Panama and The Canal Day 5
Panama and The Canal
Day 05 - Thursday, December 16, 2010 - Miraflores Visitor Center-Overland to Gamboa
We woke up to a beautiful sunny day – made us very happy after all of the rain we have had. Our morning was very easy, we had breakfast and then I went out to take some photos while Gennie worked on her classes while she had a few minutes and a good WiFi connection.
At 9:00 we met our group in the lounge area for a lecture on the building of the Panama Canal. Gustavo gave us a review of our itinerary at the Miraflores Locks and Museum today.
Starting with the history of the exploration and the narrow land bridge between North and South America, he traced the paths of the Spanish, French, and Americans as they conquered the jungle, mosquitoes, illness, and corruption.
Water conservation is one of the priorities of the new enlarged canal that is being built at this time. It will run parallel to the first one and is scheduled to be opened in 2014, the 100th Anniversary of the original canal.
We had a few minutes to put our bags in the hall and to check out of our rooms before leaving the hotel at 11:00. As we drove back to Panama City, Gustavo surprised us with another learning and discovery.
We stopped along the side of the road and a young boy came on the bus selling freshly roasted cashew nuts. We met his father Aristido, a gardener, and his family. He showed us how they roasted cashew nuts. We were able to talk to him about the production and sale of their produce.
At 1:15 we arrived at the Panama Canal Visitor Center located on the east side of the Miraflores Locks. We ate our sack lunches on the terrace overlooking the main locks.
Our first stop was the museum, four floors of explanation of the original attempt by the French, the building of the canal including original videos, the flora and fauna of the area, and the construction of the new canal.
We saw a short movie and further explanation of the history of the canal and then spent the majority of our time watching the huge ships and boats go through the locks.
Our OAT ship, Discovery went through the locks as we watched giving us an idea of the size and capacity of our boat which we will board in two more days. The temperature was 83º and the humidity was 70%; a very pleasant afternoon!
At 3:00 we left the Center and stopped on the bridge for a photo opportunity of the spillway and a crocodile basking in the sun. We traveled north to Gamboa, which is in the Soberania National Park.
We arrived at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort about 4:00 and were welcomed with a cool towel and an icy fruit drink. We found our room, connected with civilization through the internet and had an hour’s free time.
Gustavo invited all of us to his cabin in one of the original barracks built for the administration of the Panama Canal in the early 1900’s. While at the market we had found passion fruit and I made Batidas, a Brazilian adult beverage, for everyone.
Almost everyone came to the impromptu event which was appreciated. A good time was had by all.
We came back to our room and finished sorting photos and writing the journal before turning in with the sounds of the jungle lulling us to sleep.
Accommodations: Gamboa Resort Hotel - - - Meal: B, L
Please see our Trip Evaluation -- Click Here -- A Complete Review of Overseas Adventure Travel -- Panama Canal Cruise & Panama: A Continent Divided, Oceans United.
If you wish to travel with OAT Click Here.
To receive $50 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062
Comments
Looks like you two are having another exciting trip. We were in Costa Rica in August with OAT and really enjoyed it also. Our next trip is to Ireland in late Spping
Post a Comment!I can't see a crocodile.
Ship Passage Miraflores Lock (1:52)
Solarium Hotel
Young Man Selling Cashews
Miraflores Lock Entrance
Miraflores Spillway, Ship Passage an...
Passion Fruit Batidas with Gustavo
Featured Journal
Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos
Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.
The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.
Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...
