BTimmer's Almost Live - Zuiderdam 1/2-30/22 -San Diego to Florida RT

[dchip]

2 hours ago, Btimmer said:

We're just entering the canal.  Ahead is the Bridge of the America's.

 

Great image! Love seeing the Bridge of the Americas when going West to East!! Enjoy. 

[IPB4IGO]

You can watch us live here: One of five web cams

[leerathje]

Waiting for the locks to fill.

 

L.

 

[Essiesmom]

5 minutes ago, leerathje said:

Waiting for the locks to fill.

 

L.

 

Ummm...no...  They need to be low, at your level, and after you are  in, fill to raise you to the next level.  EM

[leerathje]

1 minute ago, Essiesmom said:

Ummm...no...  They need to be low, at your level, and after you are  in, fill to raise you to the next level.  EM

Yes, thanks for that....my bad. Realized after you commented I ment to say empty....

 

L.

 

[leerathje]

And now fully in the locks.

 

L.

 

 

 

[leerathje]

See you on the Atlantic side!

 

L.

 

[Btimmer]

Thanks for posting the pictures of us transiting the locks.  We're cruising Lake Gatun.  I've seen a deer and a crocodile.  Pictures to come later.

Edited January 12, 2022 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

Yes there are puzzles in the Crow's Nest 

[Btimmer]

Here's some cruising Lake Gatun data from the displays in the Crow's Nest:

 

 

[Btimmer]

Centennial Bridge and Gold Hill.

 

 

[leerathje]

Gatun locks, coming up!

 

L.

 

[leerathje]

Guess we have to wait for the transit out to see more of the Zuidy.

 

L.

 

[jeh10641]

Btimmer,

Thanks for all the updates and photos. I think we were with you in Dec. on the Rotterdam(?). From Sammamish. Happy New Year to you and your family.

 

Jim 

[leerathje]

And here she is!  What a beautiful day to do the Panama Canal transit!

 

L.

 

[Btimmer]

It was a glorious day to transit the canal! I have so many pictures.  Thanks @leerathjefor posting the in transit photos from the locks.  I was too busy experiencing it to be on the internet.  
 

Tonight is a 'dark' night with no main stage programming so I'll work on my pictures.

 

The Captain just announced that we will not be able to visit Puerto Límon, but will make a 'technical' stop in Cartagena to fulfill the PVSA requirements as a waiver to the 'foreign' port requirement was not granted. No guests or crew can disembark.  We'll then make an unscheduled stop at Half Moon Cay for 5 hours on Saturday.  Plus everyone gets a $50 shipboard credit.  I'll post the letter that we should receive tonight.  

I'm also guessing for the return voyage will have to have something similar.

[Oceansaway17]

17 hours ago, leerathje said:

 

The were right up on the swimgrid when we were in Cabo.

 

L.

 

 

 

wow thanks for sharing.  Now I see things better.   really cool to interact with them.

[Oceansaway17]

6 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

 

  We'll then make an unscheduled stop at Half Moon Cay for 5 hours on Saturday.  Plus everyone gets a $50 shipboard credit.  I'll post the letter that we should receive tonight.  

I'm also guessing for the return voyage will have to have something similar.

 

Well going to HMC is a nice addition as I always enjoy going there with nice curved beach and walking trails.   Enjoy

[Btimmer]

3 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

 

Well going to HMC is a nice addition as I always enjoy going there with nice curved beach and walking trails.   Enjoy

Yup, we really enjoy HMC also.  I privately speculated with my wife that we might end up there.  Now we need to figure out how to spend a bunch of shipboard credit.  A real first world problem.

Here's a  teaser picture of the last bridge before the open ocean.:

 

Atlantic Bridge

 

 

[NavArch64]

That is a relatively new bridge.

[Oceansaway17]

use your OBC to:

 

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY.... Oh and jewelry if you can.

[Btimmer]

Here are a few critter pictures from the canal transit today.  The alligator was the real surprise as was the deer.

 

 

 

Frigate bird

 

[Btimmer]

Here's the Captain's letter from today regarding adherence to the PVSA and making our required stop in Cartagena.

 

[NavArch64]

Now we know how flexible CBC is re PVSA compliance during COVID19 challenges ... Not flexible at all.

I guess the $778 per passenger fine was too much for HAL to accept.

[Essiesmom]

3 hours ago, Btimmer said:

Here are a few critter pictures from the canal transit today.  The alligator was the real surprise as was the deer.

 

 

 

Frigate bird

 

Actually, you gator is a crocodile.  No alligators in Panama, although there are some caiman, which are part of the same genus.