Panama Canal 4

At Sea Sunday, Oct 10th

Today Jack started complaining about a scratchy throat. We spent a quiet day and Jack went to another lecture on the Panama Canal. By evening, my ear started to throb and my throat was also scratchy. We decided that spending the day in Puntarenas, on and off the highly air conditioned bus was what had done us in!

Panama Canal Monday, Oct 11th

There were no tours planned for the Canal, but at the last minute the Captain decided to add some shore excursions. We had been through the Canal in March and so a tour would have been okay, but we just were not feeling well! Jack has a full fledged cough and I am now scared to death that I might go into bronchitis, like I usually do. Jack decided to slow down and stay close to the stateroom and I took to the bed or the chair by the window to rest and ward off evil bugs! The pictures are of Holland America's Statendam, also known as "Those Dam Ships". The Statendam was right in front of us in the opposite canal, as we entered. You can see that the Statendam had already been raised about 84 feet and then you can see her sail away from the locks toward the Gatun Lake Bridge. We spent the day cruising around the lake and then we finally went to a pier to pick up those who had gone on the tours. By now, I had a fever and was hovering in the bed, so Jack just got a bite and then came back for a quiet evening.

Cartagena, Columbia, Oct 12th

Determined to get rid of my ailment, I stayed in the room again today. Jack did get off the ship and walk down the pier. We had been in Cartagena in March, taken a private tour and shopped for emeralds, so we really didn't anything here. Tonight was Room Service dinner!

At sea, Oct 13th

Another day for me to rest and re-coop! The fever has gone and now I am just puny! Jack is better but still coughing! We spent the day watching the Miners in Chile on the TV. Jack brought dinner back for me then he ate quick in the Lido and went on to the Theatre for the night's entertainment, a female singer.

At sea, Oct 14th

After leaving Cartagena we were in some bumpy waters all night, but it settled down and since then the seas have been quite calm. This morning we showered and dressed and went for breakfast. I still have to go slow because as soon as I try to speed up, I start to cough! It is a VERY long walk to any food, as our room is just under the Bridge, and all food services are at the Aft.. good exercise, but not when you cough and hack every few feet!

Today was a special Wine Tasting for Cruise Critic people, but we didn't get to breakfast until after 10:00am and that event started at 11:00am. The Cruise Critic group also scheduled the Backstage Tour and the Bridge Tour (no camaras!). We went to the Captain's Brunch for Captain's Club members as we at the Select Level (one more Celebrity cruise to reach the Elite Level) You can only touch elbow to elbow, as there is no handshaking aboard ship, but we did elbow the Captain and some of his top Officers. There were some brunch foods, lots of free drinks and entertainment from the Show People.