Day 6 - Panama Canal

 Sunday, Jan 8, we passed through the Panama Canal

As we approach the pilot station about 5:30Am, there are many large ships anchored along the approach

one of he ships

The skyline of Colon, Panama in the early morning

moon is bright. From an outside deck at the fron\t of the ship.

As we approach the Atlantic Bridge

a tugboat follows use to assist if needed

starting to get light

Going under the Atlantic Bridge. It was completed in 2019.

Tgwe other Holland America ship - Volendam went into the locks before us.

As we approach the old locks

The Volendam on the right. Another ship coming from the other direction on the left

The sun starts to rise.

On the front of our ship

the bow was open to passengers. They were serving coffee, juice and rolls

Ssunrise.

a pelican watching

the lock gate starts to open to let use sail in

Panama Rolls serverd

A mule rubs c\beside us.

many people at the bow

the ships bell

One of the Mules that keeps the ship centered in the lock.  There are two on each side. 

as we leave a set of locks.

The green and red  arrow at the entrance tells the ship which side to use

Approaching the Centennial Bridge

the roundtable used to change the track used by the Mule

Volendam entering Gatun Lake which is in the middle of the canal.

t

We meet a container ship as we sailed through Gatun Lake.

is is being followed by a tug

a small passenger ship

A cargo ship follows use through the canal.

The Volendam will go through the second set of locks beside us

The museum / observation decks building.

Some container ships unload before the locks and he containers are shipped across Panama by rail

The third bridge across the Canal is the Bridge of the Americas.

The colorful Genhry Biomuseo, We were supposed to go there on an excursion  but hey cancelled it.

Er han a Burgers and Beer dinner this evening/.

The Volendam docked beside us overnight.

The Panama skyline at night.

The ship refueling from a barge.

After sunset