Transit the Panama Canal

Day 74- Transit the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal was first conceived in 1534 by King Charles I of Spain, when he ordered the first survey of a proposed canal route through the Isthmus of Panama. It is approximately 51 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Three centuries passed before the French started construction in 1880.The French labored for twenty years and were not successful due to diseases, financial and engineering problems. In 1904 the United States bought out the French Canal Company's rights and made a deal with Panama who had gained independence from Colombia in 1903. The United States at a cost of $387 million dollars opened the Canal on May 4, 1914. It took the US and at times over 50,000 men working on the canal 14 years to complete. More lives were lost to disease ( like malaria), then accidents on site.
We were invited to your friend's Ros and Arnold's balcony stateroom, to enjoy the transit with a Champagne and juice breakfast. We had a great time with them and our other friends Joanne and Garry, while going through the three set of locks. I did not realize that the transit is an all-day adventure. The Canal Pilot boarded the ship about 5am and we did not complete the transit around 4:30 pm. We got to Ros and Arnold around 6:30 am and we were already in the Gatun Lock.
We went from the Caribbean and Atlantic side of the Panama Canal to the Pacific side. The Ship started at the Gatun Locks (which we toured the day before) at 6:20 am. There are three sets of locks that raised the ship up over 80 feet and then we entered the Gatun Lake. We anchored in the lake to wait for the rest of the convoy. Then we continued across the lake and we crossed the continental divide. Then we went through the Pedro Miguel Locks which was smaller the Gatun Locks. We continued to the last series of locks, the Miraflores Locks to drop us down to the Pacific Ocean.
Just a note to tell you about the visitor center at the Miraflores Locks, you will see a photo of hundreds of people that cheered us on from the balconies of the center. We don't know if they were Panamanians or visitors of Panama. The Ship was guided by Mules (small engines that pulled the ship through the locks two in the front and two in the back on each side of the ship). It was amazing that the ship cleared with approximately 24 inches on each side. Our ship is the biggest that can fit in the lock. The locks are 110 ft. wide. Our ship is 106 ft. wide. When we came out of the canal, Panama City Skyline was to the left of the ship and it is a very big and prosperous city. Princess paid the Panama Transit Authority $352,103 based on tonnage. The lowest toll is 36 cents paid by Richard Halliburton in 1928 when he swam through. Of course that would not be allowed today.
We had an enjoyable day with our friend and the experience of the Panama Canal. Thanks Ros and Arnold for the hospitality and friendship.
Next Port is Puntarenas, Costa Rica