LOcAL Stories of our dive Centers and stories from and about SUBEX
Easter Story in sharm el sheikh
How quickly a year goes. Once again, the easter bunny hopped through Sharm El Sheikh.
This time the easter bunny paid attention and didn't let fall the eggs into the water as he did the last year.
So he hung around at the Jolie Ville Beach and was even spotted on our flagship "Beirut", which was on the way to Thistlegorm.
This year, like the last year, he had of course hardworking helpers who went to work for him. Nicole, our easter fairy, painted eggs and decorated the Beach Center in beautiful easter glory. Ali and Beat painted the eggs on the boat and they hide the easter 
eggs on all sorts of places.
Now it was time for the SUBEX guests to find the well-hidden eggs. Of course, this was at the beach, in this large area, quiet difficult. But also on the boat the hunting wasn't that easy, after early exit and two dives on the Thistlegorm.
But our SUBEX divers were ambitious and hardworking and found all the eggs.
Of course, their effort was rewarded!
Guest comments - evaluation 2012
As usual this year was also under the topic: "Joining is worth it"!
And this is how it works: Each SUBEX guest receives an evaluation sheet at the end of his or her diving holiday with the request to fill it in honestly. There, services are being evaluated which are important for the base management, ensure improvements and also give good feedback to the staff. For giving us this useful tips and a honestly evaluation each guest has the chance to win one of the 6 dive packages SUBEX give away.
In 2012 we are particularly happy that the recommendation rate of those who filled in the sheet is 99% for all bases in Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, El Quseir, Dahab und Marsa Alam! We are really a little bit proud of this and promise that also in 2013 we are going to strive after working to the full satisfaction of our guests!
For the summary of the total of 1.667 evaluations click here.
Enclosed you will find the winners 2012!
SUBEX says "Congratulation!"
Johnny G. from Buchrain - Schweiz
Fernanda Z. from Biel - Schweiz
Martin P. from Essen - Deutschland
David R. from Steeple Claydon - UK
Ursula B. from Piding - Deutschland
Martin V. from Illingen - Deutschland
Harald M. from Ehrenkirchen - Deutschland
Urs S. from Baar - Schweiz
Jina G. from Magden - Schweiz
Sigrun K. from Kritzendorf - Österreich
Mark T. from Birmensdorf - Schweiz (UK)
Marco T. from London - UK
Gerald B. from Essen - Deutschland
Irene S. from Mörigen - Schweiz
Matthias G. from Bern - Schweiz
Gino v.A. from Eindhoven - Niederlande
Daniela T. from Birmensdorf - Schweiz (UK)
The winners will be informed directly from SUBEX.
Progress report BOOT 2013
Deliberately abstained from the BOOT - nevertheless there: Hardly any event in the diving business is so inevitable like the annual fair BOOT. After years of participation in hall 3 of the fairground in Düsseldorf – sometimes even with two stands - SUBEX decided not to exhibit in 2013. And nevertheless: The visitors' and exhibitors' world did not have to do without the renowned Swiss dive sport company completely.
In retrospect: In June 2012 the professional HGVT team produced a 45-minutes long 3D underwater film. The guide alongside the film crew was among others Mike, back then dive instructor and guide at the SUBEX Base Hurghada. Since the making of the film, boss and videographer Helmut with assistant Gitta and 3D pro Werner have produced a Blue Ray of the highlights from several hours raw material, inspired already at the Fotokina 2012 with the records and named the film THE ART OF DIVING as it had been formed in cooperation with SUBEX and there would not be any other title suiting more for these fabulous pictures. Not the art of having such a film knack underwater but the enchanting spacial impressions of maritime creatures and landscapes into which the spectators dive dryly , fascinate the eye. As SUBEX did not want to participate with its own stand at the fair, Helmut invited the team to present the film together. For this is, for sure, a collaboration. So, the former SUBEX Hurghada dive instructor Mike with partner and former SUBEX marketing boss Steffi, together with baby Nelson, went at the two fair weekends to sniff the fair hall air and present the 2012 newly designed SUBEX t-shirts.
The film was presented to the audience completely and in an infinite loop at the HGVT stand for nine days. The stand was regularly replete with visual hedonists: The video on the big screen attracted the visitors, who admired the pictures with 3D glasses on their noses. A lot of THE ART OF DIVING Blue Rays changed their owner. Some surprised questions like e.g. “This has been produced in Hurghada? All reefs are still intact!” caused a knowing smile on dive instructor Mike's face. Yes, the reefs in Hurghada are wonderfully intact and belong to the most varied dive places in the Red Sea due to their variety, if you don't go straight to those which are daily being visited by numerous tourists – anyway no targets for SUBEX divers.
Familiar visitors like FEEL THE DIVE model Caroline and the SUBEX Marsa Imbarak base manager Doris said hello as well to the family and delightedly watched the 3D tube. Particularly at the 2. fair weekend umpteen Blue Rays changed their owner. There still some left which can be asked for from the HGVT for 25 Euro excl. delivery costs. The experience of submerging in your living room is possible with a 3D capable TV and playback device. Therefore the spectator requires the corresponding glasses. For the exact parameters just ask Helmut.
So, SUBEX can not do completely without the fair BOOT. The team is looking forward to next year when it says again: SUBEX will think of something special!
Text by Steffi Theimer
Maritim Jolie Ville Golf in reconstruction
Sharm El Sheikh, December 2012
The SUBEX Snorkeling and Diving Center in the Maritim Jolie Ville Golf had to have a reconstruction.
Therefore again the workmanship of Mohamed Abd El Ati was asked.
What has changed?
A portion of the desk was glazed for the new boutique stuff.
The entrance behind the counter got a door and the entire counter was provided with wooden shutters to close the Center in the evening.
A portion behind the desk was removed to create a small office.
Each dive center also needs "tanks" and thats why place was organised to place 60 of our steel tanks.
Even a small workshop could not miss, for this we use the old boutique place.
Fins and snorkel masks for hire got a new place as well.
Now we are looking with confidence with a newly designed Center towards the new year 2013.
Specialty Course
Hurghada, December 2012
Navigation Course with SUBEX Member Angela, Dino and Andi and much fun!
What exactly is navigation?
Here a definition: Navigation is a field of study that focuses on the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. The field of navigation includes four general categories: land navigation, marine navigation, aeronautic navigation, and space navigation. All navigational techniques involve locating the navigator's position compared to known locations or patterns.
training by Subex
Hurghada, November 2012
- Seminar on November 16, with the SUBEX staff Angi, Nadine, Bino, Jürgen and Benni, in which the philosophy of SUBEX was explained and pointed out how it should be implemented in daily contact with the guests.
In addition, the new water staff got a guide course from the boss personally, to understand how to use the SUBEX rules under water to garantee a great diving experience for the guests!
Turtles
Hurghada, November 2012
Sorry a bit late, but according to the device: better late than never, here's a little lesson on turtles.
The diving guests in Hurghada once again had one of these incredible experiences under water. A giant turtle did not mind their presence and spent almost the whole dive next to them! For this reason we should think once or twice about this kind of sea dweller...
What makes this reptile so unique and special?
Here are a few facts worth knowing:
Did you know that giant turtles can become over 200 years old?! The oldest turtle which we know about was said to be even 256 years old. In total, there are about 230 different turtle species.
The smallest turtle species became only about six to ten centimeters long. The biggest turtles can be up to two and a half meters long and 900 kilogramm heavy.
Did you furthermore know that turtles do not have teeth? However, their jaw bones are very hard at the edge so that they are able to bite like a bird with its beak.
Another turtle character is the good sight as they have four different color receptors.
Aditionally, they are able to smell very well in their throats with certain smell receptors. Not only do they use their sense of smell for finding food or a partner but also for orientation.
Turtles are just not able to hear very well as their external is not fully developed.
Another fascinating character is that turtles are able to stay long time under water.
Moreover, turtles are very good distance swimmers. The distance record is 12.000 kilometers.
The most beautiful message is, for sure, that turtles exist all over the world and in all oceans exept the Noth and South Poles.
Beach cleaning together with our beach boys and volunteers
Sharm el Sheikh, September 2012
After Ramadan, with the beginning of the new month Shawwal, one celebrates the breaking the fast, the so called small feast. This is also defined by the sighting of the new crescent moon.
After this feast, the time has come to prepare our beach for new guests.
On this occasion the beach boys from the Maritim Jolie Ville and SUBEX organized a beach cleaning action on the hotel beach.
At 10:00 clock we met at Subex Beach Center, where the briefing and the distribution of the mesh bags were held. Guests from Maritim Jolie Ville and SUBEX were invited and attended. Even our recent JOWD did not miss the chance to make another dive because of the cleaning action.
Armed with a mask, snorkel, fins and a mesh bag the flat portion of the floating zone was tackled. The divers were in the low range along the net and in the snorkeling zone.Until the mid-day we snorkeled, dived and swam to get rid of all the garbage.
The effect of this action was impressive. Once again you can enjoy the beauty of the "Red Sea" along the hotel beach.
Happy Easter in Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh, 8./9. April 2012
Every year the Easter Bunny is hopping around. The poor bunny also fell into the water in Na’ama Bay at the Sinai Peninsula and lost his Easter eggs there. Early in the morning Hannes and Remi jumped after him and helped to hide the eggs well. 
Painted and numbered, these eggs were especially for the SUBEX divers at the house reef. One hour later the first guests which had the task to search as well for the eggs besides fish submerged. For each found egg there was a voucher for a small Easter present waiting at the beach center.
The divers were a bit taken aback when they only found eggshells left instead of several painted eggs. The kind underwater friends, the fish, have really been of the opinion that the Easter Bunny hided the eggs for them!
Fortunately, some eggs remained unharmed so that it was possible to give some small Easter surprises to the SUBEX guests.
SUBEX DIVE ASSOCIATION - an april fool's joke
With this SUBEX published the new Diving Organisation on April 1st.
The new dive association is founded and start its work on April, 1st, 2012. For information about products, please give us some time to translate the german page. If you have questions please feel free to contact:
SUBEX DIVE ASSOCIATION
dive-association@subex.org
And with this SUBEX disclosed a secret late on April, 1st.
And if you dont believe all this you are right. April, 1st, made the company and closed it as well!
Group „Study Trip“ – SUBEX Sharm el Sheikh
22 participants of the group “Study Trip” of the Hessian pharmacicts association and the dive base tom4dive at Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort in Sharm el Sheikh arrived on 8 March 2012. Simone and Roland of SUBEX welcomed the inquisitive guests together with those responsible at the hotel lobby.
After the check-in at the next day everybody was keen on the Welcome Dive at the house reef in Na’ama Bay and the subsequent lecture “Grundlagen der Meeresbiologie (basics of marine biology)” by Thomas, the group leader. Afterwards, some of them enjoyed a night dive at Na’ama Bay. After all, the participants were not there for fun but for diving with SUBEX!
On a boat, which had exclusively been rented for the group, they spent the following two days at the reefs of Ras Mohamed, the famous Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef as well as Ras Ghozlani, which had only been accessible for divers for some years, and the reefs which are located between the Tiran Island and the Sinai Peninsula. Base manager Simone did not miss the group’s trip to the beautiful coral gardens of Jackson Reef, followed by a rapid drift dive at Thomas Reef.
The next day the group took account of the word “Study Trip”. In the two lectures by Thomas the first involved everything about dangerous marine creatures and in the second one the participants learned the first aid recommendations and standards according to DAN.
Next day: The target was Ras Mohamed National Park for which the rested divers had to get up earlier as they wanted to admire the wrack of the British cargo ship “Dunraven” as a highlight. The cargo ship that sank on its way from Mumbay to Newcastle at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in the Gulf of Suez in 1876 was rediscovered in 1977. At the second dive at Shark and Yolanda Reef the group admired the bath tubs and toilets the ship “Yolanda” had lost at the dive spot. For some this was the last dive, the others were looking forward to a dive at the house reef on the last day.
This day began with Thomas’ fourth lecture “Pharmazeutische Betreuung von Tauchern (pharmaceutical treatment of divers)”. Afterwards some enjoyed the pool scenery of Jolie Ville Golf and others the house reef dives at the Umm Marikha Bay.
The group leader Thomas of tom4dive as well as Simone and Roland of SUBEX have been thankful for the exchange of views and the positive feedback at a final talk with the complete team. After a joyful farewell of happy guests the base is hoping for a repetition of such a successful study trip.
SUBEX Racing Team
Sharm el Sheikh, December 4, 2011
Sharm experienced two tough, labor-intensive months in October and November. The staff worked very hard to serve all divers and snorkelers above and below the water. Base managers Simone and Hannes decided to reward and thank the team with a motivational surprise: a go-kart race!
After hours, the team went north from the center to Ghibli Go-kart track, where a good friend of SUBEX works. After a warm welcome, the team received their racing outfits as well as the briefing on the course. In two mixed groups, the employees competed against each other. There was a five minute warm-up and then off they went: a ten-lap race, and then the top three in a final round! Steffili the Flyweight flew off and beat them all. Women to the front!
(picture back row: Katja, Roland, Ali Sayed, Salem Mahmoud, Steffili (THE WINNER), Mohamed Abd El Ati, Fouad, Lars. Middle row: Alexei, Mahmoud Fathy, Ali El Guoshy, Amr Abdelrazek, Simone. Front: Hannes)
SUBEX Sharm meets SUBEX Dahab
SUBEX Sharm El Sheikh: 20-year anniversary - a review
What began with an expedition in 1971 on Sinai is now continued by SUBEX Red Sea Diving Center and supported by the guests. The entire SUBEX team thanks y ,ou for the loyalty and the common diving fun, and they look forward to the next twenty years!
Turtle Town and Nemo-City
Marsa Imbarak Bay Expedition - a SUBEX voyage of discovery
Marsa Alam, July, 13, 2011
They made a brief stopover at SUBEX Radisson DC El Quseir.
The wide coral garden in the middle of the bay also offers colorful marine life, with schools of Anthias, Grouper, bannerfish and anemone fish.
After the first dive, Verena served up a grand lunch buffet with Swiss sausage and fresh fruit. As the birthday boy, Mike was even served a homemade apple pie served. Unfortunately, he would not share his wish as he blew out the candles.
Both the first and the second dives cause the divers’ hearts to beat faster. Of course, in one day, only a small part of the huge bay can be seen, but what the group saw excited them and caused them hope for more. The Marsa Imbarak Bay has certainly some surprises in store for the next guests. 
SUBEX guests, both divers and snorkelers too, can look forward to a wonderful beach and diving holiday in a beautiful bay with many flora and fauna and amazing encounters with the bay’s residents!
Shark News in Sharm el Sheikh - Lecture by Roger Bishop, Sharkproject
Roger presented a comprehensive multi-media lecture, during which he gave all participants a realistic picture of the shark and did away with myths and prejudices. Useful comparisons were used, which caused one or two 'wow' moments. Who would have thought that four times more people each year, namely 20, are killed by the box jellyfish, than by sharks? Not to mention the 1,000 lightning deaths and the 140,000 deaths from rabies each year.
For a good hour, Roger described the biology of the shark and his seven senses, and explained shark accidents and the proper behavior of boaters and divers, especially in encounters with sharks. Both Roger’s heart and Sharkproject are dedicated to the fight against the shark’s extinction. All this information helped to inform why the disappearance of sharks results in the death of the sea. According to Shark Project, the exploration of the shark is still in its early stages, but the results of previous research speak for themselves. We can safely say goodbye to the idea of a man-eating shark, which was fueled by ignorance and movies like "Jaws.”
Man threatened the shark and needs to understand that he will ultimately receive the bill for it: a lifeless underwater world, which will put the entire earth’s eco-system to the test. Unless he changes his perspective and gives the shark a smile—now.
SUBEX is very thankful for the dedication of Roger and Kirsten as the representatives of Switzerland Sharkproject. The dive center confirms the philosophy of eco-diving, and hopes that Roger and Kirsten’s educational work with Sharkproject will win many other shark fans!
The "Alchasar" now makes beautiful full-day dive trips in Dahab
Following the April transfer of SUBEX's dive boat Alchasar from El Quseir to the sweet town of Dahab on the Sinai, it was now ready: The boat was allowed for the first time to take guests to Gabr el Bint, the magnificent flagship dive along the coast of Dahab!
In addition to captain Houda and deckhand Yasser, who have both driven the ship a long time for SUBEX, dive center manager Jürgen, dive guide Andy, and the SUBEX guests Philip I, Norbert, Philip II and Claudia were also there to support the ship’s premier.
It was cozy, because except for a brief visit by the "ROMY" with snorkelling guests, the SUBEX divers were the only boat in Gabr el Bint.
Claudia graduated from her intro dive successfully (Congratulations!) and was able to celebrate alongside the obligatory "under the boat Baracuda" and even a turtle.
Hurghada in Action
12.50 pm, Sunday, May 8th, Head Office, SUBEX Hurghada, It’s almost time for lunch. A loud banging upstairs. At this time Human Resources Manager Verena, Office Manager Caro and Sales & Marketing Manager Steffi are in the office. Verena decides to go up, alone.
Two minutes of silence, the door slams and a little later Verena exclaims "Stop, stop, STOOOOOPP!“
Caro and Steffi both jump up and reach the doors simuntaneously; they throw them open to see two men walking quickly down the stairs.
A little moment of hesitation in both the men and the two ladies. Then they go roaring, shoot down the stairs.
The two caught in the act did not get far. They chose the escape route towards the club house of the Hurghada Diving Center, where they had no escape. Helper Mahmout threw himself along with his weight on the older of the thieves and kept him down. Meanwhile, the Egyptian radio alarm system worked: the store owners at the road came out and shouted and ran after the second thief until he could be overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, Caro and Steffi looked after Verena. Everything okay.
Watching the scene in amazement the expatriates realized: So much moral courage is rare in Germany. If someone there were calling on the street, "Thieves, thieves", the majority of people would probably look, but restrict the action to the emergency call. The Egyptian system is very nice!
The two men were taken away. What they wanted to get at SUBEX and for what they took such a high risk at lunch time, was the emergency power generator, which was unsecured to date on the roof of the SUBEX Head Office. They had probably underestimated its weight and dropped it, causing the noise that gave them away in the end.
Beirut back from Dry Dock
Sharm El Sheikh, May 2011
After the Beirut had to stay longer in the dry dock than planned, it is now - last but not least - back in the water!
May 21 was a golden morning at the Beach Center. The three Goldmembers Zita, Thomas and Peter went out for a joint dive in Naama Bay. Thomas & Zita also spent a day together in Ras Mohamed as part of our Ras Mohamed Relaxing Days.
Once SUBEX - Always SUBEX
Sharm El Sheikh, May 2011
The dive marathon enters the second round: After Roger H. (who visited in April 2011), Achim B. has also set his goal: to make very many dives. This is clearly his intention for his dive holiday, as Achim has already pre-paid for 30 dives. And he could still do more, because he left with 38 logged SUBEX dives after his first SUBEX diving holiday!
When asked his favorite dive spot, Achim answered quite clearly: our house reef in Na'ama Bay! He has already dived many places around the globe, but the variety here has impressed him. He likes not only the larger, more loyal reef dwellers such as Napoleon, groupers and blue-spotted rays, but also all kinds of small animals such as snails and seaweed-ghost pipe fish. He was equally excited by the excellent camouflaged stone fish and scorpion fish. Achim can thank his wife for his holiday with SUBEX—because of his dissatisfaction after their last holiday with another dive shop in Sharm, she recommended to try diving with SUBEX.
Good choice! Achim's diving holiday motto was already clear after a few days: Once SUBEX, always SUBEX!
The family atmosphere and the possibility of extended dives (80-90 minutes according to taste) makes his diver’s heart beat faster.
Dear Achim, always remember: after the holiday is before the holiday – so we’ll see you again soon in Sharm!
Transport tasks completed
Both the staff houses, the dive shop, and the jetty are now equipped with inventory from the SUBEX dive center, the Mövenpick Resort, and employee accommodations.
May barbecue
El Quseir, May, 1. 2011
Marco‘s last evening was the occasion for the El Quseir team to throw a barbecue party on the Staff House roof on May 1.
Sharm Marathon Man
Sharm el Sheikh, April 2011
Alchasar Ship arrives well in Dahab
Clean up Earth Day 2011
For support, HEPCA, produced a banner for each participant to show that environmental awareness is rising in Egypt. This also sent a signal to those who exploit the Red Sea for their own purposes (tourism, fisheries), but give back nothing in return.
Overall, a positive action: HEPCA reports that 21 organizers collected 470 bags of trash with 450 volunteers.Karl Looser enjoied his 250. dive with SUBEX and now starts his carreer as a SUBEX GOLD Member
Sharm el Sheikh, April, 07. 2011
In October 1994 Karl made his first diving experience with SUBEX. Since 17 years so far he returns to his favourite Diving Center in Sharm el Sheikh on a regular base, once or twice a year.
Karls favourite diving spot is the SUBEX house reef in the Na’ama Bay - just in that very holidays he loved the 16 unforgettable dives there.
Countdown in El Quadim Bay
El Quseir, March, 18. 2011
Well, here is, after all, the situation: Our team took off from the El Quadim Bay dive center and, as the owners of the Mövenpick Resort desired, we took off completely. So, SUBEX wanted to leave an empty dive center; everything should be demolished and removed, so the building would look the same as when it was acquired by SUBEX in 1994. Phew.
At 11:55, the mood in the dive center was indeed busy and emotionally at the breaking point. Impressively, the team worked together until March 1, 2011. They helped each other and then broke up, as if they would meet again for work at 7 the next day. There was no time for a farewell party, and maybe it was better that way.
What SUBEX managed in just 10 days from the decision to move out to the actual move, was an agreement with 100% of the Egyptian and European staff. Many will still be employed with the other SUBEX dive centers, inlcuding three-quarters of the diving staff. The Europeans, though they are often not locally bound, have retained almost all of their employment with SUBEX. Also , many of the locally-bound Egyptians wanted to and could stay with SUBEX. SUBEX has advised the rest of the staff to contact the new dive center in the hotel. The company hopes and wishes the entire crew the best!
While the dive center was cleared out, the administration worked to rebook the SUBEX THE ART OF DIVING with their dive centers in Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab and Hurghada, in addition to SUBEX DC Radisson, which was accomplished without problems. In the newsletter that was sent to the members, there followed some 600 (!) comments on transfers, guestbook, friendly and encouraging words, and so on. All reactions were and are still processed in person. The SUBEX members are once more rated in the category "You are absolutely brilliant!“
A lump in the throat still remains. After 17 years, no wonder. Nevertheless, SUBEX in Sharm, Dahab, Hurghada, and the befriended company SUBEX DC Radisson continue even in El Quseir: with air28, with unlimited dive time, with FEEL THE DIVE, with the Swiss quality, with small dive groups of up to four divers, with the high-quality training for SUBEX DIVER, for SUBEX ART Diver or SUBEX guide, with top service, and of course with the philosophy of adventure, environmental awareness, and safety-- since 1965, a SUBEX proven concept.
Boat revision and a meeting with sharks
The shipyard work of our boats Alchasar and Alhambra was successful and punctual, and since February both boats have been ready for use for day trips with the guests. The Alchasar has been in use in El Quseir since the beginning of March, while the "big" sister Alhambra has already driven several guests in Hurghada to the offshore reefs.
So, on February 19, the team of SUBEX Hurghada (Hurghada dive center and head office) made their first exciting dive with the freshly maintained ship. In addition to the fitness check, the purpose of the event was to find sharks. It could not be true that in Hurghada there are no more white tips to be seen.
The often prevailing view, that since years ago it’s impossible to encounter sharks diving in Hurghada, was disproven with the sighting of six peacefully sleeping, beautiful specimens of sharks. Instructor Mike even bet CEO Johann a good bottle of wine that he would find sharks that very same day. And he won.With another trip from the El Quseir colleagues to Hurghada, the SUBEX Hurghada dive center could boast that it has once been fully booked in February, despite the extended hard times.The fact that it was their own team that filled the dive boat doesn’t matter.
Our dive center is beautiful ...
The dive center took the quiet time during the political upheaval in Egypt as an opportunity to beautify itself. This was followed by a creative and motivating push. With music in the background and the help of about five guests, the dive center was painted, planed, and sanded.
New Year’s Dive
Max Brunner, a diver, hunts for diving trophies. This happened also in 2009 during a diving competition of the Swiss magazine taucher revue. SUBEX provided the prize at that time, 800 CHF for the winner and a vacation in Egypt.
Max won and opted for two weeks boat diving in Hurghada.
The forestry professional, a first-time SUBEX guest, traveled shortly after Christmas, bringing along his photo equipment. It is known that the time between Christmas and New Years is not the busiest time at our dive center in Hurghada. Thus, on a few days Max was the only guest with instructor Andy, guide Ivonne or instructor Mike underwater. With the buddy dive team in place, photography is even more enjoyable.
New Year's Eve fell for Max, instructors Mike and Andy and Sales and Marketing Steffi literally and in the best sense into the water. For New Year's day, they were all fit to start the new year in the coral world full of fish. New Year's diving is much better than starting 2011 sick and unfit, hungover after a night of drinking.
Storms in Sharm el Sheikh
Quite the contrary: a crisis meeting with delicious Stella beer, a splash in the dive center, and material abuse for a good cause. We say:
You have done great!
Fun with the night shift: Amr, Salem, Bido, Monir, Steffi and Natascha; Salem used every available tool for cleaning.
Crisis planning for the night: Brigitte, Sven, Negm and Ms. Stella, Egyptian waterway or "SUBEX After the Flood" ...
SUBEX goes to sea for 25 years in Hurghada
Besides Johann and Verana on the anniversary eouting, of course, was the current crew of the Hurghada dive center—instructor Mike, and guide and office staff Yvonne. Also joining were the Sales and Marketing Manager, Steffi, and the Office Manager Caro, both from the Head Office of SUBEX, which is also found in Hurghada
The young guests Daniela, Martin and Lisa were delighted to spend the past day with SUBEX. In the second Carless Reef dive, everyone could admire a real hawksbill turtle.
Ivonne from the new SUBEX generation is 29 years old, almost four years older than the first outing with SUBEX Hurghada in 1985. During the boat trip, from left to right: Rosemarie Vifian, Silvia Vifian, Verena Vifian, Caro Borchert, guest Lisa, Steffi Theimer, Mike Leuven, guests Daniel and Martin, Ivonne, and of course Johann. Missing in the photo are Captain Mustafa and boat helper El Taib.
Johann, Mike and Steffi get ready to dive. Verena did not dive due to a cold, so she instead served tea to anyone who wanted it.
Christmas 2010 – How our employees celebrated
Since that day, we also know the reindeer myth is just that: In reality, Santa Claus rides a camel!
Seit dem Tag wissen wir auch, dass die Mär um das Rentier eine Sage ist: In Wirklichkeit reitet Santa Claus aus einem Kamel!
In Hurghada, we celebrated quite comfortably: After a nice outing with two dives with guests Lisa, Daniel, and Martin, as well as Steffi, who had holiday and so naturally went diving, all celebrated Christmas Eve together: Mike and Ivonne from the Hurghada center, colleagues Johann, Verena and Steffi from the Head Office and a guest and friend Lisa.
The seven spent a social evening with a fantastic 5-course dinner from Chef Mohamed in their own clubhouse in the district of Al Dahar. If the families have to stay in Europe for goose, fondue and sausage, sitting together in the snow and cold, then at least we wanted the little family from SUBEX Hurghada to also create a homely atmosphere. For each person there were also small, subtle surprises like chocolate Santas, a pair of earrings, a book, a blanket, and even Jägermeister specially flown in from Germany.
Who says a dive shop for 120 guests can’t be familiar?
El Quseir, December 2010
Actually, a rest should come for El Quseir in mid-December, at least concerning the number of guests at SUBEX. The entire staff and the bay will be able to breathe, even as we "are only half full.”
El Quseir SUBEX is still a family dive center--with or without a lot of guests.
From right to left:
Dirk Wegner (long and deep SUBEX Guide in Sharm, Hurghada, El Quseir and on the Norseman), Margot and Dieter Seiler (Gold Members and Honorary SUBEX Guide 1000 El Quadim dives), René Galster (founding father of SUBEX)
Marco Vifian (youngest Quseir member for counter staff and reservation), Yves Godel (Silver Members and Backup Guide, made in the summer of the 3 star course with us), Silvia Vifian (sister of director John Vifian SUBEX and most faithful guest), Hansi Scherp (longest European SUBEX people in Egypt and Operation Manager), Gerlinde Piesker (mother of Base Manager Piesi), Stefan "Piesi" Piesker (in the 6th year of the contract and base manager in El Quseir) and
Rosmarie Vifian (mother of Subex CEO John Vifian).
The Fifth Marine Biology Seminar
For the fifth consecutive year, SUBEX taught the seminar in the Eco-Bay in El Quseir jointly with the Marine Biological VDST. This year it was all about introducing the six participants to the mysteries of the dazzling red and green fluorescence underwater. Dr. Ralph Schill and Steffen Hengherr planned and carried out the seminar. They were supported by SUBEX Guide Chris.
As usual for SUBEX, the knowledge week began with a relaxed Welcome Dive for all divers. This meant that all who had come fresh could become comfortable again with the water. Only Walter had a great diving week behind him, and had already been in the bay a few times. Four of the other participants were SUBEX members and are used to diving in the bay - but the breaks were longer ago for some of the divers, and the fluorescence had yet to be experienced by any of them.
Judging by the comments of the guests, all were extremely enthusiastic. It was nice to see other colors in the beautiful bay of El Quadim.
We are looking forward to next year when SUBEX and VDST invite you to discover the underwater world professionally.
500 Dives and a birthday
One fine Thursday morning in late October, birthday Base Manager Jürgen Hronek was not responding to his ringing cell phone. Did hej just not want to answer all those calling him to congraulate him on his 39th birthday? 
Michele was a guest at SUBEX in Dahab: The experienced diver wanted to make his 500th dive today in the canyon—and he wanted to do it with Jurgen, who was himself quite excited by the dive site, and could imagine doing worse things on his birthday.
During the day, in addition to the regular dive center duties, the manager had an additional challenge—namely, to organize the wild party at the dive center with about 40 people. The diving community of the Sinai village celebrated that evening with Jürgen, as well as guests and the SUBEX Dahab team.
The party must have been very nice - the next morning the party animals were running around with swollen eyes, but were also punctual. The dive center did not need any major repairs after the wild party.
Winners as guests
"I would like to thank SUBEX for the diving holiday we were allowed to take. 
A very special thanks goes to the team in Dahab. We very quickly felt comfortable there, which is not very difficult with this troop. It was a very familiar atmosphere; all the guests were sitting together, gossiping, talking about experiences, and talking about life in general. Jürgen responded to emails and completed all formalities very quickly. Once more, thank you for this!
Thomas was a great dive guide. Sometimes we had him all to ourselves, which of course could not be beat! His dive preparation was very factual and accurate. And no sooner had we cleaned our gear after the dive, than he already had all the fish of the last dive noted in his book so we could live through the dive again.
Super equipment, beautiful dive sites!
It was very special to eat with the whole team, thanks for the nice evening!"
FEEL THE DIVE Fotoshooting
FEEL THE DIVE means to go diving in the old days and feel like a fish in water: diving in a bikini or shorts, with a back plate to which the tank is attached with regulator, with mask and fins. Nothing more. Away from the high-tec diving of the youngest generation, towards the most original of all diving feelings.
For vanity’s sake, the models did not opt for just the bikini and shorts, but they pulled on the freshly printed FEEL THE DIVE Lycra shirt on top. Then they went by boat to the dive site Erg Abu Ramada in Hurghada.
El Quseir
On Sunday, October 17, a diver was saved from a life-threatening decompression sickness by the SUBEX El Quadim Bay El Quseir team.
A diver appeared before sunrise on the reef near El Quadim Bay, the bay in front of the Movenpick Resort. The Egyptian had probably had been dropped off by a nearby fishing boat.
Before SUBEX dive operations had started for the day, the man began his dive with two compressed tanks and no dive computer. After the first dive, before he could change to his second tank, he suffered from decompression sickness.
He rescued himself onto the top of the reef, where a guest at the Mövenpick Hotel spotted him in the distance at 7:15 am. The guest immediately called Base Manager Stefan (Piesi) Piesker. Because it was outside of dive center hours, Piesi thought it may have been just a snorkeler. Hoever, Piesi and his colleague Yassir reacted more quickly when they saw a small, foreign fishing boat that was also in the bay.
Only 16 minutes after the call, the Zodiac was on top of the reef next to the diver. The doctor on call had already been informed, and the ambulance had been called. Unable to move and with small pupils, the diver’s symptoms pointed to decompression sickness. The stiffened limbs of the diver left him unable to save himself from the incoming tide. With the Zodiac, he was rescued at the jetty of the bay and oxygen was administered to him a short time later. He was then taken to the decompression chamber in Marsa Alam.
The fishing boat in the bay that did not come to help the injured diver was probably the boat that had earlier transported him. The boat was trying to flee as SUBEX began the rescue, but the informed Coast Guard and SUBEX were able to pursue and take the co-responsible fishing boat.
Because of the high safety standards, the necessity, the existing infrastructure, and the functioning chain of survival in an emergency, the foreign diver is now doing well, thanks to the SUBEX employees. It pays to train the employees so they can respond quickly and efficiently in an emergency. The early-morning rescue proceeded so smoothly and quickly that the guests observing from the Mövenpick hotel thought it was a routine exercise.Hurghada
On September 26, various dive centers, aqua centers and hotels cooperated with environmental organization HEPCA to celebrate World Tourism Day with a clean-up of Magawish Island. Of course, SUBEX was not missing. During lunch time, after the first dive, dive-boat Alhambra took divers to the island, which is close to the coast of Hurghada and is flooded with washed-up waste from the surrounding boats and hotels.
Dressed in action t-shirts, both the crew and the two international guests on board tackled the project energetically. The groups of HEPCA staff with black garbage bags had been distributed to various sections of the beach. Beneath all the rubbish, the beach could barely be seen! They collected mostly plastic bottles and cups, which are distributed by the snorkelling boats. However, oil cans and wooden panels of the bay made it a real dump. So our SUBEX helpers had the bags and their hands full.SUBEX Headoffice - Hurghada
Together with HEPCA and the Care Service Cleaning Company, SUBEX Al Dahar, Hurghada, has taken a step in the direction of cleanliness.
Where once there were stinking piles of rubbish, there is now a clean garden. The garden in front of Hurghada base is free of garbage, and boasts a few flashes of red . That's right! Twenty-five bright red trash cans will be emptied daily by Service-box, the local garbage pick-up service, in an effort to clear the streets of Al Dahar.
Our employee Mohamedin spent several weeks in the neighboring houses convincing families to pay a one-time fee of 95 LE for each bin.. SUBEX paid the remaining 50 LE per bin provided by HEPCA. These replace the old, disgusting garbage bins that were used not only by local families, but by hotels and restaurants in the area to discard of garbage and wastewater.
(Left: Mohamedin, son Momo and SUBEX staffSalah on the ex-garbage-place which is clean now. In the backround SUBEX. Right the view from the SUBEX headoffice to a clean garden)
Dahab
1 August 2010
There was nothing when SUBEX decided to buy a sandy piece of land in Dahab two years ago. The company wanted to establish a new dive center at the Sinai. Today, two years after, SUBEX says Goodbye to Guido Lehmann which did a great job, as well as it welcomes Jürgen, the new base manager, which inherits a growing business.
The ritualistic hand-over was done at the house reef. Our director Johann and his wife Vreni joint the event.
(on the key left: Jürgen, right Guido, behind Johann)
Now we have to say Goodbye to Guido and wish him all the best for his future. We welcome now Jürgen Hronek as the new base manager, who used to work as Operation Manager in Sharm el Sheikh before. Please start off at the right foot, Jürgen. Good luck!
El Quseir
Freshwater-Stations
In April the old, already small water tanks to wash the equipment were replaced by a freshwater-station. That saves us approximately 50% water each day for washings (in comparison to the last years and to other dive centers which have a similar size and the same number of guests). 
El Quseir
The love speciality
3 June 2010
The moment had come – Nico disclosed his carefully-planned idea to instructor Mario: he wanted to propose to his beloved Julia under the water.
It happened to fit in perfectly with the SSI AOWD course that both were doing at the time.
“Navigation” was on the programme on the day of the proposal – what could possibly have been better?
The plan was for Julia to find her way to Nico underwater. He would be waiting holding a waterproof sign with the question, “Will you be my wife?” on it. Full of anticipation, he gave Julia a plastic rose flown over specially when she reached him.
We at SUBEX created two answer cards “Yes” and “No” – just to give Julia the option!
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Julia and Nico, we wish you all the very best for the future!
Sharm el Sheikh
Staff diving at Na’ama Bay
May 2010
Right at the start of the summer season, our (in part) fresh young team shared a little something with the “old hands” – namely an evening with a mutual dive at our house reef in Na’ama Bay.
For some of us, it was the very first time. And every diver knows what that means: a thudding heart, excitement, nervous anticipation.
The beaming faces at our Beach Centre after the diving were clear indications that diving is the best hobby ever! (Lying down: Bido. Kneeling from left: Fouad, Mohamed, Sven, Alexey, Hussein. Standing from left: Andrea, Ändu, Abdou, Martin, Yusef, Amr, Tarek, Jürgen, Gil).
Afterwards, base manager Gil invited the whole team for a Deco beer or a Deco cola at the Pirates Bar.
Many thanks for a great evening to all who took part! We’ll definitely be doing it again...
EL QUSEIR
Almost 1,000 dives in our bay! And still something new?
May 2010
Our Gold Member Dieter has now completed almost 1,000 dives in El Quadim Bay. This doesn’t mean that he’s getting bored, though: every dive has something special about it.
He also loves exploring our safari sites and we can always fall back on his constructive comments if we need to.
Of course we always make sure there is plenty of diversity on hand, so we were easily able to surprise Dieter on his birthday with a very special dive.
We took the Zodiac on the right side to the buoy at the corner. From there, Dieter, Hansi, Piesi and head chef Roger swam to the jetty of the Radisson Hotel.
There were lots of beautiful places to see en route to the fringing reef. But quite clearly the highlight was this extraordinary trip and the corresponding air management. In total, this dive lasted a leisurely 2.5 hours.
Sharm el sheikh
Does relaxation appeal?
May 2010
Relaxed and happy SUBEX guests Guido, Elena and Dave arrive at our dive base at the Maritim Jolie Ville at 9 am every morning. Together with instructors Miranda and Gil it’s off by bus to the Ras Mohamed National Park after the necessary packing and stashing.
Where the coral walls rise almost up to the surface and make you want to jump right in. Where we are all by ourselves and share in the anticipation of what promises to be a fabulous diving experience.
So how does it go? Yes, that’s right: Relaxed! Gil and Miranda give the guests a full briefing; there’s a lot of joking and laughing during preparation and then we slide into the cool water. 
It’s barely an hour and a half of relaxed diving. Beside the famous beauties of the Red Sea; the lionfish or large morains, the fire corals or finger sponge, a cownose ray condescends to give us his valuable company. That’s happiness. That’s delight.
On the way back, we visit Fernando and fill our grumbling stomachs with delicacies.
Everyone disembarks in a happy mood on our return at about 3 pm and immediately sets about booking another trip for the next day – this time to Nabq.
A day just as it should be on holiday: relaxed!
El Quseir
Keep a cool head during diving theory
15. May 2010
The fascination of diving lies in the feeling of weightlessness, of peace and the way the sea opens up to you. Here at the Red Sea, you can add to that the blaze of colour and the many vivid, vibrant fish.
Learning how to dive with SUBEX is all about fun and individual supervision, and takes place in small groups at a high level.
We have now created new teaching rooms in order to hold theory lessons in peace, shade and fresh air. Our snorkelling centre now has 3 rooms for diving lessons with your instructor and is a little bit removed from the busy diving base.
Hurghada
Leopard shark close enough to touch!
May 2010
In early May, some SUBEX guests from Hurghada were privileged enough to experience something very special.
Barbara Zbinden, Christoph Eggler, Carsten Schulze and Maggie Chapman were with their guide Michi at the Shaab Ishta dive site. Due to its location, the reef is usually only dived in the afternoons. But this time Michi changed the programme... As the first boat out we were already on site and wanted to dive the area in peace. We had decided to look for a ghost pipefish, which we had spotted there the previous day. As usual, Michi swept the surroundings - and spotted a dark, long shadow just north of the sea grass area in front of a smaller coral wall... The search of the sea grass was immediately abandoned and we slowly dived over to this ‘shadow’. All at once we saw it: lying comfortably on the sand was a large leopard shark about 1.5 metres long.
We kneeled on the sandy bed about 5 metres 
away to observe it. It seemed to be sleeping. Metre by metre we approached until we were finally able to observe the animal right up close. Shark and divers were equally curious about each other. We were so near that we could have stroked him, which of course we didn’t do for understandable reasons! We stayed with the shark for a good 5 minutes before he unfortunately decided he’d had enough of our noisy breathing and elegantly swam off.
Happily, Christoph Eggler had his camera with him and his photos will be a fantastic reminder of this beautiful encounter for a long time to come.
DAHAB
Free time thanks to the ash cloud – sensibly used, of course!
22. April 2010
Even the diving base in Dahab felt the effects of the flight ban in Europe. Guests who had long been looking forward to their diving holiday were unfortunately unable to travel as planned - and we were suddenly left with a lot of free time on our hands.
Our Dahab team wanted to make profitable use of this “mandatory holiday” and focus on our top priority: safety. So, for example, we went over our basic first aid training.
These first aid lessons according to European standards were an interesting and enriching lesson particularly for our Egyptian employees who haven’t worked for SUBEX for very long.
Our commitment to learning and eagerness to do everything right is so great that this repetition was seen by the team as a welcome change to normal everyday work. There were lots of smiling faces and some industrious head-nodding when it was announced that what we had learned would be repeated again in a few weeks to consolidate the knowledge in our minds.
Naturally, we hope that we don’t have to do the exercises “for real” - i.e. that guests and staff at SUBEX Dahab stay safe and well.
Hurghada
Captain Houda rescues diver
April 2010
On Thursday 8th April 2010, Captain Houda proved his worth as a seaman. That afternoon he had just seen off the SUBEX divers at Shaab Saad for a drift dive when he spotted a diver floating in the sea. He immediately set course for the man and helped him on board with the assistance of El Tajib.
The problem was that the diver didn’t know the name of his dive boat or diving centre. Fortunately, things turned out well. The mystery diver hadn’t been able to follow his dive group as he had lost his lead belt and therefore wasn’t able to dive down. So Houda sailed over to a boat anchored nearby and after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, the diver’s boat was eventually found. The diver warmly thanked us for our help and then changed back to his boat.
All’s well that ends well!
Dahab
Boat trip in Dahab
March 2010
Who says you have to dive from shore in Dahab? Granted, there are no offshore reefs around Dahab, it’s windier and wavier here than further south and almost all dive sites are accessible by pick-up and can be dived from land – so this attitude just became customary.
But: In Dahab’s still-tranquil harbour there are a good half a dozen or so boats and both the southernmost and northernmost dive sites in the area around Dahab can only be reached by boat or camel as the road for motor vehicles still isn’t passable; finishing in the north at the Blue Hole and the south at the Caves.
After diving at the southernmost site “Gabr El-Bing”, we decided to add the comfort of a boat dive to our diving programme. We and our guests all very much enjoyed the unique beauty and unspoiled nature of the as-yet seldom dived site in the “NABQ Protected Area”, as well as the service and comfort on board the “Romy”. We are therefore planning to offer more regular boat trips here in Dahab, too.
A day trip to “Gabr El-Bint” starts with barely an hour’s journey, after which you can do your first dive at one of the nearby sites consisting of endless gorgonian forests, fabulous surreal coral formations and paradisiacal underwater landscapes. Afterwards – as is usually the case on boats – a delicious lunch will be served and you can rest peacefully on the sundeck until it’s time for the afternoon dive.
A maximum of 4 boats ensure a pleasant atmosphere both under and above water at the sheltered mooring spot of Gabr el-Bint.
Depending on the wave conditions, you will choose the second dive site and on the way back enjoy some delicious warm cakes straight from the oven during the debriefing. At 4 pm, you will be back in the small harbour of Dahab, where the day trip ends without any stress or chaos.
El Quseir
Winter: time for inspection
9. March 2010
It’s the same thing every year at SUBEX.
But this year, inspection of the Scubapro breathing regulator purchased in 2009 took place under the supervision of our new Swiss technical superwoman Doris Kupferschmid. And in the, err, breathtaking time of just 2 weeks - thanks to the assistance of long-term Egyptian employees like our two diving guides Mohamed and Hany.
More costly was the preparation for inspecting the cylinders: in El Quseir, SUBEX has set up two 
rooms, professionally equipped with all the necessary structural and technical facilities. Egypt also has its own technical inspection agency that checks cylinders like in Europe. The authorities and chambers of commerce of the diving sport industry (CDWS) are building a system for regular controls according to European standards. SUBEX is proud to have been working to these standards for many a decade.
This year for the first time, the first room at the new diving cylinder test centre (“tank centre” for short) is where the 234 SUBEX tanks are cleaned inside, trovalised, compressed to 300 bar and then dried.
The cylinders are then sanded down in the second room; the marks of each individual bottle are exposed and then newly sprayed with primer and hard lacquer - in bright white for the air28 bottles and vibrant green for the Nitrox bottles.
Up to seven SUBEX employees at a time work on the different processes at “high pressure”, as it is essential to have all steel bottles ready at the jetty in El Quadim Bay for the start of the season at Easter time.
Hurghada
An extraordinary encounter
Who says there's nothing to see in Hurghada? At the end of September Sascha, Roger and Michi experienced a truly wonderful dive that left nothing to be desired.
The beginning of the drift dive at Haua Ketir (Banana Reef) in the north-eastern reef area was very relaxing and the group was initially looking out for small creatures e.g. cleaner shrimps. As we neared the south-western end of the reef, the current increased as expected. As agreed, we made a big turn in the blue water to look at the large block of coral located a little apart from the main reef. First we discovered a giant puffer fish, then some giant trevallies circling a school of fusiliers. At the big block, tuna fish were trying to catch their breakfast and got a swarm of young fish moving incessantly. Our attention kept wandering from the reef block to the beautiful blue water and back again. As we watched the giant trevallies, we were pulled further and further out into the blue waters where we spent some time simply lingering. Then in the distance a shadow was seen. An eagle ray swam in circles and then disappeared into the blue. We kept a sharp look-out for another surprise to come out of the depths. Our patience was rewarded:
Suddenly, an approximately 4 metre long manta ray appeared out of nowhere. He wasn’t at all disturbed by us divers. Diagonally from the bottom, he came closer and closer and then swam past about a metre in front of me, ascending almost up to the surface. We were able to admire the movements of this peaceful giant for about two minutes. Seemingly effortlessly, he glided up and down through the water while we were on constant alert with the current. Then he disappeared back into nothingness. A breathtaking dive that we won’t forget in a hurry!
Sharm-el-Sheikh
Two-time Olympic winner and world champion underwater with SUBEX.
07.11.2009
Simon Ammann, the two-time Swiss Olympic champion in 2002 at Salt Lake City and world champion in 2007 at Sapporo in ski jumping, recently swapped his boards for fins and took a few relaxed days to dive with us in Sharm-el-Sheikh. He proved to be an aesthete, and had no problem transferring his skills on the slopes to an underwater environment!
El Quseir
The El Mina dive
07.11.2009
Text: Rolf Allemann
Photos: Olivier Notz
The 175-hp motor roars to a powerful start; Captain Ashraf stands proudly at the wheel of the new SUBEX speedboat as he focuses on the mirror-smooth water ahead of him. Duck pond conditions... In record time, we race past the Radisson in the direction of El Quseir, accompanied by flying fish jumping out of the water at precisely our speed and plunging back into the sea a few dozen metres on. “We” being base leader Piesi, base ‘bedrock’ Hansi, Markus and Bärbel, the dolphin photographer Olivier Notz and me as his diving partner this year.
We’re on our way to an exploration dive in El Quseir bay. The dive site is called El Mina and is situated abreast of the city’s main beach. We’re there in less than 10 minutes – a true powerhouse, this new boat! El Mina consists of two dive sites situated a couple of hundred metres apart. Normally they are dived separately, but we’re planning a long dive so that we can visit both sites in one day.
After a short briefing, we dive down to El Mina I. At about twenty metres, we encounter a variety of unspoiled and brightly coloured stone and soft corals, as well as countless small fish. Thus we encounter schools of orange bass, glass fish, orange bands of banggai fish, anthias as well as hussar fish soldierfish and three-spot damsels. Various little gems make this dive site particularly magical. We’re also overjoyed to see several specimens of colourful sea snails. But it’s the several colourful specimens of dragon head fish awaiting us that take my breath away – I’ve never seen so many of this wonderful species in one place before.
There’s enough time for a good initial overview, but it’s already obvious that I have to come back here! Piesi and Hansi remind us we need to start going so we leisurely set off for El Mina II, with the fringing reef always looking beautiful on the right. Once at our destination, we encounter a mighty, isolated reef block decorated with a variety of hard and soft coral. It also shelters schools of smaller fish – we can hardly count the number of lionfish cavorting here! There must be at least 25 specimens swimming around, or resting on the sea bed. The site seems to suit them – they look well nourished and magnificent here. We all still have enough air and enjoy the show fully.
The best is yet to come, however – after 105 minutes we slowly make our way up to the surface and put our jackets and bottles in the speedboat. Suddenly the commotion begins: “Dolphins, dolphins!!” calls Ashraf. Olivier and I are still in the water and immediately swim in the direction Ashraf is pointing. Piesi jumps in after us. After a couple of strokes, I stop and watch as a group of dolphins swims up, dives under us, comes up behind us, and circles us several times – what a welcome committee! There are seven of them; perhaps the same group we encountered in the bay the day before. We swim with them for about a quarter of an hour. I am deeply touched at how near they come: Oliver and I could have touched them. Could have – but didn’t want to. They seem to sense this as they glide past at less than an arm’s length and look deep into our eyes (well, diving masks). I wonder what they’re thinking when they’re faced with these clumsy intruders who need such strange diving aids and still only manage to move so clumsily and slowly! Surely they’ll make allowances... After a little while, they swim off and we board “our” speedboat deeply impressed by the experience.
Two days later we were to meet the dolphins one last time – when nine of them visit us in Quadim Bay. Olivier manages to get some fantastic pictures: one dolphin that’s easy to recognise by his disfigured fin and who already adorns the 2009 calendar plays at modelling. He sits up on his tail and waits until Olivier has duly admired and photographed his white tummy. Then he playfully lets a couple of air bubbles escape from his blowhole. The other eight animals, meanwhile, devote themselves to some wild coupling games repeated again and again over a period of time. But that's another, not quite as family-friendly story... I look forward to seeing Olivier’s 2011 calendar. Perhaps there’ll be some new photos of the dolphins and a photo of El Mina...
Dahab
Dahab
Who says you have to dive from shore in Dahab? Granted, there are no offshore reefs around Dahab, it’s windier and wavier here than further south and almost all dive sites are accessible by pick-up and can be dived from land – so this attitude just became customary.
But: In Dahab’s still tranquil harbour there are a good half a dozen or so boats and both the southernmost and northernmost dive sites in the area around Dahab can only be reached by boat or camel as the road for motor vehicles still isn’t passable; finishing in the north at the Blue Hole and the south at the Caves.
After diving at the southernmost site “Gabr El-Bing”, we decided to add the comfort of a boat dive to our diving programme. We and our guests all very much enjoyed the unique beauty and unspoiled nature of the as-yet seldom dived site in the “NABQ Protected Area”, as well as the service and comfort on board the “Romy”. We are therefore planning to offer more regular boat trips here in Dahab, too.
A day trip to “Gabr El-Bint” starts with a barely an hour’s journey, where you can do your first dive at one of the nearby sites consisting of endless gorgonian forests, fabulous surreal coral formations and underwater paradisiacal landscapes. Afterwards – as is usually the case on boats – a delicious lunch will be served and you can rest peacefully on the sundeck until it’s time for the afternoon dive. A maximum of 4 boats ensure a pleasant atmosphere both under and above water at the sheltered mooring spot of Gabr el-Bint.
Depending on the wave conditions, you will choose the second dive site and on the way back enjoy some delicious warm cakes straight from the oven during the debriefing. At 4 pm, you will be back in the small harbour of Dahab, where the day trip ends without any stress or chaos.
