We have completed the 14-day cruise on the Island Princess and done all things "cruisingly". Made nice friends at our dinner table, avoided the man in the hot tub who talked politics and religion and generally relaxed our bodies and overeaten. My facebook friends will have seen the ports we stopped at, and noted that my opinions during such short visits to each place were pretty much worthless. We have very much enjoyed the luxury, especially after such a long spell of relative discomfort in Mayto.
The most amazing experience by far was the transit through the Panama Canal. I cannot overstate it. We arrived at the first locks at about 5.30 a.m. on the 15th December and had the thrilling experience of feeling our huge ship being gradually lifted in three stages and deposited into the canal approaching the Gatun Lake and down by three locks into the Atlantic on the other side. We moved to various points on the ship to get the full impact of this phenomenon and Jon has taken more photos than we will ever need to remind us. The whole transit takes about 10 hours and we didn't move away from the side of the ship for the whole time. The man-made Gatun Lake was very water logged due to heavy rain, and had actually, historically, closed for one day, 3 days before we arrived. The effect was that the ship was actually cruising through a swamp-land with submerged trees and grassland either side. I saw crocodiles basking on the banks and iguanas sunning themselves at the very top of the trees right beside the slow-moving ship. There is a lot of construction going on as there is a larger, wider canal being constructed. This will be capable of transporting the new 'post panamax' cargo ships through the Canal in the future. It is pleasing to note that the use of existing water in the area is managed in an environmentally friendly way, and not wasted.
Our cruise completed, we were transfered by coach and dropped at Miami Airport where we were due to fly to Equador the following day. A bit dazed and disorientated we battled with unhelpful and patronising staff at the 'information desk', and stayed the night in a bland and forgettable hotel near the airport. This is unfair, I know, but what we saw of Miami has not encouraged me to visit again in the future. It came over as a bit like Bournemouth on a good summer's day with nothing particular to justify a long journey by air.
We arrived in Quito late last night. The information desk at the airport helpfully directed us to a cheap and clean hostal, in the centre of town, where we have checked in for 3 nights until we have got our bearings. The first thing I can say is that it is freezing cold. We hadn't expected that and were are not equipped with the right clothes. We are walking around town wearing several layers and looking like we have just landed from somewhere warm (which of course we have). We met a helpful man at the cafe where we had breakfast and he directed us to the South American Explorers Club which is where I am sitting now. We have received some good advice on how not to get robbed and a lot of other necessary information, most importantly - where to buy some cheap warm clothes.
We plan to stay in Quito for Christmas Day and then move on.
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