Panama Canal

We are arriving with our friends Karen and Kent Hugh and we are anxious and ready for a fun time on the Celebrity Constellation Cruise ship. Our destination is the Panama Canal with a few stops on the way to view the beautiful countryside of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Columbia.

Cabo San Lucas has some interesting beaches. The problem was the language. Even though our guides spoke English they were difficult to understand, but the water is blue, the fish are exquisite, and the food and water was to be avoided.

Beautiful Acapulco is crowded with tourist. We happened to visit during the Easter Holiday when many of the Mexican people leave their homes and run to the beaches. Of course, our interest was watching the cliff divers and we weren't disappointed. They are brave and fearless! The youngest was 15 and there was even one girl diving. They are organized into a union believe it or not. The actress Hedy Lamar organized the divers way back when she was famous and lived in Acapulco. There has never been a death, but some broken ribs and arms have happened to the divers. You'd never catch me jumping from their high cliff, but our Lake Powell jumpers where just as impressive and maybe just as high!

After the divers we were treated to their local dancing. It was nothing like Dancing with the Stars, but still beautiful and even mesmerizing.

Our arrival at Huatulco, Mexico was smooth as silk. We encountered one day of rough water when Joy's stomach could have used a calming potion. None of the rest of our foursome needed anything but the rich food which was all over the ship. Our French chef was superior with the dessert, excellent with the meats, and the vegetables and fruits were glamorous. We ate until we couldn't eat anymore. There is a profound pleasure associated with well prepared food.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Again we were warned not to drink the water and eat their food. This jungle river was ugly with mud, but the trees were fantastic.

The alligators were quiet and we didn't get close enough to cause them to become active. We just wanted a quick look.

As were were entering the Panama Canal we could see the Latter-day Saint temple high on the hill. It was 6:00 in the morning and still dark, but the lights on the temple were visible until about 6:30. Awesome!

There is work in progress for new, bigger, wider, locks to be completed in 2014. The 100 year celebration of the completion of the Panama Canal. 1914.

Scenes from the area; the countryside and the dam.

The 'mule' railroad car is attached by cables and pulls the ships through the locks.

The blue water is being transferred past the 'gate' by gravity and looks murky. When it fills to the top of the gate it will swing open and let a ship pass through. Really amazing!

This huge lock (gate) is about to open.

Container ships were also going through the canal.

This cargo ship is going through the lock at our side. The locks are designed for two ships to pass through at the same time. Spectacular!

Leaving the Panama Canal with the lush countryside!

Cartagena, Columbia was our last port to visit. The modern city is where the big money is, but there are poverty areas as well. The street vendors were everywhere and obnoxious.

I ran to this colorful native for a quick camara shot of her unique heardress filled with fresh fruit. She then insisted we pay $2.00 for taking her picture. I wonder if we could make a living doing something similar in America?

Cartagena, Columbia which is surrounded by a ring of massive fortress walls built by the Spanish starting in 1586. View from the enormous Fortress of San Felipe.

The approximate 150 years of the Spanish Inquisition spread to this area as well. Torture was done in many horrible ways until the victim would confess their disbelief in other religions or die. The sad thing is after a confession the victim was killed anyway. These pictures and information was included only because of our interest in how widespread and cruel the Inquisition was.

Local color

Shops full of emeralds were enticing and because this precious gem is Joy's birthstone a tiny beautiful ring was purchased.