Israel.

We are now safely moored in Ashkelon. All well with us all.

Ismailia.

Were are anchoured for the night outside Ismailia. Finally departed Suez after beeing delayed one day due to passage of battleship of unknown nationality. We were in doubt wether it was actually true that this was the reson for our delay. But sure enough at 1400 it passed without any visable flagg flying. We made the best of it and relaxed on the boat. I also made to trips to stock up on provisions.

Tomorrow we head for Port Said and the Med.

Camels and pyramids

Our first day back on land was an eventfull one! We had arranged to be taken to Cairo and the pyramids with a driver and car. Cairo has 10 million inhabitants and the traffic was intence.  We had not planned the 2 hour camel ride but could not say no when we had the chance. I guess it was a way for our guide to make some extra money as he also was paid by the cameldealer we were brought to. We all enjoyed the high camels and the ride through the dessert landscape. The pyramids are facinating and their location right next to old Cairo makes the timeless experience even stronger. What effort did it demand to have them built? I read it took 100000 men 20 year to build one of them! 

Expenses have increased as we get closer to our Canal transit. Fuel was alot more expensive here compaired to El Tor were we brought it out in jerrycans to the boat in the dingy. Departure is tomorrow around 11. One stop overnight in Ismailia and then tuesday further north to Port Said and the Med. Looking forward to that!

Arrived port Suez!

After 22 days we finally arrived at Suez Yacht Club today at 13.00. We are euphoric! 22 days at anchour. 22 days without showering. 22 days of trying to sail north against the constant northwesterly winds. Often at gale force. We have repaired the engine and overcome our own doubts of if we actually could make it to Suez.

Now that we are here we can also look back at some fantastic anchourages,  meeting masses of friendly people, sunsets, the full moon and of course salty bathing plus much much more.

Despite our doubts when in El Tor we have been optimstic and often commented on the wind. "Its just an early morning gust of wind", "after lunch it will weaken", "this evening it surely will bee calm", "tomorrow...". And so many times we set out and hoisted sails only to realise the wind still was blowing down the Gulf of Suez. Between the high mountains of Sinai and the mainland of Egypt. Not stopping us from reaching Suez, just slowing us down enough to gives time to dwell with the thought what if we never reach Europe.

The approach today was exciting. Passing the huge tankerships at anchour, the bulkships with their cranes and seeing the big containerships heading for China and the far East.

We made it to Suez and are heading towards Europe. But still happy to be in Egypt.

Delfiner og mindre vind

Endelig kom vi oss avgårde fra El Tor. Det har vart noen deilige dager kombinert med stress rundt motorn og hva som har feilet den. Jeg har gjort det meste av vedlikehold man kan gjøre på kjølesystemet. Og det kan nå etter to dager uten alarm se ut som rensingen av ferskvanns kjølingen har hjulpet. Vi er nå ankret på Ras Budran og har to eller tre dager til Suez. Turens første overskyede dag idag! God stemning ombord likevel!

Ingrid 2 år

Ingrid feiret sin toårsdag i går!  Det ble en fin dag med gosaker fra morgen til kveld. Fruktsalat m engelsk vaniljesaus, custard. Sjokoladekake med mnms. Bading fra båt og på strand. Jeg var som jeg pleier en tur i byen for å ordne mobiltelefon og middagsmat. Siden vi ligger til ankar tar vi jollen i land. Vann fyller vi på 20 literskanner og frakter tilbake.