gatun locks, a set of 3 locks that raise ships to Gatun Lake. You have to get up early if you don't want to miss anything!
Now that we're through the Gatun Locks, here's a view of the Gatun Dam which makes the Canal possible. It dams up the Chagras River, providing the water needed to run the canal--52 million gallons per transit. Frequent rain also helps.
Gatun Lake makes up 15 miles of the Canal distance and is dotted with small islands.
At the far end of the lake is Gamboa, where the Chagras River enters the canal.
Next highlight is the Gaillard or Culebra Cut, the most difficult part of the canal to build as it crosses the continental divide.
Just past the deepest part of the cut is the new Centennial Bridge which carries the Pan American Highway for a ways before it comes to a halt at the impenetrable Darien jungle. 
Well, what goes up, must come down so we go through 3 more sets of locks, the first being Pedro Miguel.
As we enter the first of 2 locks at Miraflores, I notice a spire which is on the left side of the first lock picture below. The large building on the left side of the Canal toward the end of the locks is the Miraflores Locks Visitors' Center.
Sure enough, after awhile the Panama City Temple comes into view on the left side of the canal.
Near the Pacific end of the canal, the Bridge of the Americas crosses the canal--it carried the Pan American Highway across the Canal before the Centennial Bridge was built.
The Panama City skyline is a pretty amazing sight. 
Time for a trip down memory lane for my husband, who spent his high school years in Balboa, Canal Zone. Renting a car seemed like a good idea, but poses a few challenges--expensive taxi ride to the car pick-up point at Gelabert airport, unexpected extra charges, no one at the rental place at return time, another expensive taxi ride back to the ship--but it allows us to see more places, including Balboa High School.
Also on the itinerary, a stop at the beach along the Amador Causeway where, according to his dermatologist, Charles spent too many hours sunbathing in his youth. 
Later we stop in at the old Balboa Armed Services YMCA Building where Charles' father worked. Now it is the home of a Native Craft market and offices.
We head out of town for a trip over the Centennial Bridge and a look at the construction of the third set of locks. I get this one shot before the guard tells us we are not allowed to take pictures.
Charles does some research for future cruise lectures at the Miraflores Locks Visitors' Center.
After a bit of searching due to disagreement between our Google map and street signs, we manage to find the Panama City temple. The temple compound also includes a chapel and a building with apartments for temple workers and rooms that can be used by patrons traveling long distances.
Puerto Caldera is primarily a cargo port with nothing nearby, described as "dreadful" by one of the popular travel guidebooks. Having been to Costa Rica on a land trip and expecting to visit again, we determine not to spend too much time and money trying to see much of the country on this short stop. So, we join a bus tour to Puntarenas, where most cruise ships dock, on the Pacific coast of CR.
The tour bus is an old school bus no doubt imported from the US, brightly painted, with no windows. Passengers are invited to join in the entertainment.
Brief stops are made at a market, the cathedral, and the beach.
The best thing about the port area is the free wi-fi which can be accessed from the lounge at the front of the ship. There are also some vendors selling local crafts in the port building.
Once again, we find ourselves at an isolated commercial type port facility, but this time, we have an exciting day ahead of us--a trip to Antigua. Antigua, once the Capital of Guatemala, is known for its Baroque architecture and spectacular ruins. The ruins are the result of devastating earthquakes in the 1700's which left the city practically abandoned. Since then, Antigua has recovered but only has a bit more than half the population found at its peak.
The bus ride to Antigua is almost as lovely as the city, passing fields of sugarcane and coffee plantations as well as 3 massive volcanoes. The Agua volcano (above) appears fairly early in our journey. The Fuego, currently active, and Acatenango volcanoes are side by side.
Here are a few shots of the city:
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Oosterdam Cruise (continued)--Through the Panama Canal and Beyond
Panama Canal on the Holland America Oosterdam
This fabulous cruise is the realization of Charles' dream of becoming a cruise lecturer. Click on "read more" if you want some details.
Early in the year while reading about things to do in retirement, Charles came across an article about cruise lecturing. Since he grew up in the Panama Canal Zone and has had a lot of experience preparing and presenting courses, it seemed doable. So, he prepared one lecture, had his presentation filmed, and mailed out DVD's to several cruise lines. Only one, Holland America, does it's own hiring of guest lecturers and they were interested, signing Charles on to lecture on the Oosterdam 19 night cruise departing 11/2/09. With 11 ports and a day spent transiting the Panama Canal there are many new experiences packed into this 19 night Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego repositioning cruise.
It is interesting to board through the crew entrance and surrender our passports for the duration of the cruise. After unpacking we explore the ship, eat, then endure the interminable lifeboat drill.
In a quest to provide additional Caribbean ports of call, cruise lines have created "private islands" which provide a beach day on an uninhabited Caribbean island. Holland America's version (also used by Carnival) is actually Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. With cruise fares low, lots of "excursions" are now available at these "ports" to generate additional income. But we are looking for some free fun in the form of snorkeling. Using intelligence gleaned on Cruise Critic, we make our way to the far end of the gorgeous crescent white sand beach where there is a small reef area close to shore.
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, is the next thing to a private island with a port area developed a couple of miles from Cockburn Town, the only town on the island. Since shore snorkeling is not an option here, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to act as escorts on ship sponsored tours--Charles on Power Snorkel, Mary Anne on Ultimate Snorkel. Sorry, no fish pictures, but here's a picture showing the power snorkeling device Charles uses (think James Bond):
Here's Mary Anne's tour (to "the wall" and Library reef) and some other pictures:
Charles presents lectures during the morning of each of the 6 sea days, the history of Panama, the building and operation of the Panama Canal, Costa Rica, the Mayas, the Aztecs, and the What Ifs of History. The lectures are very well received and attended--the 800 passenger capacity show lounge is full for most of them. After each of the lectures, a question and answer session is held in another location and is also well attended.
It rarely rains in Aruba--but the sky opens up just after we step off the bus at Arashi beach. We take shelter until it blows over then walk back to Boca Catalina where we had intended to get off. We are rewarded with calm, clear water and great snorkeling at Catalina Cove. 
There are beautiful little turquoise tailed lizards everywhere.
After making our way back to the ship for lunch, Charles stays onboard to work on his next lecture while Mary Anne explores Oranjestad. Once again she is amazed at the wildlife, this time scores of Iguanas, posing on the rocks.
Other Scenes around town:
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