March 31, 2019 - Cruise 2019 - Singapore to Rome
- Jae Wiens
- Sep 5, 2020
- 3 min read
Hope this finds you living an extraordinary, amazing day!
Yesterday morning, around 5 AM we set sail through the Suez Canal. We were the 2nd in line of 36 ships moving from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, which we reached almost 12 hours later around 4:30 PM.
What an incredible journey sailing through Egypt! The Sinai Peninsula on our right, the only part of Egypt in Asia, and African Egypt on our left. Such different landscapes for the most part, with the Sinai Peninsula a massive expanse of golden sandy desert stretching out as far as the eyes could see. The rest of Egypt in Africa is still sandy, but with rich, lush, green, tropical areas dotting the skyline, its palm trees and fertile fields a welcoming sight from the military installations and industrial views.
At the start of our journey, Egyptian soldiers lined the banks, standing at attention in their uniforms and often blended into their surroundings. If not for the semi-automatic weapons that they kept ready to use, if necessary, we would not have noticed them on guard. We were informed that there was a US Naval Logistics & Supply ship in front of us, which kept the Egyptian military on alert. Once they saw our ship, however, we received some hesitant waves from a few of them, or at least a lot of interest from the rest.
People were also coming off the highway to stop and take photos of us, waving and shouting. So jubilant and celebratory! There are not many cruise ships that come and go in the area, which means we were a bit of an anomaly moving slowly through the Suez Canal.
The cost of maintaining this international navigational canal is quite substantial. The fee for our ship alone to enter and sail through was US$625,000. Our only other option was to go around Africa and into the Mediterranean, which would take at least another two weeks or longer. So the Suez is certainly the shortest link between the east and west as the crow flies - most direct route without detours.
We received a great many history lessons as we traveled the 120 miles from Suez, Egypt to Port Said, Egypt on the Mediterranean. The most impressive thing about this canal is that it was dug out and built by the hands of many migrant and Egyptian workers over a ten year period, first opening in 1869.
To know that their hard work allowed us to navigate from (South East Asia) through the Middle East and now into the Mediterranean 150 years later is truly astounding and leaves me feeling immensely grateful!
The weather really gave us a great send off. We entered the canal yesterday morning in thick fog and mist. As it dissipated, the blustery winds picked up, whipping the ship's flags and bringing with it a sandstorm, and eventually rain, which was cold and biting.
And of course, timing was everything as the ship's stores had sales on their winter clothing line. What could I do but shop!?!
An interesting nautical bit of trivia is that the flags on the ship change with every port. The ship maintains the British flag which it flies under, but with every new port we enter, the flag of the country we visit is also flown. Mostly to mark us as "friendly" and respectful of the waters we are in!
As well, various areas on the ship are usually closed down as we leave international waters such as the casino and shops.
Reaching the Mediterranean Sea was an event. Coming from the calm, narrow waters of the Suez, the Mediterranean welcomed us with large waves, huge whitecaps and grey skies slowly giving way to sunshine. The temperatures are much cooler and temperate which has most passengers staying inside as we acclimatize from the hot and humidity. First world problems!!!
We have 1255 nautical miles and 6 days to go until we reach Civitavecchia port near Rome! Suddenly this trip is speeding up considerably!
Tomorrow morning we reach the Port of Piraeus at Athens. My excursion is to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, the Corinth Canal and the ancient city of Corinth.
Incredible history of this area, and so much to take in. I can't wait to see it all!
I'll update you again soon. I trust all is well in your world. Take care until next time!
Love, Jae
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