Klensbaai and The White Pointers !!!

Hi Dave. I am now in Gansbaai, in a small town called Klensbaai. This is a pic of me standing in the foreground, wearing the companies blue T-Shirt. [Written on the side is Marine Dynamics, which arcs around a shell design] Am wearing a cap and shades, with a little facial hair. Behind me are the boats that we take out every morning. I am standing on the road, about to start work. The sky is a light blue, the sea a darker shade with some horizontal light patches.

Well, today was an early start, up at 5.30am to catch a lift up the coast to Hermanus and Gansbaai. I travelled up with a fella called Gary who is also doing 4 weeks voluntary work. The trip took 2 hours and we picked up some people who were going cage diving with our company. The weather was crap, and was little to see on the trip, so I sat back and listened to some tunes . Gansbaai is a small fishing village, very pretty and fairly quiet. We were met by Tracie, a delightful woman, who was very welcoming and jolly. She introduced us to the skipper of the shark boat. His name is Henne and he could easily have played the part of skipper in Jaws. Tough looking fella. We were asked whether we would like to see the sharks or go for the whales? Gary and I both jumped at the chance to see the sharks. We were offered to cage dive to, but I declined as I wanted to get a feel for the boat and crew and general lay of the land. We boarded the boat on land with about 9 paying guests and 5 crew. We were towed to the landing slip and set off. Bloody hell, the swells were over 3 meters high and it was pouring down and cold. We all had waterproofs on and what a ride, just a little bit scary. After about 45 mins of motoring, Henne spotted the site to dive. We dropped anchor and the boat began to heave in the water. The cage was dropped into the water and tied securely to the side of the boat which was dipping to port side quite severely. 'Right first 5 in', said the Ali the marine Biologist. No-one moved until eventually a brave soul staggered to his feet and the rest followed. The cage is tiny. The bodies got in, the water chummed, a large fish head thrown over attached to a rope and a seal decoy to cast a shadow on the top of the water. We waited, nothing, and waited.....then out of the depths the mighty shark appeared, then another, until we counted 9 Great Whites. We saw one breach, attacking a real seal in the distance. Every time the sharks passed the bodies were told to 'Submerge!" and down they went. Unfortunately it was so rough that a lot swallowed the sea water which had chum in it as well as vomit, which was being produced in large quantities from the paying land dwellers !!! Poor people were sitting side by side on the starboard side, puking away, with the wind propelling the vomit onto the unfortunate who was down wind !!! I started to giggle silently and soon got hysterical, trying desperately to seem sensitive. It was too much for the first day. After the 9 had been in, we brought up the Anchor and headed to the land much to most peoples delight !!! The sharks were very impressive but because of low visibility they just looked like big fish to me and didn't quite match up to my expectations. Have a feeling that might change when I get in the water with them tomorrow lunch time !!!!! They are so graceful and I was very tempted to jump in and swim alongside !!! We battled the waves and slowed at one point to watch a mother and baby Southern Right Whale, again the visibility was poor. We got to land and headed back to the center. Half of us looked like the walking dead as most heads had been dangling over the side of the boat, a very sorry sight. I was lucky but am sure i will put my green face on soon ! Back at the center we had soup !!! Talk about rubbing it in !!! The center has been set up for Marine conservation and is very handsome, with a restaurant attached and small shop, the staff are all very helpful. I dried my sopping wet boots and socks by the fire and warmed up with a hot chocolate. We were then taken to our lodgings, a house about 10 mins away. I have my own room, as I put in a request as the oldest that I would like a quiet room with a double bed !! They must have thought as was an ass as everyone else is sharing, though Gary has got a room to himself as well, so I don't feel so bad. The house is very basic but perfect for traveling volunteers. I sorted my room out , did some exercice and chatted to the two girls who are here also, Gemma and Rosie and a french guide called Stephan. We went shopping for some food and came back, cooked and here I am talking to you. Sorry no pics but was just too bloody wet. Will try again tomorrow. It is very quiet here and I think is going to take some time getting used to.......Over and out. X