Agua Clara locks of the new Panama Canal extension
The sight you see above is of the third set of locks installed at the Panama Canal. This new series of locks were completed in 2016, supplementing the older lock system completed in 1914. Specifically, these are the Agua Clara locks, and they handle entrance from the Atlantic side of the canal. The impressive bridge in the background is the Puente Atlántico, or Atlantic Bridge. Below is a view from the Atlantic Bridge of the original Gatún locks, which lie west of the expansion locks.
Two-way traffic through the Gatún locks
For comparison, here are the single-lane Agua Clara locks.
Agua Clara lock system
Whereas the older locks pivot to open and shut, forming a V shape when closed, the new locks operate in an entirely different manner as you can see in these three photos:
Agua Clara locks fully retracted
Agua Clara locks starting to close
Agua Clara locks nearly closed
Here you see a freighter that has been lifted in the first lock and awaits entry into the next lock as the locks retract:
Waiting entry into the next lock
And here is the same ship now entering the next lock, which will raise it up to the level of Gatún Lake and allow the ship to transit the Isthmus of Panama:
Next Agua Clara lock on the journey across the isthmus of Panama
Want to see how the whole operation appears? Here’s a short YouTube video I put together, then sped up to twice normal speed:
Panama Canal Agua Clara locks in operation (2x speed)
Next week I bring to you to two sites in Panama as Grandeur of the Seas took us to Colón, but we did not stay there. Instead, I’ll be showing you the new locks of the Panama Canal, and then we’re off on a tour of Panama City. Until then, here are today’s Fun Photo favorites of the Grenadines:
We left Port Elizabeth behind, but we would be back later that day after a beachside lunch. But for now we had places to go and things to do, so we headed west along the Bequia coastline. Along the way we passed some pretty impressive yachts:
Not quite Russian oligarch standards, but…
Our next sight was quite unique. It’s calledMoonhole, and it has a fun history. It’s a 30-acre/12-ha site upon which a private rental community was founded in the 1960s. Several of the buildings along the shoreline were ravaged by a hurricane and remain abandoned. Currently Moonhole contains eleven privately owned homes and several rentals that go for a good chunk of change.
If you are curious as to how this site acquired the Moonhole moniker, the answer lies in the image below. The original Moonhole house was home to Tom and Gladdie Johnston, who built this impressive structure in the shadow of a huge natural volcanic arch. During certain times of the year moonlight streams through the arch and glistens on the waters below:
The original Moonhole home beneath a natural arch
It was near Moonhole where we weighed anchor to allow some to venture off the catamaran for a snorkeling adventure. Yes, those who partook reported the waters were on the chilly side:
Bequia snorkeling
Clear, coolish waters of Bequia
Did I mention that it was chilly? Our intrepid adventurers didn’t last too long in those waters. Within perhaps half an hour to forty-five minutes all were back aboard. It was time to head back east for lunch along the beach near Port Elizabeth. Strict social distancing rules applied. We had to maintain distance from the locals, head straight from the catamaran to the dining venue, and then straight back. No detours. So, we beached the catamaran in Lower Bay just long enough to disembark, which involved wading a short distance.
Then the catamaran anchored offshore:
Our steed awaits our return
Time to snap a quick panorama of Lower Bay with Port Elizabeth in the distance:
Lower Bay panorama
Then head off to an island lunch consisting of beans and rice, cabbage salad, plantains, mac and cheese, fried fish, and grilled chicken with an island hot sauce if you dare:
Bequia lunch
Most people found the lunch a bit lacking, but I enjoyed it. Of course I had to accompany that with a local beer:
Hairoun lager
After lunch it was back aboard and a quick swing by Port Elizabeth before heading back to Saint Vincent:.