I started diving because at the time I lived and worked in a remote part of Saudi Arabia quite close to the Yemen in a reasonably large mixed American, British expat community ( Khamis Mushayt). At the weekend the compound used to empty as people went off down to the beaches to dive, so I went down to the beach and had a snorkel round the reefs and was completely blown away by the life. I saw Turtles, Barracuda, a whole host of really exotic fish and was hooked I wanted to dive from that moment.
I have now come to realize how privileged I was, no other place I have dived has come close to the Farisan Banks as far as diversity of marine life. But to be honest I am just as happy in a cold silty West Coast Scottish Loch, I just love being underwater.