Panama Canal

Got to the Miraflores Lock early this morning in the hope of seeing a ship going through the locks. Unfortunately, on arrival there was the last ship of the morning already in the last section – so not much to witness for the US$40 paid.

Here are the abridged facts provided by the live commentary (you’re welcome!):

• Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Employs 10,000 people
• 13,785 transits for 2019 bringing in $2.59 billion in revenue
• Fee for a ship to travel through the Canal – USD120,000
• Time it takes – for Pacific/Atlantic crossing of 50 miles – approx 10 hours
• Alternative route around South America – 2 weeks (7,900 miles)
• USA took over the construction (but not without controversy of course) after French entrepreneurs failed (lost $260million and ~25,000 people in the process)
• Took the US 10 years to complete it
• The US passed control of the canal to the Panamanians in 1999

This evening we went to this gorgeous (and eye-catching) Argentinian restaurant for dinner – excellent chimichurri and steak! Interestingly, the menus were printed on wine bottles (contrary to popular belief, mum is not THAT heavy a drinker – primarily because she can’t afford it).