One of my big motivations for doing this trip (apart from the Taj and Jordan) was to do a daylight transit of the Suez Canal. 2015 was meant to be a daylight transit, but “roadworks” on the canal meant we got bumped to a night passage.
This time we were scheduled to meet at Port Said (Say – id) at 9pm for the convoy to form. Then a daylight passage! YAY!
So we headed off from Jordan at midnight – after anther delay for yet another medical evacuation. We turned around the corner of Turin Strait, back into the Red Sea in the morning and spent the day looking at Egypt on both sides of the canal.
Then we sat at anchor till about 3.30am. The inspector came to check the lights and give us our slot. And off we went.
By daylight we were into the Suez Canal. The narrow part with the huge sand banks being lapped by the wash.
Midmorning we got to Bitter Lakes. I didn’t realise it was such a pretty place – like a resort town. Then back into the canal with running from side to side to look at things.
In many places, behind the huge sand dunes, were tanks. Gun stations and guards were placed regularly.
We had a Pinnacle lunch scheduled. I was sad as I wanted to be outside looking. But this was amazing.
They set up an alfresco lunch for us. Outside on deck 4 with tables and chairs and a huge Middle Eastern feast.
It was pretty amazing sitting their eating and drinking with the Suez sliding by. Trains tooted at us, with their hilarious squeaky toots. People waved. We passed under the “Mubarak Peace Bridge”. The bridge joining the African and European continents. Stunning.
Late that afternoon we sailed out of the Suez and into the Mediterranean.
Pretty special day.
Then off towards Israel.