This is the Mars entering the lock system. Things are pretty clear weatherwise, but we got hit by a storm as we passed through the locks. Lightning, thunder, and torrents of rain.

This view was shot leaning over the railing of our balcony. Not in a scary way, but as far as a person with a fear of heights can go. The locks work by raising a ship up with water so it can open the next lock. It is all mechanical, using gravity to power the system. The small cars that steady the ship during it’s journey through the lock are called mules. This is probably because the pulleys for the first ships going through the canals were actually mules.

Timing the average time going through each lock, this took about 20 minutes, so it took over an hour to get through the three locks. We were in no hurry. We have to spend the night anchored near the coast.

We have to get up early tomorrow for our tour that leaves at 8:30 am. OMG!! I will have to set an alarm!

TTFN

There were a ton of walls with graffiti along the highway. It was gorgeous. Each section told a story, or made a statement. My attempt at capturing it with a camera was a bust. If my brother-in-law got it with his fancy real camera, I will add it, post-publish!