Tuesday, February 3, 2009~~~Transiting the Panama Canal
For those of you who are freezing your tushies off, we are steaming! The air weighs heavy and drips with moisture. It is actually raining a little and as the speaker from the Canal Authority says, anytime it rains in Panama, it is a blessing. We are actually crossing the Continental Divide at this moment. Although we have been through the canal before, we got up at 6:30 AM to be up in the Palm Court for the entry into the Gatun Locks. Well 6:30 wasn't early enough! All those farmers aboard from Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa must be used to getting up with the chickens, because the Palm Court was packed! Outside on deck 12 was packed! I finally found a good spot on deck 7 forward, while David went up to 8. Luckily, Cornel, our friend and the ship's doctor, was standing on the bow in the crew section. He graciously took my camera and got great photos of the locks for us. I'm not sure that most of the passengers on this cruise can read. They kept going into the crew section, demanding that the crew move out of the way so that they can get their photos. Jane, the Crystal Society Hostess, had to play policewoman until security came and escorted them out. It clearly says CREW ONLY, but they ignored the sign.
One of the Holland American ships, the Z....dam (I can't remember it's full name) docked in the lake after the first set of locks and tendered passengers in to the museum. I don't think they continued to the Pacific, rather turned around and went back to the Caribbean.
4:20 pm~~~We are just leaving the Miraflores Locks. The last time we went through the canal, two years ago, the ships were lined up waiting to get in. This time, we've seen very few ships. I wonder if it a fluke or if the economy has cut into the shipping business, too. We did see two huge NYK container ships, and there may have been more before or after us. Can you imagine what they pay per day in fees to the Panama Canal???
This cruise has been a wind down after all the excitement and fun of the South American segments. The lecturers have become less interesting and even the lectures on the Panama Canal sound almost verbatim from the documentary on the canal that has been running non-stop on the TV. The woman who teaches the art class is very nice, but each session is a "stand alone" class and not as interesting as Kristina Nugent's classes. In her defense, this is a much shorter cruise and there isn't the opportunity to build skills.
Sunday night we dined in Silk Road with Cornel. The food gets better and better. The chef prepared a special appetizer of white fish tempura with a vinegrette sauce that was incredible! It was so light and not greasy at all! The ship did a big super bowl viewing party in the Starlite with hotdogs, nachos, popcorn, etc. It was really well attended. We passed through on our way to dinner. Mary, thank you for your tip on the Rum (?Rom) Strudel dessert. We special ordered it last night and it was outstanding! I have to say that on this entire cruise we have only had one bad meal--the veal a'la Mama. Otherwise, everything has been excellent. We started out with good intentions to eat like Keith and Anne Marie, but obviously lack the strength of character! Keith, your discipline must be incredible!
Last night was the Captain's Farewell Cocktail Party and the last formal night. We went to kareoke afterwards and there is a real drop in talent! Mary and Christie--where are you?? Seiji, the Chef de Cuisine of the Sushi Bar, sang two songs, one in Japanese and the other in English. He has an incredible voice. Also, the Captain's assisstant, Sabrina sang and she, too, has a lovely voice. Otherwise, it was mainly drunk passengers. Judith, you will be proud of us--David and I came in positions one and two in the Library quiz! I can't say that is true for Trivia. There is one team of repeat trivia-playing passengers and they have creamed us every time but one!
I can't believe that we are almost at our last segment. It's like looking through the wrong end of a telescope when I think about the start of the cruise, way back in December. But if I think about it, it's how fast it all has gone.
Judith, they are offering the shore excursion that you created on 6230 for intransit guests: mangrove cruise and bird sanctuary. They don't know if it will go since there are only 99 passengers intransit.
We've just passed the city of Panama. I wish the ship used it as a port. It would be interesting to see up close. As it is, it rises out of the jungle with even more skyscrapers than in 2007.
We had a following sea yesterday, with high waves, but little motion on the ship. The Captain warned us that it wouldn't be a following sea on the return trip and we are in for some high seas. But, hey, we have our sea legs since Antarctica! Truly a "Baptism by Fire!"
Off now to make some reservations in Prego and Silk Road for the last segment.
Caio for now!
Canal Girl