The men and Ged stood on the Quay in anticipation of the dives to come. Bandit stood in that manly stance only he could do, the sun glinting off his manly torso. This is it boys he said as they were led onto the dive boat, an hour or so later after the dive brief and buddy checks Bandit lept into the water as usual leading the way for Geoff, steve, Derek and Ged.
The guide had said no more than 60 mins for the dives, being an MSD Bandit knew his 7ltr bottle was more than adequate. Down they went into the blue void, to be met with Turtles, Nemo's, scorpian fish, Devil Fish, crocodile and Stone fish. A white tip sauntered underneath Bandit, Bandit gave a jolly wave to his chums his smile getting ever wider. All of a sudden there was an eerie silence all around them, Bandit fin kicked once into the blue, something was there...........he couldnt work out exactly what was there.............Bandit fin kicked a few more times, his buddies followed knowing something extrordinary was about to happen.
Bandit suddenly turned and pointed a huge Manta Ray was coming straight at them, it glided in and turned, straight over Bandit's head, what a fantastic sight, the Manta hung around for a few more minutes making sure all the divers had a good look.
All too soon the 60 mins were over, Every one did a deco stop, Ged and Bandit were motioning to each other to surface, a few signs were being passed to and fro. After 64 mins it was time to surface and the lads were laughing and joking all the way to the ladder.
Every dive was the same, throwing up Eagle Rays and many more different and diverse fish and marine life. A brilliant time was had by all, thigh slapping was the norm, even Geoff was mentioned by a little girl, asked if Bandit was his son........Bandit and everyone just fell around laughing.
On a serious note, a white Dolphin joined our boat, taking us to the Dunraven where we laid a memorial for our departed friend John Pauls, it was a moving occasion, always remembered by those who knew him.
The holiday ended on a high, another Manta Ray came to say goodbye to the 5 intrepid explorers of the blue.
Each day Bandit surfaced leaving between 60 and 70 bar on his 3ltr bottle, even the guides were impressed, putting Bandit down in their logs as an IDC instructor with 10575 dives to his name, they all knew at Emperor they had someone special in their midst, an Italian named Jan Franco called them the Fantastic 5, but Bandit was known as The Special one......................or is it BEST BUDDY!!!!!!!!
