Today was the Panama Canal Passage day!! This is what we had been waiting for! I decided to get up early and be up on deck for the passage. Lesley decided to wait a bit. She probably made the right decision. We were originally scheduled to pass through the canal at 630am - but as you will see... we didn't quite make it through at that time.
I woke up at 430am, got dressed and headed up to Deck 10 forward to watch the transit. I wanted to see everything!! So I arrived at about 5am and it was DARK and actually pretty cold. I had my sweatshirt with me - good thing - I needed it.
Ships waiting in the distance for their turn to pass through the canal. There were about 40 of them... it looked like a parking lot.
Everyone up on deck waiting for the passage
The city of Colon - on Limon Bay in Panama
630am came and went - and it was HOT up on deck. The left side of my face was baking - good thing I had bought the 50 SPF sun screen... Finally we heard that the US sub would have priority and that we would transit at about 800 or 830am... so I decided to stay on the deck so that I could see the fully thing.
A US Navy Los Angeles class attack sub
At 830 we finally started our transit toward the Gatun lake. I shot videos and as soon as I can get them uploaded to Youtube, I will add them here.
Gatun locks in the distance
The Navy sub entering the right lock
Shaka on deck with friends
Me on deck 10 (taken by Shaka - I am in the red DVC baseball cap).
Tugs coming out to get us and guide us to the lock
Approaching the lock - we went in the left lock behind the blue ship
810am - approaching the entrance of the lock
Entering the locks - next update!