 |
| Suez Canal looking East to the desert. |
Lots of pics today! It was hard to pare them down. A few of the “facts” they shared with us yesterday turned out to be a little inaccurate. They told us the North to South transition was in the first 12 hours of the day and the South to North in the last 12 hours. But, we see ships going both ways, so, maybe not quite. Also, there are several “two lane” zones, and of course the Great Bitter Lake (and small bitter lake) where there is ample room for passing and such. So, maybe they only enter and exit at those times, but they pass throughout the day? Not sure. Anyway, today we are in the Suez Canal!! We anchored near Port Said (Sy-ed) last night about 10:45, and about 3 or 4 AM, we moved to the entrance of the canal. Theresa wanted to see it, so she woke up insanely early to try to see us go in. I think she saw lights, but not much else.
We had ordered room service for 6:30, so when it arrived, we got up and watched out the window while eating in bed. It was barely sunrise, so this mist lay over the low points between the dunes, and gave the scene an eerie character. Pictures will never do it justice, but we can try. It was silent but for the ship noise, and one lone dog barking in the distance. We saw several two or three men boats fishing.
 |
| Fishing in the canal. |
 |
| Fog on the sands of the desert. |
 |
| Al Qantarah, Egypt |
 |
| Beach on the canal. |
 |
| Soldier pill boxes about every 100 yards on each side. |
 |
| Half of a pivoting bridge. |
After the sun was up, we walked around the ship and Theresa hung out where an expert was answering questions on the area and the canal. Then, at 9:30, we had special invitations to go out to the helipad for some exclusive viewing (we, being all those in Suites). It was very nice!!
After lunch, we exited the canal, and approach the Red Sea through the Gulf of Suez. It was obvious and stark seeing the difference in the Nile Delta to the West, an area rich with the fresh water and nutrients, and the desert and sand to the East. As we departed Suez, into the Gulf of Suez, we thought about the Hebrews escaping Egypt, and the millennia of armies fighting to control this very region. It is amazing to think we must have crossed the path Moses took, some 3500 years ago.
I was going to add a lot of tidbits and details on the Canal, but I realize:
1. If you really want to know, you probably know how to use Wikipedia
2. You probably don't come to this blog for lectures. I'm guessing pictures and/or stories.
But in case I am wrong, a few fast fun facts.
1. There have been canals between the Mediterranean and Red Seas since Ramses II in the 12th Century BC.
2. The current one was built between 1859 and 1869, and was financed mostly by the French.
3. The first ship through the canal was supposed to be Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon, but a British Royal Naval ship skipped the line and went through first. The captain was officially chastised, but then promoted not long afterward.
4. The channel is about 100 miles long; the average toll is about $285,000; and saves about 4300 miles from sailing around Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment