Approaching the canal dead ahead.
On the right is Panama City behind this breakwater.
There are ships in both the right and left channels, which operate independently.
We are going in the channel on the left. Even farther left is the newer, larger channel.
The gates open to let our ship in.
We are in the lock, waiting for the water to raise us. It is all gravity-fed, no pumps.
After going up the three locks, we cruise across Gatun Lake.
These "mules" are used to keep the ships positioned and centered in the locks.
Another ship next to us.
And off we go into the Caribbean.
