And Thank You For All The Fish.....

I have always been warned to keep away from water and water bodies. I mean the kind where you jump to dip in. And I have been mostly obedient to that commandment, since I cannot swim. However being in Maldives and not developing kin to water was literally like being a fish out of water, pun intended. So at Huraa island, my last few hours before I would leave early next morning for the Maldivian capital, Male; I decided to make the most of it and go for the late night snorkeling adventure that the resort advertised. I had kept away from the evening's turtle watch and dolphin spotting rides, as I was sure that the dolphins and turtles followed different time tables than us human beings and it would be very difficult, neigh impossible to match ours with theirs. Maybe I was being pessimistic, but maybe I was right. Muhammad, the instructor, was not too enthusiastic in the beginning but regarded his duty to keep the customer happy. So we took out the flippers, the life vests, t...

 On arrival at Male International Airport. The airport opens onto a wharf for speedboats and ferries.  My Maldivian friend, 'Murray' obliged to take my pic.  The speedboats ferry you to the capital or to other exotic resorts in distant corners of the Maldives archipelago. I couldn't resist taking a pic of this pretty seaplane that nests near the International Airport.  The main square in the capital.  The capital is full of people - locals and foreigners and there is hardly any vacant space except for the town square.  Villigilli island just a stone's throw away from the capital is old-town and pollution free.  I could see only cycles and electric powered vehicles on the nearly empty streets at Villingilli Island - good place for a picnic.  Speed boats leaving Male island with big international banks in the background. I couldn't resist taking a pic of this gently rocking boat on Villingilli island.  Maldive...