Costa Rica, the Panama Canal and Fuerte Amador, Panama

January 8: Welcome to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. This little port town is the entry for both cruise ships and container ships. Unfortunately, the town’s commercial growth has removed any sense of charm from this community. Even the public market center is mostly lots of junk shops instead of the open-air food stalls that we are told used to predominate. While strolling in the park we saw a sloth hanging out, taking its day-time nap. It was pointed out to us by a local man, otherwise we would have missed it.

In the “tourist” market on our way back to the ship, we purchased the required ball cap, local chocolate sampler, and John got a manicure from a very nice young woman who told us that, in addition to bananas and chocolate, high tech items are manufactured and shipped from Costa Rica. That explained the presence of a cell phone shop on almost every corner.

January 9: Today we transited the Panama Canal. Unlike the Suez Canal, which is just a big ditch through which ships sail close to land on each side, the Panama Canal had lots to see. The process of entering the lock, the raising up to the next water level, the use of the tugs and “mules” (today electric engines) to keep the ship properly aligned, and the final three locks that lowered us back to sea level – all made for a fascinating day. The ship provided expert commentary throughout the transit, which enhanced the experience.

On board a number of passengers “swam” the canal and earned a certificate of merit. What that meant was a bunch of people gathered in the sea view pool while crossing the Gatun Lake between the Atlantic-side locks and the Pacific-side locks.

We entered the first lock at approximately 7:00 a.m. and exited the last lock at about 7:00 p.m. Cost to the cruise line is about $190,000. Price is based on weight and, for cruise liners, passenger capacity. While in the final lock we passed a visitors’ center where the balconies were all crowded with on-lookers. Our captain sounded the ship’s horn three times, and the crowds on shore responded with a big cheer.

In the final phase a large tanker was in the lock parallel to ours. As you can imagine, it sported lots of “no smoking” signs.

January 10: We anchored last night off of Fuerte Amador on the Amador Causeway, across from Panama City. The causeway is built from the materials excavated during the construction of the Canal. From it you can see Panama City on one side and the Bridge of the Americas on the other. Along the way you pass the brightly colored Panama: Bridge of Life Museum of Biodiversity designed by architect Frank Gehry.

Because we had toured Panama City on an earlier trip, we simply took the complimentary shuttle to a local mall in search of caps and postcards. We had a little rain this afternoon – after we had returned to the ship – but, unfortunately, it did nothing to break the heat. Lots of Americans retire to Panama, but it’s too hot for me.