We entered the Suez Canal at 6:00am in the front of the caravan. All vessels must wait at the entrance until a convoy is arranged. Traffic in the Canal is one-way, so ships traveling northward must wait until the traffic is cleared in the opposite direction and visa-versa. Here are some of the facts that we learned.
The Suez Canal opened on November 17, 1896, but the idea began in 1845 and the actual construction took 11 years. The length of the Canal is 101.06 miles. Trade routes had been established between Europe and Asia and the passage would shave months off from the journey. The actual distance saved is 7,350 miles. The average transit time is 15 hours, and the average number of ships per day is 50, with a maximum of 80. The average toll costs $205,600. The narrowest point is 196.8 feet. The southern entrance is Port Suez and the northern entrance is Port Said. There are no locks.
Some sections have big cities.
There are a lot of military bases throughout the whole journey.
This is interesting. The monument on Egypt’s side: Representing the obelisk.
The monument on Israel’s side: Representing an AK47 assault rifle.
Some roaming camels…
We are now entering the Mediterranean Sea. Our next port is Athens, Greece on Monday. We have already felt the temperature drop, going from the 90’s to the 60’s as we begin to head into Europe’s early spring.
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