Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in Tofo Mozambique (The NEXT Chapter).

Week 85, Saturday 30^th January until Friday 5^th February 2016.

Portuguese word of the week: “Inseto”, meaning Insect, like Marjorie the mantis. 

Saturday: Early morning we were kitted up for a dive to “Giants”, however the sea was a big so we were delayed. I didn’t think the dive was going to happen, so at lunchtime I had soup and pasta in fact everything. Shortly after we got the go ahead from the skipper, diving on a full tummy is not a pleasant feeling. At the end of the day there was more wonderful Finnish food as most of the Liquid family got together to say bye to Viivi, hello to Tim and JJ and Kalle and Emma and family. I enjoyed a number of G&Ts as the sun went down.

 Most of the Liquid Family together.

Sunday: Note to self don’t drink all the G&Ts offered to you. Luckily the double tank I was due to go on got cancelled due to bad weather. Mozambeats were reshowing the new Leo DiCaprio film. One friend arrived, who had had a number of sherbets, and pointed out that I am a little boring, because I don’t go out etc. It’s true, but I’m knackered after a full day at the dive shop I do just want to go home. I really couldn’t be bothered so I left, went home a little sad.

 Walking Rusty early morning, normally these rock pools are covered up.

Monday, my day off. As usual I did very little lot’s of sleep, painted walked Rusty that sort of thing.

Tuesday, I dived to “Giants” and then to “Salon” the viz on both was really not impressive. The first I was sweeping keeping an eye on the group a little like an underwater sheep dog. Later at Salon I was guiding my bosses dad, so no pressure. The drop was not great because the customer let go of the line and we got swept away (I’m not blaming him of course). I navigated back to the reef, it took a little while but I found the “Mighty Salon”. Took rusty in today, he was waiting for me after every dive and followed me around the dive shop, his mum returns end of the week I will so miss him, I will really miss the daily contact.

 Africa has changed me….

Wednesday, another 2 dives to “Reggies” and “Giants”. I haven’t been north a lot so the chance to visit “Reggies” was one I couldn’t miss. At one point I noticed a Leopard shark approaching. I shook my rattle vigorously so that no one missed seeing this beauty. Look forward to another trip north soon. After filling my tummy with more good food from Happi it was off to ”Giants”, I am never boarded of this site, we didn’t see anything big but who cares its “Giants”. Spent some time with kalle working out a new design for a tattoo, can’t wait to have it done.

 Kalle’s tattoo parlour, working on Viivi and then Fanni earlier in the week.

Thursday I was a little late in as I had to wait for the gardener to pay him his salary. This morning was very hot, so the lift from Chris to Liquid was most appreciated. My gear had been set up we went far south today to “Hogwarts”. On the drop there is a huge pinnacle of rock that is shaped like the bow of a boat (I think so anyway) noticed a huge moray calls it home. Coming back we encountered a huge pod of dolphins, I don’t know why we didn’t get in. Because in the afternoon went on Ocean Safari with the same people and we saw zip. Pedro the skipper did see a manta but it dived before we were ready to get in. Such a wasted opportunity this morning to snorkel with Dolphins. Moved all my belongings to my old hut as Nadia returns tomorrow.

  My fave Happi meal of the week.

Friday, finished moving my stuff and through the trip switches, “hey presto” I have electricity. I am going to feel a little lonely after having Rusty with me all the time recently. Another 2 dives to “Manta” and “Giants” unfortunately nothing big seen on either. But we did appear to be a customer missing at “Manta”, we checked on him and he was safely sitting in the rain on the boat there was a prob with his gear. The viz was terrible maybe 5 metres so he didn’t miss much. Coming home we were rained on heavy, in fact Tofo had been rained on a lot while we were away. After the best Happi meal of the week “Carrot and Ginger Soup”, “Soya (meat) balls, Cous Cous and roasted Pumpkin in Mint” followed my one of Fanni’s muffins. I went to “Giants”. The launch was tough due to the sea being big, holding on to the boat when its full of men (a couple rather large) was not easy while the skipper starts the engines. Still a lovely drift dive. Back on the surface I did feel a little unwell after all the food (I didn’t chuck). I’m back in my little hut everything is good with the world. Next week I have to go to South Africa again, this time I will be staying a few days having a little holiday.

 One of Fanni’s Muffins.

In other news, Joonas and Liz are back it’s great to see them. Joonas tried to sneak up on me but I saw him and throw my arms around him. Lovely seeing Liz as well, I love it when people return. Met Tanks the dog I looked after in 2014, she appears to remember me as she ran up to me and wanted so loving. A number of powercuts during the week. We had another Praying Mantis at the dive shop amazing little looking creatures, I called her Marjorie.

 Marj the Praying Mantis.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Next”, (2007), “Project Almanac”, (2014), “9”, (2009), “Paddington”, (2014), “Kick Ass 2”, (2013). 

This week I have mainly been listening to: ”LBC Podcast: Nick Abbot (Whole Show)”,(30 & 31/01/2016) & (07/03/2007) “LBC Podcast: Nick Abbot (Mid-Week)”, (03/02/2016), “Morrissey”, “Pulp”, “David Bowie”,

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.