13th to 20th October 2010

   The Abbreviated Report!

By George Mitchell  

(Click here for the full report with George's more detailed observations)

Diving always seems to be an “early” thing and so it was that Alan turned up at 5:50am on 13^th of October. At check in I was the first to face the potential wrath of the check in clerk, as my diving kit, camera box and hand luggage, all amazingly increased in weight since they were carefully checked at home, were put onto the scales. The man was merciful ... he kindly treated us a single mass entity and as the rest of the party had manage the miracle of packing under the allowance we were through without hassle. Thanks everyone!!

The flight out to Marsa Alam was uneventful, and the transfer to the Sea Serpent was well arranged. Sea Serpent is a bit tired and needs a refurb. Various bits and bobs in the cabins didn’t work – but what the hell we were several thousand miles away from work and other stresses. As usual our first morning was leisurely and followed a long briefing about safety from our Egyptian dive guide, Sam.  Our check dive was at Abu Dabab 3.

The first few dives were relatively easy. How good it was to be in very clear warm water. The water temperature was 30°C and viz must have been at least 40m. The reefs were generally in good condition too with plenty of fish to be seen.  Very soon after the start of the trip we had coalesced into a group of 6 by inviting a policewoman called Jo to join us. However, after the first day her camera had completely flooded. I lent her my Canon Ixus for the rest of the week. Now look, here there was no ulterior motive at all m’lud!  

As the week slipped by the diving got better.  At St John’s Caves  we had a plan to dive as a group of 4 and as soon as we were in it was abandoned and myself and Jo [with whom I ended up diving for most of the week] headed off into a different entrance to Dave and Alan.  After the caves we were at Fury Shoal for the afternoon and night dive. On this occasion went in as a group of 4, Sue, Alan, Mike and me. Apart from a large moray the main focus were the lionfish.

One morning – and I really can’t recall which one, we were lucky enough to snorkel with dolphins. At least we caught a few glimpses of them and could hear them squeaking away to each other.  

A dive at Maksour was followed by the brilliant Claudia Caves and another night dive at Abu Galawa. Here was that little American wreck, a yacht that had run aground, broken off its rudder and sunk just off the reef. At night it’s a spooky dive, but we were able to spot those gorgeous little porcelain crabs in the hard corals on the hull. On the way back, we were “hailed” by one Irene, more of whom later, who had cleverly spotted a Spanish Dancer.

The next day we were led on a long dive through the middle of the same reef, then, when most turned right to look at sand eels and other things, Jo and I turned left and made a bee line for the wreck. We had 20 minutes alone on the wreck before others arrived, which allowed us to take some decent pictures.  

The best night dive for me was the last, on Abu Dabab 6. I dived with Dave. The reef looked battered and rocky, and unpromising. However we managed to spot 3 crocodile fish, a holothurian, a small red lionfish, a snake eel, several crinoids and a tiny cuttle fish that became so indignant at our presence that he squirted ink at us. Naturally I had left the camera behind for this dive – it always seems a sure way of making sure you see lots.  

With diving done we packed and were off the boat with almost indecent haste to the Marina Hotel . That evening Irene had organised a party for her other half and we were all invited to join in. The hotel produced a cake. This was the third or fourth cake of the week as the crew of the Sea Serpent had (amongst others) made a lovely cake for Sue – Happy Birthday Sue!!

The next day was spent packing. Sue took about 10 minutes to pack – me, well about an hour and half trying to re-compress all the kit and photographic junk into the various boxes and nooks and crannies. We did find time to go and look at the lovely Grand Sea Serpent. We have all sworn that we will do a trip on this little ship one day.

Thanks Alan for organising the trip, the lifts and being constantly cheerful. Well done to Dave who clocked up some Dive Leader dives and cracked 40m. Well done to Sue for those negative descents and thanks also for putting up with me as a cabin companion again. A great trip….Oh yes, did I manage to make Fiona smile - just about, when she said goodbye to us. But was it “glad to see you go” or was it “nice to have met you”? I shall never know.