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Another Day in Panama City, Panama
Bright and early in the morning we were off to see one of the great Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal. The Miraflores locks, circa 1913, are not far from the city center and always a highlight. These are the first of the canal’s three sets of locks which stand at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. They raise and lower ships over 16 metres (54 feet) in two steps. We were told morning was the best time to catch a cruise ship in transit, as they like to start early so their passengers get to experience the canal during day light hours. When we first visited the canal there was just a simple room where you could step inside and view a short film on the history of the canal. Now there is a large new Visitors Center (Centro de Visitantes de Miraflores) which is open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adult admission is . Inside is an impressive display of Panama's history. It's a four-story museum with an observation deck and a theatre that shows documentaries on the canal in English and Spanish. There is a restaurant with a view of the locks and although it came recommended I found it a little pricey compared to other great restaurants in the city. Most people don't even notice the small snack bar on the first floor. You have to go out the other side of the museum on the canal side. The snack bar is a window opening from the building immediately to your left. Be sure to hold onto your entry ticket as there are separate automated entrance turnstiles for the museum and theatre. On the first floor the museum has a history of the canal, beginning with the failed French effort and following through the completion by the United States. The second floor has an ecological exhibit demonstrating the importance of the Panama Canal watershed. It includes displays on the flora and fauna found in the watershed. The third floor explains the operation of the canal and includes a full-scale simulator for ship pilot-training. There's also a large topographical canal map which looks a lot like the one they had in the old theatre room. The fourth floor display is a little sparse and boring for the kids. It has route maps and discusses the importance of the canal and world commerce. About the Author: For two years Mark lived in the Republic of Panama. With his wife and two young sons he traveled throughout this beautiful country and learned how to Safely Invest in Panama Real Estate bargains. Panama City, Bocas del Toro & Boquete - Shop, Golf, Bird Watch & Snorkel - Now you can follow the journey with his young family discovering the best places to eat, stay and live. To learn more about Mark's family adventures in Panama visit http://www.releasedynamics.net
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