More Maldives Photos

Just a few more photos to conclude my Maldivian blog, including a couple more islands. Below is our picnic lunch, under a palm leafed shelter with the Yasawa Princess in the background.










LB is holding probably the smallest fish that he caught but the only one caught by daylight so it's the best photo.


He caught a variety of fish off the back of the boat at night, most of which disappeared into the ships kitchen for later consumption! The one that escaped a culinary fate was a ramora which is not good eating. It was interesting though as these are the ones that attach to the underside of sharks etc hoping for some titbits from the sharks dinner. It had a strange flat bristly plaque behind its head for attaching itself- a bit like velcro I suppose.

Elvie

Underwater Life

I'm not going to write much today but here's a load of underwater photos instead, to show the variety of life in the Maldives. They were mostly taken when I was diving. In no particular order they are a turtle. moray eel, 2 snaps of manta rays, a lovely fat cushion starfish and a new starfish growing from the cut off arm of a larger one, a beady eyed batfish, a white tipped reef shark and masses of fish feeding off the coral in one of the island lagoons.

Elvie

Yasawa Princess

We booked our holiday on the Yasawa Princess through The Travel Collection which is our favourite holiday company. Click on the link for all the details. We spent two weeks on her doing both the north and south cruises. I did the boat a disservice saying it was a bit basic, I love it!

As previously mentioned we were nearly locked out of our room the first night. We got in eventually with the help of four crew! Our wonky lock was replaced the following morning. The cabins are fine, not particularly big but comfy.

There were only 14 passengers each week, which apparently is about average, and 25 crew to look after us and run the boat. With such small numbers we really gelled as a group, which added to the holiday. The crew looked after us really well especially on the BBQ nights when they took generators and fairy lights, a disco and all the food, booze, cutlery, crockery etc to an island for food dancing limbo and races!

Elvie

We're Home!

We flew in to Gatwick last night and got home mid day today. I'm now sitting at the desk with central heating + fan heaters on full, gently rocking to the motion of a boat 5,000 miles away! In the next couple of days I'll post a few more photos once I've sorted through them. The posts I put up whilst in the Maldives were done via my mobile so today is the first time I've actually seen what they look like. Sorry the last photo was a bit blurry and the boat seems to be going uphill!

Thanks for all your comments, particularly Ziyad. I must say the Maldives is an amazing country. The geography obviously makes it unique; I find it difficult to believe that so many small and distant islands can form themselves into a nation. The weather is a big bonus for us holidaymakers but importantly the people are so friendly. Of particular note is their efficiency at the airport, where we were processed quickly, and the lack of hassle when on the local islands. The shopkeepers do hang around outside their shops to invite you in but accept a "No" with good grace and we weren't pestered by people wanting to be "friends". We will certainly be going back again in the future if possible.

Elvie

Desert Islands

Here's a photo of yesterday's bit of paradise. Unfortunately had poor mobile phone reception so unable to update blog last week. Had a fabulous holiday. Details next week when home.

Diving

I've been able to do a fair bit of diving while LB has been fishing or snorkeling. I've seen thousands of fish as well as manta rays sharks and turtles. This turtle swam past about a foot away from me. The camera wasn't on zoom, he really was this close. Elvie

Desert Islands

We've spent most days on desert islands rather than sandbank. Had a fantastic evening bbq on one although I managed to mildly sprain my ankle limbo dancing!

Bliss!

Who'd have thought sitting on a sandbank could be so nice? This was our first stop, last Monday. We've now completed our first week. Have not got internet access so am using the phone to blog. It's less versatile and slow so will do multiple posts to get a few photos up. Elvie

Maldives

Well here we are in 30 degree temperatures on a flat sea cruising around the islands. The ship is a little basic. We were locked out of our room last night due to a faulty lock. Thankfully the crew managed to open it in time for bed. I've been diving today and say my first turtle. Photo is of our boat Yasawa Princess. Elvie