Red Sea 2004

[ralphy]

I've only dived abroad once in my life which was on a very enjoyable liveaboard in Thailand, doing the Similans and co.  I would dearly love to go on another hol, but have been prevented this year because of a mixture of friend-let-down and now, financial constraints.

Anyway I have sworn that I will go next year & figured that the Red Sea, perhaps in June, would be a great place and time to go (quite fancy one of the flash looking liveaboards like the Orchid too).  

Can't decide on the "north" or "South" route but I would luuuurve to see some wrecks and I'd lke to see the Thistlegorm before it disintegrates, so with that in mind, perhaps the North would be better?  Of course I also wanna see big fishies and things and I hear they're better down South?


Anyway, whichever it is I don't care that much as long as I get there and do as much diving as poss. for a week or ten days and would rather like to do so with a few of you lot if poss.

Anyone up for a YD trip to the afore-said?  I'm happy to book something whenever if it means getting a definite date in my calendar!

Mat

[Mr T.]

Hey Ralphy,

To be honest, some of us, (me, Davey, Jay, 2Tanx) have been mulling over a gig like for a while now. And I have to say that a YD Troop Gig to the Red Sea has GOT to be a go-er!

I know Fiona and I would be up for it. Being 2004 allows folks to save up for the jaunt as well. The June/Summertime prices are very reasonable too.

Whilst the choices of a liveaboard or a land-based gig are both attractive, I think that as some would be bringing both non-diving partners and their family, a liveaboard (unless booked as parallel gig) would have to be out; this way, we allow all attendees the opportunity to enjoy both the diving (on day-boats) and any other activities (a la 4x4-ing the desert, bedouin camel trains etc.) as the mood suits.

Any of you lot up for this? Fun in the sun and top diving to boot? 30 metre viz? Hammerheads, the Thistlegorm, the Carnatic, Yolander and Shark Reef?

Come on people, it's gotta be worth a collective YD punt?? The more there are of us, the cheaper the individual price. Regal would cut us a group discount no sweat.

Let's hear ya YD !!!!

[Kev W]

Just adding my tuppence,
Whilst I see where your'e going with the shore based thing, I have been to the Red Sea four times and on two of these have taken my non diving wife who enjoys nothing better than chilling out with a good book in the sun with the occasional snorkel thrown in.No newspapers,Mobile Phones,lucky lucky men, just peace and quiet but with good banter between dives
The problem with day boats is that by the time you get to the Thistlegorm, so have twenty or so other day boats (this is no exageration),Whilst a liveaboard will put you on her for a night dive the night before and you are in situ early the next morning to get a quiet dive before the crowds arrive.
Don't forget to add the Rosie Muller if you are going Northern itinerary.
For big fish the Brothers are the dogs b*****ks on one dive alone we had grey reef,silky,whitetip,thresher and Hammerhead in our sights.plus there are two awsome wrecks aswell.
IMO land based just can't match this.
The Orchid is a v.good boat (I did a wreck week aboard her)
Kev W

[ralphy]

I must say, both sound tempting although if I were only going for a week I'd prefer the liveaboard option as I've heard the bad stories of the Thistlegorm queues when you don't get there first thing.  

Whatever anyone decides, just getting there will be a boon for me as at the moment I can't get a single soul from my neck of the woods to commit!  

Please keep this dream alive!!!!!!

see y'all soon (hopefully)
Mat

[Davey Willo]

Couldn't possibly do a liveaboard with wife and child in tow especially as they can both get seasick on a boating lake..

But!! we'd be up for a weeks holiday with me buggering off on boats whilst Di bakes her bum and Brad leaps around in the pool all day..

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>What about doing a mixture?

A week of day diving for those that need to be in port every night and a mini-safari - &nbsp;3 days of wrecking around &nbsp;-for those who wanna get a bit further away?

That way everyone would get 2-3 days to dive together and the non-kid owners get to go to the Gorm before the world, his wife and his mistress arrive.

Just a thought.

[Davey Willo]

Great thought Gav... can we do that?? my missus shouldn't have too much of a problem if I go AWOL for a night or maybe two

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Gavin Yates @ Mar. 16 2003,18:43)]That way everyone would get 2-3 days to dive together and the non-kid owners get to go to the Gorm before the world, his wife and his mistress arrive.

Mistresses?

Gav, please tell us you're not advocating asking any French people to join us? &nbsp;

Seriously, a 'mix-n-match' land-based and mini-safari itinerary is a top idea and we're up for it large styleeeee.

Now this is one Troop Gig I am well looking forward to!

[Mark Chase]

<font color='#000F22'>Definatly up for Livaboard trip. Shore bassed is OK but not my thing as this is to me, a diving holiday and Livaboards offer the best diving any where.

So if you are going Livaboard I am in and that's definate. NOW about timing. Egypt is damed hot in the summer and livaboards and land bassed can be a mite uncomfortable in 35 dec C so might I sugest March April as a good time?

If your into big plagiacs July is top month aparentlyt but its hot again so bewere.

Mark Chase
Off to Sharm Sunday will let you know how it went.

[Mdemon]

Ignoring the obvious skirmish about to kick off to the East, I reckon NOW is about the best time to go - prices are plummeting, the pound is pretty strong, the bomb's aren't dropping yet and facilities should be 100%, which may not be the case in six month's time if people have stopped travelling because of the-country-who-must-not-be-named.

I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo up for a Sharm trip - count me in (subject to Mrs who wants me to go skiing. &nbsp;Thinking of getting the UN to intervene, since they won't have a lot to do now &nbsp; )