Jan 9th, 2023 Day 7 of 128

Fuerte Amador, Panama

We have officially been on the Zuiderdam and the 2023 World Cruise for a full week. Seven days gone, three countries visited, countless new memories made, hundreds of old friends reconnected with, hundred of new friends being made, much laughter, and many suitcase unpacked and stowed under the bed. Feels like I have accomplished more in week than I sometimes do in a month back at home. Today we continued our stay at Fuerte Amador, Panama. We met our excursion at 7:45am after a quick breakfast in the Neptune lounge. Today we ventured by bus back to the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve where we hopped a boat out onto the Gatun Lake. That is the lake the connects the two sets of locks that take you into and out of the Panama Canal. Fun fact, the lake spans a large portion of the 50 miles that makes up what we know as the Panama Canal. It was so amazing to be in the channel that is the heart of shipping for such a huge part of our world. I was able to reach down and touch the water, we rode by cargo ships filled with containers of God only knows what, going God only knows where. I thought it was absolutely fascinating. We traverse up the lake and into a series of rivers and estuaries that feed the lake. We saw so much wildlife today including Coatimundi raccoon, Capybara, Capuchins, Snail Kite birds, many different vultures, Iguana, Pelican and Howler monkeys. I have included as many photos as I could capture. You have to be quick, I missed the Capybara before they scurried away. When we arrived back to the port we hopped right onto the shuttle to the local Super Mercardo (Super Market) for some quick restock of snacks (cookies) for Megan. She had diminished her supplies and we are now going to be at sea for seven full days so a restock was in order. We were back on the ship in plenty of time for the 4:30 sail away that was slightly delayed. So here’s a story for the blog…I spent some time on our patio upon getting back on the ship so I could call all my family and friend back home since we could be out of range for a bit. We are very worried about our loved ones back in CA. Schools are closed, roads are flooded, landslides are happening, power outages everywhere….and here we were in a lightening storm. Cause, life is never dull. I watched the lightening and listened to the thunder for a good 30 minutes all the while trying unsuccessfully to get a good photo. I’m from CA and storms are a novelty to me. All of a sudden there was a huge flash of lightening not very far above me (about two stories) and a boom that sounded like thunder, I could actually feel it in my chest, and then I saw a cloud of smoke drift away from the ship. I knew the lightening had struck our ship. Turns out it did!! It hit a communications antenna and we later found out, the glass in one of the panels of the retractable roof for the pool. Happily the glass is tempered and no one was injured. Such excitement. We also said goodbye to our sister ship the Volendam. She will continue on her adventure and we on ours. It was neat following side by side with another Holland America ship for a time. Next, we had a fabulous dinner in the Main dining room. During dinner an announcement was made by the captain informing us that it has been deemed safe to change our ships mask wearing status from required to recommended. So as of 7:00am tomorrow morning masks are no longer required. YEAH!!! After dinner I went to the MainStage where they showed the movie Panama. Megan stayed “home” to enjoy some time to herself. Tomorrow everyone is so excited about the much anticipated grand opening of the ships Library. Can’t wait to see it, use it and donate books to it. So we are now at sea for seven consecutive days. I hope to be able to share with you all how we pass the time daily, but if not, know that I am drafting my blog and will post them as soon as wifi availability returns. Stay safe everyone. Love and Hugs!