Our transit of the Canal was set to start at 4 am, after being at anchor all night. Our convoy was assembled, 38 ships lined up waiting for the last vessel to come out of the canal from the north. It is one way and we are number three in the convoy. We have big car carrier in front and behind is huge container vessel.

Slobro was a bit sluggish getting out of bed which meant that we just missed the entrance into the Canal, despite it being 45 minutes later than planned. We saw the sun come up, over the Sinai Peninsular, as we passed the Canal sign.

It took some nine hours to travel up the Canal to Port Said at the Mediterranean Sea, averaging about 8 knots. Quite spectacular journey, much activity along the Canal particularly on the western side where significant infrastructure is underway for much of the entire length of the Canal.

A mural marks the spot where the Evergreen ship got stuck, blocking the Canal for weeks, a few years back.

Vehicle and rail tunnels have recently opened, as well as an irrigation tunnel taking water from the Nile River under the Canal to the west. A big industrial hub is being constructed on the Sinai side, supporting it is a new city under construction. Only, 220,000 units in hubs along the Canal aiming to have 340,000 in place by I think the end of 2025.

The buildings just go for kilometres along the Canal front. They seem to know how to get things done over here. Maybe, our politicians should have a study tour. Can’t see such a development on the upper reaches of the Brisbane River to address our housing issues getting the go ahead!

One could go on and on about what we saw along the Canal, Slobro said not to! Photos do a better job!

As we ventured out into the Mediterranean (above photo is looking back down the Canal) one might wonder what the builders of the Canal in the 1850/60s would think of it today. The Canal hastened the transformation of shipping from sail to steam, cutting weeks off the journey from Europe to Asia.

We are now out in the Mediterranean not far from Messina on Sicily, our next stop. Last evening we enjoyed a Neil Diamond tribute performer, some ladies got excited and stormed the mosh pit, Homealone resisted the urge. A memorable end to the Canal transit!

Slobro is eager to put up his map of the journey so far, quite proud of it he is. Such careful annotations!