One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken celebrates its 100th anniversary this year: the Panama Canal. Created as a shortcut for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, more than 12,000 vessels now pass through this 48-mile-long canal annually.
One of the most intriguing aspects of cruising the Panama Canal is standing on deck, witnessing the intricate system of locks - compartments with entrance and exit gates. The locks function as water lifts, raising ships from sea level up 85 feet to the level of Gatun Lake. Ships then sail the channel through the Continental Divide.
Along this route, there are plenty of ports of call to enjoy. Willemstad, the capital city of Curacao is a charming port of high-end retailers, restaurants, and nightlife spots with vivid, sherbet-colored buildings showcasing Dutch colonial architecture.
On Columbia's Caribbean coast is Cartagena, a walled city, known for its ancient forts, churches and palaces, white sand beaches, and world-class snorkeling and scuba-diving reefs. And Puerto Limon lies in the Costa Rican rain forest, providing opportunities to connect with nature on a tropical kayak adventure, while ziplining above the jungle canopy, or with a visit to a sloth sanctuary.
No comments:
Post a Comment