Panama Canal & Caribbean Cruise Scrapbook

January 16 - 26, 2002

Panama Canal & Caribbean Cruise, January 16 - 26, 2002, is now complete. Enjoy the picture journey and the WOW experience of tour members.

A beautiful Introduction to Costa Rica --

land of beautiful rainforests...

Balboa looking across the Pacific

...and beautiful painted ox carts.

...prepares us for crossing the Panama Canal.

Sunrise across the Pacific -- the only place in the Americas where you can see the sun rise across the Pacific.

At sunrise, passing under the Bridge of the Americas (Pan American Highway), we head toward the first lock of the Panama Canal.

Everyone's out on deck this morning to experience this most interesting event.

A local boat pilot is taken aboard our ship to steer us through the narrow canal. The canal is 110 feet wide while our ship was 106 feet wide.

Several "mules" (locomotive) on each side of our ship hooks up cables to steady us.

We enter the first lock...

The lock gates close behind us. We leave the Pacific Ocean behind.

Our lock begins to fill...

...then it opens and we cruise onto the waterway ahead of us. 51 miles - Pacific to Atlantic (Caribbean)

Sailing through the deep cuts at the continental divide.

Passing other ships -- cargo, pleasure boats, cruise ships.

On board lectures and books help us learn the fascinating story of the building and operation of the Panama Canal.

Caribbean ports of call give plenty of opportunity for shore excursions, water activity and shopping.

Also, time for reading, relaxing and, of course, enjoying food and fellowship with family and new friends.

Enough memories to last a life time.

Creative waiting in the airport for that final flight home. Good bye.

TOUR MEMBERS SAID…

This dream of going through the Panama Canal was great. Traveling with a group is a wonderful celebration of God’s creation; even to see a man-made wonder.”
Edith – Illinois

“You gave us a good balance between direction and flexibility. Meeting the Mennonite brothers in Costa Rica was enlightening and appreciated.”
Twila – Virginia

Would have been glad to spend more time together with our group especially on cruising days.”
Naomi – Pennsylvania

“It was a rather long cruise, but traveling through the Panama Canal was fantastic.”
Pluma – Pennsylvania

“Presumed that a lot of the activities on a cruise would be out of our “style”. So we appreciated the efforts of MYW to develop the group spirit and offer alternatives.”
Jacob & Anna – Pennsylvania

“Going through the locks and hearing the history of the canal was exciting.”
Susanne - Pennsylvania

“Thanks for arranging a time for our group to hear from local church leaders, their work and experiences in Costa Rica. This was a good extra.”
Paul – Virginia

Panama Canal & Caribbean Cruise Scrapbook

January 16 - 26, 2002

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