A day out to Gatun Locks
Zepher
Chris & Lyn Darch
Sat 29 Mar 2008 14:00
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Hi Guys.
We were our for a trip beyond the confines of
Colon yesterday. It's good to know that there is more to Panama than this
dilapidated and falling down old colonial town. Gatun locks is where we
went. They consist of three large locks that raise and lower ships from
the Caribbean sea to the man made Gatun lake. The lake was produced as
part of the canal, flooding a large area that ships now sail through. When
we eventually do our transit we will probably go up through the locks at night,
so it was good to see them in day light. It also gives us some idea of
what to expect when we get there. It's going to be strange sharing a lock
with a container ship.
Back on the home front, our scatological
discussions have had some new input. Lyn has come down with Colon's
revenge. I told her not to drink the coke. We have now had more than
enough of Colon, and having worked our way through the yacht club menu. It
has to be said that the food there is pretty good. Anyway we are going to
get Zephyeranthes ship shape today, ready for a voyage round to Portobello,
(does that sound a bit like port a loo?) a place we visited on the way down
here from San Blas. Hopefully it will be safer for going ashore, and I
think the water ought to be clean enough to swim in. Francis Drake was
deep sixed there, but all his remains should be gone by now. However
there is reports of possible alligator encounters. At least it will be a
change from the Colon sharks.
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