As we mentioned in our blog yesterday, we enjoyed a trip ashore soon after we were cleared in to Suakin, Sudan, and what an amazing treat it was. Today we returned again, but this time to explore Suakin Island, were the “old city” was first built before being extended over the causeway. Both outings had us shaking our heads in wonderment, but it was a real shame that these beautiful coral-stone buildings, apparently garnished in seashells during their hay day, were not preserved or indeed that the area has never been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site, given the incredible history of this city. We were, however, pleasantly surprised to learn that restoration work has commenced through private foreign investment, evident in some of the buildings we saw today.

Suakin was first mentioned by name in the 10th century by al-Hamdani, who indicated it was already an ancient town at that time. Starting out as a small Beja settlement, it began to expand after the abandonment of the port of Badi to the south. The Crusade and Mongol invasions are believed to have driven more trade into the region, supported by a number of references to Venetian merchants residing in Suakin as early as the 14th century and the city was considered the height of medieval luxury on the Red Sea. Looking at the “old city” today, although in ruins now, it was easy to imagine just how beautiful it must have been.

As we wondered through the streets, we encountered the carpenter and his shop, the sandal maker, the sabre sword craftsman, the various shop keepers, the charcoal maker, the tailor, the greengrocer, the water delivery service by donkey, the baker; all we needed was the candlestick maker.

As Roy indicated, apart from the evidence of plastic and cardboard lying around in some areas, one would never have known we were wondering through this city in the 21st century. It truly felt like we had been transported back to biblical times.

Today’s outing was just as special as yesterday, since, being a Friday and a non-work day, we encounter people out enjoying their weekend, in particular, a lovely group of ladies, who invited us all to join them for their picnic lunch. Not wanting to be rude, we declined gracefully, but “the boys” off Talulah Ruby III were well settled into the warmth of the welcome when we returned to Paw Paw for an early night.

A most fascinating destination and we trust the photographs provide a sense of what we have had the privilege of seeing during this short stopover.