From about 6 a.m. today we have had a live commentary by a
member of p and O staff, the port presenter Sam, of our day on the Panama Canal. She must be exhausted
as its 5 p.m. and we are still not quite through.
We have been able to move around the decks taking everything in, as we
moved through huge locks Gatun, Gamboa Pedro Miguel and Miraflores, where we
were lifted up 85 feet (30m) and down again in two stages in canals that
Arcadia just fits, into man-made lakes. There was a ship traffic jam at 9 this
morning so we spent 2 hours anchored on the lake between rain forest and road
before we moved on. It is really hot, we
have done 6 laps on deck 3, that’s 2 miles, but were relieved to get inside
again to cool off. The air is very still and very humid. Land very green as
promised and many pelicans and frigate birds, though no crocs. What a privilege
to have the opportunity to go through, and to have a souvenir newspaper
explaining all the history, present statistics and future plans.
I went to a Spanish revision class today and learned the words of the song La Bamba, directions to significant buildings in the town, positions for objects (above, below etc) and the names of various animals. It’s a long time since my Spanish O Level (46 years!), although not so long since I had Contraception the Computer Game translated into quite specialised sexual health Spanish, and relatively recently travelled to Mexico using food ordering, taxi journey and hotel Spanish.
At 3 this afternoon we both went to art and painted a seascape which was really relaxing and cool. My colours were too bright so I am removing some of that. Otherwise happy with it. Khachik’s look amazing. Now we are getting ready for dinner as we head out of the canal into the Pacific! Hopefully during our next two stops over the next 5 days around Mexico (Huatulco and Cabo San Lucas) we will be able to manage a few words of understandable Spanish if we get lost or require sustenance.
Bye until tomorrow x
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