Juxtapositions and Star-Destroyers...

Central America Caribbean » Panama » Panamá » Panama City
April 11th 2012

Published: April 30th 2012

Hola amigos para la ultima vez de este viaje! Panama City is full of juxtapositions! Old, ruined buildings standing next to modern glass fronted high-rises, millionaires in mansions surrounded by slums and shacks. Wealthy businessmen working along side the poverty-striken lower-class, fancy new highways that merge into pot-holed and litter-strewn tracks... It's an amazing place! The skyline o... Read Full Entry

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Theresa and Dave

Crannster

We are world travellers who live in Northern Canada. We are both diagonally parked in a parallel universe and have a passion for the world and its amazing places and faces. We hope these blogs can be enjoyed by many like-minded people... If you are genuinely interested in our adventures, you can follow us. If you wish to receive an email whenever we add a new blog entry, you can subscribe to this blog. We also love to hear from you - so if you have have any comments or suggestions you can send us a message. "The most dangerous world views are the world views of those who have never viewe... full info

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On the Tracks

Between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans from Panama City to Colon, a distance of about 80 km (50 minutes). The train follows the canal and the views are extraordinary!

The Canal.

From the train.

Inside the train.

To Colon, Panama.

The Gatun Gates.

Each gate is 82 ft high (about the same as a 7 story building), 65 ft wide and 7 ft thick and weighs in at over 700 tons. The hinges themselves each weigh 16.7 tons. Each set of gates close to a V shape with the point upstream; this set-up means that the force of water from the higher side pushes the ends of the gates firmly together. The gates can only be opened when the water level on both sides is equal.

The Gap

The ships pass through the canal with only a two foot gap between the concrete walls, which is why the locomotives (at the sides) guide them through.

Guide cables.

Guided into the lock

Panamax...

Panamax is the term used for the maximum size of vessel that can pass through... It cost this container ship US$ 419,000 to make the one way passage. The container ship waiting behind wrote a cheque for US$ 395,000. Then the next ship, then twenty minutes later another one, then another. 24 hours a day, everyday... Amazing...

Almost Half a Million Dollars.

Another Panamax pays the big bucks... Carrying over 5000 containers!

King of The Road

Or king of the canal... A Panamax in the Gatun Locks. Soon to be lowered 85 ft to the Caribbean.

Back at Home

Back in Canada... talking to Mom. And sporting a toque again!

30th April 2012

christine allcorn
non-member comment

panama
Just totally amazing.........what else can be said.??

30th April 2012

Brian Hawker
non-member comment

"It is quite amazing that in a world consumed by and infatuated by different forms of communication, that there are still so many misunderstandings... " Hmm. I think about this a lot in the work I do. There's material here for an evening together. If you come back to Sioux Lookout, please give us a call. That "misunderstanding" thing I would like to discuss with you. I want to know if you think technology is having a net benefit in the towns and villages you have visited. I have enjoyed your blog. I can get off on a good vicarious experience! I have several suggestions for travel, actually many. Ulan Bator? Les Iles de la Madelaine? Iceland? I would love to take Andrea to the islands off the coast of East Africa. India has always been a dream but it would have to be several months. I could go on .. ! Enjoy Churchhill. It has its own (particularly Canadian!) charm, yes? Brian

30th April 2012

Mom
non-member comment

nest
Hi you two, OK, I am ready for your next trip, when I get tired of travelling, my bed is just behind me, so see you on OUR next trip!!!!! LOVE, MOM

30th April 2012

sharon yule
non-member comment

Home again
Great to read about your trip and that you once again survived and had a amazing trip. I'm sure that many of us are very jealous of yur wanderings. Dave left off your pedometer steps as it sounds like you did thousands but that would be an interesting thing to track and i have on some trips. take care for now and we wait for your next adventure Take care you two sharon

1st May 2012

Susan Hochstedler
non-member comment

Thanks for blogging about your adventures in such brilliant detail through both word and photo! I love being able to tag along on your amazing journeys!

1st July 2012

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Finding a place to stay at holidays can be tough.
Ending up with s penthouse is not a bad way to go. Love the stats at the end.

Tot: 0.338s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 31; qc: 154; dbt: 0.2273s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.4mb

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