Friday, April 20, 2018, Suez Canal

An engineering marvel, the Suez Canal was completed in 1869 after ten years of construction.  The sea-level, single-lane waterway has no locks, and only two lakes allow north- and southbound ships to pass each other:  Ballah Bypass and Great Bitter Lake.  As you cruise this historic waterway, stark desert sands stretch into Egypt all around you, and an occasional giant mound of sand appears along its banks, dug from the canal.  Small patches of swaying palms are fed by canal waters.  Emerging like a mirage, you will see Ismailia, known as the “City of Beauty and Enchantment.”  This settlement was built by an Egyptian khedive (viceroy), Ismail the Magnificent, to serve the canal’s construction and maintenance.

At 8 AM the skies are still hazy and we are now at the north end of the intermediate lake.

The west side of the canal has towns with vegetation and the east side is barren desert.

Know what these are (above)?

Army lookout points, 1/4 to 1/2 miles apart on the east side of the canal.

Beginning at the intermediate lake Egypt has made a second canal so there can be ships simultaneously moving in both directions.  Note the tall piles of dredged sand on both sides of the north bound canal.

The north bound canal was opened in 2015; finishing touches are still under construction.

Ferries are spread out along the canal.

Crossover between north and south bound canals.

Guess what these ramps are for?

Got an idea of what these stacks are?

Helipads at the top of the mound above.

Freighter on the south bound canal.

Figured out what these are?  Yes, they are sections of pontoon bridges.  Any idea what for?

Who/what's that in the outpost?

Coming to the end of the double canals.

New bridge not yet completed.

Traffic backed up for ferries to cross canal.

Welcome to the Mediterranean Sea.

Fishing boat. Could use a little fresh paint.