Panama City, Panama

After we left the Panama Canal and entered into the Pacific Ocean, we headed south to Manta, Ecuador, passing Panama City.  We didn't have an opportunity to stop and visit (this time).

Click on photos for a much larger view!

This is the new Getty Museum!
Thanks, Jim O'Donnell for updating me!

I love the contrast--architecture and clouds.

Very intriguing!

Another favorite

Panama, Bridge of the Americas

Located at the Pacific Ocean approach to the Panama Canal, the Bridge of the Americas provided an easier access to cars traveling on the Pan American Highway, replacing the Thatcher Ferry.

35,000 vehicles cross the Panama Canal each day on the Pan American Highway.  It boggles the mind to think of having to use a ferry system now. Leaving the Panama Canal, if you sail to the north (turn right) you will be heading towards Acapulco, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

If you turn left, you will be sailing south to South America. That is where we will be going!

Panama Canal -- More Scenes

The Panama Canal has a remarkable lock system.

(File Photo)

We had quite an audience as the ship approached the Pacific Ocean.

Finally, the PILOT can leave the ship and turn over the vessel to it's captain.

Panama Canal Transit

Each ship's captain must turn complete control of his ship over to a highly trained Panama Canal pilot for the 8-10 hour transit through the entire canal.


The drivers of the $2 Million dollar "mules" are quite dedicated and are vital to the operation of the entire lock system. Each unit is a complete work area. Once the driver is on board, that is his home for the day. This ensures an efficient operation of the lock system.

Panama Canal -- Atlantic to Pacific Oceans

Familiar sites on the Panama Canal.

Tugboat ready to assist.

Another ship waiting to transit.

Hardworking "mules".

Exiting narrow locks.

Building the Panama Canal was an even greater challenge than building the Suez Canal.

The following video shows the great difficulties encountered by the builders.

(49 minutes)

Experience Panama - Seven Wonders Of The World -- 49 minutes (BBC)

 

The building of the Panama Canal -- French and American contributions

(Not suitable for very young children)
Click on Box (Lower Right) after film begins.
This will increase the size to full screen.

San Blas Islands, Panama

Our ride is here!

Due to space considerations, I opted for the one with the orange roof.

One of the 378 San Blas Islands.

If the ship were not stopping at the San Blas Islands, I would not have taken the cruise.

Plain and simple.

I have a strong attraction to the people who live here and the work they do.

All of the ladies do excellent work, but this one is special.

Her work is exquisite.

I spent a lot of time talking to these ladies.

This reminded me of some of the villages in Orissa Province (India), where an entire village works on one kind of industry.

As you can see, the ladies wear their handiwork as well.

The item below is one of those items which had been worn by one of the ladies.

I think that gives it extra charm.

The more colors used increases the value, due to the difficulty in making the item.

I enjoy working on applique as well.

(Two of my Baltimore Applique quilts.)