Work on the current canal began in 1858 and was opened 11 years later under Egyptian control but the British commandeered the waterway in 1882. Egypt regained control during the revolution of 1952 but later there was an attempt by an allegiance of Britain, France and Israel to take it back resulting in a closure from 1967 to 1973 when it was returned to Egyptian control.
We travelled through the Suez Canal from about 5am in the morning thought to 3pm in the afternoon. The first part of the canal took us from the Red Sea to the bitter lakes then after the bitter lakes there was a long time on the canal.
Along the way there were monuments to building the canal including one from ancient Egyptian times where a canal was built across to the Nile river. As well there was a monument to one of the wars with Israel.
There were many car ferries across the canal as well as a large bridge – not sure why there were ferries right near the bridge.
And at the Mediterranean end of the canal there was a rather crowded beach.
