- 10
- Aug
- 2012
Panama Canal Cruise: One of the Wonders Of the World
It was my great pleasure to cruise the full Transit Panama Canal, which means that I went from the Pacific Ocean through the canal to the Caribbean Sea and ended in the Atlantic Ocean.
We started in San Diego and cruised to Cabo San Lucas – a small port city with wonderful beaches – and Puerto Vallarta on what is known as the Mexican Riviera. Puerto Vallarta is beautiful and full of history with warm friendly locals. I loved visiting it!
We then traveled down to Central America and stopped at Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala where we took a river excursion up into the mountain, met the local indigenous people and shopped (of course!)
Next, we traveled on to Puntarenas, Costa Rica where I took an excursion to a coffee plantation. Wow! Since coffee is one of their main exports (and my favorite drink,) the locals have put a co-op of growers into place to help the struggling economy. I’m happy to report that it’s now a thriving industry – and what an aroma!
A decorated coffee wagon at the Puntarenas coffee co-op
Entering the Canal under the Americas Bridge and three locks was fantastic! I watched from the forward lounge of our ship with panoramic windows and did not stop taking pictures. To know that I was watching history being made – they are currently adding more locks to the canal – made this journey especially meaningful for me.
Sailing under the Americas Bridge
The day we cruised the locks was such a treat too. The lakes were beautiful and the areas we passed were lush and green.
Going through the locks. What a beautiful day!
Not only was it beautiful it was exciting to see history being made as they add new locks to the canal. Of all the cruises I have done, the Panama Canal was one of the most interesting and eye opening trips I have made as a modern day Wonder of the World.
Glynna Hileman took her first cruise to the Bahamas 20 years ago and turned a pleasurable experience into a career! Although recently retired, Glynna was with CruiseExperts.com for more than 10 years. She specialized in Europe (including Ireland), the Mediterranean (East and West) and river cruising. She has visited Alaska four times – by cruise and by land – Mexico, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean.
Glynna had the pleasure of being a CruiseExperts.com tour guide for many groups and has visited all but three continents. She is now enjoying her retirement in Arkansas.
