* At 7:00 am we went under the Bridge of the Americas - entering the Panama Canal from the south.* Off to the east we saw the high rise buildings of Panama City
* We passed through the Miraflores locks - raising 85 ft. Amazing engineering! (The largest concrete project of it's day...until the Hoover Dam).
* The water used to raise and lower the vessel in each set of locks is obtained from Gatun Lake by gravity and poured into the locks through a main culvert system that extends under the locks chambers from the sidewalls and center wall.
* 14,000 ships past through each year.
* The canal was not used 'round the clock until 1963 when fluorescent lights were introduced.
* The canal saved travelers from NY to San Francisco 8100 miles by not having to go around South America.
* The cruise line paid $375,000 to go through the canal - $35,000 more this year than last.
* After passing through the Pedro Miguel locks and under the Centennial bridge we cruised along viewing lush rain forests on both sides.
* It took us about 10 hours to pass through Gatun Lake (manmade), Gstunlocks to arrive at the city of Colon.
Along the way we saw early activity building a third set of locks which will be open in 2014 (which is the 100th anniversary of the opening of the canal).This construction is observing environmental factors that were not taken into account in 1914. For example, water-reutilization basins require less water than the current locks system, thus saving 60% of the water actually used.
It is being paid 1/2 from past fees collected and 1/2 from loans from 5 nations (which will be repaid from fees).
By the way, did you know that in 2000 Panama took over full operation, administration, and maintenance in compliance with the treaties negotiated with the US in1977. It is neutral, open for use by all countries.
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Location:Panama canal
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