Panama Canal
01 January 2018 | Rio Chagres
Helen
Up early and prepared the boat ready for our Panama Canal transiting. We had a confirming email, but we had that for the two previous attempts. Today being, Jan. 1st, we thought would be a holiday. However, we were pleasantly surprised when our agent arrived around lunch time with three line handlers in tow and the rest of the lines needed for transit. We left the dock around 2:30 and headed to the Flats, where we met up with the Advisor, Ricardo. We could not have asked for someone better. I was line handling the starboard, aft, which was closest to Mark, in case I had any issues. The line was thrown to the front of the boat and carried back. Riccardo tied the correct bowline for me...then just had to regulate the tension on the line, as we were the only pleasure boat in the lock, behind an almost 600 foot freighter named Sapphire Island. We waited for a good part of it...as there were late boats in the lock coming out. We passed the ferry boat that our marina bus took every day. There was a Viking cruise ship that passed us before we entered the lock. Everyone was waving and wishing us a happy new year! Looked like a cruise I would have loved to be on! There were three separate chambers to the lock and each one lifted us at least 25 feet in a matter of seconds. All in all a wonderful experience. I made up a pan of pasta and beef, so that was heated in the oven. They guys seemed to love it as they ate at least two helpings and there was not much left. We have attempted to log in using our Tep system for wifi. We'll see if this posts okay. It's just after 8 pm and it's been pouring for quite a while. I was not expecting flying bugs that came as soon as the lights went on...hopefully they are done for now with the rain and the breeze. We will be expecting a different advisor tomorrow at 7 am. It's a 27 mile motor in the lake and then the three separate locks on the other side. Another very hot day, with several showers. It was overcast by the time we got to the locks so the breeze actually was refreshing.