Thonotosassa

22nd April

On our first outing we went to Ybor City to see the Cigar Museum. These houses were built for the workers.

This is the Hillsborough River running through Sargeant Park.

Colleen, Ro and Pete looking at an alligator.

A small alligator.

Camelot

23rd April

A couple of views of Ro's and Pete's house in Taylor road.

This is a view inside Camelot Moblie Home Park.

Ro's and Pete's old mobile home renovated.

This is the remains of a burnt out mobile home that caught fire not long before we arrived.

Fort Lauderdale

24th April

This is a rail map. We travelled by train from Tampa to Fort Lauderdale.

We went for a walk to the 17th Street Bridge to check out the port. As we crossed the bridge opened to let a small yacht through.

Fort Lauderdale

25th April

Today we decided to take a tour of the waterways by water taxi. The taxis start from the jetty under the 17th Street Bridge. We chose to do the northern circuit before lunch.

These are some photos taken in the morning.

This is a view of the 17th Street Bridge from the waterways.

And this is the bridge open.

After lunch we joined the sourthern circuit water taxi. This is the wharf where our ship, Amsterdam, will tie up tomorrow.

Pelicans.

This is the channel from the harbour leading to the sea.

The Pacific Princess heading down the channel to the sea. We will be heading down there tomorrow afternoon.

Embarkation

26th April

On board at last. This is a view from our deck balcony.

Luggage waiting to be loaded.

At last we are off! Pulling away fro the wharf.

Entering the channel to the sea.

And finally out to sea..

This is the life! A wine before dinner.

Day 1, At Sea (Koningsdag)

27th April

Today is Koningsdag, King's Day, in the Netherlands. We have been asked to wear something orange to dinner tonight to celebrate the day.

Day 3,Cartagena

29th April

These are some photos of the Old Town in Cartagena.

The large lady in white is our guide, Mercedes.

This is Cartagen to day.

Leaving and entering the dock we had to pass through the visitor centre.These are some of the animals that are there.

Day 4, Panama Canal

30th April

Dawn as we head to the Panama Canal locks at Gatun.

A new bridge under construction across the approach to the locks at Gatun.

This M.S.C. ship is heading to the new locks while we are heading to the old ones.

And here they are.

On the left is the first swirl of water as it empties the upper lock, to allow us in.

In we go.

Looking back down the locks. That is the 'Seven Seas Mariner' entering the locks. We saw her several times on our way up the west coast of North America.

Sailing through the Culebra Cut.

We caught up with M.S.C. as it headed to the new locks down to the Pacific Ocean.

The Pedro Miguel locks. The 'Seven Seas Mariner' is sharing its lock with three yachts. The yachts do not have mules keeping them away for the lock walls. They have men with ropes.

Visitors at the Miraflores locks visitor centre waving to us.

Guess who, at the Miraflores locks.

And finally out into the Pacific Ocean after passing under the Bridge of the Americas.