Fariva Stay Male

It was a hot sunny day when our plane came skimming in over the azure waters of the Maldivian atolls. We disembarked without trouble and waited only a few minutes for the speedboat to the resort island. From the airport terminal, we crossed a road and were at the water's edge. Even around the airport, the sea was crystal clear. The water was calm and smooth for the 30-minute speedboat ride to the resort. We checked in ...

... that. (Don't worry Louise, apparently they are not very common!). We did go back to that restaurant that night and had a table right on the beach by candlelight, how romantic! Also went to the O'beach restaurant one day for lunch which was just lovely too. The restaurant actually sits over the sea so you just sit and listen to the waves. Total paradise, definitely want to come back to this resort again and if anyone is ...

... soluppgång precis utanför fönstret och jag låg bara tyst och tänkte att det här måste vara paradiset. Andra dagen fick vi våran bungalow och det var en fröjd att komma in där och slå på AC:n. Hade vi inte haft den så hade man smält bort. Rummet städades varje morgon och på kvällarna när man kom tillbaks efter middagen var lakanen arrangerade med olika sorters blommor varje kväll. Bara det är lyx nog för mig. Vi hade helpension och jag har väl aldrig ätit så mycket som jag ...

... the ocean surrounded by sand & coral! Our destination was Vilamendhoo Island on South Ari Atoll, our mission was Scuba-diving! The island was lovely, you could walk ...

... by people and the most people you encounter is during mealtimes. There are lots of secluded areas and empty beaches. The island offers many different excursions from diving and snorkeling trips to deep sea fishing and sunset cocktail cruisers. It's a magical place and the most relaxing holiday I can think of. I spent two weeks there this time and could easily go to three! Maybe in another four years time...

... sound as what I think must have been a net (there is no way of telling at night) scraped under Intrepid and missed our rudder. If it had caught we would have stopped abruptly, messily and dangerously. The rest of the night each of took turns to peer at the radar, and the dark sea ahead, diverting as necessary. The reports on piracy from the SW of Oman through the entrance to the Red Sea are currently reassuring, maybe Aden Coast Guard have dissuaded them from attacking ...

... Maldivian CD would be to buy. She ends up playing music in the store for me and burns me a CD! How cool. Then, we chat more and eventually I learn that she is done with school and hoping for a scholarship to study at University somewhere abroad. There are no universities in the Maldives and everyone who wants to get a 4 year degree must go to UK, US, India, etc.... I compliment her English and thank her for her helpfulness (and the CD!) and give her my little travel card Shell ...

... to contact about schooling for example. When you are still in Canada, the contacts you have within your organization are not necessarily knowledgeable about things like schooling unless they utilize the system themselves. Continuing to work with CUSO has been good for me but not having time to engage in a meaningful way with the community is something I miss from previous CUSO days. Perhaps if the kids had been in school full time......... Living here through ...

... on Friday evening and then went snorkelling in the same spot on Saturday morning - no sharks though. We played tennis for a short time - the heat had us drenched - and I realized how rusty I am. I am anxious to play more - but maybe at night. It's good to smack that ball around (when I can hit it) and release those tensions. Different than the art of yoga. So, I guess that's it for 5 weeks in. The kids and I have our resident permits and supposedly I have a liquor and pork license (but ...

... me of those little puzzle games with all the cars that are stuck inside a box and you have to push them all around trying to get one out, or trying to make a certain pattern. All these cars and motorbikes, driving, driving, honking, driving... and where are they going? Where can they possibly be going, other than in circles or to the outer edges of the box. Cars here act as an invasive species, taking over what could be the most peaceful and clean ...