Panama Canal: Pacific Locks

Panama Canal: Pacific Side Locks

This first grouping of photos details the passage through the locks on the Pacific Side of the Canal.

We arrived early in the morning, well before sun-up.

It was still dark when we passed under the Bridge of the Americas.

But, by the time we had progressed further inland to the first set of locks ...

... the sun was coming up.

It is amazing how fast these locks fill with water!

And how you would swear that your ship will never fit in. But it will.

Passage through the two steps of the Miraflores Locks brings one to ...

... the small, man made, Miraflores Lake.

Here we see our "shadow," the Oosterdam, coming up behind us.

Gazing across Miraflores Lake to the Pedro Miguel Lock.

At Pedro Miguel, the ship just barely fits!!!!!

Just a couple of feet on each side!

The Pedro Miguel lock doors close.

Looking across Miraflores Lake toward the Miraflores locks.

These "mules" don't actually tow the big ships ...

... but they do keep them centered in the lock-chambers ...

... while the ships are either lowered ...

... or raised ...

... in each lock.

Now full, we're leaving the Pedro Miguel lock ...

... and entering the Gaillard Cut (formerly called the Culebra Cut).