| Taking a taxi through Manhattan is weird for small | | | | seals which populate the two islands. They're what |
| town people like me. Everything's quicker than what | | | | draw sharks here. Their numbers, and the ease with |
| you're used to. The mood is fiercer. There's a buzz | | | | which they're hunted in this narrow alley are the |
| about the place; a certain...electricity. And that's | | | | reasons as to why chances of seeing Great White |
| because everyone, from the C.E.O. on the 25th floor, | | | | Sharks are higher here than anywhere else on earth. |
| to the guy selling stuff on the sidewalk, can sense | | | | That's why it's called the Great White Capital, not only |
| that...'thing'. Hong Kong is no different. Neither is London. | | | | among those who handle shark diving in Cape Town, |
| And though it wouldn't standout on most maps, neither | | | | but also the international cage diving community. |
| is Gansbaai. | | | | After dropping anchor, the shark cage operator will |
| But what is that 'thing' which Gansbaai has in common | | | | begin to bait the water. The idea here is to draw |
| with other hubs? Is it possible to pin it down? I think so. | | | | sharks closer to the boat using crushed sardines. |
| I'd call it: opportunity. Anyone interested in shark cage | | | | During the wait, cage diving guests are briefed on the |
| diving in Cape Town, be they cage diving first timers or | | | | procedures, and the shark cage is lowered onto the |
| veterans, should bear that in mind. Great Whites come | | | | water. Also, you'll have the chance to tune into the |
| here because there's action. The area is teeming with | | | | chorus of seal noises; a sound which, to sharks, signals |
| prey in the form of penguins, and fur seals. | | | | that business is booming. This is an anxious moment in |
| Gansbaai is a 2 hour drive outside of Cape Town. | | | | the experience of shark cage diving in Cape Town; |
| Once you're there, the place you'll want to get to is | | | | the point before fantasy is either proved true or false. |
| Kleinbaai Harbour - the centre for shark cage diving in | | | | When the first shark appears, the operator draws the |
| Cape Town. Take a look at the surrounding area from | | | | bait lines in so as to lure it towards the boat. Then the |
| the harbour before you get on the boat. It's sort of a | | | | first diver enters the cage. Given the operator's |
| fairytale town between the waves and the low | | | | expertise, gained over years spent shark cage diving, |
| mountains to the rear; a place where there's peace, | | | | there's no danger. But your first sight of it still hits you. |
| and space, and quiet. If you can, hold this picture in your | | | | The Great White Shark is elemental. And I'm not just |
| mind. Because its contrast with the place you're going | | | | referring to its physical dimensions. You'll feel how |
| to next is chilling. | | | | single-minded it is. That'll stay with you - and won't fail |
| You're headed to a destination some 12kms away | | | | to strike you on your hundredth time shark diving in |
| from shore: Shark Alley, the shallow, narrow channel | | | | Cape Town. |
| that runs between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. | | | | Then you're helped out of the shark cage. While you're |
| Shark cage diving owes its reputation to this location. | | | | having your snacks on deck, take another look at the |
| This is where your sense of that 'thing' becomes | | | | seals all around. Now your sense of that 'thing' will be |
| keener. You'll see the penguins and, roughly, 50,000 fur | | | | complete. Business is booming in Cape Town. |