Legend of the Seas–day 13–Cartagena, Columbia, Part I

Our last port on this leg of our journey. Cartagena promised to be day of history and mystery. History because of the Spanish legacy and mystery because Columbia as a country is a total mystery to us other than what we hear.
We were on a tour which took us to all the historical landmarks of the town and I have to say it was an immensely enjoyable day. The old town is well preserved and well managed. Beautiful architecture, cobbled streets, Spanish fortifications from colonial days, colourful shops all make up this wonderful destination.

A monastery perched high above the city is still home to 8 monks

The ancient fort as seen from the monastery

Outside the fort

Colourful street vendors and displays at every turn

Even some of the tour buses are colourful

Lovely streets and interesting door fittings

It was Palm Sunday when we visited. Churches and cathedrals were busy.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day

Legend of the Seas–day 12–Colon, Panama

Today did not start out well as our tour guide was not on the dock when we arrived. After quite some time and some adjustments we set off, but the day did not improve. Sadly, the tour did not turn out the way we had hoped, but we did see and do some things that were very interesting nonetheless.

Colourful buildings in the port area

We were supposed to take a ride in one of these to a native indian village up river, but this was the second disappointment – it did not turn up. Perhaps just as well.

An interesting item, readily available in local shops – the cashew nut and the fruit it grows from.

New lock gates awaiting installation in the new locks which are far from completion.

After arriving at the Gatun locks observation area, our guide explained some of the history of the development of the Canal.





Very up close and personal with the ships passing through the locks


We were able to walk across from one side of the lock to the other between ships.

A container waiting for entry to the locks. This picture was taken from on top of the dam wall which holds back the water in Gatun Lake.

From below the top of the dam wall, the same ship looks like it’s sitting on top of the grass

Vehicles are also able to cross from one side to the other. They are controlled by lights. A bridge is to be constructed as part of the new canal development to help with vehicular crossing.

Although it was an interesting day, we were glad to get back to the ship.

Leaving the safety of the harbour, the pilot boat was encountering some good swells. All in a day’s work.

Next stop Cartagena.

Legend of the Seas–day 11–Panama Canal

After spending my birthday at sea – a novel experience, we were up early (not as early as some) to witness one of the world’s modern wonders. Our transit was scheduled to begin at 8am (entering the first of the locks) but by 6am most decks were crowded.
I managed to take a few shots of Panama City through the morning haze and saw the unusual sight (for this part of the world) of the sun rising over the Pacific Ocean. Well nothing out of the ordinary for Sydney siders I suppose but worth recording nonetheless.
The transit starts with us passing under the Bridge of the Americas across which runs the Pan-American Highway. We have a pilot on board by now who stays on the ship for the whole transit. This is the only time the ship’s Captain relinquishes command of his ship. All other pilots who come on board only act in an advisory capacity.
From the Pacific side the canal starts with the passage through the Miraflores Locks. The gates  are the largest in the canal and were built in Pittsburgh. They have been in operation since the canal opened in 1914. The next set of locks are Pedro Miguel which takes the vessels 85feet above sea level into Gatun Lake. This is an artificial lake created by the damming of the Chagras River.
One of the reasons there is not a sea level canal, originally designed by the French, is because there are different tides on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. But the major reason was because of crossing the Continental Divide. The lowest point through the Continental Divide is where the Centennial Bridge crosses after the Pedro Miguel Locks. The route then passes through the Galliard Cut and into Gatun Lake.
Millions of gallons of fresh water are wasted with every ship transiting the Canal and it was found that additional water was needed to replenish Gatun Lake during times of low rainfall. So another dam was built on the river which created a new lake to store water and control the flow into Gatun Lake. When the new locks come into operation they will save more than 30% of the lost water.
All lock chambers are the same size – 110 feet wide by 1000 feet long. These will be widened to 180 feet wide and 1200 feet long with the new works which are already beyond completion date.
The ships are held in position in the lock chamber by mules – no, these days they don’t use the animal variety, though they used to. Today motorised mules are held to the ship by cables and they keep the ship centred in the lock. There have been many methods tried to transfer the cables to the ship from the mules, but they have still fund the most efficient method is by two men in a row boat connect the cables from the mules to cables from the ship and they are wound in and connected on the ship. You’ll see the photo.
The mules receive communications from the bridge and they are answered by a system of bell signals.

Panama City

Sun rise over the Pacific in Central America.


Bridge of the Americas




Entering Miraflores Lock


Picking up the cable from the mule to attach to the cable thrown from the ship


Just like Thomas the Tank Engine there is a turntable to enable the mules to change tracks

This ship helped provide a reference point for passage through the canal. The following photos show her position as we were moving through


Moving through the second lock she is in the left hand (western) lock.


We are leaving the eastern lock and the container ship is already well ahead and sailing under the Centennial Bridge

Now at the Atlantic locks and there is the container ship.

Again we are arriving in the locks next. In the bottom right hand corner of the photo there is an arrow which indicates which side of the lock we are directed to.

There are three locks on the Atlantic side (Gatun locks). We are entering chamber 1 behind this ship. The container we have been following is ahead of us and is already in the 3rd lock and descending to exit to the Atlantic.

Although the container ship was so far ahead she is just leaving as we come in to the 2nd lock. All in all its an amazing process. Here are some other views of the locks.

Here you can see clearly the cable from the mule to the ship

Lock gates closing behind us.


This is a view of the fresh water that is lost as chambers empty

A heron goes for a ride on a lock gate

Not much room between the ship and the lock walls

The flag of Panama

The Centennial Bridge

Bridge across the Chagras River

Quite a sizeable river

Many cranes are in use at both ends of the canal. This one named Goliath

This one named Titan but nick named Herman the German as she was used in Germany in WWII

We were in the region when the sun was directly overhead so producing the effect of no or little shadow

As the ships are lowered through the lock system, so the mules have to follow the downward or upward incline

Yes we were there!

Massive gates for the new locks

Vessels of all sizes transit the canal.

More of the canal from the land next day