Panama Canal Transit... Part 1 of 2

I got up at 5:30 am to be up early for the Panama Canal transit…  Done it so many times and I can’t kick the habit.  I wanted to be up in case I could get some photos of Panama City, despite the very early hours.  As we left the Pacific Ocean, we passed Fuerte Amador and Panama City in the distance heading for our final transit of the Panama Canal for this trip… It was a beautiful morning.  I was able to capture a number of nice photos of Panama City and I was a happy boy.  We sailed under the Bridge of Americas, the first bridge over the canal heading east that forms a key part of the Pan American Highway linking North America, Central and South America. The first set of locks that I was able to focus on were the Cocoli Locks or new locks.  I got some fabulous looks as ships were transiting the locks.  Arriving at the first series of the original locks, known as Miraflores, we made our way through a set of two locks. Next, we transit the Pedro Miguel Locks, a single set of locks, via the Miraflores Lake. Then we passed under the Centennial Bridge opened in 2004 to lessen the pressure on the Bridge of Americas. Next, we sailed by the Culebra Cut, which was hand cut through the Continental Divide, the deepest excavation in the canal. We passed Gamboa, the headquarters of the Dredging Division while making our way across Gatun Lake.  Finally, we made it to the Gatun set of locks.  This was our last series of locks, a set of three double chambers taking the ship 85 feet down from the Gatun Lake to the Caribbean Sea. Designed for under passage of large container ships, the Atlantic Bridge in Colon, Panama spans the Atlantic entrance to the canal. This bridge was completed in 2019 and was our last highlight of the Canal waterway. The construction of the Panama Canal is one of those epic tales from the past, a feat of engineering, perseverance and courage and shortened a ship’s voyage by 7800 miles. Although, we did experience periods of inclement weather today, it did not stop me from taking far too many photos….  But that’s just who I am….  The highlight of our day was a quick visit by two of our favorite Holland America Officers, Henk Mensink, the incoming Hotel General Manager and Shiv Charan, the Executive Housekeeper.  Two wonderful friends whom I have sailed around the world with many, many times…  They are the best!  It was another fabulous day!