Colon, Panama

Spent the morning visiting some Embera indigenous people who live along Gatun Lake near the Panama Canal.  It is a small community of 11 families who live in wooden huts with thatched roofs (which take 3-5 months to build), no electricity, and no modern conveniences. The people wear very little clothing and paint their skin with ink from the jagua plant.  The ink wears off in about 7 days.

We were treated to music and dancing, lunch of fried tilapia and plantains, and were able to purchase some of the woven baskets and carved wood figures that the people make.  They were so friendly and the kids were adorable.

 After returning from the excursion, we took a tour of the ship's bridge.  Very high tech and impressive! Rick got to sit in the captain's chair, photo to follow.

We will transit the Panama Canal tomorrow.  It was built in 1914 by the U.S. as a way to transport military goods.  Was not used routinely for commercial transport until the 1980s.  The Panama Canal was given to the country of Panama in 2000 and today brings in $1.5 billion in annual revenue. It will cost about $275,000 for the Viking Sun to pass through the PC.  We will enter the canal at 6:30 am, go part way through, then enter the last part about 4:30 pm.  Photos to follow in the next post.