Media Centre for Marine Conservation Expedition in Mexico

Mark “The Ent” Nicolson

Memories…

It’s a difficult thing, to pick a favourite dive when someone asks you to. Or for that matter, a favourite memory, when there are so many good ones. It’s often better to go with the first thing that pops into your mind, because once you start repeating all the dives and experiences, you get lost in a mess of fantastic times.

So, for me, I would have to say that the best dive was the first time we dropped down onto Pepe's Playground. It was a new site that we decided to dive, as part of the ongoing search for more sites north of the new Punta Dzucoch base. Following the keen eye of our captain and the “ping” of the depth sounder, a quick look over the boat confirmed some enticing reef below. As we descended, a big spotted eagle ray cruised past us for a look, obviously not used to divers in this area. The fish were superb, especially the big tobacco fish, black durgons and large shoals of different snappers and grunts. There was just something so good about being the first people on an untouched site...

And as for the memory, it would have to be Cool Chris on guitar round the camp fire on party night. Everyone singing and chatting under a perfect starry Caribbean sky, distant lightning storms providing a spectacular back drop, and good mates just having fun together. Special times, special people and a number of special songs. I wonder where I’ll be next time I hear Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. It matters not; I know what memories will come flooding back...

Mark “The Ent” Nicolson