Ocean to Ocean in One Day

 Day 5: Panama Canal

Something from dinner last night didn’t sit well, so I’m keeping to myself until I’m sure it’s not contagious. It is the perfect day for hiding in my room and ordering room service – we are at the Panama Canal. We are going through the Old Locks, which are a bit of a tight squeeze but fascinating to see how these locks have worked for over a hundred years. I’m on the port side of the ship, so I can look down and see all the goings-on. Lord above, it is hot out there – sun beating down, 90 degrees, and HUMID. I am grateful for my air-conditioned room.

The local pilot coming aboard

Panama sits between two oceans; the Caribbean and the Pacific, and it will take us about 11 hours to get from one to the other. We enter the first lock from the north, which takes us up 87 feet to Gatun Lake, an artificial lake that takes us halfway across Panama, then into the Gallard Cut and through the Pedro Miguel Locks and Miraflores Locks which bring us back down to sea level with the Pacific. They use “mules” to bring the ships through each lock. Thankfully they were not real mules – they are little locomotives that pull us along.

The Island Princess is one of two ships in the Princess fleet known as Panamax ships which will fit through the old locks, so it was a treat for us to experience it. We almost got stuck in some mud approaching the second set of locks. A storm blew in and had us listing about three degrees and they sent three tugboats out to help us get back in place; we couldn’t use our propellers for fear of damaging them on the lakebed. The little tugboats did their job and we were quickly back on course.

The tropical thunderstorm is awesome to watch. It is coming in on the port side, and rain is lashing against the windows and the thunder is rumbling from far away until it crescendos on top of us. And the quiet of the rain landing on the water and the leaves was so relaxing. Just like a sleep app, but in real life.

storm rolling in

During one of the lectures, the speaker mentioned the U.S. Invasion of Panama. It seems so long ago (and I guess it was). In December 1989, George H.W. Bush ordered the invasion to depose General Manuel Noriega, who allegedly declared war on the U.S. The rationale for the invasion was to protect U.S. citizens, defend democracy and human rights in Panama, combat drug trafficking, and protect the integrity of the canal treaties, which were not due to expire until January 2000. The United Nations General Assembly and the Organization of American States condemned the action, saying it was a violation of international law. Very interesting reading about motivations and results if you care to look for information from a better source than me.

I had a lovely, lazy day, and snuck up to the buffet for some soup and tea and made it an early night.

Day 6: At Sea

Today was a lovely cloudy day. I was up and about early to listen to the port talk for Puntarenas, Costa Rica, then breakfast, a brisk walk around the Promenade Deck, and to choir practice. I must say that we are doing fabulously, and our choir director Mark is a hoot. We’ve got a good bunch of singers, and a good number of us too, so I can add my volume without throwing people off-key. We are doing 5 songs in a little show in the main concourse before we get to L.A. We practice on sea days for about 30 minutes. Next time we learn some dance moves with the dance captain; it’s The Big Time! I think there is another choir on the LA to Sydney leg. I’ll see how this one goes before committing to that one.

Choir Practice

I spent a bit of time watching seabirds from my balcony. They looked like they were just having fun, coasting on the air currents that came off our ship. They would glide over the water, wings almost touching the waves as they looked for lunch, then rise up and coast to the bow of the ship, then peel off again. Occasionally they would dive deep into the water to snare a fish, then flap to catch back up. I must have spent thirty or forty minutes watching them. It was mesmerizing.

The gang got together for drinks before dinner (as we do), and then after dinner, we saw the Neil Diamond tribute singer at the theatre. He was very good – sounded just like The Man. And yes, we all sang “Sweet Caroline” for the encore. I tried not to sing out loud in my seat for fear of inciting violence from those around me, but I was successful only 50% of the time. I would mouth the words (because I couldn’t stay still) and then suddenly realize that sounds were coming out, and I would shut it down again.

Bah Bah Bum...

I’m meeting so many fun people on the ship, and they are all so welcoming. All different types of people, who are helping me to remember how to be social, and patient, and accepting. I’ve been spending too much time alone these last years. It’s nice to be back among people again. And nice to have a quiet room to come back to when I need to recharge.

Tomorrow is Costa Rica, where I will be visiting a sloth sanctuary, a botanical garden, and an oxcart factory. What’s an oxcart factory, you ask? I’ll let you know once I find out.