You call that warm...

03/08/10

Really disappointed to learn that 'warm' water is actually only 23 degrees, and that the 'nice tropical seas' are actually rougher and more uninviting than anywhere else we've been. You get up at 6.30am to go to the dive shop, climb into a cold damp wetsuit and catch a ride on a tractor down to a cold and windswept beach. There we had to make a few attempts to beat the waves on the way out and then crash our way through huge swell for the next 15 minutes. At the dive site we were greeted by a pod of dolphins that we would have been able to swim with if someone's o-ring hadn't burst the minute we were ready for the off. When we did get in, the water felt warmer, but still not warm enough. By the end of the second dive I was so cold I was clock watching every minute. It was at this point I decided we don't need to do this any more. We are not seeing anything new and I’m paying a fortune to sit in the water and desperately wait for time to pass. It I was watching schools of hammerheads I’d be ok with the cold, but I fail to get excited over a lion fish when I’m developing hypothermia. Call me dramatic but I’m a wimp. On the way back from the dive the skipper grounded the boat on a sandbar and we nearly got turned over when we were hit side on by a wave. I did not take up diving as an extreme sport, I’m done.

Talking of extreme sports, we met a guy yesterday who was on route to northern Kenya. What's special about his trip, is the fact that he is planning to make the 4000 km journey by kite surfing. He has minimal belongings in his waterproof backpack, he'll travel as far as the wind will take him each day and he'll sleep where he can. For water he's hoping to pass rivers or streams every few days. For food he'll fish, get fruit, and barter with locals. Mozambique has a wild and largely untouched coast. It is winter and there is little fruit, and he's going through some of the most shark infested waters in the world. The Mozambique channel has the highest concentration of bull sharks known anywhere. The aim of his journey is to highlight to local people and corporations the potential use of wind power along the East African coast. If you are curious about his journey he has a blog linked to www.surfstore.co.za. It is such an incredible undertaking, he is travelling alone and has no support of any time.