Looking for a way to cap off my June 2013 journey? There was only one legendary spot that could do the trick: the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal.
A quick 20-minute taxi ride away from the charm of Old Town, and the skyline shifted from colonial ruins to a feat of modern engineering. Before I knew it, I was standing at the gates of the Miraflores Visitor Center, ready to see the world’s greatest shortcut in action.
While I spent quite some time praising the Panama Canal Museum, my visit to the locks proved to be even more exhilarating. This is the operational heart of the canal—a place where the same remarkable feat of engineering has been performed daily for over a century. Remarkably, the system remains virtually unchanged since its inauguration, serving as a living testament to industrial history.
The site features an impressive "functional" museum, showcasing technical exhibits that detail the intricate workings of the locks and dams. I highly recommend catching the 15-minute 3D film in the onsite theater; it provides a fascinating immersive overview of the canal's legacy. For the best views, the facility offers multiple observation decks on the first, second, and fourth floors.
I arrived around 10:00 AM, and shortly after, an announcement signaled the approach of a vessel. I quickly made my way to the fourth-floor deck. Standing there, watching the massive ship glide into the locks, the sheer scale of the Panama Canal finally truly registered. It was a bucket-list moment realized.
Albeit not the largest ship that came through that day, it was still exciting. OK, it was really exciting to see my first ship go through.
I watched about 6 or 8 ships go through that day, using both channels. Decided I should take a break and had a fantastic lunch buffet (to the tune of $40, but worth it) at the Canal's 2nd floor restaurant.
Confession: I never actually cared about sailing through the Panama Canal. For me, it was always about the mechanics—seeing the gates swing, the water level shift, and the sheer audacity of the engineering. But standing there, watching the steel giants navigate the narrow cuts, my perspective shifted entirely. Seeing it isn't enough anymore; now, I need to feel the hull slip through the locks.
The Canal was the undisputed pinnacle of my 2013 journey. It’s a staggering man-made wonder, a testament to the grit that finished what others couldn't. It easily claims a spot in my all-time top five travel moments, rivaled only by the quiet magic of watching the sun crest over the Athenian Acropolis.
This was the largest ship to come through while I visited. According to the Canal, this ship paid about 250K to go through the Canal.
Thanks for letting me share some stories and photos of my June 2013 travels.
Until the next time....
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain
