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Robert Neary's show included impersonations as well as songs from a variety of singers. The first up was Elvis . Next was a Jerry Lewis impersonation of Dean Martin singing Followed by Johnny Cash and the first Mariachi Band backing track that we heard And a BeeGee's Disco song

We had heard that the transit charge for the Canal passage was $380,000 instead of $450,000 so it's seems like the Captain of the ship got us quite a bargain . Perhaps he learned to haggle for the price like in Cartagena . It was a dress up night but we weren't feeling it and we went down for a visit to the uncrowded Lido and a quick late bite . We saw a number of the ship's officers and Robert Neary who was between shows . We said a quick hi and shared our appreciation for his talent . His 2100 show was our last stop for a long day and a welcome day off at sea .

As we headed South more of Panama City came into view This Canadian minesweeper was a long way from home - and so were we . We didn't have to be in Bilbao or Seattle to recognize the Frank Gehry architecture or the Biomuseum . I really like the twisted green building in the skyline the The F&F tower (Revolution Tower), also known as “Tornillo", (the screw in Spanish) . It is one of the most iconic buildings in Panama City. Located on Calle 50, in the heart of Panama City's bustling financial district, its 47 floors spiral 243 meters into the air, and are visible throughout the city.

Sailing beneath the Bridge of the Americas in Panama City , Panama .

We were now approaching the last lock going South - The Miraflores And we were thru and it was over Passing The Bridge of the Americas and picking up speed

Thanks Doug . We booked this cruise when there were only 3 weeks left before departure and all of the ports ( except Fort Lauderdale ) were new to us . We did have a lot to learn about the ports and so that kept everything fresh . We were on the ship in December but many of the workers had changed . On the previous cruise on the NA we had the cabin on the Starboard and the cabana on the Port which gave us views on both sides . Hopefully we may give you somethings that you haven't seen yet and maybe some new ideas . 🙂😎

We had to make a small turn at the crane and sailed under the Centennial Bridge You can see some of the terraces in the hills here where explosives and machines dug the canal

We decided to go up to the Retreat for lunch and to view the Canal The deck above the retreat was never crowded The Retreat cabanas overlooking the pool Dive Inn for lunch This floating crane named Titan was a war prize after the Second World War and nicknamed Herman the German . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_the_German_(crane_vessel)

A mule hard at work towing us After the gates closed this yellow handrail would pop up A black lighthouse Going the other way Empty bow

At breakfast in the Pinnacle before entering the gate . In this video clip we have been raised up a level and are moving past the wall of the lock and then past the gate itself . It seemed so close that we could almost reach out and touch it. After breakfast we went toward the promenade deck to go outside We started to watch a mule work but while looking at all the tension on the cable attached to the ship - we deemed it unsafe if the cable were to snap and moved to another place . The Gatun Locks with the gates open and shut A large Costco container ship going the other way

We were up before dawn and went up to get a big view of the day Walking the length of the ship I saw that most of the lounge chairs had people or paraphernalia on them before 0600 . Having entered the breakwater the sea was very calm Passing under the Atlantic Bridge Nearing the Gatun Locks

The flowers came in while we were gone and we ordered room service for a late lunch before a quick nap . Columbia in the rear view mirror Unlike the Catholic service we had no worship leader but a full group of people and hymnals for acapella hymns for Palm Sunday before dinner . Part way into the service a man came into the back of the service and quickly left and returned with a guitar . He said that he used to be a music leader in his church and launched into a rousing song . I didn't recognize him until he sang but it was Robert Neary the man who had portrayed Neil Diamond .

We were running a little late to the ship and had a last look at the Panama hats before we set sail for Panama . A quick walk thru and a few shutter snaps The walk back Lunch line And time for a siesta

🥇 for persistence

Nearby Rafael showed us some statues of workers engaged in work and we took a well earned fresh Papaya and Watermelon Break before returning to the ship . It was Hot ! 🌡️

Thank you sir . There was really a lot to see in 1 day in Cartagena and a lot of cruise to go . 🙂😊

We were near the Cathedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandria near a ship's tour And went in after the other tour came out Just across on the ground was the Portal de las Reinas which showed many of the Miss Columbias including Ariadna Gutierrez in the lower right photo . She was mistakenly crowned Miss Universe in 2015 on live TV by Steve Harvey .

The next stop was at the Church and Plaza San Pedro Claver

We also liked them and here are a couple of other songs in a part1/part 2 format Stay And Walk like a Man

Our next stop became very busy with tour buses from the cruise ship . It was Castillo San Felipe de Barajas . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_San_Felipe_de_Barajas After the buses left we were mobbed by people with animals and people for photos , selling cigars , T- shirts , Panama Hats made in Ecuador , jewelry and food . Next stop was an outside photo of the Teatro Heredia Followed by a walk along 5th street with it's Colonial balconies . A scene in a Will Smith movie Gemini Man was shot near here . Many of the doors have animals on them to describe the social or job status of the resident.

We had a few vendors in the parking lot at the monastery but at the next stop it was very busy both inside and out . We agreed to meet in about 30 minutes time and ducked inside to cool off and get a breather from the busy outdoors and heat and get a look at these fish . When we stepped outside we saw this Police car And in the distance I could see a ramp leading to one of the walls that surround the city

We were not prepared for the persistence and aggression of some of the street vendors . This video may help to become aware .

This plate was about 7 ' tall A final view from above

After meeting Rafael we headed to the highest point in the city at almost 500' , The Convent de la Popa . It was Palm Sunday and there were a number of people walking up and down the hill carrying Palm plants .They were going to the monastery to have their palms blessed and return them to the place where they were to be planted . The view was spectacular and we could see the Nieuw Amsterdam . We passed by the Mass where the Palms were being blessed . We then entered the courtyard ( cloisters ) where Rafael could talk . He told us the story about how the convent was founded . The chronicle says that while Friar Alonso de la Cruz Paredes in the convent of the Candelaria of Ráquira (a town of the Colombian Andean area), the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and ordered him to build a church on the hill closest to Cartagena, in order to return the Christian faith to this land, in which the legend says, inhabited an evil spirit, in the form of a goat, to which the mulattoes worshiped under the direction of the native Luis Andrea, who ended his days in a cell of the Inquisition.[1] The friar fulfilled his mission and threw the animal from the top of the hill. Since then the Cartagena people call to the precipice, the Salto del Cabrón, in allusion to the goat. Wikipedia He did mention that the worshippers of the goat had gold ornaments that were precious not because of it's worth as a precious metal but more for it's intended religious purpose .

At the end of the walk there is a bump in the road that some people may not pass by but spend part of the day here at the Park Cartagena . We were in a hurry to meet our guide Rafael on the other side of the park so we hustled thru and would stop at the park on the way back if we had time . We hope to continue mañana . 🙂 😉