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Book Review: Death in Dahab by Avi Bernstein
Death in Dahab, Avi Bernstein’s debut novel, has all the ingredients of a crime-based thriller:
- The drowning of a trainee scuba diver in mysterious circumstances
- An investigation into her death by her instructor and his friends
- The discovery of large-scale shark finning
- Corrupt dive centre owners
- A meeting with Bedouin elders
- Somali pirates and the Egyptian secret police
- A recluse with strange powers and martial art skills.
The book reads like a crime-based thriller, but in the Author’s Note Bernstein maintains “…everything you are about to read in this book is completely true”.
At several points in the book the coincidences and actions do appear implausible – but if we believe the author he has survived an amazing series of incidents. However, one issue dominates the book – shark finning. It’s unfortunate that Peter Benchley’s Jaws served to demonize all sharks. In fact, very few sharks are aggressive and perform a great service by maintaining the health of the oceans. Death in Dahab is not just an amazing story but highlights the plight of sharks today. In his Afterword Bernstein reports that:
“Every day around the world 300,000 sharks are killed. The vast majority of the sharks are killed for their fins which are used in a Far Eastern delicacy – shark fin soup. A genocide of 100 million sharks killed each year is occurring right now, a genocide that is going to have devasting consequences not only for the marine environment, but also for the human race.” (p.543)
Many of us will have seen shark fin soup on exotic menus, piles of fresh fins on docksides or dried ones in markets. Until reading Bernstein’s book I had not fully appreciated the scale of the slaughter nor the wider implications. It is thus understandable that there are sections of the book where the author sounds evangelical in his concern for sharks. His action, in founding Fins4Fins, to protect them is laudable. Elsewhere he explains:
“Fins4Fins is an organisation offering subsistence shark fishing communities an alternative through a tourist industry based on scuba diving. Fins4Fins provides training, facilities and infrastructure to subsistence shark fishing communities giving them the tools they need to make change. Fins4Fins gives ownership of businesses to shark fishing communities helping them become masters of their own future and guardians of their own environment.”
If I have one criticism of Death in Dahab it would be about the language used. This is not the strong language in authentic sounding exchanges, but the repeated use of long, multi-syllable words when a simple word would have been better. In the context of the story they seem inappropriate.
Death in Dahab is set in the Red Sea, an area popular with divers. Indeed, those of us who have been fortunate to dive in these waters will find the description of the dive sites and towns of Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab authentic. Certainly, for me the account of diving the ‘Blue Hole’ in Dahab relived the experience. His sympathetic and sensitive description of the people of the Sinai and the countryside makes this book one to read.
Avi Bernstein is a professional diving instructor who has lived and worked in India, Costa Rica, Cyprus and Israel. He lived and worked in the Sinai for nine years.
Contact Avi Bernstein at: www.facebook.com/DeathinDahab
- Death in Dahab (2013) Bernstein Press by Avi Bernstein
- ISBN 9780992669928 (549 pages)
Find out more about Professor Fred Lockwood, who is also a published author, at www.fredlockwood.co.uk.
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
If you’re passionate about the underwater world, listen up! We’ve got an incredible opportunity for you to experience the vibrant reefs and majestic marine life of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Pure Dive Resort isn’t just another dive centre; it’s a team of experts dedicated to providing world-class scuba diving and freediving adventures around Nusa Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan, and even Bali.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or completely new to the sport, Pure Dive Resort has something for you:
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Freedivers: Explore the depths on a single breath with guided freediving experiences and courses.
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Ready to make a splash?
See you in Nusa Penida!
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