We're Here!

I know it is warming up in Columbus, but it is HOT!! here in Panama - 85 degrees on arrival.   Good thing I packed some shorts and t-shirts because I'm going to need them!

We had set our alarm last night at home for an awake time of 2:30 a.m., but we found ourselves wide awake at 2:15 a.m. with great anticipation of the day ahead.  Why so early you ask?  Our Uber to the airport came at 3:45 a.m. for our 6 a.m. departure to, first, Atlanta.  Our driver, Prince, was about half asleep (as anyone should be at that time of day) but managed to get us to the airport in a quick 15 minutes, and check-in went without any snafus.

Our first flight at 6 a.m. was a one-hour flight and actually worse than the nearly four-hour flight from there to Panama City.  Why?  I was in the middle seat (trying to be a gentleman for my wife) and the lady to the left of me was, shall we say, large.  That caused me to sit at an angle for the entire flight and my back hurt like hell upon landing.  

Waiting in line in Immigration
A short 90-minute layover later and we were off to Panama.  This time I sat on the aisle (no gentleman left in me, I guess) and it worked out fine.  These Delta planes are great with free wifi and live TV.  Interestingly, the live TV went off as soon as we passed out over the lower 48. . . . just as I was ready to watch the noon kickoff of Texas A & M vs. Miami!

The transition from the Panama airport to our ship was relatively painless, and we were entertained for the 30 minutes by a Panamanian "guide", Ernesto, on our bus who told us about the Canal and the wonders of his home country.   We arrived at the ship, checked in, had a late lunch, and are waiting on our luggage to unpack.  

We disembark from here about 5:30 a.m. on Monday and into the Panama Canal about 7:30 a.m.  It takes almost all day to navigate through the Canal so we'll emerge late afternoon/early evening.  I believe we get a tour the following day of the Canal so will try to grab some pictures tomorrow as we go through it.

Until the next post!

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