Third World -Panama- First Class Canal

We pulled into the Panama Canal at 6am - Scott had never seen the locks and was eager to get to deck to experience this marvel. It was pouring rain, something that happens lots there. An average of 800 inches per year!!! Luckily December marks the end of the rain season and the clouds moved off and the heat cranked up by 9am (+30 and sunny)
Here´s some interesting info we discovered:

• It cost our ship more than $ 170,000USD for 1.5 hours in the locks.
• The highest paid position in the canal is the pilot (the guy who makes sure the ship doesn´t scratch the sides!) And he makes $33USD/hour. The lowest paid position only makes $2.50/hour.
• Each canal is totally self-contained and is run by electric power run by the hydo electric dam at Gatun Lake.
• We counted 12 tanked and cargo ships waiting to go North in the Lake.
• Gatun Lake is the same size as the last Island we visited - 425 square KM - huge lake, but small for an island!

We enjoyed breakfast on the open deck as we passed thru the locks and were simply amazed by the creation. Katie, Scott and Ed were then tendered off the ship at the Lake and they spent 4 hours up close to the canal on a kayak tour -- we had tons of fun exploring the edge of the jungle and even saw some Howler Monkeys!

We were shuttled back to the ship, as it had returned to the Sea. Although the Canal is spectacular, Colon - the city near the Canal is very scarey ass! The 3rd world condiction were even more highlighted by the fact that the cruise terminal resembelled a new strip mall. Made us appreciate even more coming back to the ship and where we are from!