November 9: 🚢 Suez Canal Transit, Port Said to Suez
A leisurely transit
A glorious relaxing day. I was up and watching the transit of the Suez Canal at 7 am and @Mac got to snooze until just after 8. Apparently, it had rained overnight, and the wind was so strong the crew had tied down the outdoor equipment. Did not feel or hear a thing in our deep, comfortable slumber.
No rushing in any part of the agenda today so it was a leisurely saunter to La Veranda for a breakfast with @LoRi and then everyone just dispersed and did whatever it was that took their fancy in that moment in time.
Have to say that our views of the Canal Transit were breath-taking. Certainly a stark contrast between the east and west - the Nile providing water and opportunities for large towns and cities and extensive greening and agriculture. Separated by just the narrowed width of the canal was the bleak nothingness of the Asian side - long lines of sand and sand and sand. All this "whiteness" makes it a challenge for the photos. Waved and called to the fishermen who bravely trolled the waters and although we noted guard towers at regular intervals, definitely no sign of pirates (well, that's a relief.)
Appreciative that we have this transit of 120 kms (or is it miles) in daylight - moving at a relative snail's pace of 8 knots (prevents erosion) that takes approximately 12 hours to complete - in a convey with cruise ships in front of us and trailing in our wake. In the wider sections of Great Bitter Lake we were joined on the expanse of water with lots of cargo and freight transporters but in the narrower sections the canal was now "one way" so we occasionally caught sight of vessels between the gaps in the sand dunes as they travelled north on their journey.
There are no lock systems here - it is a straight waterway which drains seawater from Port Said to Suez. The northern reach has water movement controlled in response to the seasons but south of Great Bitter Lake the water movement is influenced by the tide of the Red Sea. Would have loved to have one of those "geo tagged" commentaries available on the Information Channel that explained the highlights as we traversed - there were just so many things that we saw that we did not understand. More reading or more documentaries when we get home.
Just cruising
So much on offer if you want to participate - of course, the gym and exercise classes for those interested, information lectures about the upcoming port (which is recorded and played on the TV), bingo, outdoor deck games, card and poker championships, movie screenings, bingo and trivia sessions, dance and even culinary classes, entertainment, eating, drinking, spa treatments, saunas, pools and hot tubs - the whole kit and kaboodle. But most importantly for me - EMBROIDERY classes - I had my alarm set and the group was on high alert to get me there on time! @Loraine joined me and we met up with about 12 ladies for a little bit of craftiness. Was coincidentally a music trivia challenge on in the same venue and although we didn't officially enter - @Loraine was a whiz.
Was only three takers for the pool deck lunch today but we all rocked up for the 3 pm champers and snacks on the balcony. @Mac was in charge of popping the cork and as he undid the wire frame holding in the cork - it sort of "spontaneously combusted" - it just flew off and ricocheted against the wall. Lucky it didn't take someone's eye out and @Loraine quipped "That noise could have started a war here!:
Probably not too far off the mark either as we note that in the latter sections of the canal, access is limited by a continuous wall and there are strategically and regularly placed "towers." Additionally we did receive a note in our staterooms this evening warning of the risk of pirates in the coming days as we make our way into the Red Sea and of an upcoming drill combined with assurances that Regent is protected by an International Task Force. There was also a request to keep lights off where possible in and curtains drawn in the coming days. Serious business here ahead - we will be 100% compliant.
Dinner saw us back at the Pacific Rim for new choices of seafood, curries and laksas - all with personalised level of spices. Still as delicately satisfying to the palate as the first night. The dinner was interrupted by a shipboard announcement (we haven't had one of those before) to advise that because shore plan timings could not be adjusted in Jordan, we did have to move our clocks forward. And just like that, sipping our coffee it jumped from 9 o'clock to 10 o'clock. Meant that our early start was now "relatively" for 5.45 and it was a unanimous vote for skipping the show (sad, because it was a tap duo!). So many hard choices.
Parted ways - adjusted the alarms, set up the backpack and laid out the clothes. Tomorrow is the big ticket - bucket list item for @Mac. Petra, here we come.
PS @Captain Luca has signed a certificate verifying that we have transited the Suez Canal - think we definitely need a plan for the Panama now. Hint, hint.
Weather: 25 with hints of clouds
Steps: 5 046 - that is lazy!
#RegentSevenSeasExplorer #RegentSevenSeas #RegentCruise
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