This was our first crossing of the Panama Canal and we were impressed with the amount of traffic and the size of the ships.  I suppose one would get used to the scale of things but we don't plan on making that many crossings.  BTW we crossed eastward from the Pacific to the Caribbean.

Above: There are 2 Canal entrances and exits.  We are passing the Big Boys Lock entrance en route to our ship's entrance.

Above:   We are lining up to enter our first lock.  There is a freighter ahead of us in the second lock

Above: They still use a row boat to attach the cables from the Lock Engines to the ship -  almost quaint

 

Above:  A lock engine - I think battery powered with a rail and cog traction system for the steep sections

Above: We have reached the level of the central lake.  The lock is connected to the lake by a narrow channel

Above and Right:  Capuchin monkeys "foraging" for food on our excursion boat.  The tour operates on the central lake a day ahead of the canal crossing.  Here the monkeys are somewhat depend-ent on the operators for food which keeps the tourists happy and the operators employed.  A variation on the cycle of life

 

Above:  A Tamarind monkey - a beautiful fur coat and sharp teeth to help the owner retain the coat.

Above:  Entering the first lock - silver coloured engines on both sides towing us into the first lock at sea-level

Above:  Onward to the second lock - the first lock fills with water

Above:  One of the large container ships with attendant tugs on the central lake

Above:  We have reached the two locks on the Caribbean side of the canal which will take us back down to sea level and complete the crossing - takes a full day.