Panama Canal Adventure.

At 5:00 a.m. I climbed down a rope ladder from the moving ship to a waiting tugboat, which took me and a videographer ashore. We met a government driver who took us to meet the ship at the various locks, and then through to the other side of Panama, where we took another tug to meet up with the ship in the Atlantic.
Definitely a neat experience. Shown here is Panama City before dawn.

Entering the first lock at Miraflores.

Passing through the canal is a major event for cruise passengers.

A worker clocks out for the day.

Entering the second set of locks at Pedro Miguel.

Torrential downpours keep the water replenished. 50 million gallons are used each time a ship goes through the locks.

Canal workers wait between rain showers.

Long way down. The ship is lowered 16m here.

After clearing the final lock, she sails through the Gatun Lake and into the Atlantic Ocean.

Approaching the ship via tug taxi.

My pals in Ship Security lower the ladder for my reluctant return on board.

Corinto, Nicaragua

After stopping in various Central American ports, I finally took my camera out in Nicaragua, to snap a few pics. Corinto is a tiny port town with a major prostitution industry. The people are poor but seem fairly happy. We paid a visit to the local photographer, Rigoberto, who was thrilled to receive us in his minimal studio. Definitely the highlight of the trip ashore.

Corinto's official photo studio.

Owain, my Welsh roommate, shows Rigoberto and his assistant some images on his fancy camera.

Passing the torch.

Corinto's critical mass chapter.

Riding in style.

Hanging meat on the clothesline?

Umbrella. Ella.

Carpooling is big here in Corinto.

The ms Zuiderdam towers over this small port town.