Eden Trip Debrief.

Its not often that a long weekend comes along which promises itself to be something special, so much so in fact that not only is the group as a whole looking forward to the adventure, but also leaves myself, eager to share with them all what Merimbula and the sapphire coast has to offer. The tradition Easter Eden weekend has grown in popularity over the years, so much so that we here at the shop get to fight over the rights to lead such a trip. Again, luck was on my side and again I made that arduous road trip south.

Approx. 540km, nine police cars and 13 road kills later we arrive at our sleepy little hamlet. Our trip was made much shorter due to the fact that the traveling convey all had the use of walkie talkies, which in a way, all felt like we were in fact traveling in one large party bus. Jokes comments, suggestions were flying thick and fast. Jeremy got as far as Ulludulla and sighted the political and sociological injustice to the people’s republic of Ursbekistan as protest and headed home. Chick Bernie, always trying to prove her intelligence, decided to drive herself. Thinking that everyone would be impressed by her navigation skills, (the fact that she could drive south); gleefully called me on the mobile expressing her concerns that she couldn’t find the dive lodge in Eden. Little did she know that she had actually traveled too far south and had to then return north to her lodge in Merimbula. Better luck next time Bern’s.

The rest of us buzzed into town early afternoon, settled into our lodge, and made ourselves at home. First priorities plug in the play station and chill the drinks. Now this is where it comes a little unstuck. Personal memo to oneself. If a restaurant agrees to a booking of 18 people at short notice on a public holiday, then be afraid, be very afraid. Four words that send a shiver down my spine, as I take my seat, awaiting a hearty feed, “We are not licensed!” I suppose it was Good Friday and sacrifices had to be made, but this was ridiculous. A bumpy start to any weekend, but it could only get better from this, or so I thought. Friendships were made and oh did I mention that I had to sleep on the lounge as a number of the beds were ‘busy.’

We awoke, Sat morning to a clear head and more importantly, clear skies. Apparently it was bucketing down in Sydney. Eagerness again rose its ugly head, and chick Bernie headed down to Eden, (our dive destination) forgetting one small, but very important item, her dive gear. Arriving at the wharf she proceeded to check everyone’s car asking if they had packed her gear and brought it along. Everyone gave her the same answer, what dive gear and where did you have it kept. “Oh, hidden in the bedroom cupboard so it wouldn’t get stolen from my car.” She eventually got the hint after the first handful of scowls and disappointed shakes of the head. To cut a long story short, the boat left late that morning.

We were in Eden/Merimbula to dive amongst other things, a couple of tugs. Sunk on purpose in a max depth of 30m. We were concerned with the probability that the big seas that we kept hearing about were going to working against us as well. Fortunately for us, we were delighted to find drivable conditions on all accounts. Blue skies, seas flat, water warm, what else could you ask for? Oh, that’s right - viz. One thing that I have always taken for granted had turned around and bit me on the bum. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was crystal clear down to around 14m, then it sort of ….well…turned black.

All the divers once back aboard. Although having enjoyed the dive, had to be convinced that there was an actual ship there to be seen. I assured them that this was just a warm up for their night dive. The second dive of the day, again on a tug boat, gave us the idea of skipping the night dive and opt for a relaxing dinner instead followed by a flutter on the pokies at the local RSL club.  Dinner itself at a flashy waterfront restaurant led to Dennis lap dancing a few of the customers in order to pay for his dinner. I myself wanted to ask for my money back after nearly throwing up watching Dennis gyrate those skinny hips of his. Enough said I hear you all say….yes I agree. A thought that I will have to live with all the rest of my life.

Next stop, Merimbula RSL club. There’s nothing like a few games of pool and a few tunes on the jukebox to finish off the night. The way back to the lodge saw a few of us appreciate the clear night and walk home, whilst a few others decided to take a courtesy bus. I’m sure through basic arithmetic that we ended up with a couple of extra heads arriving back at the lodge. Oh, did I mention that I slept on the lounge that night because all the beds were ‘busy.’ Sunday morning crept up on us slowly and stealth like. Mornings are never nice to me, but we all manage to make do. The obligatory trip south to Eden was preceded by everyone checking chick Bernie's car for her dive gear. All systems go, Houston we are clear for launch. Sunday was much like Saturday in the dive stakes, but you could notice the viz was improving with each dive.

Bec decided she had enough of diving the wrecks, and wanted to do some exploring on the sand. Harold, (after loosing his dive buddy with Metta deciding one dive was enough for her in any conditions per day), blew out a mask lens with an exuberant exhale, thus resulting in him feeling his way back up to the boat from 30m. God bless ya. Chick Bernie kept us all amused with her gymnastics on the deco bars, although Dennis got a little bit excited seeing that pole between your legs Bern.

With three dives today, people were a little worn out, but there was to be no rest for the wicked. The traditional Easter long weekend BBQ was still on the menu. Showers were had; Sundays best were donned and seats were taken. Merimbula divers lodge, thank the divers for their patience and good humor by providing a feast to celebrate a successful weekend. Stories are regaled, drinks were drunk, raffles were drawn and prizes were won. Congratulations to Mick who snaffled up the major prize proudly donated by Aqualung. It seems like we won most of the prizes that night, but you get that when you buy most of the tickets. With the weekend coming to an end, and a long days drive ahead of us all, the night soon came to a head. People wandered off to bed and snores slowly emanated from the rooms…. Although that’s what I think they were, you see I couldn’t tell as I was sleeping on the lounge as all the beds were ‘occupied.’

Heading home brought its fair share of laughs and smiles. Our regular stop, revive, survive stations broke the trip into manageable bounds. With only the thought of unpacking and washing dive gear, as well as filling a number of tanks was enough to keep anyone enthused about getting back to Sydney. A big thank you goes out to all this years participants, hope to see you down there next Easter. Put it in your diary now. Dennis, Marie, Metta, Harold, Shane, Bec, Scott, Jeremy (in spirit) Mark, Michelle, Kylee, Debbie, Mick, Bernie, Annabelle, Dave, and Me.