LIVE from the Vision of the Seas Sailing 5 Oct 2012

[madra2112]

An interesting indication of the extent of the drop in the locks - Vision will soon be as low as Leto is here.

 

 

[BettyPC]

This is great!! Really enjoying it and sorry you are on your last week!

 

Betty

[madra2112]

Putting a new slant on the phrase "down and out"

 

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2012 by madra2112
Typo!

[donamae]

Great pictures madra...thanks!

dm

[madra2112]

..and as the lock refills behind them, off they head towards the Atlantic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been an absolute privilege to make a small contribution to a Trainman thread. Enjoy the last leg Jim and Judith, slainte mhaith agus slan abhaile!

[madra2112]

That needs a "like" button Donamae. :)

 

I actually went to click the "Like" button, but couldn't find it :eek::)

[texnewbie]

Your trip is report is awesome... Of course...

 

I'm so glad I found it today, because I read it all day at work I literally did nothing but read your trip report...

 

And what perfect timing, your going through the Panama Canal... I watched you the whole time toooo... That was just perfect timing..

 

Your just now out of the Gatun Locks... That was just so awesome to watch. One day, One day, I want to sail through there!!! One day!

 

Thank you for a fabulous live report. I'm glad that your all healthy and safe right now.

 

Texnewbie

Carolyn

[brownblonde]

It has been wonderful to see all these photo's of the transit at the locks.

 

I admire you people that know how to find all this stuff and post it for all to enjoy. Especially how this computer lets the world see everything(Ireland)

[justluv2cruisewithhubby]

Thank you for taking me along with you on your cruise. All the photos and the details felt like I was there with you.

 

I saw photos of your cabin earlier in the post and did not see the TV in the cabin. Is it the older tube or did you have a Flat screen? I heard there was a refurbish in 2011 and was not sure if that included the cabins.

[BecciBoo]

Thanks to BecciBoo and Madra for posting these terrific pictures. These pics, along with the ones by Trainman (and his commentary) has made for very enjoyable and informative reading.

 

Thanks. Just part of the fun!

Madra I assume that was Gaelic what does it mean?

Edited October 30, 2012 by BecciBoo

[stretchcruz]

Sure wish I had a job where I didn't have to actually work and could spend the day reading CC....oh well...maybe in my next life I won't actually have to work to make money. I am enjoying the thread immensely, can't wait for our cruise in Jan. We do love the Vision and we're glad to see she is in such good shape.

[madra2112]

Thanks. Just part of the fun!

Madra I assume that was Gaelic what does it mean?

 

It means "Good health and safe home"

[Trainman-2]

Day 26 - Tuesday - Oct 30 2012 - Catagena, Columbia

 

 

Good Morning Everyone,

 

 

WOW! What a fantastic day transiting the Panama Canal yesterday!

 

 

We are due to arrive in Cartagena at 9:00 am and are to be back aboard by 3:30 pm.

 

 

The Ships IT Systems are in an exceptionally good mood this morning and I have a bunch of photos uploaded for you. I will start posting them up in a few moments.

 

 

A special "Thank You" to those of you who posted up the web cam views of out transit.

 

 

And our best wishes to all who are in the clutches of the terrible storm in the North East USA.

[Trainman-2]

Approaching the canal

 

 

 

 

 

 

An old, abandoned Pre WW-II Anti Aircraft Gun Platform.

 

 

[Trainman-2]

The Poor Man's Boat Yard.

 

 

As I recall the tidal range on the Pacific side is 29' so it is easy to put a boat up to the shore and work on the bottom when the tide goes out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

The canal was completed just before WW-I and defenses were important. We had navy and air force bases everywhere.

 

Here are the original dry docks for ship maintenance but of cut stone.

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

We didn't expect to see a Morman Temple overlooking Panama City but here it is.

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

Normally one or two tug boats accompany the shpis through the canal "just is case!"

 

 

[Trainman-2]

The Miraflories Locks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

The Old Swing Bridge

 

 

When the canal was opened this was the only bridge across the canal on the Pacific side. It accommodation both heavy trucks and rail road locomotives and cars.

 

 

You had to stop Canal traffic to swing it shut and use it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new Visitor's Center

 

 

[Trainman-2]

Lost the Internet link due to a heavy thunderstorm but it is back up.

[Trainman-2]

The Ships use their main engines and sometimes tugs to get moving when it is time to pull out of a lock.

 

 

 

 

[Trainman-2]

Out of the locks and into Gatun Lake as we go under the new bridge.

 

 

 

 

And through the cut.