Our six hour tour started from the Flaminco Marina on the Amador Causeway. From there we took about an hour bus ride to Gatun Lake where we boarded the Pacific Queen to go through three locks.
The Panama Canal, which is about 80 km from end to end, was started by the French in 1881 and finished by the United States in 1914.
Every vessel that goes through the canal, whether it is a large container ship or a small pleasure craft, pays by weight. Our guide said the cost can be a million dollars, and more, for the large container ships.
The first lock we went through was Pedro Miguel. Our smaller vessel did not need a ‘mule’ to guide us into the lock, as did the big ship behind us. Then we went through the two locks at Miraflores.
It was incredible how quickly the water dropped and the gates opened.
It was pretty cool going under the Bridge of the Americas. This was the first permanent bridge that went over the canal, it was build by the Americans, opened in 1962, and connects the Pan-American Highway.
From the canal we also had great panoramic views of the city skyline.
It was basically a full day trip. We left the hotel at 8:30 AM and were back there by 5 PM.
Our vessel dropped us off on the Amador Causeway, at the same place the bus had picked us up in the morning. After enjoying a good ice cream bar we took an Uber back to the hotel.
A great way to spent the day when visiting Panama City.
Cheers
Ruth
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