My Egypt Days : Photologue

TaureanBull · 5th July 2010, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by _raviShankar_

Great thread here TaureanBull.
This thread will surely be helpful for any TBHPian planning to visit Egypt.
Glad to know that it is a very safe place.
How do you rate the roads there in Egypt? Are they better than what we have in India?

The roads in Egypt are same as in India. The highways and city roads are good. Rural roads are bad. They dont have system of Traffic lights except in the heart of city where roads can not be broadened. The roundabouts and U-turns take care of the turns. Traffic is pretty fast.

I have just came back from my trip. I will post about it as soon as I can.

TaureanBull · 5th July 2010, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian Ranger

Thank you for wonderfully capturing the history of Egypt and opening the doors for us to see inside the pyramids.

It sure is an eye-opener.

Thanks for you appreciation.

As told before, we planned to go to Ismailia today. With everything tied up, all bags ready, I get a call from the driver sharp at 8AM that he is ready on the road.

It was the same vehicle which I had taken two days before to Saqqarah (the second car). We loaded our bags and left after 5mins. I had to go to the ATM, so I asked him to take me to the nearest ATM. But it involved getting into the city traffic. Lost about half an hour.

We get on the course of our journey at 8:40AM. The road is reasonably good. There is desert on both the sides of the highway, but next to the road concrete jungle is coming up throughout. At about 10 AM we enter the Ismailia Governate and there is a toll tax gate. LE 10/- one way (included in taxi fare).

Surprisingly, there is lot of greenery as we move closer to the city. Both sides we can see plant nurseries, mango orchards and trees on the road.

The Toll Gate

Road to Ismailia

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 00:16

There are three canal citys (Suways/Suez Canal) viz Port Said at the northern mouth, Ismailia in the centre and Suez in the south. Ismailia is the biggest of them all. It was established by Khedive Ismail when the canal was being constructed.

The Suez canal construction began in 1859 to connect East with West by a French company. The digging of canal took 10 years and forced labour (mostly Egyptians) of more than a million. Several thousands perished while working. The canal was completed in 1869 and it dramatically reduced the distance between East & West.

There were tensions several time over the canal. The Suez Crisis 1953 mainly with French and UK. The canal was closed during tensions with Israel. Presently, the canal is with Egypt under Suez Canal Company.

The Suez Canal is approx 300m wide (width varies), about 8m deep and 165km long. (Can not imagine how people dug that out!!!). Its one way. There is by-passing place in Great Bitter Lake.

As we turned from Cairo-Port Said highway towards Ismailia we saw the statue commemorating the construction of Suways. (In arabic its Suways).

The 'Right Turn'

The Statue

Map in Front of statue showing the digging of canal by red dots

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 00:31

The driver is not conversant with Ismailia. So,he asks people for the final route to the canal. The first one is a fruit seller. I utilise this time to capture pic of his possessions.

Any take on the name of this fruit?

The driver takes few turns here and there and reaches south of Lake Timsah (connects to Suways). I tell him to find the exact route to the canal. While he is busy I get out of the car and shoot in the area around.

Busy at work in the morning

Bridge over the Lake

The lake

Corniche

Fresh fishes at a nearby seller's shop

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 01:30

The driver founds the direction and we head for the canal. But to visit canal you have to go through a club. There is no open shore of canal. We go to the "Beach Club" (Nady Shawty).

Entrance fees : LE 15/- per person for full day. Kids no charge. Chairs/umbrellas/gazebo included.

Main Entrance

Walk to the Beach

Another Gate

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 01:39

We are ready for a beach outing. Swimming costumes, tube for daughter and beach ball. My daughter is excited on the prospects of spending the day at the canal/beach. We pick up a corner gazebo and settle down. We get our first look of the canal. More on canal later on. I take some time to explore the beauty of the beach and the club.

Some shots of the many....

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 12:44

We settle down in a nearby gazebo. Wife gets busy in unpacking items. My daughter is too excited to jump into the water. I am also excited to see the huge shipping containers crossing from Red Sea to Mediterranean (at that point the traffic was from South to North) in a not so broad canal. The ships slowly sail through the canal. There is a pilot boat to guide the ships and clear the canal. There are people swimming, people in row boats catching fish and a ferry operating.

The Canal

Approaching Ship and Boys Ready to Jump

The Pilot Boat Moving to Guide the Ship In the background, its a ferry to cross the canal.

The Approaching Ship

Comes in Front.........

Gone.....!!!

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 13:03

Daughter is getting impatient and eager to jump in the water. So, we change to swim suits and get in the water. We play around in water, make sand castles and watch the ships passing by after a gap of 10-15 mins.

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 13:16

Some information...

BTW, Suez Canal also separates African Continent from Asia.

Asia From Africa

The water on the right side of small sand bump is Lake Timsah drawing its waters from the canal.

The sand dunes on the opposite side.

The War Memorial Built in the memory of Egyptian soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1973 war. Its located on the Asian side (Sinai).

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 13:22

We are in the waters and beating the heat. The crowd is less being a working day and working hours. I catch some pics as my daughter is busy swimming and playing with her beach ball.

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 13:42

I am bored. I leave my daughter under the care of wife. I set out to talk with people. The first one who caught my eye was a man busy in fishing. I approach him and we exchange greetings. Wheeeww......he has the first catch of the day. He is excited. I would have caught some more pics. But he told me that photography in this area is discouraged. Not exactly prohibited. But some body appearing too keen on the pics may attract some inquiry/investigation. I did not have any such plan esp being a foreigner. I used my camera carefully there after.

The Catch and a Crossing Ship in the Background

He introduced me to a bunch of boys who go in their boats with face masks, jump deep inside the canal and catch the starfishes by hand. There were almost 20 starfishes lying on the boat. One star fish LE 5/-. You can get prepared in the club restaurant and eat or dry it up and use for decoration. Both options were not my cup of tea. I just hold one of the fish to get the feeling. My daughter too joins me. very excited to see a live (almost dying) starfish.

Upside Down

Up Side Up...On the Sand

As soon as I put the fish on sand to catch a pic. The boy jumps to pick it up else it gets washed in the water and he loses 5LE.

LongDrive lover · 6th July 2010, 14:23

Tarueanbull. Excellent photos of that historical canal and also useful info about it. Those canal/beach side pics are very inviting. Keep them coming.

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

Tarueanbull. Excellent photos of that historical canal and also useful info about it. Those canal/beach side pics are very inviting. Keep them coming.

Thanks for the motivation.

Yes, the place is beautiful. At the other two canal cities i.e. Port Said and Suez you can see huge number of ships lined up for getting into the canal. However, here they quietly passby.

Yes..more pics coming up.

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 16:04

Here are some ships crossing the canal. Most of them loaded, few empty. They were so quite that you would not know a ship is passing by. Can not see a ship sailing by so close.

TaureanBull · 6th July 2010, 16:37

I am working on a video of the ship crossing at the canal which I will post later on.

We were pretty tired by about 4pm. We packed our stuff. I was disappointed to know that there was nothing else to visit in Ismailia. We left at 5pm finally from Ismailia. The drive was longer this time as there were evening jams specially in Cairo. We finally managed to reach back at 7PM.

Cost of taxi : LE 400 + LE 30 (Baksheesh). I found it to be slightly expensive and not the best was to go to Ismailia if one has to see only the Canal.

Here are some pics which I captured on my way back.

Ismailia Taxi in Orange

Ismailia Mango Shop on the Roadside

Ripe Pumpkins

6th July 2010, 00:16	#138
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia There are three canal citys (Suways/Suez Canal) viz Port Said at the northern mouth, Ismailia in the centre and Suez in the south. Ismailia is the biggest of them all. It was established by Khedive Ismail when the canal was being constructed. The Suez canal construction began in 1859 to connect East with West by a French company. The digging of canal took 10 years and forced labour (mostly Egyptians) of more than a million. Several thousands perished while working. The canal was completed in 1869 and it dramatically reduced the distance between East & West. There were tensions several time over the canal. The Suez Crisis 1953 mainly with French and UK. The canal was closed during tensions with Israel. Presently, the canal is with Egypt under Suez Canal Company. The Suez Canal is approx 300m wide (width varies), about 8m deep and 165km long. (Can not imagine how people dug that out!!!). Its one way. There is by-passing place in Great Bitter Lake. As we turned from Cairo-Port Said highway towards Ismailia we saw the statue commemorating the construction of Suways. (In arabic its Suways). The 'Right Turn' The Statue Map in Front of statue showing the digging of canal by red dots
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 00:31	#139
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia The driver is not conversant with Ismailia. So,he asks people for the final route to the canal. The first one is a fruit seller. I utilise this time to capture pic of his possessions. Any take on the name of this fruit? The driver takes few turns here and there and reaches south of Lake Timsah (connects to Suways). I tell him to find the exact route to the canal. While he is busy I get out of the car and shoot in the area around. Busy at work in the morning Bridge over the Lake The lake Corniche Fresh fishes at a nearby seller's shop
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 01:30	#140
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal The driver founds the direction and we head for the canal. But to visit canal you have to go through a club. There is no open shore of canal. We go to the "Beach Club" (Nady Shawty). Entrance fees : LE 15/- per person for full day. Kids no charge. Chairs/umbrellas/gazebo included. Main Entrance Walk to the Beach Another Gate
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 01:39	#141
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal We are ready for a beach outing. Swimming costumes, tube for daughter and beach ball. My daughter is excited on the prospects of spending the day at the canal/beach. We pick up a corner gazebo and settle down. We get our first look of the canal. More on canal later on. I take some time to explore the beauty of the beach and the club. Some shots of the many....
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 12:44	#142
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal We settle down in a nearby gazebo. Wife gets busy in unpacking items. My daughter is too excited to jump into the water. I am also excited to see the huge shipping containers crossing from Red Sea to Mediterranean (at that point the traffic was from South to North) in a not so broad canal. The ships slowly sail through the canal. There is a pilot boat to guide the ships and clear the canal. There are people swimming, people in row boats catching fish and a ferry operating. The Canal Approaching Ship and Boys Ready to Jump The Pilot Boat Moving to Guide the Ship In the background, its a ferry to cross the canal. The Approaching Ship Comes in Front......... Gone.....!!!
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 13:03	#143
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal Daughter is getting impatient and eager to jump in the water. So, we change to swim suits and get in the water. We play around in water, make sand castles and watch the ships passing by after a gap of 10-15 mins.
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 13:16	#144
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal Some information... BTW, Suez Canal also separates African Continent from Asia. Asia From Africa The water on the right side of small sand bump is Lake Timsah drawing its waters from the canal. The sand dunes on the opposite side. The War Memorial Built in the memory of Egyptian soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1973 war. Its located on the Asian side (Sinai).
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 13:22	#145
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal We are in the waters and beating the heat. The crowd is less being a working day and working hours. I catch some pics as my daughter is busy swimming and playing with her beach ball.
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 13:42	#146
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal I am bored. I leave my daughter under the care of wife. I set out to talk with people. The first one who caught my eye was a man busy in fishing. I approach him and we exchange greetings. Wheeeww......he has the first catch of the day. He is excited. I would have caught some more pics. But he told me that photography in this area is discouraged. Not exactly prohibited. But some body appearing too keen on the pics may attract some inquiry/investigation. I did not have any such plan esp being a foreigner. I used my camera carefully there after. The Catch and a Crossing Ship in the Background He introduced me to a bunch of boys who go in their boats with face masks, jump deep inside the canal and catch the starfishes by hand. There were almost 20 starfishes lying on the boat. One star fish LE 5/-. You can get prepared in the club restaurant and eat or dry it up and use for decoration. Both options were not my cup of tea. I just hold one of the fish to get the feeling. My daughter too joins me. very excited to see a live (almost dying) starfish. Upside Down Up Side Up...On the Sand As soon as I put the fish on sand to catch a pic. The boy jumps to pick it up else it gets washed in the water and he loses 5LE.
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 14:23	#147
LongDrive lover BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 785 Thanked: 115 Times	Tarueanbull. Excellent photos of that historical canal and also useful info about it. Those canal/beach side pics are very inviting. Keep them coming.
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 16:04	#149
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal Here are some ships crossing the canal. Most of them loaded, few empty. They were so quite that you would not know a ship is passing by. Can not see a ship sailing by so close.
	() Thanks

6th July 2010, 16:37	#150
TaureanBull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,071 Thanked: 329 Times View My Garage	Ismailia : Suez Canal I am working on a video of the ship crossing at the canal which I will post later on. We were pretty tired by about 4pm. We packed our stuff. I was disappointed to know that there was nothing else to visit in Ismailia. We left at 5pm finally from Ismailia. The drive was longer this time as there were evening jams specially in Cairo. We finally managed to reach back at 7PM. Cost of taxi : LE 400 + LE 30 (Baksheesh). I found it to be slightly expensive and not the best was to go to Ismailia if one has to see only the Canal. Here are some pics which I captured on my way back. Ismailia Taxi in Orange Ismailia Mango Shop on the Roadside Ripe Pumpkins
	(1) Thanks