The Suez Canal, connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, may lack the drama and complexity of the Panama Canal but it is still pretty amazing. The 120-mile ditch through the desert was opened in 1869 and provides a straight shot for ships traveling between Europe and Asia, without needing to navigate around Africa. Because the area is so flat, there are no locks needed for ships to make the trip, as are necessary for the Panama Canal. Seawater in the 79 foot deep canal flows freely between the two seas, with the current changing depending on the season and the tides.

From her 13-month assignment in the Sinai, 30 years ago, Tanya recalled the weird sight from land of seeing ships moving through the canal. Looking over the miles of sand, ships look like they are literally sailing through the desert. Quite an experience.