Travels in Zanzibar, Part IV: Diving

A particular highspot on my jaunt to Zanzibar was learning to SCUBA dive and I'm very proud of the fact that I'm now a PADI-certified Open Water Diver. Diving has been a fascination since my early childhood when I used to beg to stay up late to watch Lloyd Bridges in Seahunt. But for any number of reasons I'd never got around to trying it in my youth. Cold water was always a deterrent and also a fear of Kraken and other such monsters of the deep. But in the 28°C crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean it was impossible to find an excuse. The photos here are from my final dive: investigating the wreck of a British cable laying ship, the Great Northern, that went down off Stonetown on New Year's eve, 1902. The remains of the ship have formed a magnificent artificial reef and it's a popular site for diving expeditions. Thanks to divemaster, Yannis, for some of the pics.


MD geared up: the equipment is heavy and in addition I carried 8Kg of lead weights to achieve negative buoyancy


Going down...


Continuing the descent -note left hand on the buoyancy control button


The hull of the Great Northern appears


The shipwreck has formed an artificial reef


"Name the creature" competition. I've no idea what it is but it's very well camouflaged. Any ideas, Chuck...?


Iron ship parts and debris was everywhere


Our dive party plays follow the leader through the wreckage


Pipe fish


Party fish