Fuerte Amador (Panama City)

31-03-25

It’s divide and conquer today with Mark and Philip off on a Canal Experience while the girls are off to visit the Embera Native Village.

After boarding the bus we head to the Chargres National Park where we board wobbly dugout canoes, 10 to a boat for a motor up the river to the village. (A few were not too steady as they boarded the canoes causing them to wobbly unsteadily). As we disembark we are greeted by the local male villagers playing music one of them playing a turtle shell drum and the women welcoming us. They all look very colourful with bright skirts, beaded tops and flowers in their hair. We were ushered through the village round houses to a large open walled domed area where we are seated around the outside and were then greeted by the chief of the village and told about their traditions. One of the village ladies talked about the weaving techniques and the fibres that they used, showing lovely examples of their work.

Then we are treated to lunch served in a folded banana leaf. Lunch was fried plantain chips and tilapia (fish), then fresh watermelon, pineapple and pawpaw which was all juicy and sweet. After lunch we moved to another covered area where each family displayed their wares. Mainly beaded bracelet, necklaces, earrings and lovely handwoven baskets/bowls and face masks. We each made a small purchase as the proceeds all stay within the village.

Back to the main undercover area and we are treated to some dances by the women. One very cute toddler wanted to join her mum with the dancing and ran around among all the women. She was very cute and look to be thoroughly enjoying herself. After this the men and women did a dance and then the audience was able to take part. A cute little girl came and chose Kaley to dance then Amanda and Em had a go as well while ma was photographer and bag minder.

After the dancing had finished we all headed back to the dugouts for our ride back to the National Park launch area and our bus ride back to the ship. Luckily the day wasn’t as hot as expected, but the air conditioned bus was a nice thought. Unfortunately the aircon didn’t work too well and the bus was hot and stuffy. Back at the ship it was cold showers and swims before a later dinner in the Lido. Another great day.

We all had a giggle at some of the words our guide said ie:-

bracklets for bracelets,

Neckles for Necklaces,

Re-tie-red for retired,

Admittedly he spoke way better English than we spoke Spanish.

M- Today the Boys went separate ways from the Ladies, Dad and I went on The Canal Experience tour. We boarded a small ferry boat to the north of the Pedro Miguel Locks and transited through this lock plus the 2 Miraflores Locks, what an awesome experience, we entered the lock in front a large RoRo ship London Highway… made us feel very small looking up at the bow of this ship. As we transited the locks our guide provided a very in depth overview of the history, operation and management of the canal system. It takes approx 20 minutes for each of the canal chambers to fill or empty. All naturally controlled by fresh water from the Gatun lakes. 250,000,000 litres of water are discharged to the Pacific Ocean for each ship that transits the canal. There were other container and bulk carrier ships transiting the canal beside us and the new locks also which made for a very busy afternoon of boys sightseeing. Once through the locks we passed the Panama Ports (one Chinese owned, one Panama owned) some of the larger container ships that can’t pass through the canal unload cargo here to be loaded onto smaller ships. The largest (Neo-Panamax) ships can carry approximately 17,000 20’ container equivalent units and cost approximately 1.3 million USD for each transit. After the port we travelled under the Bridge of the Americas, around the Oosterdam and back to our drop off point just beside the ship.

01-04-25

Cruising the Panama Canal.

(P:-As I am walking the deck at 05.30 (my morning excercise – quiet that hour of day not many early risers on these ships) the Oosterdam casts its lines and quietly begins its journey to the waiting assembly area to begin our journey through this important shipping passage. The Panama Canal was opened in 1914 and still uses the same locks and original huge steel riveted lock doors! Up to 30 vessels a day pass through the canal with the Panamax class of ship being the maximum size that can travel through. The Oosterdam is classed in this size and has less than 1metre clearance on each side. It’s up 3 locks on the Pacific side, lifting around 18metres each then a scenic cruise through the man made Lake Gatun before going down through the 3 locks to allow us to be at sea level again to enter the Atlantic Ocean and continue our journey. Today was our second canal day for Mark and I yesterday from water level and today from the heights of the Oosterdam. The Captain authorised every possible deck be opened so all could have great views. A canal expert gave us a running commentary through the day. Fascinating would be an understatement as we watch the mechanics, historic but still efficient design, ships from Panamax down to 12m yachts transiting from the Atlantic to the Pacific so they can make adventurous Ocean crossings even to Australia and NZ. For some of the journey we had great views of the larger vessels using the “new Panama Canal” which was opened in 2016. The day sailed by quickly and was a great and interesting experience ( second time for me). As we walk to dinner we view the line up of ships and boats in a queue for the east to west crossing. The Captain told us this morning that the fee for the Oosterdam to transit the canal was around USD$400,000! Close to $700,000 Australian Dollars! Whilst different the Panama is equally as interesting as Machu Picchu- very fortunate Judith and I could visit both these iconic places in one trip).