Panama Canal Redux, or PC Backwards

I spent forty some odd, okay why don't I just start practicing saying it-- almost fifty years-- never having been through the Panama Canal and now in less than I week I have been through it twice.  



Having been East to West first, I found West to East much better. The pressure to take it all in, understand it all, embrace its wonder, was off.  This time I got to enjoy it and boy it was wonderful.

The weather was less humid and the vibe on the boat was less "touristy" for some reason.  Ellie and I had our most excellent seats in the corner of the pool area looking out to sea as it were.  I ready my book and took in the canal and the locks all at once. Glorious day of cruising.