Panama Canal Transit

In 2003 we made our first transit through the Panama Canal.  During this, our second transit, the Canal is being widened.  We have just learned that the controversy over cost overruns is being resolved in favor of the contractor, unlike any experience I ever have had with fixed price contracts.  Ok, coworkers, let's deal with the Panama Canal Commission henceforth.

Viewing still pictures really doesn't give one a very good idea of what it's like to go through the Canal.  I made a halting attempt to film the experience but am having trouble loading the film to this blog, so I will have to deal with that issue when I get home and have time to fiddle without being charged an arm and a leg for the internet time.  In the meantime... 

Watching a ship entering the Miraflores Lock.
We were next in line on the right side of the paved passgeway.

Miraflores Lock House

I also include some still pictures of scenes along the passage route that give you an idea of the challenges posed by the terrain that had to be managed to build the canal. Workers cleared brush to enable passage across the isthmus between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  They terraced land along the Canal route to enable workers to build the lakes and locks.

Brush by the side of the Panama Canal

Terraced Grades Along the Panama Canal

The lakes and waterways of the Canal are really lovely.   Our weather along the eight-hour trip was variable.  Usually it was cloudy.

International Bridge over Panama Canal

By the time we left the Canal, the skies were darkening.  The Caribbean Sea greeted us in a serene and stately manner.