Whoops , this was Wed Journey of Moses inpart

Wednesday June 18 – Into Egypt

Again pictures would not download. I'll keep trying.


Viewing the Red Sea at the Egypt /Israel border

It was bittersweet farewells in the morning as many hugged and wished the others “so long for now” and “may the travels be safe”, as we parted for four different directions from the Olive Tree Hotel. One group of 27 headed for Jordan and Petra, another heading back to USA via NYC later that day, a few lingering in Jerusalem and headed for the beach at Tel Aviv, and a group of five headed for Egypt, Cairo and a Nile River trip. The latter group will be missing Alverna Truax as she had limited movement in one leg and elected to go back with the USA group. Her “bud” Shirlee Cheers will travel with here.

As for the Egypt group we headed out to the same route for the fifth time that we took before all the way to Masada and beyond. Who do you think our driver was? It was Said again as he often makes this run for E.O. IT was good to have him. There is a great development of minerals from the Dead Sea and that creates a problem. Potassium, Magnesium to name a few. They are dug out and hauled to the plant which has stacks of minerals drying getting ready to be shipped all over the world. The problem is that the very source of the mineral is becoming less available and that is the water. So, a new plan is being developed by the surrounding countries which will place a tunnel from the Red Sea to allow water to flow to the Dead Sea. (Remember it is 1600 feet below sea level.)

The entry to Egypt is at Eliot at the north end of the Red Sea. Aqaba is across the water and these are the seaports that bring goods in and send them out to all of the Middle East and Africa. So that was our first destination and involved crossing the border into Egypt. IT was strangely quiet as there were few travelers this day, but things went fast and smoothly. The two check points for passports went smoothly and we met our guide for the EgypLarry, a Muislim who is bright and energetic.



Saladin’s Fortress (restored) from the time of the Crusades

From the bus we could see the border where Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Egypt come together at the north end of the Red Sea. The mountains of Saudi Arabia stand tall across the azure and blue of the Red Sea (It was not red!). A stop’ at a stone shop that turned rocks into beautiful Malachite was a short stop and although we did buy anything , Said got each one of us some samples of polished Amethyst. J

This part pf Egypt is becoming a very popular tourist and beachcomber center. For many miles along the Sea, the are small individual “bathhouses” that are rented by people for a day. IOT shields the sun (100-110 F) and provides some shelter from the wind. This went on for many miles . There were permanent residences closer to the road being built by the thousands. Then we moved away from the shoreline and headed into the middle of the Sinai Peninsula. Here we began to appreciate that the “Chosen People” had a very difficult time in this land orf rock and sand. NO wonder they disobeyed and lost their faith! IT is truly barren land with little water.
One of the stops for a stretch was at a Bedouin camp in what is called the Valley of the Gazelle. There had been many here but they are fewer now . The Valley is a flat one, sand swept that runs for many miles NE to SW. There is a Bedouin camp in the middle of it. One man was selling beautiful



Father Justinian at the St, Katherine (Greek Orthodox ) Monastery at the site of Moses ascent to Mt Sinai, He is the curator for the World’s oldest collection of Biblical references .Manuscripts date back to 500 AD. (See PBS program on this collection)

The Monastery and the Library.Then we arrived at St Catherine (Also spelled Katherine here) and as Larry had called ahead, we had bot reservations for a room at the motel there and more importantly were able to get in to se e the 1500 year old library which holds most of the world’s copies of ancient Bibles and “Holy Books”. This monastery was started in the 500’s (AD) and remains the most continuous used church in the world. We were able to see the original “burning bush” (Creosote bush) and the Mary’s well that has been there since Moses time. The Fr.Justin took us up to the Library. Larry said he had onlyt visited it a few times as it takes a lot of red tape to get permission. Usually about three months to obtain it. He was very excited to get to do this.In the library which we climbed the six flights of marble stairs to get to, were the worlds oldest copies (handwritten and printed) of Bibles and Holy Books. There are 3,000 volumes of the handwritten ones and two stories of other bookstand manuscripts running back 1500 years. IT is a world class exhibit and has been featured on PBS and in other movies. This was the treat of a lifetime. We lingered taking pictures of the trail that leads to Mt Sinai where Moses received the 10 commandments. More on this later.




A view of some of the 3,000 handwritten books the collection in the Library.(There are also thousands of printed ones. (Circa 500- 1800 AD)

We enjoyed the food at supper although we have been told not to eat anything that has not been cooked nor any uncooked veggies or food. (The change in stomach bacteria is the reason. Egyptians have “tough” stomach’s Harry said. J There was plenty for all.

Of course in the desert the shadows especially here among the towering Sinai mountains, help to cool the air quickly. That is very comfortable after the 1000 degree heat through the desert in the day. It was a most moving day and we thought of the 10 thousands of the Tribe of Israel who waited for 40 days for Moses to come down from the Mtn. and became frustrated , doubtful and gave up hope. How long do we wait for things to happen that are out of our control?

Briefly after leaving the Valley where the Monastery has been fro 1500 continuous years (Mass has been said there continuously continuous


The St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Monastery at the foot of Mt Sinai. You can take a camel ride to the top and walk 600 stps to the same spot Moses was. (None of us did that)


All of that time) we headed toward the eastern arm of the red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba) and then across to the Western Arm (Gulf of Suez) crossing the Suez Canal (we went under it in a tunnel) and ended up at Cairo (pop. 20 million) to lodge for the evening. Stops along the way were;
Wadi Feiran where the Children if Israel subdued the Amalakites while Moses kept his hands in the air. (Do you remember if he had help?)
2. We approached the Gulf of Suez and got our feet wet!
3. Saw the oil shipping port of Abul Redeiss a growing community.
4. Stopped at Elim where the Children of Israel camped by the oasis of 70 Palms. (There are still two wells there and many palms. It was hot at 110 F)
5. It was time for lunch at Ras Sudr (you are looking these all up, right?)
6. Marah by the Red Sea (Gulf of Suez) where the waters were bitter , and Moses threw a tree into the water and it was sweetened. There are two working wells there and others are scattered around the area. (We were introduced to the 1,000 year old Parfa trees which offered shade there . IT was amazing to be in these very places where the story is told in Exodus. It’s a good time to do some reading and follow along.
It was after that we crossed under the Suez Canal, and headed for Cairo arriving at our hotel at 7:00 PM but not before we took a 1 ½ hour tour of the famous Cairo Museum. The feature of course was seeing all of the artifacts of King “Tut” that were discovered intact. The tomb had 4 boxes stacked over the two Sarcophagus, which weight 280m pounds and 115 pounds each of solid gold . Quite a sight. The share of that exhibit is 40% of the total Museum’s collections. A new Museum is being planned nearer the Great Pyramids. (See tomorrow’s blog) It was a long and varied day with the sea offering some welcome change to the desert.
If there is opportunity to add some on the Movenpick boat we will do so, other wise it will be completed on Tuesday back in Cairo before departure to the USA. jvs