CRUISING IN RED SEA--DAY 1

Tuesday, April 30th
   Sunny and high of 90F.  Rocking a little in the Red Sea during afternoon.

Taken at reunion dinner last night for last year's South America cruise passengers.

                           Our position at noon today.  Now in Red Sea.  Ship's speed 20 knots.

 This is where in approximately the 3rd century BC, Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt by parting the Red Sea to escape the chariots of the pharaoh.  We probably all remember this scene from the movie "The Ten Commandments" when Charlton Heston parts the Red Sea.

The Red Sea is 1400 miles long and 221 miles wide with an average depth of 1600 feet but a maximum of 7200 feet deep.  It's salinity is greater than the world average, approximately 4% due to:  1) high evaporation rate and little rainfall,  2) lack of rivers and streams flowing into it, and 3) limited connection with the Indian Ocean which has a much lower level of salt.  Rainfall over the Red Sea and its coast is less than 2 1/2 inches per year.  There are over 1200 species of fish here and 1200 miles of 5000 to 7000 year old coral reefs.  By the way, the water is not red.  Looking out our balcony window the water has a lot of white caps and looks to be rough but we are getting a nice ride.

We have passed several of these oil laden tankers today.

At 3:30 this afternoon there will be a "country fair" up on the pool deck.  You may recall this from my other blogs of Regent cruises.  It is where each of the different departments onboard have some sort of game booth and we can walk around and play them or just laugh and watch.  I will get some photos of it for you.  What I won't do for my blog readers!  Going to be very hot up there.  As usual we just had our room service chicken ceasar salads for lunch.  I have arranged with Goren, the Food & Beverage Manager, to have the chef prepare veal Parmesan for us tonight.  They still have the picture I bought of MY veal parm to use as a guide in the preparation.  We are dining with a couple of the dancers this evening but more about that in tomorrow's posting.  Think you will be surprised as to which two.  

                                 Starting line for Regent Grand Prix.  My pick is on the outside.

How could the boss lose??

Country Fair

 Camel races

Housekeeping dept always has water balloon throw at the stewards.

               This is Lillia, one of our favorite bartenders.  She is from the Ukraine (Russian).

Rambo, bar waiter, as a belly dancer.

https://goo.gl/photos/uhT6CtZ81E8Xbmfr8