Friday 1st February
We are currently sitting at the entrance to Limon Bay on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal. Five WARC boats went through yesterday, and one has just gone through the entrance into Limon Bay a few minutes ago - so we are next. We have big tyres (covered in black plastic (and oil)) acting as fenders on both sides of the boat and we have guide ropes set up which the Canal guys use to guide us through (they stand on land and guide us through - apparently it's very turbulent, so their assistance is imperative). It really is amazing to be here and to see this feat of engineering.
Yesterday we went into Colon (which indeed lives up to its name) and while we were on the bus, we saw 3 huge tankers apparently cruising across the land! Obviously they were on the canal, but from our perspective they appeared to be travelling across the land - it really was amazing to watch.
We will be guided through the first of the locks (Gatun lock) and then we will stay overnight in Gatun Lake before travelling throught the short-cut (Banana cut), which avoids the main shipping channel. It is apparently a little Indiana Jones-like travelling through the Banana cut, as there is lush vegetation hanging low over the water and it's narrow and there is a lot of native wildlife around - should be interesting!! We will make it through to the Pacific side (at the Bridge of the Americas) the day after we stay in Gatun Lake, as that is only a day trip. Will write more on the other side!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment