Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in Tofo Mozambique (The NEXT Chapter).
Week 83, Friday 16th January until Friday 22nd January 2016.
Portuguese word of the week: “Festa”, meaning “Party”, yes I have been a dirty stop out on two evenings this week.
Saturday: Lead a dive to “Giants Castle”, the launch was rough the sea was big, the captain gunned the engines as we hit a huge wall of water. I got pushed down the boat and lost my sun glasses. I will admit I was annoyed but that’s part of the job. At “Giants” the viz was really clear but most importantly there were two mantas, everyone was so excited including me as a result I had a huge grin behind my regulator and couldn’t wait to tell everyone at the dive shop. Skyped with mum and Helen and straight after with MOZ which was lovely.
Skyping with Mum and Helen.
Sunday, A quiet day, spent wielding a paint brush helping to decorate the new café/restaurant which will open soon. Most of the day I was up a ladder trying to reach awkward areas in cob wedded corners. Last few weeks there has been a journalist staying above the dive shop, she’s been bring me cups of tea (real tea not tea bags) and biscuits. As a thank you Jenny, Megan (who I hadn’t seen in a year, now seen her twice in a week) and myself were invited to a goodbye meal. Lovely evening lots of food and drink plus good music. One thing I have learned is a “Press Card” really opens door and the freebies are everywhere.
Monday, took a small group on Ocean Safari, the sea was very choppy I was standing at the front being thrown about. We saw a couple of dolphins and nothing else which is a pity. I cut my right big toe on the launch it just carried on bleeding in to my dive boots for the next couple of hours.
Tuesday, First I went to “Giants Castle” great viz, I was asked by a customer to take pics of him during the dive. Filming and diving is not something I’m used to, hopefully I managed to get some nice pictures. Later went to Clownfish”, there was a lot of surge, sand being kicked up and sand flying around resulting in terrible viz at times. I assisted Viivi do her equipment exchange and stress test. This requires us to breath from one regulator, taking turns at the at the bottom of the pool (3 metres deep) while swapping all our dive gear making it look effortless and easy. Viivi got a 5 which is all that matters. After the marked exchange we have to do it again but this time the instructor messes with the gear (stressing you out a little). I really don’t enjoy this part at all, I’ll admit.
Wednesday, my day off. Spent a number of hours on the porch trying to be creative, finished the bday cartoon/model for my niece, started the new S**T painting of the Week. Then took Rusty out to Viivi and Fanni snorkel test, which was as messy as normal. For the first time I was one of the people pouring alcohol down the snorkel, ive gone up in the world.
Thursday, Start with the usual walk on the beach for Rusty, but today I was also taking pictures of the model I have made for my niece. The wind was in the wrong direction so didn’t quite get the shot I wanted but got a few nice pics with long early morning shadows. Lead a lovely chilled dive to “Chamber of Secrets” lots of nooks and crannies to navigate around and through. Because the water is warm I am wearing my shortee, this does mean however that I am susceptible to scrapes. Sure enough I got a couple of deep scratches on my leg which bled as we returned to land. Everything is now covered up so should be clean and heal ok. Once back at the dive shop, I lead an ocean safari absolutely nothing seen not even a single Dolphin very disappointing. A nice young man is helping me regarding my children’s story.
It really was that hot.
Friday. Lead a dive to “Salon” there is a juvenile Potato Grouper which has been there all week, it appears to have a wound possibly from spear fishing. “Salon” is not a site you associate with Groupers. Had customers who were very demanding, I just smiled and got on with it. In the afternoon I assisted Mike in a dive to “Simons Town”, I helped a customer down and stayed with them throughout, I think they were glad I was by their side. After all I’m there to help, plus I get to enjoy another dive. Said goodbye to Carlo who left after 5 months, and Juusi who was hear visiting Fanni for 2 months really lovely guys, I hate it when people leave. In other news, I spent a while looking for my phone, even retraced my steps with the light of my torch. In the end I found the phone under my hat, “Note to self look under the hat”. Been finding frogs/toads in pool, I put them on the grass. James the Guarda flings them out in to the old lagoon, “Note to self just do it my way it’s safer for the poor creature”. I lost a torch at the snorkel test, it was nowhere to be seen. On Thursday it was returned to me, there are good people out there.
This week I have been watching: “Butterfly Effect: Reverlation”, (2009), “Minions”, (2015),
This week I have mainly been listening to: ”LBC Podcast: Nick Abbot (Whole Show)”, (15 & 17/01/16) “LBC Podcast: Nick Abbot (Mid-Week)”, (20/01/16), “Morrissey”, “David Bowie”, “Pulp”, “Fleetwood Mac”, “Van Morrision”,
Reading: “The Hitchhickers Guide To the Galaxy”, by Douglas Adams, “Knit One, Kill Two”, by Maggie Sefton, “Morrissey List of the Lost”, by Morrissey and “A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.
Misfits Mid-Life Crisis........ 