Comments on blogg.

During our time in Egypt we did not have much access to internet. The comments posted on the blogg some how got threw to me though and they were much appreciated! So thanks to all for comments and letting me know who is reading!

Next stop Tel Aviv

After a good and mostly relaxing week in Ashkelon we headed north to Tel Aviv. We said good bye to some very friendly "live aboards" from the marina. Also in Tel Aviv we have been well recieved by the people living on their boats.  About 1.2 million live in the center of Tel Aviv. Here there are too big beaches but more people and the location right in front of the growing city makes for a much more urban feeling. The city seems to have a international poulation and bee a popular holiday resort for many.

Our routines are similar to Ashkelon with us spending time on the beach. Both the kids love it. We also celebrated Edvards 5th birthday on the boat. Three guests was just super and I think it was a memorable day for Edvard.

We plan on staying here until Saturday when we will head north to Haifa before crossing over to cyprus.

Jerusalem

We made the trip to Jerusalem today. The history and atmosphere makes an impression. As does travelling in Israel. Many of the soldiers on leave still carry their weapons with them. It takes time getting used to.

The Old City of Jerusalem has many holy sites for muslims, jews and christians. We mainly visited the church of the holy sepulchure. The old city has different areas for each religion. I could have spent alot longer time here. With the kids a day was ok. Edvard most of all talks about his coming birthday but of course the history from ancient Jerusalem also interests. I guess Ingrid is most pleased once wes are back on the boat and she can wonder round and gather things in her bag. Me and Janna are very happy to have made the trip.

Tomorrow is Yum Kippur. The holiest of all holidays in judaism. No cars on the roads and a 24 hour fasting of food and water among other things. We aim for a restful day.

La Familia

Slik ser den fantastiske, sjødyktige  skuta ut.

Bilder

Noen bilder fra El Tor og videre oppover.

Oppsummering

Det har vart noen gode uker på La Familia nå siden vi reparerte motoren. Her kommer en liten oppsummering fra vi forlot El Tor. Vi har sett mange delfiner men spesielt utenfor Sinai var det store fine delfiner som lekte foran oss på båten.

Etter fire dager med seilas og fire spennende netter på ankring kom vi til Suez. Her begynner Suezkanalen og det er masse store skip å følge med på. Det er mest jeg som syns det er kult da! Vi benyttet anledningen til å dra til Cairo og ride på kamel og se de fasinerende  4000 år gamle pyramidene.

I selve kanalen kom vi veldig nært de møtende skipene og bølgene de lagde var så store at man ble helt bløt hvis man satt foran på båten.

Siste by i Egypt var Port Said her slutter kanalen og etter at losen hadde fått sin gave og blitt hentet av losbåten satte vi kurs mot Ashkelon i Israel. Seilasen tok 28 timer og Edvard sov ute under stjerneklar himmel i sittbrunnen! Her i Askelon har det blitt masse bading og litt roligere dager på stranda. Deilig for alle!

Israel.

We are now safely moored in Ashkelon. All well with us all.

Ismailia.

Were are anchoured for the night outside Ismailia. Finally departed Suez after beeing delayed one day due to passage of battleship of unknown nationality. We were in doubt wether it was actually true that this was the reson for our delay. But sure enough at 1400 it passed without any visable flagg flying. We made the best of it and relaxed on the boat. I also made to trips to stock up on provisions.

Tomorrow we head for Port Said and the Med.

Camels and pyramids

Our first day back on land was an eventfull one! We had arranged to be taken to Cairo and the pyramids with a driver and car. Cairo has 10 million inhabitants and the traffic was intence.  We had not planned the 2 hour camel ride but could not say no when we had the chance. I guess it was a way for our guide to make some extra money as he also was paid by the cameldealer we were brought to. We all enjoyed the high camels and the ride through the dessert landscape. The pyramids are facinating and their location right next to old Cairo makes the timeless experience even stronger. What effort did it demand to have them built? I read it took 100000 men 20 year to build one of them! 

Expenses have increased as we get closer to our Canal transit. Fuel was alot more expensive here compaired to El Tor were we brought it out in jerrycans to the boat in the dingy. Departure is tomorrow around 11. One stop overnight in Ismailia and then tuesday further north to Port Said and the Med. Looking forward to that!

Arrived port Suez!

After 22 days we finally arrived at Suez Yacht Club today at 13.00. We are euphoric! 22 days at anchour. 22 days without showering. 22 days of trying to sail north against the constant northwesterly winds. Often at gale force. We have repaired the engine and overcome our own doubts of if we actually could make it to Suez.

Now that we are here we can also look back at some fantastic anchourages,  meeting masses of friendly people, sunsets, the full moon and of course salty bathing plus much much more.

Despite our doubts when in El Tor we have been optimstic and often commented on the wind. "Its just an early morning gust of wind", "after lunch it will weaken", "this evening it surely will bee calm", "tomorrow...". And so many times we set out and hoisted sails only to realise the wind still was blowing down the Gulf of Suez. Between the high mountains of Sinai and the mainland of Egypt. Not stopping us from reaching Suez, just slowing us down enough to gives time to dwell with the thought what if we never reach Europe.

The approach today was exciting. Passing the huge tankerships at anchour, the bulkships with their cranes and seeing the big containerships heading for China and the far East.

We made it to Suez and are heading towards Europe. But still happy to be in Egypt.

Delfiner og mindre vind

Endelig kom vi oss avgårde fra El Tor. Det har vart noen deilige dager kombinert med stress rundt motorn og hva som har feilet den. Jeg har gjort det meste av vedlikehold man kan gjøre på kjølesystemet. Og det kan nå etter to dager uten alarm se ut som rensingen av ferskvanns kjølingen har hjulpet. Vi er nå ankret på Ras Budran og har to eller tre dager til Suez. Turens første overskyede dag idag! God stemning ombord likevel!

Ingrid 2 år

Ingrid feiret sin toårsdag i går!  Det ble en fin dag med gosaker fra morgen til kveld. Fruktsalat m engelsk vaniljesaus, custard. Sjokoladekake med mnms. Bading fra båt og på strand. Jeg var som jeg pleier en tur i byen for å ordne mobiltelefon og middagsmat. Siden vi ligger til ankar tar vi jollen i land. Vann fyller vi på 20 literskanner og frakter tilbake.