Transiting the Suez Canal & Sharm El Sheik, Egypt

Yesterday (11/15), we began our transit of the Suez Canal bright and early. Too early for me to catch the beginning of it, but since it took about seven hours to go through the whole thing, I did catch the majority of the crossing. I had taken a book out to the main deck, but it became apparent very quickly that flies were going to be a major problem, so I returned to my cabin and watched from my window.

I also decided to brave the flies and eat outside on the pool deck and watched as our convoy of ships slowly made our way through the canal. We passed massive container ships and tankers all along the way, and it was interesting to see where are the ships were from and guess where they were going and what their cargo was!

We eventually got through the canal and slowly made our way to our next port. I ate dinner at the chic French restaurant on board with new friends, and afterwards enjoyed the Motown show the entertainers put on for us. It was a great show and afterwards I got another chance to hang out with the cast. It was a fun evening, but ended far too early due to the fact that I had to be up early the following morning.

As I got up the next morning, we were arriving in Sharm El Sheik, the capital if the Egyptian Red Sea Riviera. I had pre-booked a private transfer and tour of St. Catherine's Monastery. The driver and guide were waiting for me and we were off! The drive to the monastery, one of the oldest in the world, and built at the foot of Mt. Sinai and Mt. Moses, took about two and a half hours, and the rocky landscape along the way was more than enough to keep me interested and occupied. We arrived and walked to the monastery. Once inside you could see the alleged "burning bush" and a beautiful Greek Orthodox Church which housed some extremely impressive icons.

Most of the monastery was off-limits to pilgrims and tourists alike, but what was open was very nice. On the way out I saw an interesting site: a monk, in full monk attire on a tractor. I quickly snapped a picture because that was a site I didn't expect to see and probably won't ever see again in my life!

On the way back we stopped at another town to do some shopping and have lunch. We then continued back to the ship where another dinner and Cabaret show by the performers in the evening kept us entertained for the rest of the night!

Tomorrow we head to Aqaba, Jordan where most people will get off the ship to see Petra. Since I have already visited Petra, I will hang around Aqaba. I have been there before and had the best shwarma of my life, so I am going to try to retrace my steps and find the little hole in the wall restaurant again!!!