April 13-16, 2018, Cruising the Red Sea

Explorers sailed the waters of the Red Sea as long ago as 2500 BC.  Moses is said to have parted its waters.  Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut led trade missions upon ancient vessels to the fabled Land of Punt in search of gold, incense, and ebony.  It was a favored route among ancient Romans as they traded with India.  In addition, Napoleon famously tried, and failed, to conquer its shores.  History and legend are rich in this narrow stretch of sea between Asia and Africa.  Also renowned for its diverse marine life and remarkable visibility of up to 150 feet, the Red Sea was praised by famed diver Jacques Cousteau as “a corridor of marvels.”

The slide presentation is from one of our guest lecturers with our pictures at the "Gateway to Tears" at the narrow neck of the south entrance to the Red Sea.  We have been experiencing smooth sailing.  The Red Sea is 1160 miles long and 220 miles at its widest point.  It will take us four days to travel from the "Gateway of Tears" (southern end of Red Sea) to Acaba, Jordan, our next port of call.  We are looking forward to visiting Petra again.

 Southern end of Red Sea.

Our pictures looking NE toward Yemen; these pictures are of the Perim island in the narrow southerly entrance to the Red Sea.

The strength of the Wahhabis comes from the Saudis 200+ year old pledge to protect the Wahhabis as they go about pushing their strict version of Islam religion.  This pledge has boxed in the Saudis.

This southern tip of Israel is in the port area of Acaba,  The port borders Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.