Montague Island Trip Debrief.

Well, the bets had been placed when we pulled out of Cronulla at 3pm…The start of another long weekend in Sydney…How many hours would it take to drive south, and how many Police cars would we come across. (We’ll save the road kill count till the way home.) The winner takes all, a nice bottle of red.

As the group inched their way closer to Narooma, (our haven for the next three days) lives were discussed, opinions were formed and drinks were drunk. Arriving just after 11 pm, we made it as far as the veranda to meet the other travelers, who made a wiser decision and left earlier in the afternoon. Damn, I should have thought of that!!!!! Our plan for the weekend was to enjoy six dives with all that Montague Island has to offer. Seals, Australian fur, and New Zealand varieties, rays, sharks, we might even come across a migrating whale or two. With these thoughts spinning through our minds we drifted off to sleep. Thank god for electric blankets. Helps to turn them on though Michelle.

Morning arrived way too early for some, myself included. Jackie has a new concept on beating sea sickness. Instead of taking a tablet, what she will do is violently rock from side to side in her sleep in order to acclimatize her body for the next morning’s boat ride. Good for her, not for the person sleeping below her on the bottom bunk, very funny for everyone else. After a quick national parks and wildlife tour of the island, we jumped in for everyone’s first experience of diving with the Australian fur seals. In short they all loved it. Marco used his entire memory stick on his camera with an amazing 346 photos in one dive. God bless ya. I’ve always said it’s about quality not quantity Marco. But then again, when your me and have both, it comes as a bit hypocritical.

With our yearly visits here on the June long weekend, there would be around 80 -100 seals already on the island by this time. Our second visit in October, (which is filling fast) there is an estimated 1800 seals which you have the chance and joy of swimming amongst. DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY. Two dives down, four to go. No whales as yet and with food the number one priority, we were on a mission. A quick shower, followed by a quick cruise into Tilba Tilba. First stop lollie shop, second shop chocolate shop, third stop cheese shop, fourth stop pub……ok, you got me, first stop pub.  Dinner was booked and times needed to be met. We were headed to Bodalla to dine at the most popular restaurant on the south coast voted 2000 and 2001… Malibu Mex. Trendier than it sounds.

With the staff keeping a watchful eye on us with their security cameras we dined and consumed in moderation. Jackie regaled the group with how she never gets pissed on red wine, then takes half the photos off the wall as she heads to the toilet. Mick does the same. Next stop Narooma golf club to join in the celebrations for the reunion of Narooma high, class of ‘93. Parra lost, wallabies got up, and I flogged Michelle 3-0 in air hockey. An exciting night was had by all. Jeremy was off the leash and he was here to paint the town red. He made it till 8pm before snores emanated from his direction. Jackie couldn’t head to the land off nod without her midnight exercises. Handstands, cartwheels and bed jumping. Something you have to witness, especially with those Popeye pajamas.

Sunday morning, Jackie was up to her old tricks, Michelle remembered to turn on her electric blanket and Mick can’t make coffee to save his life. Two more dives with the seals. Can’t get enough of a good thing. I’m sure the water went up a degree or two over night. Did I mention that we got another National parks and wildlife tour. Ask me anything and I’ll give you the complete history of the island. Lighthouse, rock density, gravesites etc. A BBQ had been planned for Sunday nights entertainment. Prepared, cooked and served by the friendly staff of Narooma motel. Kicking back watching the late night movie, I never knew SBS could be so risqué. Now I know what ‘R’ rated stands for – R for recommended.

Monday morning arrived way too soon. We were off to dive the Lady Darling. The last shipwreck discovered on the NSW coast. Kofi thought he would play drop and go seek with his weight belt. Nice try Kofi, good find Mick, although I still say you should have kept it. One more dive with the seals, and we all took our time to say our last goodbyes. A strong current sent Kofi half way back to Sydney. He didn’t want to sit in a traffic jam he reckons. With nothing more but memories and 300 odd kilometers in front of us. Our thoughts raced ahead to October. For the record I am still waiting for my bottle of red for the copper count and my bottle of red for the road kill count. I’ll savor them.

Should I or shouldn’t I. All I can say, is get in there and love it. Book your position on this trip before we have to pull down the no positions vacant sign. The October long weekend also runs in conjunction with the annual Narooma Jazz and Blues festival. Dive the morning, then kick back in the afternoon with a Shiraz and listen to some classic jazz. There are strictly ten spaces only. And yes, we DID see whales. Thank you for everyone who traveled to the seals that weekend. They were, Mick, Jeremy F, Michelle, Jeremy P, Anand, Jackie, Cameron, Marco and Heidi for a day. See you all next year. View Pictures