Day 32 Suez Canal

Day 32 – Suez Canal – Saturday 16/6/12

Weather – Fine and Sunny 28C - 37C

Sunrise – 4.48am

Sunset – 6.52pm

Time difference - minus 8 hours ex Sydney.

We weighed anchor at about 5 - 5.30am, a half hour ahead of schedule, and proceeded to the southern entrance of the Suez Canal. We were appointed 'pole position' of the north bound convoy (which comprised 19 ships), this gave us a clear canal ahead all the way. There were two southbound convoys today whilst we were sailing through.

We were fortunate to gain a non-stop clear run through the canal, with the two southbound convoys appointed to pull over and let us pass. The Captain advised that we could anticipate passing through to the outer reach of the canal at Port Said well ahead of schedule.

We arrived at Bitter Lake by about 7.30am. The lake is famous as during the Suez 6 day war, fifteen ships were stranded in the lake for eight years from 1967 to 1975. It is a surprisingly large lake.

As you proceed up the canal the stark difference between the west and east side could not be missed. The east side is just desolate desert, with miles and miles of nothing. Directly opposite on the other bank is the lush, buoyant vegetation, trees, and plantation, nourished by the channels that have been created as irrigation run-offs from the nearby Nile River.

I went down to the medical centre to see the doctor, who gave the progress of my foot the thumbs up, which is very pleasing. I will have daily visits for a bit yet, so she can continue the necessary panel beating down there. The last IV drip anti biotic was put in today also, and the IV removed. The swelling has gone down considerably now so Yay, I can now get my foot into my sandals and crocs. Tony – sorry mate, I am wearing socks with crocs – sometimes fashion police just have to turn a blind eye :)

Whilst I was down with the Doc, Donna was on deck to see us pass both the Jabal Mary Am War Memorial and the Suez War Memorial.

As all the sights were on port side, were settled onto the comfy deck chairs on Promenade deck, and spent the day just watching Egyptians go about their daily life. My ignorance again fuelled my expectation of what the Suez Canal would look like. I had expected it to be just a canal cut through the desert, which of course it was back in 1859 when they started the cut. Today however the west side is a good cross section of Egypt as it is today. Towns, villages, mosques, resorts, industry and lots of military presence.

There are distance markers that indicate your progress through the 150km long canal. There were military sentries along the edge, and lots of them, about every km or so. Some stood like statues, whilst others gave a polite wave. Some got a little over enthusiastic and waved their rifles in the air, thankfully they did not fire any shots of welcome :)

Before lunch we transited under the El Ferdan Railway Bridge – the longest swing span bridge in the world, and not long after, the Suez bridge. We reached the outer limits of the canal about 3pmish, well over an hour of the original schedule, so hopefully we will be arriving in Alexandria on schedule in the morning for our long trek to the Pyramids of Giza.

News reports from Cairo dont look that encouraging, so we are hoping that our visit to Cairo is not affected by the demonstrations etc. Tomorrow marks the start a really anticipated segment of this holiday of a lifetime. We meander our way through the Mediterranean visiting all those cities that just seemed half a world away just a little while ago, oh yeah, they were.

We continue to meet new people each day. We have now met a few people who had been reading this blog, and had joined the cruise in Dubai. It is so nice to have people recognise you and come and say hello.

Warhorse is the movie of the night, which I am really pleased about as I had wanted to see it when it was on at the cinemas and missed it. We skipped the dining room tonight, and grabbed a pizza and the movie.

I know that photos have been scarce on the upload. I have got some all set to publish, just waiting to push the button when we get some wifi.