Well, the "semester" is oficially over.
Yesterday, at 1215, I took my last final (Evolution), and checked out academically for the school year. In other news, with the completion of that final, I am now a SENIOR in college. Weird.
I slept outside last night on deck 7 aft, and was awoken by the sun as we were crusing into the famed Panama Canal.
The experience of crossing the Panama Canal was really something to remember. Both the Pacific (where we started) and the Atlantic (where we ended) are lower than the lake in the middle of the isthmus. So, as we entered on the Pacific side, we were raised by 2 locks (the Miraflores and the Pedro Miguel Locks) about 50 feet up to meet the level of the lake. We then floated for hours to the final Gatun Locks where were dropped through a series of locks to meet the level of the Atlantic Ocean. The entire process took approximately 10 hours! It cost nearly $130,000 for us to cross. Not exactly chump change.
In true SAS tradition, we took part in the Ambassador's Ball tonight. It's the opportunity for us all to get completely dressed up in black-tie dresses and suits, and celebrate our voyage. We had two sittings of 5-course dinners followed by dessert and dancing all night. Dancing and singing with everybody in the union, which was rocking beneath us in the waves was a memorable time. I can't believe that the ball is behind us.
Tomorrow, we'll spend the day reflecting and talking about re-entry while packing. We have tomorrow and one more day before we arrive in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday. The blog entries may not be as current, since I have lots to do before I depart the ship. Rest assured, though, I'll be composing a few different "voyage-ending" thoughts in the days following Disembarkation.
Talk to you tomorrow... and proud to be in our last body of water.
Greg.
No comments:
Post a Comment