All Ears® Guest Blog

Slowly cruising into the port of Cartagena. Busy place!

We’re off shortly to grab some breakfast and then head off on our excursion.

This is actually an historic day for the Disney Magic as this ship has never before stopped in Cartagena! As we got off the ship we were greeted by much music, dancing, and entertainment. The local media was everywhere.

We climbed into buses. Each of us was given a radio to aid in hearing the guide speak.

We were taken on a tour of the old city, the walled fort, and La Popa (a monastery).

They took us to two different places for shopping. Similar to Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, there were lots of street vendors pushing their wares.

We even saw a guy selling the chance to have your picture taken with a sloth! (Of course, you take your own picture.)

The second shopping area was the “mall” with shops recommended by the cruise line. We picked up a couple of packages of coffee and checked out the emeralds. Unfortunately, nothing really jumped out at me.

The weather is warm, but overcast. When we got back to the ship, we went to Pluto’s for some tacos and now we’re just relaxing. Aaron and I napped and watched “Sky High” and “Music and Lyrics”. Michael was on deck with his cigars and a good book.

The show this evening was a Broadway review of sorts. Two stars from the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast performed. Sarah Litzsinger, the longest running Belle, and David DeVries, who played Lumiere, sang and shared stories. Their final song, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, of course, made me cry. It was beautiful.

We snuck in a quick bingo game, but didn’t win anything this time.

This was “Tropical” night in the dining room and we were in Parrot Cay. Our server, Toney, has figured out how much Aaron likes guacamole and manages to squeeze in an extra course of that for him. It is really good!

Lori.

The last lock the Disney Magic entered as it passed through the Panama Canal on it's way to Florida!

It’s almost 6pm and we are in the Gatun locks….waiting. We’ve been watching the APL container ship in the lock next to us move ahead. Very cool to see the water level change. I have a photo of the closed gate showing the lower level in front and higher level above.

My goodness. We’ve been going through the Canal now for nearly 12 hours. I’m glad our dinner seating isn’t until 8:30pm. We should be able to see our way to the open ocean by then. I think we’re in Animator’s Palate tonight. Once again -- my sign for a great vacation – I can’t remember what day it is exactly or the time or where I’m supposed to be.

The rain let up for a bit, but started in again. It is getting dark outside, but I can still see some blue sky up ahead.

Earlier Aaron and I dashed down to deck 4 to take a peek out the port side. Nothing much to see, at least not compared to our primo view on starboard. The narrator did say when we get back to sea level that we would be able to see the French canal on the port side heading into the jungle. Of course, it will be pretty dark by then; maybe we won’t see much. (The French made the first attempt at building a canal long, long ago.)

Tomorrow we dock in Cartagena. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to get off the ship, but did finally book a city tour & shopping excursion for us. After a so-so experience in Acapulco, I’m looking forward to this tour. Two items to shop for: emeralds and coffee. Hmmm….sounds like a great combo to me!

The container ship is heading out of the final lock. We should be doing the same shortly. It’s been like a game of cat and mouse in this last lock. I’m sure the Captain will zip past the APL as soon as we are clear.

I want to say a quick thank-you to Deb Wills. We have been online emailing each other and chatting over SKYPE all day. It’s been great fun sharing! And, thank you for posting all of my notes and pictures. (Deb's Note: It was an awesome day Lori - thanks so much. Also, I am way behind posting Lori's photos....but I'll do my best to get them up later today.)

Dinner tonight was in Animator’s Palate; a new, special menu “West Meets East”. I think it was good; we had a bottle of chardonnay that has made me completely loopy. Back to red wine tomorrow. I do remember having lobster. Delicious. Did not even need dipping butter.

Did I mention that I created a monster with the name-movies-with-single-word-titles? Michael and Aaron are so competitive; neither will give up! Tonight, however, Aaron started something new and far less competitive. He is asking trivia-like questions about different countries. Much more civilized. Which country has a ratio of 21 moose to 1 human? Canada! Where was the hamburger first created? Germany! Which country’s name does not follow typical English spelling rules? Qatar (not Qu, just Q).

Lori

More to follow...

I never thought I’d feel this way on this cruise, but I was hungry! Michael and I first popped back down to Deck 7 aft to see the Pedro Miguel locks closing and their row boats. You will notice in the pics that these locks have double gates.

For lunch today, they had a BBQ on deck 9 – ribs, rib eye steaks, chicken, salmon & shrimp kabobs, veggie kabobs, corn on the cob, cole slaw (YUM), a variety of other salads, and a variety of breads including corn bread and garlic bread. Of course, they had their usual wide variety of desserts. Needless to say, my hunger is gone!

Right now we are passing through “the cut”. We first crossed under the Centennial Bridge and passed over the Continental Divide (a big rock – looks like it has stairsteps, terraced). The cut is simply that. They excavated, or cut, a swath through the mountains to create this passage. Pretty darn amazing. The vegetation (at least on the starboard side) is clearly lush rain forest. One thing we neglected to pack was binoculars. They would have come in very handy today.

The weather today is phenomenal. Although, it is very hot when the sun is not hiding behind a cloud.

It is about 3:20pm and we are nearing the Gatun Locks. Guess what? The weather has changed drastically. No more sun at all. Now we have some serious lightening, thunder, and rain. This is how they replenish the 52 million gallons of water dumped for each ship that crosses! Quite a spectacular storm.

We seem to be completely stopped. We have an APL container ship right across our bow. (Are you impressed? I am really getting into this lingo – starboard, port, bow, stern, aft, midship, forward. Hahaha)

The ship has moved and we are once again moving, approaching the Gatun locks. Still raining.

Photos for this blog to follow.

Lori

Lori just emailed (4:30pm EDT).

We are approaching Gatun locks right now.

HUGE storm!

No longer can see the “islands” hidden by clouds.

Here is a photo of one of Gatun Locks. This is NOT the lock the Disney Magic is at right now, but gives you an idea of the weather in the area.

The only camera for the Gatun locks is at the end of the Magic's voyage. Depending on weather, perhaps in an hour or so.

Deck 7 aft (our no-longer-secret spot!) – You can see the container ship next to us also heading northbound. So much traffic from Pacific to Atlantic today that they have both lanes working northbound. (I learned at yesterday’s lecture that we actually move from south to north.) Also, there is one little place in Panama where the sun rises in the Pacific and sets in the Atlantic. I’m still having trouble getting my head around that one. (

This series taken from deck 7 after show the massive gates closing. 254-259

These rowboats are used to get the lines from the locomotives to the ship. Same method used in the 1930s. They’ve tried newer technologies, but always ran into problems. (Hey, if it’s not broken……!)

I must take a moment and thank my sweet husband for all of his help with these blogs. I’ve been writing and taking photos, and he’s been putting it all together which can be the most time-consuming part. Thanks, Honey!

(Deb Again - Thank YOU Lori and Michael for taking the time to share this with us)

We’ll get this installment off now and send another later. Looks like we’re about to enter the Pedro Miguel locks. Wow. This is way cool!

Lori

Stay tuned for more photos later.

The technology is amazing. First, we have the technology of the Canal much of which has been in place since the 1930s. And, we have today’s technology. Deb Wills is watching the ship from the webcam on the locks and we are using SKYPE to talk about what’s happening. Way cool. (Deb's Note: It was awesome to speak with you Lori. And if that still isn't enough technology for you.... After the call with Lori ended, my friend Masayo in Japan called me on SKYPE. The next time the Disney Magic docks in the US, Masayo and I will both be on the ship!)

And, keep your fingers crossed, we have internet access today. Michael had heard we might not.

Here are more photos –

Locomotives to pull us thru the locks

As close as I could get on deck 10 forward!

Bridge used before Bridge of the Americas was built; now just used as a backup or during emergencies.

Picture on our TV of Magic in the lock. Check out those massive gates and the ship ahead of us!

One of many targets

Lots of folks came out to greet us!

We think the webcam is the one on the left! Hi everyone! Did you see us waving!!!

One of the original locomotives

Two Disney Magic photographers hopped off to take pics of us!

More photos to come.....

Photos from the Panama Canal Webcam as the Disney Magic entered the Miraflores Locks.

To see the engineering marvel of the locks, focus on the lower part of the ship. Look at the lifeboats, then move your eyes below to the yellow line and then below still to the dark area and port holes. Follow the location of the portholes thru the next few photos.

Check Back Later for More Photos