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The Suez Canal, gouged through Africa, is one of the world’s engineering marvels - linking two seas, and drastically shortening boat voyages around this huge continent. Few manmade waterways are so storied and iconic, and sailing the length of it is a bucket list item for many explorers.
The construction of the canal started in 1859, and took ten years to complete, with the canal officially opening in November 1869. More than a million people worked on the project, often in unimaginable conditions. An engineering breakthrough, the canal connected the Mediterranean to the Red Sea - drastically improving global trade's efficiency. A hugely strategic and precious bottleneck, it has inevitably led to conflicts - and been vulnerable to scuttling to block its usage. The Six-Day War closed the canal, leaving 15 unfortunate ships trapped within for eight years. An amazing story, the crew members of the Yellow Fleet - named as their ships slowly gathered desert sand - adapted and created a community within the confines of Bitter Lake.
We sat back and admired the desert views, as we transited the 101 Mile expanse, occasionally interrupted by little villages, with domed mosques and minarets towering into the sky. Look out for the tiny fishing boats that share the canal’s waterway, dwarfed by giant container ships - the plucky fishermen courageously refuse to yield to the massive vessels they sail beside.
There is no need for locks in the canal, as the two seas sit at the same level, and passing lanes ensure that ships can travel the engineering marvel in both directions.
And everywhere there are scenes of working maintenance along the canal banks
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May 9. Day at sea. A lecture by the guest lecturer, Chris Newton, on Egypt, an overview. Then a swim, diary writing and reading before a German lunch on the pool deck. A siesta and then bridge at 1,30 in the Dame restaurant. There were 2 tables, 9 players : Chris played with Lea against June and Ken. At 3,30 Chris went to Yvonne's Art Class where she tried to draw and paint a puffin. Then a lecture by Alex on the construction of the Suez Canal. David left Chris to attend by herself at the Venetian Society "party", and she discovered that there were 5 couples with more than 600 sea days aboard, the largest number being 1400!!. We then sat outside having a cocktail and canapes and talked to some Silverseas employees, one of whom came from Newquay. Then we ate in the restaurant by ourselves, not having been invited to a staff hosted table!. By this time many staff knew that David was not amused by this!!
May 10th.Suez Canal transit A leisurely day, which started too early by announcements Skulk. We had started our transit of the canal, at the head of our convoy and we went outside to view. Then Chris had a swim before breakfast. Then a lecture by Chris Newton on Cleopatra followed by another art session where the puffin was finished and was followed by a quick water colour of the canal.
The big container ship following us, Cosco Shipping Star was 5% larger than the Even Given (which had blocked the canal). However , but such are the sizes of container ships these days, the Cosco Shipping Star would come in at only the 60th largest in world
After lunch in the restaurant Chris played bridge with Colleen, with Fred & Margaret and June & Ken on a rotational basis. Then enjoyed our balcony until another talk on Alexandra the Great. We enjoyed our dinner with Susan & Hal in la Terraza.
click on a thumbnail to get a bigger photo
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