Suez Canal 5 of 5

You may recall that on the map of the Suez Canal, that there's a large lake which the canal joins and crosses before exiting to rejoin the canal passage which will eventually lead into the Mediterranian. When we entered the lake the waters were a brilliant blue, the sun was high in the sky and there were several resort-type settlements on islands within the lake.  The island area looked resplendent in the brilliant midday sunlight. It looked like a relaxing and idealistic holiday venue -a little off the beaten track but the water was extremely blue and looked inviting and refreshing.

Several sailing boats, with a gentle breeze billowing their sails, could be seen skipping across the lake. We also saw groups of rowing boats anchored out from the shore of the island in the lake. Maybe the occupants were on a recreational fishing jaunt and we wondered whether as our ship passed them, whether some fish were swept in the direction of the baited hooks of these would be fishermen. 

As we came closer to the Egyptian exit point of our canal journey we came across a mosque high a walled canal bank. It looked fairly new and modern with well a established network of roads leading to Port Said and there was a ferry point at this spot as well. Not long after this edifice we passed some huge monuments which have been built at the exit (for us) or entrance (for those going the other direction) 

One monument was a huge bronze statue with Egyptian figurines and hieroglyphics. It celebrates the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the engineering feats achieved over its' 10 year  program. Adjacent to this monument is a metal globe-design Suez monument which is about as high as a two-storey building. Both of these looked impressive edifices stand proud and high on the golden-coloured desert sands.

At our exit point (Port Said) we passed a check point area with a walled section of the Suez Canal, military vehicles and a peacekeeping contingent of soldiers. In the background was a modern city of residential homes where many of the canal's workers and their families reside. As we slipped into the Mediterranean we said goodbye to Egypt and the delightfully enjoyable cruise we had travelled over the past 11 hours. 

We trust our photographs give you some idea of the views we enjoyed from our Sea Princess balcony and deck viewing platforms vista variety.