Did you know it takes nearly a day to pass through the Panama Canal with it’s three locks and Gatun Lake? Last March 2025, Rich and I with about 1,000 passengers including crew members sailed on the Holland America Zaandam ship entering the area and waiting our turn at about 6 am on the Atlantic Ocean and finishing on the Pacific Ocean after 7 pm. For us, it was an unforgettable journey to see and experience this master engineering feet. Below are photos of our day.

Sailing through the Panama Canal by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

The Atlantic Bridge, Panama Canal, Panama, Central America, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Rich and I going through the Panama Canal and under the Atlantic Bridge, photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Our ship gets tugboat pilot boat assistance through the Panama Canal, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Panama’s jungles are lush and very green bursting with plants, color, flora and fauna by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Is it Tom Cruise and Owen Wilson wearing Holland America Line workwear? Crew enjoys the sail through the Panama Canal, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Slowly sailing towards Gatun Lake through the Panama Canal by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Noriega was extradited to Panama on December 11, 2011, and incarcerated at El Renacer prison, Panama Canal, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Big container ship going through the Panama Canal behind our ship by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

At dusk, Capybaras come out of the bush in Panama. This was at the old US Military Base, Panama Canal, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Panama Canal tug boats offer great assistance to all of the ships sailing through the Panama Canal by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

The city of Panama seen from the ship in the Panama Canal and the jungle by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington, T: 240-899-5295, E: info@jollysiendaphotography.com, W: www.jollysiendaphotography.com, Facebook and Instagram.

Oh my heart! Visiting Antigua, Guatemala was a dream to come. It was our favorite country stop during our 15-day Central America and Panama Canal cruise, March 2025. The ancient Spanish colonial old town of Antigua is rich with culture, history, old world charm and photojournalist opportunities. The people, the colors, beautiful handmade tapestries, cobblestone stone streets, cathedrals and public squares are enchanting. And, the views of the active volcano Volcán de Fuego, Volcano of Fire, is seen from the town. I will visit Guatemala again. We barely scratched the surface - but this trip gave us a beautiful taste of what there is there. I love it so much! Photos by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio.

Looking at Volcán de Fuego and the Unesco World Heritage city of Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington.

Guatemalan woman selling handmade Guatemalan textiles by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Iglesia de la Merced, the yellow church and cathedral adorned with intricate designs by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Iglesia de la Merced, Easter decorations, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Iglesia de la Merced, lighting a candle, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Arco de Santa Catalina, Volcán de Fuego - Volcano of Fire, cobblestones, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Guatemalan women dressed in handwoven clothing sell colorful Guatemalan textiles and souvenirs by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Guatemala life size folk art, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Buildings are dressed up for Easter celebrations, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Guatemalan children huddle together for a chat, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

A painter paints and hopes to sell his local art, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Town squares, cobblestone streets, tourists and locals, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Guatemalan men selling cotton candy, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Beautiful colorful Guatemalan textiles at the Centrale Mercado, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Children playing together and textiles for sale, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Centrale Plaza and square with the volcano, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Guatemalan woman makes tamales and they are for sale, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Taking a rest and getting some shade from the sun, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Volcán de Fuego, Volcano of Fire, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Colorful art for sale at the Centrale Mercado, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Charming old world Spanish colonial Unesco World Heritage city Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Jade is mined in Guatemala. This is Jade Maya. Man polishes jade Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Up close: Jade is mined in Guatemala. This is Jade Maya. Man polishes jade Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Guatemalan food is delicious! The best chips, homemade, nachos ever, Antigua, Guatemala, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington.

Guatemalan women smiles whiles selling fresh fruit grown nearby, Antigua, Guatemala by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington, T: 240-899-5295, E: info@jollysiendaphotography.com, W: www.jollysiendaphotography.com, Facebook and Instagram.