Man flu dissipated and Liam eager to try a dive, we were collected from the hotel after an early breakfast along with fellow guest Kerry we met the night before. The transportation was a truck, not exactly luxury but perfect for carrying the scuba tanks and other dive gear.
At the shop we descended the narrow stairs to a very cool basement to get fitted with our gear. I had brought my wetsuit but 3mm was nowhere near enough, I needed a full 5mm and a 5mm shortie on top. It was snug.
With everyone sorted we piled into the trucks now loaded with tanks, assorted dive gear and even more travellers to brave the Maltese roads leading towards the Gozo ferry terminal. This was to be our dive site.
All kitted out and buddied up I waived to Liam who was going through his basic training with the instructor and walked down to the entry point, fins in hand. Sitting on the edge to put my fins on was ok but the weight of the gear combined with my lack of fitness, standing was impossible without the help of my buddie. Once up I took the giant stride into the water, the cold shock taking my breath away and inflating my BCD was awkward. Still I was here to get used to my new kit. Once I calmed my breathing and found my inflator it was time to descend though the jellyfish and head out along the wall leading to the wreck.
The wreck was only a small tug boat but I didn’t care, I was back in the water. On the way there was one of the biggest groupers I have ever seen, sheltering half way down the wall watching these strange bubble-blowing creatures glide past.
The wreck was ok although my air consumption wasn’t, a combination of the cold and unfamiliar gear meant I was using it fast. We headed back from the wreck and I had to concentrate to my buoyancy at the safety stop. This wasn’t helped by the jellyfish, pretty as they were. Rising to the surface, one stray tentacle brushed my top lip giving me an annoying stinging feeling and slight swelling. This dive was not one of my finest moments.
Liam however seemed to be doing ok. He was still in the water and as I made my way out I saw him deflate his BCD and disappear from sight. Kerry on the other hand struggled with her breathing, feeling too restricted in her gear and had thrown the towel in. Liam appeared from the water moments later rocking his hand from side to side. He had problems clearing his mask, panicked and took in a mouthful of sea water. His diving was done for the day.
I was determined to get a better dive and listened to the next briefing with intent. It was another wreck with a 5 minute swim without reference. This time we walked into the water, put our fins on a swam out into the blue. The cold didn’t affect me as I was expecting it and once surrounded by nothing but clear blue water it was fantastic. No floor, no surface, no rock wall, just blue.
As the back of the wreck came into view, there was a large, square opening soon illuminated by the touches of the divers who were going inside. We swam around the outside finding plenty of fish of all shapes and colours, including two grumpy-looking lion fish. The front of the boat had a mounted gun complete with shells.
Completing the tour of the ship I was again towards the rear of the boat when I experienced what I believe may be called narcosis. A bit of a buzz tinged with very mild claustrophobia. I wasn’t overly deep but both dives were below 30 meters. Rising a little alleviated the effect and my attention now focused on the white anemone waving from the mast. Back through the blue to the safety stop I saw grass on the bottom sparkling with bright light which turned out to be small disc- shaped fish weaving in and out and reflecting the light.
Back on dry land and I was buzzing. Two very different dives had taken me deeper than i had gone before, experienced the blue like never before and been stung by my first jellyfish. I had also got used to my new kit quicker than I expected.
