After leaving the Airport at Hurghada we found our mini-bus outside for our trek down to the camp. Yes, that’s right I said camp. We were literally camping on the side of the Red Sea below Marsa Alam. If you look on a map you will see it’s a long way down.

Approximately 6 hours across the desert. The air con. on the bus consisted of the windows open for gale force, or shut for baking.

We arrived at the first camp of Marsa Shagra at about ll.00 p.m. to let off six weary, dusty divers. We then picked up provisions and a couple of dive guides and then set off down to Wadi Lahami, making a brief stop in Marsa Alam to let Mike buy a couple of hats for himself and his wife Elaine as they had forgot theirs.

Wadi Lahami

We arrived at the camp at about 02.00 a.m. very tired. Our tents were awaiting us at the waters edge, so we made our way down and found our beds. Rush bases with a mattress on top. Two sheets, 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase and a blanket all folded neatly in a pile. We had to make the beds before we would fall into bed and sleep.

We were woken about 08.00 am by the heat. We got dressed and went up to the dining area for breakfast and a briefing on the first dive. The holiday had commenced.

There were lots of flying fish, two even managed to fly into the rib. It’s a funny sensation when a flying fish whizzes past your ear and lands at your feet.

At Sha'b Samaday the Dolphins were in the lagoon so we went off for a snorkel. The Dolphins were ready to play. It was magic. When, after about 15 mins they had had enough the just went round you and off into the blue.

All too soon the fortnight came to an end.... Roll on January 2001 when we are diving in the Philippines at Sangat Island where a Japanese fleet was sunk during the WW2. There are also plenty of "high-voltage drift dives" to look forward to.