MONTY HALLS – broadcaster/diver
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
The Mediterranean. My dad was in the Royal Air Force and we lived in Malta when I was very young. My parents were really keen on Cyprus and we’d go there on holidays. I remember the sea in particular was always really clear and I’ve very fond memories of little islands – perhaps that’s where it all started for me.
What was your worst holiday?
I went on a filming project, leading a group of clients to see spotted dolphins in the Bahamas. You’d think it would be the trip of a lifetime but we dealt with an incredibly unscrupulous operator who promised to help us find dolphins but did not deliver and relieved us of astronomical sums of money. We had a miserable time waiting at a rainy, expensive, harbour for six days as he told us the boat was broken – but he just wasn’t bothered to take us out. The real problem was that the guy was a massive ex-Hells Angel and I couldn’t give out to him! We left without seeing hide nor hair of a dolphin.
What was your best holiday?
I’ve fond memories of South Africa where I tend to go every year. I worked with Mandela out there as part of the peace process and it created a close link for me to South Africa and its progression. The diving there is phenomenal, very wild, adventurous and rugged. You never know quite what’s around the corner that’s large and with teeth!
If budget or work were no restriction, what would be your dream holiday?
There are so many classic dive destinations I have yet to do. The Cocos Islands have the best shark diving, Komodo Island has one of the best coral reef systems and I’ve never been to Bora Bora which is really mythical. In travelling terms, every time I go to a new place I am a different person as I am slightly older so experience it slightly differently. So in my present guise I feel I’ve hardly travelled at all.
Who would you bring on holiday with you if you had your pick?
Reuben the dog – even though he’s a monumental liability on the boat – and the missus as she makes sure I don’t lose my passport. I could say great figures in history, like Churchill or Ghandi, but I’m not sure if they’d be terrific divers!
What’s your favourite place in Ireland?
We completely and utterly fell in love with Connemara. At the end of our time there we tried to buy a place but the banking crisis had just kicked in and we couldn’t get a mortgage for love nor money.
Recommended holiday reading?
Anything by travel writer Tim Moore – the only problem is you cackle so hard people think you have lost your mind. The Other Handby Chris Cleave is a strong novel about an illegal immigrant with a great twist.
Where to next?
I’ll be in Cornwall until the end of the year filming a series about the vanishing fishing industry. People in Cornwall and Connemara are very similar with proud traditions and a very warm reception. After that I might take a little time out as we are having a baby at the end of the year.
Monty Halls is a writer, broadcaster, marine biologist and diver. The second episode of
Monty Halls’ Great Irish Escape
is on BBC2 on Thursday at 8pm.
In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY