The Panama Canal
BY ROBERTA GRAFF
It’s not beautiful, romantic or
dripping with charm, but the
Panama Canal seems to top
everyone’s bucket list. This feat
of engineering, one of the greatest
man-made achievements in history,
has captured the imagination
with the fervor reserved for the
Taj Mahal, the Pyramids and the
Great Wall of China.
A route which would join the
Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean
was but an idea in the minds of
the Spanish Conquistadors of the
XVI Century. More than 300 years
later, the French, basking in their
success in building the Suez Canal,
began work across the Isthmus of
Panama. However, tropical diseases,
bankruptcy and gross mismanagement
delayed the project.
Once Malaria and Yellow Fever
were conquered, 75,000 workers
set about clearing the jungle, and
in ten years, the first ship sailed
through the Canal, saving thousands
of miles and many days going
around South America.
This interoceanic waterway uses
a system of locks with two lanes,
which open on water elevators and
raises the ships from sea level to the
level of Gatun Lake. This allows the
crossing and then lowers the ships
back to sea level. It is a fantastic
thing to watch!
Panama negotiated an agreement
with the United States to pay for
the building of the Canal and its
management. In l999, Panama
took control. With ships lined up
on each side, waiting their turn to
enter the Canal, it’s easy to see why
this waterway of world commerce
will soon be expanded.
Countless cruise ships glide
through the Canal, stopping at
tropical countries with lush rain
forests, volcanic beaches and a
rich Mayan heritage. Our choice
of vessel was the Oceania Line
whose Regatta, with a capacity of
just under 700 passengers, was the
perfect size and route for us.
We boarded the Regatta in Miami
and found our spacious stateroom
with a grand veranda perfect. The
food served in the dining room,
the buffets and the superb cuisine
in both gourmet restaurants was
excellent. There was a fabulous
Canyon Ranch Spa, a fine, cozy
library, hosted bridge games, wine
tasting and informative lectures
on pre-Columbia culture. There
were concerts before and after
dinner, and the evening entertainment
could easily rival Broadway.
However, excursions were a matter
of choice.
We stopped at Cartagena, a city
on the northern coast of Columbia.
Now that the drug wars are a thing
of the past, guests can stroll the
lovely squares, visit the ornate
churches and be astonished by
the urban development. There are
tours which will take you into a
colorful world of birds, butterflies
and flowers, and if you are lucky,
your guide will call the white-faced
capuchin monkeys from the trees
and feed them.
Since there are two seasons in
this part of the world—hot and hotter—
it is advisable to choose your
excursions with care. Guatemala
is a good choice. The scenery is
breathtaking, with 300 species of
birds and 600 types of orchids,
while its markets and colonial
churches set in the shadow of three
volcanoes are splendid.
The bus driver on our excursion
in Corinto, Nicaragua, wore a steel
helmet. This gave us an indication
of the condition of the roads.
Nicaragua is a new democracy and
ready for industry. Little villages
without modern amenities pop up
along the roadside and vendors of
fruit and assorted knickknacks are
hawked by children who should
be in school. Other stops include
Costa Rica where the beaches are
magnificent, Acapulco where the
divers still climb the cliffs and sail
into the sea, and Cabos San Lucas
a strip of paradise.
Days at sea were particularly
delightful with a chance to attend
lectures, read or chat with new
friends.
If the Panama Canal is singing
your siren song don’t hesitate to
get in touch with Oceania Cruises
at 855-623-2642.
The Panama Canal
Sunset over Cartagena 46 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ December 2017