Caribbean Day 9: Panama Canal

We left Cartagena last night and arrived early this morning at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal. We sailed into Lake Gatún, the first major inland lake on the canal, and then I took a shore excursion to see the new version of the canal and some local culture.

6:08am: A pilot boat rushes by as we prepare to enter the Panama Canal.

Limon Bay, Colón, Panama

They’re building a bridge across the canal. · Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

The last bits of fog rise over the area near the canal.

Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

Moving boats through the canal is quite the procession:

Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

One of the “mules” towing our ship along the canal. · Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

Today’s shore excursion offered a chance to see the recently opened wider version of the canal:

Canal Expansion Observation Center, Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

A brief, intense thunderstorm rolls through over Gatún Lake. This is our cruise ship, as seen from the Canal Expansion Observation Center:

Canal Expansion Observation Center, Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

Canal Expansion Observation Center, Panama Canal, Colón, Panama

Our “shore” excursion then ventured around Gatún Lake:

You Have Not Seen Everything · Colón, Panama

Gatún Lake, Colón, Panama

Gatún Lake, Colón, Panama

Isla Banana, Colón, Panama, 2018

Colón, Panama