The marvel of the Panama Canal

A tug boat brings 24 men to board our ship.  They are to attach and release the heavy cables that hold the ship in the middle of the locks.

This view is from our balcony.  Notice how far above the canal we are.  That is because the lock we are in will have to be emptied in order for us to go through into the next, lower lock.  The machine in the right foreground is a mule that keeps the ship in the middle of the lock.  Our ship had only 2 feet clearance on each side and would get hung up on the sides without their help.  Our ship, the largest size that can transport the locks, scraped the sides regardless.  The sides are repainted after each transport.

This is probably a repair garage between the locks.  It is on the top of the highest  point in the locks.

This shows the radical drop in the tracks on which the mules run.  The ship in the locks across from us will be raised to the next level as the next photo will show.

Notice how low the water is.  Once the ship gets into the lock, the gates are closed and water will be raised to nearly the top of the wall.

This is some of the crew on the freighter across from us.  They are taking pictures of us while we take pictures of them.  Since it takes nearly 8 hours to transport, they probable get the day off.