Panama Canal - A Wonder of the Wolrd??

So for all you critics and hard to awe people out there I suggest you pay close attention! Prepare to be amazed. I wish you could all come to visit this great site at some point. For the time being the summary and photos will have to do.

This is a look into a canal that geographically splits a country in two. It was built in the early 1900s with full operations starting in 1914. They used the top line technologies of their time, primitive to what we know today. And the best part is that some of the originals are still in use today, mainly the lock doors that open and close to change the water levels. Some of the parts of have been updated over time, such as the mechanisms that open and close the doors and the cable cars that guide the ships through.

Here are a few random facts about the ins and outs of the canal:

• The boats alot 24hrs to complete the journey across the oceans. Most of the time is spent waiting their turn. It takes 8 to 10 hours to go through the lock sets.
• The most expensive boat to go through was a cruise ship in 2007 who paid $330 000. The world record for least amount paid goes to a 140lb swimmer at a grand total of $0.37. In general the fee is determined by type of boat, length and weight.
• There are two reguirements for the boats to pass. The first is that the money must be bank transfered a minimum of 48 hours prior to crossing. The second is that the captain gives up the helm of his boat to a canal pilot who gives instructions while at the locks.

We arrived at the Miraflores Visitor´s Center at the perfect time. It was 9am and things were just in motion for a huge, full cargo ship. It was 4 hours later that we peeled ourselves away from the look out decks and went inside to walk the museum! While we watched the ships cruise their way throughs the locks a guide with a microphone was spouting out random facts about the canal. It was in English and Spanish. We learned alot and enjoyed the activity.

Panama Canal