Dahab, Desert Divers, Egypt.

The Islands, just south of the main area of Dahab.
Myself, Meilee, Karen and Claudia.

A gentle air dive somewhere I had been twice before, somewhere Meilee had been 4-5 times before but somewhere Claudia had been literally hundreds of times. It's 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the desert sun is dropping low and the water is liquid gold.

The entrance to the dive is through a small coral hole which you descend, twist, kick and a turn to enter the Islands pool number 3, and the adventure begins.  You have, depending on how heavy you are on breathing, around one hour maximum at these shallow depths.
Ultimately we spent a little longer overall at 71 minutes, and not without good cause.

20 minutes into the dive, having flown like Peter Pan over the Garden of Eden, having hovered weightless in a fantasy garden of the worlds most colourful aquarium and having seen some of the worlds most precious treasures hidden from uncaring eyes we were privileged to one of the most personal and intimate experiences.

Blue, silver and all shades in between a fish ball appeared over the coral rainbow horizon, a choreographed dance as timeless the ocean herself - baby barracuda, each one precisely 70cm long, each one sparkling brilliant silver wrapped and large eyed, calm, elegant and synchronized in harmony with their fish friends.

Claudia, the videographer, found herself centre stage to a swirling mass of infant prodigy, caught up in the flash dance of the playful ball of baby predators. The irony of being watched rather than watching was there and felt, the moment was as special as the effect was brilliant.

Silence befell all those watching in awe, the kind of 'once in a lifetime' quiet that comes as the common bond of nature reaches out and wraps you all up together. The feeling of all the world in one place warms you and all fear is extinguished as all joy is let free.

You are as close to a fish as you will ever be and your friends are as one.

Beautiful.
 

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