PORTS OF CALL - Repositioning
Port Said, Egypt
Port Said, founded by Said Pasha in 1859 as a camp for laborers, became an important docking yard after the Suez Canal was built. The city stands on the banks of the Lake Manzala, and is in many ways Egypt's most beautiful city. The colorful canal helps keep the air cool and the numerous old houses with grand balconies embody the city’s old world charm.
Don't Miss
The trading vessels and luxury liners docked along the Suez Canal offer a picturesque backdrop to the city. Sharia Palestine Street, which is lined with shops, also makes for good strolling. Two museums worth visiting are the National Museum and the Military Museum. The first is a repository for old Egyptian coins, textiles, parchment rolls and garments from the Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic periods of Egyptian history, while the Military Museum houses an interesting array of old Egyptian weapons.
Shopping for Bargains
This lively port is a great place to hunt for bargains, especially since the shopping is tax-free.
Local Flavours
The people of Port Said take their seafood seriously, and you will find many places to sample fish dishes. One of the tastiest fish from the Mediterranean Sea is the saddled seabream. Another favorite is the flathead, or grey mullet -- which is called “burri” in Egypt. In Port Said, people do not like their grilled fish gutted -- they prefer their fish cooked with the natural juices intact, which makes for a rich and delicious flavor.
Currency
The Egyptian pound (EGP) is the official currency for the Arab Republic of Egypt. The pound is divided into 100 piasters, or 1000 milliemes.