The 100th year anniversary of the Panama Canal was August 2014.  We decided to take a cruise on the Canal and help celebrate the event.


Bio-Museum – Frank Gehry’s Biodiversity Museum on the Causeway of Balboa. The new “Bridge of Life”, as the architect himself refers to the original building, can be seen from Panama Bay, as well as from the Canal entrance.

Bridge of the Americas crosses the Canal’s Pacific entrance in Panama City’s Balboa district. The Bridge was built by the Americans. Miraflores Locks – A viewing platform gives visitors a chance to see the locks in action.

Ships are guided to the entrance of the first set of locks – the Miraflores locks – by tugboats. Pedro Miguel is a mile and half from Miraflores Locks, separated by Miraflores Lake and is a single lock.

Centennial Bridge – The Bridge was named for Panama’s centennial, which occurred on November 3, 2003.  The Centennial Bridge crosses Panama Canal at the Gaillard Cut near the Pedro Miguel Locks and is about 10 miles north of the Bridge of the Americas.

There is lush vegetation on islands in Gatun Lake.

Panama Canal Expansion. In September 2007, work began on a $5.2 billion project to expand the Panama Canal.

The mules will not actually pull the ship through the locks but will help guide it side-to-side, so it doesn’t smash into the sides of the canal.

Arrow

Upon entering the Gatun Locks, a ship is directed to one of the two canal lanes by a large green arrow located at the front center wall facing the bow of the vessel.

El Renacer Prison –  Home of  Ex-president Manuel NoriegaOn September 23, 2011, Manuel Noriega began serving 20 years in Panama. He arrived in Panama on December 11, 2011.

Gatun Locks is a triple set of locks and is the largest and longest set of locks in the world.

Ships waiting their turn into the Canal. Sometimes it takes 2-3 days waiting in line.
The day we went through the Panama Canal, it was 100 degrees and 100-degree humidity. It is so hard to imagine working and building the Canal in this climate. We really enjoyed visiting the Panama Canal.
November 30, 2014