Where to start? The airport
is a possible favourite. Oh well, as time went by,
slowly, one by one, or two’s and three’s,
started to arrive and slowly the group began to
grow in numbers and take shape. The air was full
of pure excitement from those that new what was
waiting for them, and excitement, tinged with a
little anticipation, from those that had not been
before, myself being one of them. (Well not one
of THEM!!!, but one of them, hee hee). In time,
things began to take shape and the group was accounted
for, paired up as necessary and ready for the off,
then the off arrived and the flight was fairly uneventful
and comfortable enough and not to long.
On arriving at Egypt, oh well, here we are, the
disembarkment began, into, um, a bit of a shambles
to say the least, well the least in layman’s
terms. The airport was an education in itself. When
we finally, finally being the operative word, got
through to the baggage collection point, despite
being constantly pestered to move on by the staff,
we managed to gather all the baggage and members
of our team and then, yes, the airport guy got his
way and we were ready to go out to the bus. A very
pleasant and relaxing ride of around 15 –
20 minutes later we arrived at the Camel-dive hotel.
Looked very nice from outside, as did all the rest
of the surroundings. Then, not to long a check in
procedure, and off to our rooms. Well nearly off
to our rooms, after a wait, and a slight argument
with the staff! We wanted our bags now, not when
they were ready to bring them. Then the bells rang!!
As they left our bags in our rooms, of course, they
wanted paying for a job that we wanted to do ourselves!!
Oh well, such is life.
The next morning, after what I considered to be
a very good and plentiful breakfast, as it was every
morning, we had arranged to meet in the dive centre
at 9.00 o’clock. Everyone accounted for and
introductions still being made within the group,
we then got to meet the Aussie and Kiwi, oh well,
to be fair, we met Pete and Kelvin, our dive guides,
and despite their origins they were pretty cool
and very helpful guys.
The days outlay having been explained, off to the
boat we went. There were boats and boats and more.
A busy crowd of Egyptians bustling around loading
tanks and gear onto the boats, a very well oiled
operation. Then onto the boat and seaward we went.
Was this a dream, or a trip, or a pleasant bit of
real reality, I’ll settle for the latter.
The blue water, the warmth, the boat, the company.
It could not have been better if manufactured personally.
Looking down at the fish and the reefs, do we really
dive in this or is it a dream?
Well, the time arrived to gear up and get ready
to enter, to ENTER! this isn’t a dream, I
think. Then, up to the edge on the stern deck, ok
to enter, yes, one two three, giant step, the warmth
was instantly noticeable from the water. Mask on,
snorkel in, face in water, the words in my log book,
WOW!!! Nothing else to describe the overwhelming
beauty of the first sight of the fish, the reef,
the divers. The descent and the whole of the first
dive had the constant feel of a dream about it,
but a dream I will always cherish. Without going
through each dive individually, all subsequent dives
were equally amazing or better, one such event being,
yes Carole, you guessed it, the seeing and following
of a Manta Ray. A UFO or what, amazing size, grace
and size with such a natural beauty, one sight I
will never ever forget, despite any other beauties
I will see, which I will. The crocodile fish, the
groupers, the angel fish, the puffers. Time to stop,
the fish were endless and the numbers and variations,
endless.
When entering the water, we are always told to make
sure we are geared up and CHECK! and buddy CHECK!
Air to breathe, regulator to breathe through, operational
BCD, and weights to help you descend. Oh yes! weights
to help you descend Frank, FRANK!!! Cheers mate,
that’s my one at you, but the main one to
you Frank, is thanks for you excellent instruction
as my instructor, and for your help in gaining me
and the others their advanced open water status.
Thanks Frank.
Talking of diving and the gear, if anyone has any
suggestions for a full flow one way heavy duty non
return valve, that can be fitted into a mask? Because
the trust is a charity, non profit making, please
send any ideas to Lydia, who will get it manufactured
and all profits go to the trust, this could be a
revolution for divers underwater wishing to um,
sneeze, not my idea. Could this be useful Lydia.
One thing that people were slightly anticipant about,
was the bombings going on in Egypt. Not that we
noticed anything, well, I think I may have done,
or was it thunder, or, as told, Carol, Rob and Jackie
with a bed leg collapsing!!!! Why Carol, Rob AND
Jackie ?? The imagination runs wild.
As for Sharm itself, a Disney wonderland feel about
it. So beautiful with all the different restaurants
imaginable and shops and bars and all so so cheap.
I’ll have to shop more next time. The people
also are so friendly and accommodating. Well, without
naming all. Except for Alan, whose age I learnt
and my admiration has grown big time for him. I
could not have wished for a more friendly, helpful
team to be with and a special thanks, of course,
to Gill for the unstoppable devotion and
help. Where do they buy their energy, I want some.
Until the next one, thanks to all for an amazing,
unforgettable time in Sharm.
Thanks Scuba Trust for one holiday I will never
forget, and I look forward to many more!!!!
