My memories of Suez Canal

Hi! This is my first post in #haveyoubeenhere 😄. I hope you would find this post entertaining. Let's go!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to navigate through the Suez Canal?

Let me show you some pictures during the time I was there.

To give you a background, I was a seafarer before I went to law school. Our ship would take this route (Suez Canal) so we could reach Europe faster if we’re coming from Asia. On the way to the Suez Canal, we would conduct anti-piracy measures to prevent pirate attacks along the Gulf of Aden.

This is me on a lookout for possible pirate boats approaching. Argh! ☠️ Although I belong to the engine department, the deck department sometimes borrows us to add more men for anti-piracy measures.

I would also take pictures of the sunrise and sunset during my watch. Too bad I couldn't capture the moment when the sun kissed the horizon.

Land at last! The best indicator that we're nearing Suez Canal is that sand would be all over our deck. Not to mention the sand in our eyes! 😎

Upon entering the canal, all I could see was sand, sand, and sand.

During our navigation, merchants would go aboard our vessel to sell souvenirs. These items would range from 1$ magnets up to 50$ wooden Egyptian Gods figurines.

Finally! Some green and civilization 😄

I wasn't aware of the existence of swing bridges 'til that moment 😅.

Any idea what these are? These looked like missile pods to me, but I'm sure that these are completely different from what I thought.

Presenting: The Al Salam Bridge. I was awestruck the first time I saw this. This was the first time I've ever come across a bridge where I cannot see where it starts and ends!

We're almost at the exit of the Canal. Duty Calls!
Sorry for the messy uniform. I work for the engineering department, and it gets messy sometimes...or often 🤣

As we're about to exit the canal, it gets wider...and lonelier. No more houses and only a little to few green life.

The last inhabited island I saw after we left the canal.

After leaving the canal, we're all set to go full speed towards Europe.

Ahh...the memories flood back each time I browse through my pictures. I sometimes miss the sound of the ocean and the waves crashing against the hull of our ship. Will fate lead me back? Or will my desire for my dreams of being a lawyer keep me on track?

I hope I was able to give you a good glimpse of what it's like to traverse there 😄.

Thank you for reading my first post in #haveyoubeenhere !