Turkey!

We had a quick transit through the Suez Canal with only one night stay in Ismailia. We had a very quick stop (20 minutes) in Port Said for the Egyptian Army to check the boat and we immediately started crossing the Mediterranean. Two and a half days and some stormy, rainy weather later, we were in Turkey! It is almost strange to be in a marina that is very western and full of Europeans. A little culture shift after our last few months. Though I have to say it is nice to enjoy the amenities- there is a washing machine here!
After almost 4 months and 4300 nautical miles, the Vasco da Gama Rally officially ends this Thursday. It has been a wonderful experience with great people along the way. I have been very fortunate to sail with Kikki & Henry - they are an incredible couple.
I hope to spend a few days seeing a bit of Turkey before I head back to Kwajalein. Trying to arrange flights from Alanya, Turkey to Kwajalein was quite challenging. It will travel for 5 days to get there with a one day layover in Hong Kong.
I think I would rather be sailing...

Port Suez, Giza & Cairo

We arrived in Port Suez and are in the process of getting ready to transit the Suez Canal. We will go from here to Ismailia, spend a night or two there and then continue to Port Said at the end north end of the Suez Canal. After that we will be crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
Yesterday we traveled by bus to Giza and Cairo for the day to see the pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mincerinus, the Sphinx and the Cairo Museum. Another great day viewing ancient wonders.

Typical Red Sea land view

Pyramids in the neighborhood

The pyramid of Cheops (I think this was his) 

 The pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mincerinus

Of course I had to ride a camel

Not the softest kisses

The Sphinx and pyramid of Chephren

Along the coast of the Sinai Peninsula

We crossed the Gulf of Suez and are traveling along the coast of the Sinai Peninsula. El Tur was our first anchorage on this side of the Red Sea. While at El Tur I was swimming in the harbor when I heard some noises underwater. When I stopped to look around I saw several dolphins swimming by - that made for a great afternoon.
As with much of the land along the Red Sea, the coast here is very dry and desolate though rather majestic. Quite a change from the tropics I have lived in for most of the past 7 years. 

El Tur

We arrived at El Tur yesterday afternoon. El Tur is a popular windsurfing and kite boarding destination. Unfortunately for the tourists here, there was almost no wind yesterday, maybe today will be more interesting.
I have not been able to do as much diving as I had hoped, but I did make a couple of dives in Port Ghalib with a local dive shop. The water here is a little chilly this time of year, 72-73 degrees F.  Brrrr! Yes, I  am a wimp when it comes to getting cold.  :)
Tomorrow the plan is to try to make up a little time and head for Port Suez. We'll see how well the wind cooperates.

The following pictures are from my dives in Port Ghalib.

Blue spotted ray (I know it's hard to see the blue spots in this picture)

Crocodile Fish

Tracy the turtle - this is her favorite spot

In the Gulf of Suez

We departed Hurghada yesterday and sailed/motored 27 miles north to anchor at South Qeisum. It was a rather surreal scene as we came into the anchorage. To the west were a number of oil production platforms, a boat behind them with around 6 kite boarders enjoying the early evening and behind that, the low mountains of Egypt. To the east we see the profile of the Sinai Peninsula. What an unique scene.

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