Freedive Dahab - photos and stuff

[Apnea_Addict]

The blue hole in Dahab

The blue hole is located to the north of Dahab. The only way to get there is by jeep transfer since the last stretch of the road is more a trail then a road > very bumpy and hardly enough space for one car to go at the same time.

We have done this transfer for the third time today and I don't know if it was a good idea to look close where we going since sometimes the road is really really narrow.

Yes, this is a bumpy ride. You better hold on to something especially if your driver suddenly seems to try to outrace another jeep. For a while it is not possible to talk to the other people in the car because the 20year old Land Rover is rattling so much that it must fall apart any minute. But of course it doesn't. And the driver Mahmoud is just showing is considerable skill in getting you to the dive site in the least possible time.

The dive site is a circular hole in the reef that is deep > really really deep.

Here it is possible to meet strange looking animals and strange looking people of our own species. Yesterday we had suddenly a heavy load technical diver surfacing next to us who was carrying the usual array of stage tages, double triple sets of regulators, an Inspiration Rebreather and a blue helmet with a lamp mounted on top it.

There are some sort of Restaurants who cater to the needs of the divers in terms of having a place to rest out of the sun, getting cool drinks and light food (also heavy food like cheeseburgers can be ordered for those with a big appetite). Some places seem also rent out snorkel gear for those who want to snorkel. It sure feels great to just sit there on carpets in the shade an look out on to the red sea.

Another thing is the toilet. Every trip costs 2 egyptian pounds and well, its probably not a good idea to touch anything or sit down , whatever. Some seem to avoid this establishment altogether and let the waters flow in the natural way while diving...

You can also meet up with bedoins and their camels. We saw a camel today on the way out where the road is already paved. It was standing right in our way and would not budge a bit while we were passing it right by.

So you got several interest groups wanting to "use" the blue hole for their watersport pleasure. You got swimmers, snorklers, scuba divers, technical divers and probably the smallest group > the freedivers.

There is a ponton so you can get it water without having to walk out upon the reef. But the sights you get so see there are still worth thinking about.

For once > there are many people there and elsewhere Dahab is really empty righ now. I cannot help to wander what it is like when the business is running on full throttle.

It look to me that they even put people who can not swim at all into some sort of life jacket and send them around. I don't know if there are any efforts to preserve there blue hole reef > could not really notice anything like that.

Of course it is attractive for freediving since you got great depths really close to there shore. The botton seems to run out to about a hundred meters. There is only opening on the side where you can cross the ring out to the other side of the reef. We went snorkeling there today and it was quite nice (at least for me with practicly nil red sea experience).

But of course the more experienced freedivers are lured into it for a chance to dive deep and I am sure it's a great feeling.

The visibility had improved today compared to the days before when the surfs was quite choppy and crashing in from the sea so it didn't look so great at first. Now there was 20 metres plus at least.

And tomorrow one more time

best wishes
Holger

[Sergiu]

Holger,

I recall you mentioned this is your first trip out of Europe and if so, it's no wonder you find Dahab a bit different from the home routine. I have never been to Dahab yet (2 weeks to go until arrival!) but travelled around the world and cultural shock can be overwhelming at times, especially when you touch down with the reality for the first time ever in a competely different type of society, customs, you name it...that's what keeps me travelling. Yup, the loos may not be spotless at the Blue Hole but who travels afar to sightsee toilets!?!? (okay, there might be some but that's another...thread!)

Enjoy the reality, blend in with the local people and culture and you will return back home with priceless memories - some please share them with us here!

have fun

serge

[Apnea_Addict]

Hi Serge,

well we are in the "stories" section here. So what I have written is more the impression like they are at the moment. The perspective may change later.

And as matter of fact is has changed already: I have now met some nice and profession local people who work at the dive center which is working together with the hotel (inmodivers) where I am staying. It caters to scuba divers but as soon as the word is out that I am a freediver I have found myself in some really interesting conversations with some of the other guests which are curious about this freediving thing and even with the head diving instructor at the center. He heard of some people going down to seventy meters on a breathhold "how is that possible ?" :-)

Now the conditions have improved so that we had a calm sea today and very good visibility. I took a day of from freediving and did two scuba dives today at the "canyon". On the second dive we were going just over the drop off and was really impressed. We were down at 18 metres and you see down for more than forty I would guess. That is something !

Yesterday we had another day at the blue hole also with less waves and much better visibility. I can't wait to look at my pictures on the computer screen. I also go some little videos with my camera. I will post them later when I get back home to Germany.

Too bad > Just one more day of diving.

Serge, you will have a great time here, that is for sure.

best wishes
Holger

[Florance]

Have a great time Holger!

Unfortunately I am back in the office and very sad to leave my diving buddy, Christian behind, I would rather train in Dahab than sitting here
But VERY good memories of the last week!
Aniko

[Apnea_Addict]

Hi Aniko,

we are at a internet cafe now: Anton, Christian and myself.

Christian told me to say "hi" to you, but also from the Rest of us: Do not feel bad, the next Dahab holiday is going to come.

I also have good memories now, very good ones indeed. Much more than I expected at the beginning of the week.

I will write about it later, this keyboard is hell.

best wishes to you
Holger

[Sergiu]

Hey guys, i am trying to work here!!! It's more and more difficult to keep focus but in exactly two weeks time, we are off to Dahab, yuuupiiii! Will be my time to send new from the Blue Hole.

Flo, Cristian, did you guys "pass" the AIDA *** exam?

serge

[Jee]

Flo did, for sure.
You are really lucky to be there.

Jee
(also from the office)

[Apnea_Addict]

Hi,

I am sure that Christian also got the ***-Certificate. Maybe he can confirm that himself once he gets around to reading this.

I am back home now

But just in time for the lunch break for everybody the office, hang in there and check this out:

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

(needs a fast connection)

best wishes
Holger

[fcallagy]

nice pics holger cheers

[Apnea_Addict]

Thanks Feargus,

I will putting up an improved version later.

best wishes
Holger

[Apnea_Addict]

It is easy to believe, that we had some fun, isn´t it ?

best wishes
Holger

[Apnea_Addict]

Improved version:

YouTube - Freediving in Dahab

Enjoy !

Holger

[GirlOfWater]

Originally Posted by Sergiu

Sweet, cant wait to get there (in about two weeks)! May do the safari week (not sure right now) but for certain the training week that will follow. Did you meet Flo and Emese? Two nice gals that turned from white to red skin by now - i bet!

Hey Serge!
I've been reading this tread for a while since I have my own trip to dahab comming up, 9.-23. July. I'll be doing both the safari and the training week with Lotta. Will I see you there? I just can't wait to see that blue water....

Elisabeth

[Florance]

Originally Posted by Apnea_Addict

It is easy to believe, that we had some fun, isn´t it ?

best wishes
Holger

you stole my picture

Aniko

[Apnea_Addict]

Sorry Aniko,

that one is just too nice - I felt it deserved an extra special place in this thread ;-)

best wishes to you and happy weekend
Holger