We have always wanted to travel the Suez Canal and when a good deal came up on the Cunard Line “Queen Mary” for January 2013 we jumped at the chance. We flew to London, hopped on a bus to Southampton and spent a day enjoying that city, and next day we boarded the ship.
A very enjoyable time aboard, enjoying a beautiful ship
Those funny looking things in the front of the ship are called “The Captains Cufflinks” which really are how they carry spare propeller blades. We spent a while trying to work out what they really where. And a ship with a proper aft, one that has pools and deck space for enjoying, not decks and decks of money making cabins.
We loved the interior and interested in how there were walls depicting murals from countries all over the world, hence the interest in the Australian ones. So many quiet places to sit and relax. Just a beautiful and tastefully furnished ship.
The fact that this ship has a real Promenade Deck brings back memories of older times.. Not found on many ships these days. You know most often have to walk through areas to get from port to starboard. Just not the same.
On through the Bay of Biscay and past the Rock of Gibraltar to make a stop at Barcelona.
Couldn’t get over all the stalls selling chillies as we walked up La Rambla
How Gaudi gets so much appreciation for his design of buildings we don’t understand. The Cathedral and some of his other works we just could not see the beauty in.
Next stop was the island of Crete
Easy to see that fishing is the livelyhood of this village
Then in the early hours of the morning we were in the Canal. We could hear the sounds of the call to prayer in the darkness. Very eerie.
It was a wonderful day just sitting on our balcony on the starboard side watching the country side passing. Lucky too that our side of the ship was much more interesting than the endless desert on the other.
The above monument is the monument to victory the Egyptians built when they were beaten by Israel in the six day war. Then the ferries loaded with vehicles waiting to cross as soon as we had passed.
It was a little scary looking back and seeing how eager they were to pass across behind us. Thinking all along are we going to clear them but no doubt they are doing this endless times a day. The canal was very busy. A long line of ships behind us
Then we were through into the Bitter Lakes and soon our wonderful day was over.
We made the three hour bus trip to Cairo to see the Pyramids. Another wonderful day.
There always has to be one self portrait
On another day we left our ship and with another long bus trip we crossed the Nile and made a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Karnak.
We arrived in Dubai and said farewell to Mary and also saw the QE2 sitting forlornly at her dock. Wonder what will become of her
Had to visit the Gold Souk and of course Magnolia Bakery
Then of course to the top of the worlds tallest building the Barj Kalifa but still not a big enough lens to get it in.
The view looking down from the top
Then a ride on a river boat
A four wheel drive trip out into the desert to finish off a great time
A flight home from Dubai via Singapore and straight into booking the “Other Canal” Panama is next on the list.
