Panama Canal, Miraflores Locks

Country of Panama

Man made Pathway between the America`s

NOTE: Must Click play below for video clip - 2 minutes 2 seconds

John`s Comments
The Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal have 2 of the six locks that are used in the crossing from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans. Here the viewing area is excellent and they even have an excellent restaurant where one can eat while watching the ships go thru the locks. The Panama Canal travels approximately 50 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and operates at over 90% of its` capacity. Our visit included the passage of a container ship that came within inches of both sides of the Panama Canal itself.
Update: Expansion of the Panama Canal is nearing completion, making way for huge new container ships that can carry twice as much cargo.

John`s Recollections
If you visit Panama you must go to the locks. Miraflores locks provide an opportunity to see the canal from a restaurant view. We chose that and had an excellent meal while watching the ocean vessels move thru the locks. The mini train system actually pull the large ocean going vessels thru, which in itself is quite interesting. The ships come quite close to the canal walls and at these locks an additional canal will be built to accommodate the newer larger ships. The area is close enough to Panama City so taking a taxi is OK, as long as you get a price before going.

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