The early-morning fog hovers 
over the Atlantic waters of the Panama Canal as The Millennium arrives at the mouth. It’s 5:45 a.m. Three Panamanian pilots — three are required because of the size of the ship — are on board at the breakwaters. The humidity of the Panamanian jungle is oppressive, even at this early hour.
A little over an hour later, right on time, the Millennium enters the first of three Gatun Locks.
It’s 7:03 a.m. It’s obviously going to be a tight squeeze; the ship is so close to the edge of the locks that lines are thrown from shore and attached to mini-electric trains on each side to keep the Millennium from hitting the sides of the locks. 
We have a balcony on the “right” side of the ship, which is really the left (starboard) side. It’s the best way to watch the movement through the locks.
Ten minutes later, the Millennium is inside the lock, and the water exchange begins.
More later…