The Pedro Miguel locks consist of two chambers. We’re at the end of the second chamber in this photo, just prior to being lowered to the level of Miraflores Lake, which lies just beyond these gates.

We captured this photo as we were being lowered into the second chamber in the Pedro Miguel locks. The Japanese container ship, Kitano, hasn’t begun its descent.

Miraflores Lake, here we come, along with fellow transiteers. At this point there are less than two miles that separate us from the end of the Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean. Two sailboats accompanied us through each chamber of the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks.

We’re approaching the first of two chambers of Miraflores Locks. Miraflores Locks are the last of the three locks when traveling westward. These locks will lower us to the level of the Pacific Ocean.

We’re being lowered to the same level as the Pacific Ocean in this photo. Notice the dent high on the left edge of the right gate. This chamber features the largest doors of all the locks in the Panama Canal. These doors had to be extra sturdy to contend with the Pacific Ocean’s enormous tide variations.