Panama Canal

I’m not sure any of us really grasped the scale of the canal itself before we saw it with our own eyes. The locking system that are basically compartments where water levels can be raised to elevate ships or lower them, was dreamed up by brilliant engineers over 100 years ago is amazing. The Panama Canal is a man-made canal which joins the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is 51 miles with a series of 3 locks that raise ships 26 metres to the Gatun Lake. One then just continues south through a channel in the Gatun Lake for 32 miles to Gamboa, where the Culebra Cut begins. The Pedro Miguel locks then lower ships 9.4 metres to a lake which then takes you to the Miraflores Locks which again lowers ships 16 metres to sea level. There are 3 locks in total and the scenery around the Canal is beautiful with enormous palm trees and other tropical vegetation. Saw 2 crocodiles plus loads of birds. A wonderful Panamanian lecturer came on board and gave us a very history of the Canal and she pointed out various points of interest en route. It was a really great day. In the evening we had the Ambassador's Ball which was great fun and it was so nice to see all the students so elegantly dressed. We have a final cocktail party tomorrow night and then disembark on Wednesday after lunch.