Gap Year Experiences
Updates and info from on the ground during our 11 week and 5 week Experiences in South Africa
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Hello from a hot and happy Umkomaas where we have been doing all sorts of adventurous scuba diving at the below-mentioned Aliwal Shoal dive spot. We've been here since Sunday and have already compiled an impressive 18 dives between the six of us. It really does seem to take it out of you though, as shown by the amount of chilling and afternoon snoozes that have been going on.
We're staying in the perfect place for doing the diving and chilling combo too - a great place called Lala Manzi's, just over the road from the Dive Centre, it has a pool, huge deck area and loads of dangerously comfy sofas.
The dives themselves have been awesome. Early rises and a bumpy ride through the Umkomasi river mouth and the Indian Ocean swell on the dinghy boat makes for a great start to any day but I don't think anyone, expect perhaps Vince who's been here before, was prepared for what we were about to see. In spite of supposedly average visibility of about 8-10 metres, in the space of 45 minutes, we saw common dolphins, a white-tipped reef shark, a massive loggerhead turtle and seven spotted ragged-tooth sharks, among countless other species of smaller but no less cool fish. Three dives later and Carrie is now a fully qualified Open-Water Diver and Jules can complete the course before we leave here on Friday.
This coming weekend represents an emotional moment in our trip. We are faced with the until-now hushed departure of tour-leader Vince from these shores. It is difficult enough for us to see him go so we can only imagine just how hard he will find it to part from this awesome group. Our only reason for cheer is that we will be blessed with the unique presence of part two's tour leader, Johnny, from Saturday. He will certainly have words for this blog shortly.
Until then then
Doug
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