Panama Canal


Panama: Canal and Sloths


What a wonderful adventure awaited us on the Holland America Zuiderdam. We would go through the Panama Canal to Lake Gatun, then explore the jungles of Panama on a shore excursion.

You can check out my filming of this trek through the canals on my YouTube video:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8lgpK4SW0Y

Once we went through the locks we were ready for our time ashore. We anchored in the middle of the lake so we got to ride in the lifeboats to get to shore. I was so excited because I had been trying to sneak a peek inside one of those boats on every cruise we had been on.  Boy were they tight! The seats were hard plastic in the shape of a butt and crammed together like sardines. You got up close and personal with the people next to you.

On land, we rode an air-conditioned bus to a 'Sloth Sanctuary'. While on our way, we got to see where the new, bigger locks were being built.

Sloths are absolutely fascinating creatures. There are two types: two-toed and three-toed. We got to see both (we got to pet one). They have a symbiotic relationship with algae and moths, both of which live in its fur and help protect it from predators and sickness.

All around the sanctuary was a jungle. We went on a hike through the jungle as well as a ride on the river in a bark canoe. We got to see many animals in their natural habitat. The tour guide slid our canoe up under a dead tree hanging over the river where we got a close look at a family of bats (like 3 inches from my head).

There were Caiman, Green Basilisk, birds of many kinds, Howler Monkies, and I even caught a quick glimpse of an Agouti (a rodent that looks like a long-legged guinea pig). There was also a comedy going on. A Blue Heron caught a fish when a Great Kiskadee swooped down and snatched the fish right out of the Heron's mouth. That bird was not even a 1/3 of the size of the Heron but he was so fast!

Also on this cruise, we stopped at the Island of Aruba, where we enjoyed a beautiful private beach. We shopped and explored the cities of Willemstad, Curacao, Cartagena, Columbia, and Puerto Limon.

I would highly recommend this cruise. The ship was beautiful, quiet, clean, and the food was great. The rooms were very comfy and I especially enjoyed the down comforters. They had several pools but if you go, look for the adults-only indoor pool that has warm water and the sounds of birds and a waterfall.

Dee

Enjoy some of these pics from my trip:
Sloth we got to pet.
Touring Cartagena.



The Locks of Panama.
Gates closing at locks.
Ship in the locks.
Beautiful ornate
door to a home
in Cartagena.
A sample of the architecture of
Cartegena.












Green Basilisk
blending in with leaves.

Welcome to Puerto Limon. Great shopping
deals right on the pier.
    
Beautiful colorful buildings
greet you in Willemstad.

Best part of any cruise - relaxing at the
private beach.





Comments

Sarah Ouellette said…
This is awesome, great photos!
February 23, 2018 at 4:39 AM
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