In September 2005 Eve and I returned to Lahami Bay Beach Resort for a two week holiday with our good friends Richard and Ann Preston. Richard had to put up with more stick from me than usual. Given his enthusiasm for simulated flights on his computer, I introduced him to everyone as “Wing Commander”. But after a few days and in deference to Italian divers, my introduction changed to the less formal “Winco Riccardo”. I wonder if Richard will be willing to go on any more holidays with me? In 2004, on our first visit to Lahami Bay, Eve and I had seen several pelagics. But that had been in June, April through to July being the best time of the year to see large fish in this part of the Red Sea. By August the sea temperature is too warm. Indeed in the month prior to our arrival in Lahami Bay the sea temperature was 32 degrees, far too warm for pelagics. Although there were no pelagics present, there were still some memorable dives. At Abu Galawa Kebir (my dive 1103), a 30 metre long unknown wreck lies in fantastic visibility next to stunning coral reefs. There surely can be few places in the world that can match the extraordinary corals and visibility of this part of the Red Sea. Winco, Eve and I enjoyed an early shore morning dive (my dive 1114) during which I clocked up my 1,000th hour underwater. Dive Master Bernhard led dive buddy Rudiger and I on my only night dive of this holiday (my dive 1117), highlights of this dive being a Giant Moray Eel, several Spanish Dancers and a Scorpionfish, perfectly positioned for a photograph. Having returned to the surface of the sea, I lay floating on my back for several minutes while, in the dark, the rest of the dive group carefully climbed onto the boat one by one. The sea was calm and warm. Above me numerous stars twinkled, there being no light pollution to cause distraction and in the distance I could make out the lights of Lahami Bay Resort. On the final day of diving, Eve and I awoke at 5.50 a.m. The sea was calm and the beach deserted, save for a few Germans putting out their towels on sunbeds. Just over an hour later we dropped down from the surface of the House Reef dive site (my dive 1118) and in the early morning light the surface of the shallows seemed a deep blue. Titan Triggerfish ignored us busily feeding and in the overhang near the dive entrance site, large Sweetlips and Snappers and a Crocodilefish were waiting for us. It was a magical atmosphere. When not diving with Winco or Eve I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by Detlef Richter or Rudiger Kubik, both from Germany and Bruno Bergaglio or Carla Fogli both from Italy. They all proved to be the perfect buddies for me, patiently looking for subjects for me to photograph.

Ocean-Pro Dive Masters/Guides Bernhard Jackenkroll, Karin & Oliver Stachel, Patricia Mendl, Andi Corradi, Nasser and Nabil Abdo ensured that I always returned safely to the surface. Without exception they all impressed me with their friendly professionalism. But I have to admit that I did have one favourite dive guide: Nabil. Nabil timed every dive I did with him to perfection, bringing the group to the surface precisely on the maximum permitted dive time of 75 minutes. Nabil is a charismatic Dive Master with a typically relaxed Egyptian manner, superb buoyancy control and real underwater athleticism. I was more than a little envious! And as for Nabil’s approach to a dive entry, well just look at my “Nabil” photograph!

Fish highlights of the holiday were Barracuda, Batfish, Bluespotted Rays, Crocodilefish, Giant Moray Eels, Giant Puffers, Longnose Hawkfish, Napoleon Wrasse, Titan Triggerfish, Potato Cod and Scorpionfish.

I have credited Richard “Pic by Winco” and Ann “Pic AP” for their contributions to my photos of this holiday.