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Panama Canal Cruise and ArubaSailing Majestically Through the Canal
It takes a whole day to negotiate the locks and sail majestically through the beautiful canal and across the lakes from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
Many people were up on deck before sunrise in an attempt to find the best place to stand and watch the Summit being guided through the locks into the Panama Canal. THE PANAMA CANALApproaching the lock is agonizingly slow. Some freight vessels went through before the Summit and it was amazing watching the one immediately in front as it gradually rose higher and higher on the water filling its lock. Then it was Summit's turn and tugs nudged the ship into place where cables were run from the guiding trams on the dock sides and it was placed into the lock - with what seems to be merely inches between the ship and the walls - and the gates behind were closed. Gradually water was pumped into the lock and we rose. The only way you could tell was by looking at some street lamps on the roadways on either side. From being level with us they were suddenly below. Once released the ship sailed across the Miraflores Lake to the second lock and repeated the performance before entering the Panama Canal. Some people stayed on deck, some went inside looking for food and/or entertainment and some sought out a quiet corner where they could sit and relax and enjoy the peaceful forest scenery. Amazingly it is possible to find quiet corners on a large cruise ship. The scenery really is spectacular, especially at Gatun Lake with its myriad green islands on the ultramarine water. This was time to return to a higher deck the better to watch the lush scenery before entering the last set of locks to take us down to the Atlantic Ocean. Once on Gatun Lake the ship anchored to let down the liberty boats and transport people ashore where they would meet buses to take them on excursions. Some of them later said they had been disappointed because most of the tour had been after sunset so they hadn't been able to see the scenery. It is probably better to do those tours when cruising from the Atlantic to the Pacific as you would arrive on the lake in the morning instead of late afternoon. Meanwhile the Summit went through the last set of locks and on to Cristobal Pier to await the arrival of the excursioners. There was plenty for shoppers to do as there is a large market at the pier and, yes, they do sell Panama hats. ARUBAThe next day it was the last port of call - the Dutch island of Aruba. Oranjestad, its capital, has grown from a small town to a colorful city with Dutch-style architecture lining the waterfront and loads and loads of duty-free shops. Having learned that the Natural Bridge had collapsed some of us were eager to go and take a look and opted for that tour. Away from Oranjestad the scenery becomes wild and windswept with the Divi-Divi trees all bending in one direction because of the prevailing Trade Winds. The Natural Bridge had been sculpted over the centuries by the wind and water. Prior to its collapse a couple of years ago the sea would pour into the cove, thundering under the bridge. Fortunately the bridge collapsed at night so no one was on it. It is comforting to know that this particular area of Aruba is going to be left as natural parkland. Wild it may look, but it does have its own particular beauty and it would be a shame to let commerce take it over. From Aruba the Summit cruised up to Fort Lauderdale in the USA. Panama Canal cruises operate from Florida's east coast to California and vice-versa. Two ports of call in Mexico are Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco. There is a third port of call in Mexico called Huatulco, and ships also call at Costa Rica
The copyright of the article Panama Canal Cruise and Aruba in Cruise/Island Vacations is owned by Barbara Bothwell. Permission to republish Panama Canal Cruise and Aruba in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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