… through the Suez Canal …

… and emerge in the Mediterranean Sea 9 hours later! The Canal, 118 miles long, saves ships 7,350 miles, eliminating the voyage around the tip of Africa. It opened on November 17, 1869 after 10 years of construction and $100 million in costs. Under the terms of an 1888 treaty, the Canal is open to vessels of all nations “without prejudice” in peace and in wartime. Unlike the Panama Canal, there are no locks to navigate. The Egyptian government takes in more than $3 million a day in canal transit fees; our ship’s fee was about $215,000.

We entered the Canal about 6 am at Port Suez, and exited at Port Said about 3:30 pm. One of the highlights for me was the reappearance of the tasty little buns renamed for each special port. We had them first on a previous cruise as “Panama Canal buns,” and on this cruise as “Antarctica buns,” and later, “Sydney sail-in buns.” They’re a plain bun filled with a little custard and peaches. Very yummy.

Some of the striking sights along the canal were the abundance of military personnel and equipment. Soldiers with weapons were stationed at regular short intervals all along the length of the canal. Armored personnel carriers were also a constant sight, along with barracks and watch towers. The unlucky soldiers who drew watch duty did so standing under the blazing sun, with no shade or chair. Below is a rocket launcher, with rockets aboard and a soldier waiting, as well as a military camp, complete with rugged tents and a watchtower. We appreciated them being there; many of them waved and shouted to us as we passed.

 

There is a striking monument commemorating the defense of the Suez Canal in World War I, sitting alone in the sand. Defense of the Canal has always been a top priority, including the ability to quickly close off the Canal if needed. In the past, this was accomplished by sinking ships until passage became impossible; there is now a system of pontoons in place all along the canal. In most places, the pontoons are stacked; but in a few spots, they were hooked together and floating.

 

 

The Canal has 3 bridges and one tunnel, and 50+ ferry boat landings for trucks and cars crossing the canal. One of the bridges is the largest “swing bridge” in the world; used only as a railroad bridge, it swings out over the canal when needed, and rests parallel to the canal when not in use. The ferries are heavily used, and most had a long waiting line of trucks and cars.

 

Another lovely sight was the traditional feluccas, or Egyptian sailboats, being used as fishing boats. There were many other small rowboat style fishing boats using gill nets. Most of these boats had three people: one to row, one to tend the nets, and the third to walk along the shore with a rope around his waist, pulling the boat and ensuring it stayed close to the shore. We also saw a few people who appeared to be gathering clams or oysters. And at several places, we saw elaborate pigeon coops like the the white cone-shaped structures below.

 

 

The scenery on the starboard side of the ship was a fairly unrelenting tableau of sand – with the occasional camel thrown in. However, our veranda is on the port side, and we had a steady stream of large and small towns and cities, with their mosques and minarets, as well as irrigated fields with a variety of crops and palms trees. It was a very pleasant transit.

 

 

We have one day at sea to rest and relax, and then a barrage of European ports, with almost no sea days in between. Some are familiar, and some will be new. We have only 20 days left! Separation anxiety is beginning to set in … that, and packing panic!