Convoy to Hurghada
The drive back to Hurghada in the convoy is fascinating. They do 3 of these trips a day. We had at least 50 vehicles in our convoy which is usual. It is very well organized, leaving on time and having an organized break in the middle of the trip.
We pass through fertile land fed by canals of the Nile as we leave Luxor. There is great activity with sugar cane in these areas, including trains carting it away. Then the landscape changes to dry, arid desert. Some hours later as we get nearer the coast the landscape changes again to rocky and then steep, rocky mountains. As we come out of this we can see the coast and are soon back in Hurghada. Our driver hasn't been here since he lived here 2 years ago, so we spend some time finding the marina which is new.
Lunch break scenes
We pass through fertile land fed by canals of the Nile as we leave Luxor. There is great activity with sugar cane in these areas, including trains carting it away. Then the landscape changes to dry, arid desert. Some hours later as we get nearer the coast the landscape changes again to rocky and then steep, rocky mountains. As we come out of this we can see the coast and are soon back in Hurghada. Our driver hasn't been here since he lived here 2 years ago, so we spend some time finding the marina which is new.
The driving of this trip is extraordinary. Every driver wants to be in the lead behind the first police truck and constantly vie for this position. Our driver is at the front for the second leg and this is fine until other vehicles try to break in. He then tries not to let them. It seems very dangerous when cars or trucks are coming in the opposite direction. One car finally did pull in ahead of us when waved in by the police. At the end of the convoy our car and the other driver are pulled over. Our driver is free to go but the other driver is detained for his erratic driving.
It takes some time to organize customs today (they did come by last night when we're looking for dinner). Also, only a few at the marina spoke decent English which didn't help. (We are always conscious of the fact we are unable to speak their language. We have bought a small Egyptian phrase and etiquette book but we never have it with us when we most need it.) We are finally free to leave at 1.30pm. We motor out into the Straits of Gubai and into the Gulf of Suez.
At 5.30pm we have another 18n.miles to go to our planned destination, but with the 20 kts. of wind on the nose and not being able to arrive until after dark we drop anchor at Bluff Pt. on the very small Gubal Is. It has sand dunes over a rock base and a lighthouse. There are several up-market dive boats here and another yacht. There is an excellent wall dive here. We are a bit fussy now after snorkeling in the warmer, pristine waters further south, especially with this strong wind.
Ross changes the fuel filters here. He's becoming a bit of a natural.
The forecasts are inconsistent. Instead of the forecast minimal winds during the night they come up to 25kts. so we are pleased we anchored when we did. We leave Bluff Pt. at midday when the winds have dropped to 15-20 kts. and we are supposed to have the current with us by 2pm.
The forecast is for the winds to drop this afternoon and then be minimal through to Friday, so we plan to do the overnight sail to Port Suez. So far these forecasts have not been correct: now the winds are up to 23 kts. and we are not quite straight into it. We have the mainsail up to steady the boat. The waterway is not very wide here and we can see land on each side.
There are many oil rigs, and cargo ships in the traffic separation zone.
We cross to the east side of this zone as several people have advised us this is more protected. We have steeper waves as we cross. Now we are passing by the coast of Sinai Peninsular. There is a very hazy outlook over a desolate and harsh landscape with sand dunes rising up to rocky, razor backed mountains. This is sound advice as the wind drops 2 hours later back to 18kts. and the waves subside to half a meter. We have dinner watching a soft sunset over the Sinai coast.
It is now more rocky and rugged down to the sea with very few signs of habitation. There seem to be just a few outposts associated with the oil rigs. Looking across to the west coast we can see many more oil rigs and their flares, especially now it is getting darker.
It is now more rocky and rugged down to the sea with very few signs of habitation. There seem to be just a few outposts associated with the oil rigs. Looking across to the west coast we can see many more oil rigs and their flares, especially now it is getting darker.
This is the coast line we traveled along in the bus to Cairo.
We have a most unpleasant night. The wind comes up again and we are slapping into it. Then the radar and chart plotter go out at 2am. So much for this fancy, expensive equipment! This may be a well respected company but we are not impressed at all. Luckily with the time difference Ross can contact Mark in Sydney. Ross is able to ascertain it is the scanner that is the problem and is able to get the chart plotter going again. It is now 2.30am. so we have until daybreak to run without the radar.
Fortunately, we have passed most of the rigs marked on the chart and can still travel just outside the shipping channel.
