Highlights of the week
GHIANNIS D: The most famous stern photo in the book – and I was taking a poor replica of it. Such an impressive wreck from the steps down the side to the high bow with Plimsole markings still in place. The engine room was worth visit, although not with eight others at the same time! Blue spotted rays and pepper morays had made the mid section their home while glass fish shoaled around the bow.
CARNATIC: The best so far. Plenty of light swimming along inside the remaining super structure both forward and aft with easy access. Filled with glass fish and other small fish life. The views looking back at both the bow and stern are great too.
BARGE: Although there is not much of the structure left of this boat it provides a sheltering place for an amazing amount of marine life – We saw 4 different types of moray, giant, peppered, undulated and yellow mouthed, both in their hiding places and free swimming. Also 3 free swimming crocodile fish, plenty of huge scorpionfish, sleeping lionfish, even a small napoleon. and if you get bored of the wreck,, you can swim up across the reef and into the lagoon.
THISTLEGORM: What can you say about the Thistlegorm that has not already been said. It is the Mecca for every diver in the Red Sea and we are very privileged to do so. Apart from its condition and its contents, it is definitely no ordinary wreck. It has an atmosphere of the past which calls you back to the dreadful actions of the last World War.
Guest comments:
THE BOAT:
"Smashing boat, well equipped and comfortable".
"Good shiny boat, everything you need for fun diving is there."
"Very well maintained, clean and well equipped."
THE CREW & DIVE GUIDES:
“Excellent captain Mohammed and his crew, especially Mr Mahgoub. Excellent briefings from D and Mike really made the dives.” - Dave Mace
“Brill captain. Crew is always there to help, most of the time they read a mind, just before you ask for help they are there. D and Tamer are good and knowledgeable, excellent briefings by D.” - Danijel Misljencevic
“Dive briefings were excellent and Mike’s talks really added to the experience. The whole crew were great – worked really hard.” - Stuart Dawson
“The guides and crew can make or break a week on a boat, and this week they did a stunning job of making everyone feel welcome and letting us just get on and enjoy the week. Particular thanks to the engineers who fixed the compressor overnight; without this the week would have been a lot tougher.”
“Many thanks also to the many crew who we don’t see day-to-day, but without whose unseen toils we would not be able to enjoy such great diving. Mike and D’s briefings were great; Mike’s to give some history and D’s to keep us safe. Thank-you both.” - Will Delves.
“Excellent and very professional dive briefings from D, the best we have had in over 250 dives in the Red sea and enhanced by the very informative and well presented accounts of the wrecks we were to dive by Mike Ward. The crew attended to all of our needs in a very caring manner and not just going through the motions as we have encountered sometimes on other boats.” Jean and Richard Dickinson
“Great dive briefings by D, and the briefings by Mike brought the wrecks to life. It was good to see dive guides who still enjoy diving – I’ve seen so many that seem to have lost the enjoyment. All the crew were fantastic, from the zodiac drivers hauling us out of the water, to very friendly staff overall. One of my main memories will be Mr. Mahgoub, who we met on a previous trip, and who keeps everyone entertained throughout the week. “ - Andy York
“Very good, very accommodating, very friendly. Nice to see Mr Magoub again after a few years. Guides D and Tamer were excellent. Dive guides can make the trip or break the trip – these guys made the trip, congratulations. Mike Ward was a fantastic addition and his lectures and briefings made the trip even more interesting.” - Steve Wells
THE FOOD:
“Food was excellent and it wouldn’t surprise me if I’d put on a kilo or two. In the saloon there was always snacks available.” - Danijel
“The food was excellent throughout the week, especially considering the size of the kitchen!”
“3 meals a day and snacks too. All the food was excellent, and if you could pass on the recipe for the chicken wings...!”
“The food on the boat was first class, varied and well prepared. All in all, it added to one of the best weeks of diving we have had, so, hearty congratulations to everyone concerned”
“How on earth do they make such great food in such a small kitchen? Everything was excellent.”
“Food was brilliant, especially the chicken wings as an afternoon snack, English skippers will need to significantly raise their game to match this.”
“Very nice. Always tasty and a good variation. Plenty of it.” - Steve Wells
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