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Sunday, October 21, 2012

What Are We Looking At?


  
After finding this picture in my file of travel shots I scratched my head trying to remember what was so interesting as to prompt this photograph. It took me a while, and then I remembered; this was a shot looking down from the balcony of our ship as we passed into one of the locks at the Panama Canal.
      
The black line at the bottom is the space between our ship and the concrete wall of the lock. Here it was about five inches, but it got even tighter. The second picture shows another ship entering before us, another tight fit. After passing through the canal we docked in Costa Rica and a crew came out to paint away the massive black skidmarks left on our ship from rubbing against the lock. No wonder the Panamanians have decided to widen the Canal. Still, it’s been an engineering marvel for over a hundred years. 

Happy Sunday everyone.
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25 comments:

  1. SandeeOctober 21, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    Hubby and I want to do this someday. After Little Bit crosses the bridge and we're hoping that's a long time from now.

    Have a terrific day. :)

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  2. messymimiOctober 21, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    From what i understand, some of today's super cruise ships just don't fit, so i imagine they do want to widen it. Going through it should be on my bucket list.

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  3. laughingmomOctober 21, 2012 at 10:11 AM

    Where HAVEN'T you gone?!?!?

    I would love to travel through that canal. I've heard from other travelers about the method of getting ships through those locks. I'd love to see it!

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  4. Moving with MitchellOctober 21, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    I am awe-struck by the ability of these pros to maneuver their giant ships through those tiny locks. I can't even make it around my bed frame without smashing my shin.

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  5. ♥●• İzdihër •●♥October 21, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    That's nice !

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  6. AnonymousOctober 21, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    One of the FEW things left on my bucket list!

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  7. Janie JunebugOctober 21, 2012 at 10:49 AM

    Wow! That's a tight fit. Kind of like the time I got stuck behind the washing machine . . . . Maybe that story should be a post.

    Love,
    Janie

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  8. ShellyOctober 21, 2012 at 11:54 AM

    I would LOVE to travel there someday, but I hope never to have to steer one of those ships...

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  9. PT DillowayOctober 21, 2012 at 12:25 PM

    So like everyone else, cruise ships are getting too fat to fit in the canal anymore.

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  10. ValOctober 21, 2012 at 12:37 PM

    You'd think the person who designs the cruise ship would pay attention to the width specifications so as to make it Panama-Canal-worthy. I wonder how much the metal expands in that latitude, compared to where the ship is built. And whether the load distribution makes the sides bulge out. That's how engineers make their money, I suppose.

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  11. Felt FamilyOctober 21, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    Very cool pictures!

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  12. Dick StoneOctober 21, 2012 at 1:50 PM

    I hate when I take a picture and forget what it was that interested me in he first place. glad you figured it out. nice shots

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  13. AstridsSoapboxOctober 21, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    Yikes! That would be too close for my comfort..I'd probably adjourn to the bar for some courage. Good on you for sticking with it and taking shots. A true pro photographer :)

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  14. Pixel PeeperOctober 21, 2012 at 3:15 PM

    Hahaha - glad you figured out what your picture was!

    And if I will go on a cruise through the Panama Canal, I'll remember to pack a few industrial-sized jars of Vaseline and sell it to the ship's captain at the critical moment. :-)

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  15. TaborOctober 21, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    Glad you fixed whatever was needed so that we can send you our wise and sterling thoughts! I wonder if with all the paint on the sides the boats were getting wider? I did not read others comments, so maybe I am repeating a thought.

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  16. yevishaOctober 21, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    i thought of a ship when i looked at the photo. that is one tight fit. it would have been a wonderful experience. cruising is a great way to travel

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  17. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comOctober 21, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    Wow, that takes a very skilled captain.

    I loved Costa Rica - haven't been to Panama, though.

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  18. CperzOctober 21, 2012 at 5:47 PM

    That's amazing! I haven't been through the Panama Canal but I have taken I number of cruises and marvel and the agility of the captains to pull into "tight" spots. How someone can drive a hotel and park it exactly where it needs to be is fascinating. It makes me feel inadequate, in comparison, when I am hogging a parking spot down at the Target.

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  19. RedOctober 21, 2012 at 7:56 PM

    Rather amazing that hey would even try something this close!

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  20. JimmyOctober 21, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    We have never been on a cruise, I can just imagine it is amazing.

    I actually stopped at the picture trying to come up with an answer before I read the rest of the post, I was close :)

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  21. SymdaddyOctober 21, 2012 at 11:32 PM

    Hmmm!

    Did they build the canal to fit the ships or the ships to fit the canal?

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  22. JohnOctober 22, 2012 at 12:59 AM

    Wow, that is tight.

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  23. TomOctober 22, 2012 at 5:34 AM

    Cool . . . I thought I was looking at an empty deli case.

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  24. Bryan JonesOctober 22, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    That sure is a snug fit, Stephen.

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  25. RitaOctober 22, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    Wow! That looks like one tight squeeze!! You have traveled so much. I love that you share your stories and pictures with us. :)

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