Muck dives, lobster ‘aquaculture’ and a documentary maker.
Our 3am start hits a snag when the new anchor chain won’t run through the pulley system. Eventually there’s a workaround but not before Arnaud almost loses half his hand in the winch – his glove is missing four fingers by the time we dig it out of the rope.
A few people go back to sleep while a crew stays on watch, and I stay up to see the sun rise at the same time as a big moon sets over glassy calm waters. I watch the whole thing from the roof against the backdrop of local music playing on Obaja’s phone. The only thing that’s missing is … nothing.
We finish the trip when we anchor in a local bay. Along the way I’ve spent time teaching Piet how to use a fishing rod and reel and of course, he’s a total natural.
The current whips through us on the changes of the tide and we drop into the water at the base of the boat for a muck dive – my first ever and my first dive period in more than a year.
In the sands beneath us it’s 29 degrees at about 15 metres, and we find amazing variety. Upside down jellyfish and mantis shrimp. Crabs that look like spiders and blue devils. A tasselled wobbegong and anemone shrimp of every colour and variety.
That afternoon we head to a local village. They farm lobsters for a local tourist restaurant and I wonder if I can claim the trip as a business expense because I’ve now seen ‘remote area aquaculture’. Probably not.
I while away time waiting for new companions by taking photos of a local guy spearing on the reef in bare feet. He is endlessly patient.
Our fellow travellers arrive from France – a documentary film maker and his family and cameraman. Kevin (the film maker) quickly identifies a 14-year old named Marcus as outstanding local talent for his film on marine conservation in the area. The SEA People first met Marcus when he was 10. He was already an amazing ‘tour guide’ then and he’s identified a species of iguana that no-one outside knew was there.
With the boat loaded up with camera gear, we make the return trip to the main boat but half way back our motor stops. It won’t restart so instead we paddle into the outgoing current and just drift in the right, general direction until a passing bunch of locals give us a tow. It’s just like that around here.
Source: LinkedIn | Greg Johannes
Photo: Greg Johannes
Past Entries:
About The Author: Greg Johannes, Ambassador – The SEA People. Greg spent 2 weeks aboard the Galaxea with us and documented his experience in his daily entries into ‘The SEA People Diaries’.
Day Three – Read here
Day One and Two – Read here
Day Zero – Read here