Whales and Seals spotted

 On the way to Los Angeles ...

Manzillo Mexico

Today we went on a Tastes Tour, a visit to a cocoa-making place, lunch at a Hacienda,  and the making of a Mojito at a rum factory. Spiced rum was $13 a bottle, and we also got some Chocolate Liqueur. Enough now in the cabin to last us a day or two!!! Due to traffic issues, we just arrived back on time, though the Captain always waits for Official Tours.

Making Mojitos

Rum

Lunch at a Hacienda

Chocolate ..

Talk on Choclate

Boat Building

 Today, with another couple (both Canadian Marine Engineers!), we built the "Soggy Bottom". Sadly, we didn't win ...

Charles found some Ukulele players ....

On the Deck Chairs ...

 

Some (slightly enhanced) photos by Helen

Note: These Photos were enhanced using ChatGPT for clairty ... 

 

Interesting talks

 We get a whole series of interesting talks from people who come on for about 3 weeks, so they change regularly. Today went to hear a Canadian Astronaut, Robert Thirsk, who I note was also a radio ham on the space station ..

Queen Mary 2 First Panama Canal Transit

 A nice picture taken from elsewhere ...

Train and Tour at Panama City

 Today, we went on a Ship's Tour - a coach trip to the viewing platform above the lock in Colon, followed by a train ride back.

Train ride ...

At the lock viewing platform ...

Leaving the Canal

 We moored up in the middle overnight, and we are now heading to the final bridge at low tide. We will fit under again... maybe.... It's been a two-day journey, with careful timing, to get through.

Under the final bridge ... just

Last lock

Alligator!!!

The final bridge

Last lock before Panama City

Dog walking area, hydrant and lamp post depending on dog origin ...

Entering the Panama at Colon

 Just passed the first lock, making very slow progress with many tug and pilot boats. There seems to be nothing missing from the superstructure, though it seemed very close!!

In the first lock

Narrow squeeze ..

Pilot boarding

Cartegena Colombia

 We're here for a very brief stay to complete some formalities, to make sure we touch port in South America before going back to the USA.  Nobody is getting off except for a few crew. 

Off Loading Crew

Captain's reception

 We went to the Captain's reception, where there was lots of food and drink. This was for the RTW people. We also got a couple of books to keep records of the journey ... Today has been much warmer. Looks like we may be entering the boat-building competition ....

Also read RadCom magazine - digital edition of course!

City Tour New York

 We went on a City Tour of New York and visited Whole Foods for a non-Amazon collection via Uber. We arrived at the Cunard Brooklyn Terminal, in very cold weather!!

Central Park

Central Station

9-11 Memorial

Coaches leaving QM2 - it was Cold!!