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Roughly 20km downriver from Cairo, the Nile divides into two great branches which define the Delta, whose flow is controlled by the Nile Barrages at Qanatir . Decoratively arched and turreted, this splendid piece of Victorian civil engineering is surrounded by shady parks and lush islets - an ideal spot for a picnic. Originally conceived by Mohammed Ali's French hydro-engineer, Mougel Bey, the Barrages were later realized as part of the nationwide hydrological system designed by Sir Colin Scott-Moncrieff. At the eastern end of the 438-metre-long Rosetta Barrage lies the Istarahah al-Qanatir or Presidential Villa that Islamic Jihad once considered attacking with an anti-aircraft cannon from the garden of one of their member's homes, across the river. Egypt's State Yacht (originally King Farouk's, on which he sailed into exile) is often moored at the quay. Providing you don't come on Friday, when the area is ridiculously crowded, the Barrages make a pleasant excursion. Qanatir is accessible by bus #210 from the Nile Hilton terminal on Midan Tahrir, or by ferry from the Maspero Dock in front of the Television Building. Ferries leave hourly (6am-6pm; GBPE1.50) on Friday and Sunday and take two hours; or you can take a pleasure boat (daily round trips; GBPE5) to the south of Maspero Dock; the bus journey is less appealing. Travelling by felucca is very slow, since the mast has to be lowered at every bridge.
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