Gatun Locks
04 August 2013
I'm in Panama City now. Arrived a couple days ago and have taken advantage of a hot shower and no mosquitos. Went to the Mariflores Locks today, I've been there before, however there were a few tourist buses ahead of me and I didn't want to wait in line so I headed for the Gatun Locks. It's pretty simple how the locks work but it's amazing to see them operate and see the canal. You learn about it in school, but actually seeing the place is amazing! I can't imagine the working conditions back then. USA!
Ships passing through of course are on a schedule and some do it up to a year out, three to six months normal, however if you just show up they'll get you through within the next 48 hours. The price for commercial vessels is based on load, value and if it's above or below deck and can cost up to $300,000.Smaller private craft share the locks with larger ships and it cost around $800. They usually fit them in at night.
I want to apologize for the poor quality of photo's. I do have a very lame excuse though, I was wet, I smudged the camera lens and it was on the wrong setting. The weather was getting worse and I needed to head back to Panama City. Oh ya, I left my rain gear in the hotel, good times!
Song of the day: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Bee Gees
Note: Songs of the day usually come from hearing them that day somewhere. I heard this song, Bee Gees, in the elevator and then the lobby leaving this morning. The Bee Gees bring back memories but really, the song just didn't pop into my helmet. However, some of the lyrics were very appropriate for the day,
- or how can you stop the rain from falling down?
- Just stop the rain from falling down.
Three times it was raining so hard that I had to stop. I parked the moto as far to the side as I could and then stood there in the pouring rain singing, how can you mend, this broken heart. It was really a great day!
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
Flooding:
From Panama 2013
Entering the lake:
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013
From Panama 2013