Browsed by
Day: 11 April 2008

Nile Delta area

Nile Delta area

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The Read Sea area from biblical prophecy where Moses led exodus across the marshes of the Nile delta.

All this land has been irrigated now.

Here is a picture of Bedouin herders in the Read sea area. The land here is in stark contrast to the deserts of the Sinai region.

This made for the most interesting drive so far on my journey. Here are some photo’s with fixes.

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irrigation water wheel

There were many of these water-wheels interspersed with deeper canals which criss-crossed the landscape. The water-wheels were used to drag water from the deeper channels onto the reclaimed land.

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Bedouin herdsmen

Bedouins exist in the desert. This is the first time I’ve seen them on the plains.

Port Said

Port Said

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Or port Sa  id as it is pronounced.

Sports the Mediterranean entrance to the world most lucrative stretch of water. The Suez canal.

Port Said is supported by a mixture of naval tradition and cruise ships which stop off.

Part of my journey is made along the canal which offered better views of the massive ships than I was expecting in Port Said.

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Suez Canal

Hotels

After some time travelling round sunesta and hotmellia couldn’t be bothered looking any further, and went for an Egyptian job costing $30. No Internet connection, hence no blogs for a couple of days.

Tourism

There isn’t much by way of tourism, but what is to be seen is easily taken in with one of the guides horse and carriage tours which last about 1 hr.

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This took me to the bazar, past the military museum, which was closed, past the chapel of st. Eustice and a couple of mosques.

Here are a couple of shots of town to give you the idea.

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Lighthouse, Port Sa-id
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War Memorial, Port Sa-id
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Caddilac, Port Sa-id

I would say Port Said would be worth visiting as a stop-off point.

If you want to see the ships, stick to the desert south of Said.

The Church of St. Anthony

The Church of St. Anthony

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Was fed by Ravens for over 10 years, a solitary raven brought St. Anthony, who lived to 105, half a loaf of bread each day until he died.

Background

St. Anthony roamed the desert for many years until he came across this the site of the first monastic tradition, started firstly by Anthony the followed by Paul and supported by Ravens.

Monasteries originated from the cave dwelling monks converging on the desert springs.

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St. Anthony’s Monastery

Later walls were built around them and the cave dwellers came out from their caves to form small communities this was brought about mostly from the need from survival mostly from the elements but sometimes attacking Bedouins drove the monks together, where otherwise they would have had solitary lives.

These monasteries are the first in the world.

They are St. Paul’s and St. Anthony’s.

Visiting times

Visiting times are from 4am till 4pm.

There are 131 monks living at the monastery at present, much of the building dates back to the 13th century and some has been restored with the help of USAid project. Notably the Byzantine fresco’s in the chapel of the St. Anthony restored by Italian artists. Some of the fresco’s date back as far as 6th century.

From here you can visit the gardens, the gates and also the spring which supported so many monks.

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Spring of St. Anthony

The spring supports 400l of water each day. St. Anthony used to live in a cave 200m above this spring until St. Paul arrived, at which point many more monks came to the area. The spring was able to support them also.

You are able to drink the spring water which is kind of metallic with a hint of phosphorus.

Shop

At the end of the trip you are invited to buy from the shop. As I enter music is turned on to add to the buying ambience. I buy some honey, a bottle of monastic wine and a postcard of a particularly ugly nurse shark.

There are many different gifts and languages.