We have continued to have very poor satellite coverage, even when we were docked in Cyprus, so I only hope it works this morning to allow me to complete my story of the Suez Canal and to receive and send emails.
I have found out that the Suez Canal was completed and opened in late 1869 amidst great celebrations, when a small fleet that sailed from Port Said met a small fleet that sailed from Suez halfway along the canal in the new town of Ismailia. (My guess regarding the spelling of this city was incorrect.) Ownership of the canal was in the hands of Britain and France, who combined forces to build it, until 1956, when Egypt became independent and President Nasser nationalised it. But it has not operated continuously - it was closed for some years due to various conflicts.
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| More of the fence and another observation tower, with some of the land used for agriculture behind the fence. |
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| An early part of the Sinai desert as we entered the actual Suez canal. |
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| More of the Sinai desert, where some road construction was taking place. |
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| An almost completed road. Most passengers were viewing this all from the comfort of their deck chairs. |
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| This pilot boat followed us through the canal |
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| On the Egyptian side, a canal linking the original canal with the new section on which we sailed. |
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| Ismailia - the original part, using the zoom function on my camera |
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| Ismailia - the new part being built on the other side the canal. Some already is occupied. |
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| A special feature to celebrate the completion of the new canal |
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| Another linking canal between the original and new canals |
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