PANAMA CANAL January 21, 2008
The above pictures of the Panama Canal are in no paticular sequence but represent a wonderful day of an exciting new experience.
We saw literally hundreds of freighter in line waiting for their position to start the crossing. The ocean liners and cruise ships pay for and get a priority in line, so we did not have to wait for the few days to get through. They can pass about 40 ships a day based on cargo/passenger space. The most expensive transit was $314,000 and the cheapest was a swimmer (who took 5 days to cover the 50 miles) at $0.36. I understand the Queen Victoria cost $290,000 and the average is $60,000 each.
In spite of the normal impression that the transit is east to west the experience is that it is more north to south.
