South Africa 2023 – Umkomaas – Aguhlas house and Diving center
« Really? You were in Sodwana Bay? Oh, come on! That’s like a baby pool ».
Divers at Agulhas House are hard core divers, used to dive regardless of the weather conditions, so for them Sodwana Bay is kindergarten level. They don’t even consider it diving, more a deeper snorkeling. You should see the diving equipment they have. I really feel like a novice.
I’m used to the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, good visibility, no particles in the water, flat surface and no current, so for my average standard Sodwana Bay was quite challenging, mainly because of the currents and the waves on the surface.
On the bottom, I’m fine and the visibility is good.
It sounds like Umkomaas is going to be much rougher.
The transfer from Sodwana Bay took 5 hours.
Mike told me to pay attention when I am in Umkomaas.
« Don’t cross the street, don’t go out alone, it is quite unsafe ».
I’m totally fine with going out of the diving center only to dive and come back, so I don’t feel disappointed or frustrated. I’m a woman traveling solo, so I’m grateful that somebody worries about my safety and gives me wise advices.
Furthermore, I have all I need within the house of the diving center: a spacious room, garden, a pool, a porch meant for meals where 3 gentlemen sit, chat and drink.
I finish unpacking my stuff and I join them.
I sit with three gentlemen that will be my dive buddies for the next 4 days. Beer and rhum on the table. 3 hardcore adventurous divers.
I accept beer. There is no water.
” Sorry for my language. I do swear a lot when I speak. Sorry, sorry.”
Me: ” You don’t need to repeat it. I accept it for the entire stay”.
“Thank you”.
They fill my glass with beer.
“Are you afraid of sharks?”
“No, I do like them”.
” Don’t worry, we’ll look after you.”
” I know. God always sends me guardian angels”.
” But don’t pee in the wetsuit, or they will track you”.
The diving manager arrives.
“The lady is afraid of the sharks”.
He:” Why did you come here, then?”
Me: « Naa, they’re making fun of me. I came especially for them”.
The guys keep on swearing.
The manager looks at me embarrassed and says: “I’m sorry”.
” You don’t need to. They already apologized in advance for the entire lenght of my stay”.
“Thank you”.
Maybe I should take this chance and learn how to curse in Afrikaans.
