Day 081: Pacific Ocean

Day 080: Pacific Ocean

Day 079: Pacific Ocean

Day 078: Pacific Ocean

Day 077: Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Day 076: Pacific Ocean

Centennial Bridge, Gaillard Cut, Panama Canal

The anticipation which has dominated the last few days has given way to what could be described as a perfect morning. Gazing southeast from our anchorage across a mirror-like sea, the port of Colon at the northwestern terminus of the Panama Canal is before us. Mist rises from the golden surface, promising a tropical steam bath on an already hot day. A flock of pelicans flies below in perfect V-formation. Their wing tips gently tease ripples from the surface as if taunting the waters in their stillness, looking for fish. Aside the muted morning sounds of a working ship in the tropics, it is purely quiet and serene.

But this is not to last. We catch sound of a whistle. It comes from a small black and white boat and signals the arrival of the canal pilot. She embarks by accommodation ladder on the starboard side and moves purposefully to the bridge. Her job is to direct our crew during every minute of today’s eight hour transit to the Pacific. It is disappointing not to stop today for a visit to Cristobal or Balboa, to walk The Bridge of The Americas or to sample the local empanadas, yuca frita or sancocho stew. A Canal transit is all business.

Placed in service in 1914, 2013 completes the Canal’s 100th operational year. We are one of almost a million ships to make the transit in that time. As an engineering achievement The Panama Canal is often considered one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world. High elevation runoff feeds the central Gatún Lake. That runoff is emptied in both directions through three sets of locks, first raising us through Gatún, then lowering again through Pedro Miguel and Milaflores.

Isthmus of Panama

After today we are only 30 days from completing this voyage. Western North America, Hawaii and the islands of the South Pacific are still ahead. But today we took a shortcut around South America. And we find ourselves thinking of home.

Day 073: Curaçao
Status: In Port

From the Navigator
Throughout the night we will proceed at slow speed, firstly on a southerly heading before altering to an easterly heading as we make progress toward Curacao We will be embarking our pilot at 0600 who will be assisting us as we maneuver toward the quay. On departure that afternoon, once all departure checks are complete we will thrust the ship off the berth before turning the bow to starboard before setting an initial west north westerly course as we commence our passage toward the Panama Canal.

Two Caribbean islands in two days? Yes please! The remnants of tropical storm Dorian have kicked the easterly trade wind into high gear as we approach Willemstad.

An unsettled sky looking north from our berth just west of the Willemstad harbor entrance.

One of the locals was on hand to greet our arrival in Curacao. These lizards look very funny when they tuck their hind feet up on their backs to keep them from roasting on the heated pavement.

One of the local Coast Guard helicopters. They can probably circle the island a couple times on a single “bag” of fuel.

A pleasant place to consume a frozen drink of your choosing.

The backside of the local “floating market”. The Venezuelan boats arrive from the South American mainland every morning with produce and trade goods for the market. Then the vendors come ashore from the quay wall for sales to locals and tourists alike who browse from the sidewalk.

Yes, your intrepid travelers always try to get ashore for a high speed WIFI connection. And of course a few relaxing moments away from the ship.

This island upheld the promise of all Caribbean Islands – sun, sand, surf and suds. Come visit, soon!

Day 072: Oranjestad, Aruba
Position: N º ‘ ”  W º ‘ ”
Weather: ºC wind kts, waves m
Last Port: New York City, USA
Next Port: Curaçao
Status: In Port

From the Navigator

Love this sign!

A typical front yard on the island of Aruba.

Nice matching paint job for the Aruba license place. Certainly One Happy Island!

Inside the fort dedicated to Willem III. Aruba is known for their production of aloe even though the plant is not native, having been introduced from Africa.

Day 071: The Caribbean Sea
Position: N 15º 55′ 45″ W 072º 50′ 24″
Weather: 29ºC wind north 31kts, waves 4m with whitecaps
Last Port: New York City, USA
Next Port: Oranjestad, Aruba
Status: At Sea

From the Navigator
Early this morning we will enter the Caribbean Sea and head south east toward the Dutch Antilles and the island of Aruba, our next port of call.

Sunset in the Caribbean

Day 069: Atlantic Ocean

Day 068: Atlantic Ocean

Day 066: Atlantic Ocean
Position: N 40º 35’ 24” W 068º 55’ 31”
Weather: 22ºC wind 15kts, waves 3m
Last Port: Torshavn, Faroe Islands
Next Port: New York City, USA
Status: At Sea

From the Navigator
We will continue on a west south westerly course throughout today through the North Atlantic as we start making our approach to the eastern coast of the United States and Cape Cod.

Eight days at sea, and I yearn for the land. Ed and I love sailing into New York Harbor. We met there, and after college I worked in Tower One of the World Trade Center. For me, coming here is coming home. Tomorrow I will be back, and I can’t wait. I am not alone in these thoughts. Excitement is building throughout the ship, and the passageways are filled with suitcases. Everyone is up early. Coffee in hand, our regular “breakfast club” members discuss the daily riddle: “The ruler of shovels, with a double, as thin as a knife, with a wife.” Possible answers are all over the map.
Honoring a longtime transatlantic tradition, the passengers stage an afternoon talent show for the crew. I sing with the choir, performing “An American Trilogy”, and as a service veteran, Ed helps fold a giant U. S. flag. Following dinner we are treated by the galley team to another extravagant end-segment tradition: a massive pastry buffet and Baked Alaska for dessert.