Wed, June 19

 We had been looking forward to seeing this water passage between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and after reaching the anchorage waiting area at 3.30am we joined our convoy of ships.  I think there were about 14 ships, however we were second in line and could only see the french warship ahead and  one container ship behind..

We passed through the Great Bitter Lake around 10.00am and then passed under the Suez Bridge around 2.30pm without incident, finally making our way clear of the canal around 5.00pm.

It was interesting to see “The Highway to India”as it is sometimes called, approx 120 miles long, 79 feet deep and 673 feet wide.  It was opened in 1869 and today, over 17,000 ships pass through it each year.

We spent most of the day on deck watching the passing scenery which was quite amazing  – fertile and green and populated on the port side and desert on the starboard side.  Also quite evident were the number of military establishments along the left bank of the canal with armed soldiers stationed about every 100 metres patrolling the desert side.

Falucca with sail down

Floating bridge

Swinging bridge

Fertile left bank

War memorial