Maldives - finally!!

[minniemex]

Our flight to the Maldives does not leave until 11PM Sunday night on the 9th. If you have ever been to England, there is NO fast way to get anywhere!! Gatwick from our friend’s house is a one and a half hour drive, under normal conditions, so to be on the safe side, we left with more than enough time to spare. As it turned out, traffic was at a minimum, so we did make it in the hour and a half. We had lots of time to kill at the airport, so we shopped all the shops, but found nothing that I needed to buy. Our flight is somewhat late in taking off and we are finally on our way. Ten hours in the air can be a challenge!! It seemed forever of course because we were all excited to get there and start our vacation!! None of us can sleep, except for the guy across the aisle that constantly snored and grunted. Somewhat annoying, but hey, he was sleeping, what did he care??

We arrived in Male (pronounced “mahley”) at 2:30PM their time ( I have just encountered an additional 5 hour time warp) (I have now officially lost 11 hours of my life!!) The “airport” is a strip of land – literally – if you were to continue on to Male you would need to take a water taxi over, as it is not connected to the airport. I tried to get a picture of it, but in our 2 landings, we were not in the right place to take the picture!! I did get a picture of it from the ground.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02531.jpg

From the airport you are transferred to the other side of the “airport” and here they have a part of the island that has been artificially manufactured into a bay of sorts to handle the “Air Taxi” terminal. There are “gates” for departure – you go out on a dock and board the planes from there. Really cool experience!!


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02530.jpg

We have to wait about an hour and a half for our “seaplane” ride over – the only way I could really show you what it looked like was this slide show!! Enjoy!! It was beautiful!! Little islands in the sun all over everywhere!! ( I have combined the pictures we took coming and going over on the seaplane.)

http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/SEAPLANE%20VIEWS/44bea9f5.pbw (http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/SEAPLANE%20VIEWS/44bea9f5.pbw)

[Lynnette]

Beautiful....love all of the little water bungalows! Just from the photos you took from the seaplane, I can see why you fell in love with the Maldives!

[PhyllisB]

OOooh, I can't wait to look at the new slideshow!

Minnie, we discovered at our Tuluminary gathering that we are all geographically challenged. (Or, maybe a better way to say it is that we are all Tulum-centric!) Where exactly are the Maldives?

[mayaflya]

OHHHH MINNIE!

The islands are beautiful, but.....you had me at SEAPLANES!!!!

[ziggy]

OOooh, I can't wait to look at the new slideshow!

Minnie, we discovered at our Tuluminary gathering that we are all geographically challenged. (Or, maybe a better way to say it is that we are all Tulum-centric!) Where exactly are the Maldives?

I was curious, too. From the big Wiki:

officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_nation) consisting of a group of atolls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atolls_of_the_Maldives) in the Indian Ocean (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Ocean). The Maldives are located south of India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India)'s Lakshadweep (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshadweep) islands, and about seven hundred kilometres (435 mi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mile)) south-west of Sri Lanka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka). The Maldives' twenty-six atolls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atoll) encompass a territory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territory_%28country_subdivision%29) featuring 1,192 islets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islets), two hundred and fifty islands are inhabited.

[minniemex]

Here is where they are located and a reference to where in the world they are!!

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/mv.htm

[minniemex]

OHHHH MINNIE!

The islands are beautiful, but.....you had me at SEAPLANES!!!!

Really was a highlight of the trip!!

[DougSR]

My first thought is, what would a little global warming do to those people? A few more feet of water in the ocean and those beautiful islands would be "geographically undesirable".

[minniemex]

They are already having problems with the ocean trying to reclaim part of the islands.

I have some pictures from our island and if you watch closely on the slides you will see that on the south side of some islands they have what they term "sea defenses" which are huge concrete blocks trying to keep the sea at bay.

[PhyllisB]

Mother nature always wins....

Were they hit by the tsunami a couple years ago?

Hey Lynette, you were pretty close location-wise!

[minniemex]

Mother nature always wins....

Were they hit by the tsunami a couple years ago?

Hey Lynette, you were pretty close location-wise!

Yes, they were hit, but on the very outskirts of it. Most of the damage was to the shorelines and not structures. I don't think the erosion was a problem until after the tsunami.

[DougSR]

They are already having problems with the ocean trying to reclaim part of the islands.

I have some pictures from our island and if you watch closely on the slides you will see that on the south side of some islands they have what they term "sea defenses" which are huge concrete blocks trying to keep the sea at bay.

If interesting how much we love the ocean, but only as long as we can control it.

[susan]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lynnette]

Mother nature always wins....

Were they hit by the tsunami a couple years ago?

Hey Lynette, you were pretty close location-wise!


Mostly lucky guess. :D

[xamachdan]

Being such small islands, how do they deal with their sewage?
XD

[minniemex]

That I guess was one of the downers - all the liquids went out to sea in one long pipe on each side of the island - the other wastes were processed at some sort of holding tank in the middle of the island and the smell on some occasions was to die from!! But at least they were somewhat responsible with the solid waste. Garbage boats visited the island to pick up the other waste. All the natural, ie, leaves, coconuts and such were taken to "composting" sites on the island. They really had it down to a system.

[beachreader]

Not to ask for too much information, but given that they send the human waste out to sea, do they not flush TP there? I mean, it wouldn't be quite so bad if there was nothing other than processed food going out there. I mean, assuming it was really going waaaay out there and staying out there.

[beachreader]

And wow, great pictures. Can't wait to see where you stayed!

[AnyMan]

Wow, is it ever beautiful!

[Gale in KY]

These are some of the most amazing pictures. Wow, is it ever gorgeous there!

question: What are those squares that look to be carved out of the atolls? Parking spaces for yachts?

[Jana]

Another WOW! It looks stunning. Did you book a package with a UK company? If you did, who did you use and how did it work out? And, sorry if I've missed it, but which island/resort did you stay on? :D Thanks for sharing the great pics!

[minniemex]

These are some of the most amazing pictures. Wow, is it ever gorgeous there!

question: What are those squares that look to be carved out of the atolls? Parking spaces for yachts?

They created harbors for their fishing boats and possibly some yachts.

[minniemex]

Another WOW! It looks stunning. Did you book a package with a UK company? If you did, who did you use and how did it work out? And, sorry if I've missed it, but which island/resort did you stay on? :D Thanks for sharing the great pics!

Yes, we booked with Thomson - http://www.thomson.co.uk/

Our island was Meedhupparu - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298339-d614592-Reviews-Meedhupparu_Island_Resort-Raa_Atoll.html

It was a moderately priced island.

[TheWindyCity]

Wow...what an amazing journey for you. Can't wait to see more!
How do you pronounce Maldives? Maldeeves? Also, thanks for putting the link as to where in the world they are. What happened to the NoTrouble Atoll?:p Is it missing?

[dionski]

Wow! Thanks minnie. I've been to Mauritius, but the Maldives are calling.

d2

[minniemex]

Wow...what an amazing journey for you. Can't wait to see more!
How do you pronounce Maldives? Maldeeves? Also, thanks for putting the link as to where in the world they are. What happened to the NoTrouble Atoll?:p Is it missing?

Either pronunciation is accepted. I always say Mall-dives ( as into a pool)

[minniemex]

Wow! Thanks minnie. I've been to Mauritius, but the Maldives are calling.

d2

A gentleman we met there said he had been to Mauritius and it was fantastic!! We are considering there or the Seychelles for a future trip!!

[minniemex]

I forgot to post a couple other pictures of the "Air Taxi" Terminal!! I thought I was missing some!! I had to put my fish pictures in another folder as they were overtaking the human ones!! LOL

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02116.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02118.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC03984.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC03986.jpg

It is really cool too, as all the pilots fly either barefoot or in flip flops!!

[DougSR]

How cool is that? I assumed they had a super air taxi system but it's neat to see it.

[mayaflya]

Minnie,

Thanks for the additional airplane pictures...my other passion! They look like DeHaviland Twin Otters, no?

[minniemex]

Minnie,

Thanks for the additional airplane pictures...my other passion! They look like DeHaviland Twin Otters, no?

Ok, had to call my husband on this one - the answer is yes!!

[FITZ]

There are so many different forms of "taxi's" in the world. Those looks like the best I've seen yet!

[beachreader]

Very cool. I'm a fan of the taxis in Venice as well.

[minniemex]

Very cool. I'm a fan of the taxis in Venice as well.

Yep, this was probably close to a tie for the taxis in Venice!! But Venice is tops on my list for the Gondola!! Beats the Maldavian Dhoni!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04936.jpg

[graceland]

Minnie, awesome and wow and any other fab u lous word to describe the pics.
Cannot wait to hear about the snorkeling.
Mauritus and Seychelles were heavily discussed during our 07 trip to Africa - Sechyelles is very $$$ according to those we met (but if you have it spend it) and Mauritus had a selection of both affordable and very $$$.
I just don't know if I can do that kind of 20 some hour flight again. I just about screamed mid-way.
Maybe I will wait til our private jet is delivered.:airplane:
Thanks for sharing --Looking for more!
Gracie

[Toni]

Great!! Thank you so much. So beautiful....just hope I make it there someday!! Toni

[minniemex]

We finally arrive on the island around 6:30PM on Monday!! They handle registering for your room really nicely!! They meet you at the airplane, it was raining when we arrived, so they brought umbrellas for us which we thought was very nice. They take you to the Reception area, have you find a place to sit, bring you a welcome drink (some sort of fruit punch) and have you fill out the paper work required. We thought this was a nice touch, as you didn't have to stand in line and wait. After completing the paper work, they take it to the front desk, pick up your room key and then have one of the boys escort you to your room.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02138.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02311.jpg


I had done a lot of reading on the resort and knew that they have problems with erosion. I am hoping that we will not get a room that has a problem. Well, I did. I also knew in my reading that they will change your room, no problem but you do have to wait until the next day for that to happen. I didn't realize at first what a let down this room was until we got our other room the next day. Here is a picture of the view from my first room -

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02139.jpg


I know it probably doesn't look all that bad..... I should have taken a picture of the views to both sides also. All you could see was concrete sandbags and walls. Following are pictures of the walls they have put up to help stop the erosion. I would imagine that they are going to fill in behind the walls with sand at some point.

Here is a close up of the ugly concrete sand bags - and the walls.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02411.jpg



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02155.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02156.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02157.jpg


The last picture is of the "Grill Bar" which is where we spent our time looking at what sunsets there were. It was really strange as we were all inclusive but with some restrictions. This bar stopped serving "included" drinks at 6:30PM and started charging for them. They weren't charging just as small up charge either - $5 to $8 for a drink. As it was, only cheap rail drinks and beer were included in the all inclusive. The only mixers were sweet canned juices, coke, diet coke, tonic water, bitter lemon and sprite. You could get house wine at lunch and dinner (red & white)(couldn't drink the white - vinegar!!) but never in the bars. Really different. You could at any time order a "martini, high end booze, etc." but for the $5 to $8 charge. We splurged at times and ordered, but this is the first time we had encountered this at an AI. I really digressed here. Sorry.


Here is the view from our fourth room -

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04064.jpg


You have to admit, a huge improvement over our 1st room. I don't have a picture of my view from my 3rd room, as we only slept there one night. As it turned out, our 2nd room (right next to our 4th room, you can see our deck to the left in the above picture.) was perfect except for the fact it had no air and it was absolutely stiffling in there at night!! Could not get it to cool down even with the fan and they couldn't repair it until a part came in. So, we only slept in rooms 2 and 3 for one night each and then transferred to our final room...... they had offered us the third room to stay in, I didn't care for it and I had seen that they were checking out of the bungalow right next to ours so we asked for that. It was kinda funny moving as we took the clothes on the hangers and the drawers out of the dressers and replaced them in the new room. Then returned the empty drawers to the old room. All the rooms were identical in layout and furnishings. The only downside was that most of the "king" beds were just 2 twins pushed together and you had a hard ridge in the middle. Finally I was happy with our room and it was already our 3rd day on the island!!

We had alot of overcast cloudy days intermingled with rain. They kept saying how unusual this was. It was still beautiful and the rain was not cold or anything. Just annoying!! There are NO pictures of sunrises, as I only made it up for one (we have a rule on vacation with Phil & Yvonne, no going to bed before midnight - LOL) and that was overcast. I do have a sunset to share later!!

I have done a video of our room and our beach area -enjoy!!

Room

http://s86.photobucket.com/player.swf?refURL=/&file=http://vid86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MOVIES%2520-%2520MALDIVES/MOV02328.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1

Beach


http://s86.photobucket.com/player.swf?refURL=/&file=http://vid86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MOVIES%2520-%2520MALDIVES/MOV02341.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1

[beachreader]

Cool videos! So nice of you to think of us from 10,000 miles away.

I hope the weather in this story improves soon!

[Lynnette]

Your movies are delightful...so fun to have action in a report!!

[PhyllisB]

Just got a chance to look at the videos! How cool! Now I have a voice to put with you! :D :D That's fantastic!

[Claireinco]

I've been dreaming of a trip to the Maldives. Thank you so much for posting about the trip. I love your pictures -- but even more, I love your narration! Will you read me a story?! Your voice is so soothing!

[susan]

thanks for the videos, fun to watch. looks like a cool place even with the clouds and AI quirks

snorkel shots next;)

[Gale in KY]

Finally got to watch your videos..nice to meet ya! LOL. Looks like a great place to visit, cant' wait to see and hear more about your trip!

[FITZ]

That was fun! Thanks and can't wait for more. We can't wait to hear about the people, excursions, all the other good stuff, including food and drink!!

[graceland]

Great videos, definitely on my bucket list. What gorgeous islands!:sun:
Gracie

[heenan]

Nice pics, video and report! Looks like a great time! Heenan

[luvthesun]

wow... looks beautiful! Great pics of the islands from the seaplane!
Thanks for sharing! I guess now I will have to add the Maldives to my bucket list. :)

[minniemex]

We took a tour to an adjacent island that was inhabited. I asked twice the name of the island and forgot it before I could write it down. Started with an M.

We took a local fishing boat over - called a Dhoni - to the island. If you look closely, you can see how they steer the boat with their feet.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC04939.jpg

The tour of the island was very structured and the first place they took us to see was the island's "mens" Mosque. There was a large courtyard with a well for their ablution (ritual purification) which precedes all prayers.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02191.jpg

They had the most beautiful tree with flowers in the courtyard.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02197.jpg

The next place that they took us was to their school. I have to say I was quite impressed with it. It was far superior to a lot of the schools that you see in Mexico.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02199.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02206.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02209.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02210.jpg

All along the walls at the school they had "Americanisms" (my word") written on the walls. If you look closely you will see that it says "Protect environment; environment will protect you". All of these were written in English along the outside of the buildings. I wish I could remember some of the others, it was strange.

Of course they did have the required "football pitch"!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02212.jpg

I saw "Unicef" in more than one place - here on a plaque and also on rainwater cisterns.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02214.jpg

Here is a picture looking into their clinic and hospital. I was really impressed. This island is 45 minutes by seaplane from the capitol island of Male.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02221.jpg

Every house was enclosed by a wall and all the streets were dirt.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02222.jpg

The islands are also inhabited by fruit bats, nothing we as humans have to worry about, except that they steal the fruit off your trees. I thought this was inventive, if not really strange looking. (the fruit is enclosed in clear soda bottles)

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02224.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02202.jpg

This was the womans Mosque. As you can see, it is not as ornate or large as the men's.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02226.jpg

I thought this picture was interesting - the woman sitting out in the street - I am sure it was to catch a breeze -
We were asked to wear clothing that covered our shoulders and our thighs out of respect for their religion.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02231.jpg

They were also having erosion problems with their beach on this side of the island. One thing that I noticed was that there were no houses built near the sea. They were all set back and none took advantage of the breezes or the view.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02233.jpg


These were two small fishing boats.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02236.jpg

We were told that these were "typical" houses.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02237.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02238.jpg

At one end of the island they had "temporary" housing for people who were still "displaced" by the Tsunami. We really got the impression these people were segregated from the rest of the island people. Nothing was said to this effect, but we discussed it and all of us on the tour got this impression.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02240.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02241.jpg

We walked over to the ship building yard.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02242.jpg

They were building a "fishing" boat - quite a large one at that!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02244.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02246.jpg

Here is the extent of their "power" tools.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02247.jpg

Their break room!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02250.jpg

This is an old Mosque (600 years old if I remember correctly) that is no longer in use. There was a cemetery all around 2 sides of it. I found this the most interesting!! I do love old cemeterys and they did let us in it, but you couldn't read anything on stones as it was all washed away. (In foreign language also, script, which I can't read)

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02251.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02256.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02252.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02254.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02259.jpg

At one point, we were taken to 3 different small stores to "shop" for trinkets. I guess that part is the same all around the world. We were not taken to a market and I never saw any real "retail" stores. No grocery, clothing or anything. It seemed like we were not taken to that part of the island but it did seem that we had covered most of the island. The whole tour was by foot and I think it took us less than an hour to cover it all. At the end of the tour, before we boarded the boat back, they said we could rest for a few minutes in their "square". There were only men in the square and I felt very uncomfortable and chose to stand away and wait until we were to get back on the boat.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02261.jpg

Here is a stage that was at the end of the street. We were told nothing about it and we couldn't figure out why they had those words on it. We had the impression that they wanted nothing to do with the U.S.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02264.jpg

These were two larger fishing boats.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02263.jpg

That was the end of our tour of the island. Like I said, we were led around and everytime I seemed to lag to take a picture, one of the men leading the tour urged me on. We were never left to just wander around the island. At one point when we were walking around the island, prayers came over a loudspeaker system and it really freaked me out. It was truly a weird experience.

This is a picture of our island from the "inhabited island"

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/INHABITED%20ISLAND/DSC02262.jpg

[Lynnette]

What a fascinating look at local life on the island. Thank you for the interesting cultural tour. :)

[think]

AWESOME trip report, thanks for sharing. It is very cool to see how different communities operate. Of course, the beach and water didn't look too bad either :p

[FITZ]

Wow! You are really getting a cultural experience, as well as all of the beauty!

[PhyllisB]

Wow, what an experience Minnie! Thanks for the great pix!!!!

[TheWindyCity]

Awesome report and photos...great to see another part of the world. Thanks for taking us there!

[graceland]

Thanks for sharing! It was a fascinating pictorial of the area; and the man steering the boat with his foot - leaves the hands free for...:beerchug:
My dh will be practicing that move I am sure!
Gracie

[susan]

Looks very interesting, I never tire of seeing/learning about different cultures and it often makes me more appreciative of what I have.

[minniemex]

The Island - our resort - Meedhupparu


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/SEAPLANE%20VIEWS/DSC04016.jpg


I have already posted my videos of the room and the beach outside our "bungalow" so thought I would now post some pictures of the rest of the island.
We had all our meals in the dining room - this was the only place on the island we didn't have to pay for food - if we ate at any of the other "bars" or whatever, these were not included in the AI. Just a little confusion as to what their AI and my AI were.

Just outside the dining room

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02381.jpg



Dining room


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02384.jpg



Our table - it was in a really nice location - right in the corner - caught breezes from most directions.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02383.jpg


Here is the "Main Bar" - we spent loads of time there in the evening having drinks and playing cards with our friends. The "entertainment" was sparse, as we were virtually in the middle of no-where. This was fine with us, as we spent real quality time together.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04103.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04537.jpg


Walking around the interior of the island was really an experience. They have encouraged the trees and all foilage to grow over the paths leading to all the bungalows. It was really beautiful.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02164.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02166.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02167.jpg


There was also the most humongous tree on the property - I don't know what kind it was, I thought maybe a Banyon, but it seems different from those.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02173.jpg


The swimming pool was just an infinity pool and we did spend some time there on the days when it was too windy to go in the sea. (Might have had something to do with the swim up bar too.)


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02283.jpg


There was a jetty on the north and south sides of the island reaching out to the drop offs.


North Jetty


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02316.jpg


South Jetty


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02149.jpg


There wasn't a whole lot to do on the island, to walk around it took about 20 minutes, pretty small. I think it could have gotten somewhat boring here without our friends.

We took a trip to a "deserted" island!! What a blast!! We were the only ones on there. We left in a Dhoni and it could not get in to the beach, so we had to climb down into dingy and were paddled to shore. It was an absolute kick!! Here are some of our pictures from that trip.


"Our" island (The called the trip "Lover's Island")


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04952.jpg


On their way back to pick up our chairs and supplies after dropping us off.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04958.jpg


Bringing back chairs and coolers to the island.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04960.jpg


Our cooler contents. There was no booze at all, as it is illegal to have it anywhere in the Maldives except on the resort islands.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04961.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04965.jpg


We walked around this island in about 45 minutes and I would say it was about the same size as the island that we were staying at. It took longer to walk around, as we had to walk in the water around about a third of it.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04970.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04971.jpg


There were zillions of hermit crabs all over the islands, but on this one, we found "giant" hermits. This one was so large, he couldn't find a shell larger than himself.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04976.jpg


Another view of our island.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04979.jpg

And the crows. They were so funny. All you had to do was wave at them and they scattered. But they were waiting for any morsel you might drop!! The ones on Meed were very much more brave - there was one time when Yvonne put a piece of cake on the table in front of me and the next thing I knew, there were 5 crows sitting on the backs of chairs waiting to attack!! They reminded me so much of that cartoon I used to watch as a child - the crows with the scarecrow - can't remember the name though. ( Probably dating myself also!!)


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04990.jpg


Here is a picture of our chairs from the water.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04995.jpg


Here they are bringing everything back to the boat after our day was done.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04997.jpg


A fishing boat we passed on the way back to our island.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04998.jpg


For such a remote part of the world, in the middle of an ocean and 45 minutes by seaplane from the largest city, there was alot going on in the water!!
One of the major reasons for the trip was our friends 35th wedding anniversary. The resort surprised them and us (we had ordered a cake for that night, but that was all we did) and decorated our table for dinner that night.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04443.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04441.jpg

[minniemex]

We did encounter a few land critters during our stay - nothing I couldn't handle though!!

Here are some of the land creatures we met thoughout our trip...........

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04486.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04601.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04349.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04052.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02472.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02412.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02394.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02358.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02343.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02207.jpg

Our favorite critter picture!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04732.jpg

I guess that about does it for the island - up next - the sea creatures!!

[susan]

The deserted island looks fantastic. Was there snorkeling right from shore? Are the beaches fairly clean naturally- didn't look like much unnatrual stuff on the beach?

[minniemex]

They actually keep these "deserted" islands picked up as they bring a couple over there once every day. There was some stuff still washed up - the usual - flips, tennis shoes and plastic.

Here is a picture of a crab with some of the "garbage" showing.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC04977.jpg

[Toni]

I am still enjoying the great report...the pics, videos etc are outstanding. Love the local life info. Thanks!

[PhyllisB]

Wow, monster crabs! Love the creature pics! Those two glowy eyes are fantastic!

[TheWindyCity]

Wow....what a great trip! Really loved all your photos and story...thanks for sharing!

[beachreader]

I love the glowing eyes, but that slug picture looks really professional, very cool. And your poor little gekko lost his tail!

[Solbound]

Wicked!

[bellydancer]

Great trip report...love the pics!!

[minniemex]

I have to say the snorkeling made this trip!! Without it, it would have been ho-hum....... It will be hard to beat!! I have sorted and sorted and tried to cut down on the pictures, but have not been able too, so I have created a number of slide shows to show the diversity of the fish and coral we saw. I have a couple ready right now, will post more later. Of course, I am going to save the best for last. :D

First is what I call Coral & Clams
http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Coral%20Clams%20Sponge/4cd352dd.pbw (http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Coral%20Clams%20Sponge/4cd352dd.pbw)


Next is Eels - some look like snakes, but my book calls them eels. There are also some sea cucumbers.

http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Eels/c0c37ad8.pbw (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fs86.photobucket.co m%2Fpbwidget.swf%3Fpbwurl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fw86.photo bucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk83%2FMinniemex%2FMALDIVE%25 20FISH%2FEels%2Fc0c37ad8.pbw)

Enjoy!! More to come later. I did take over 900 underwater pictures, these are the best of the best.

[think]

Whoa, awesome pics. :D You may have already mentioned it, but what kind of underwater camera did you use?

[bellydancer]

Your pics were awesome...would have freaked out seeing the eels...can't stand anything that looks like a snake!!

[TheWindyCity]

:pBD...I think you just set Lee up for a joke.

[PhyllisB]

WOW Minnie! What amazing things you saw! Just beautiful pix! I can see why it's impossible to pick just a few!!!!!

[bellydancer]

Oh Windy I believe you are right...okay not EVERYTHING that looks like a snake!!!!;)

[susan]

Very cool- so was the snoorkeling right off shore from the beach on your island or did you go out with boats to different spots?

[minniemex]

Whoa, awesome pics. :D You may have already mentioned it, but what kind of underwater camera did you use?

I use a Sony DSC W50 camera with a "Sports Pack" housing made for the camera.


http://www.preferredphoto.com/viewproduct.aspx?ID=3551277&l=Froogle

We have had it for about 2 years.

[minniemex]

Very cool- so was the snoorkeling right off shore from the beach on your island or did you go out with boats to different spots?


We never left the island to snorkel!! We would go out 3 or 4 times a day!! It was wonderful!! Just pick a spot and go!!

[minniemex]

Ok, now for the yellow fish!! There were so many yellows that I had to do a show of their own. I had to do the same with the Parrot fish...... there were just too many to show you just a few!!

Yellows
http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Yellow%20with%20white/fc18eb85.pbw (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fs86.photobucket.co m%2Fpbwidget.swf%3Fpbwurl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fw86.photo bucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk83%2FMinniemex%2FMALDIVE%25 20FISH%2FYellow%2520with%2520white%2Ffc18eb85.pbw)


Parrots

http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Parrots/f5bb9eae.pbw (http://www.tulum.info/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fs86.photobucket.co m%2Fpbwidget.swf%3Fpbwurl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fw86.photo bucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk83%2FMinniemex%2FMALDIVE%25 20FISH%2FParrots%2Ff5bb9eae.pbw)


Enjoy!!

[susan]

I am very jealous. You should do some of these in canvas, they would look amazing

[preeya]

So finally you went conquered and came back!! :eat-drink: Great pics and videos, amazing underwater pics!! I went there 8 years back....lifetime ago!!! Miss that place! Aaahhhh....dont know when I can make that trip again???

[minniemex]

Here is the last slide show of pictures - here it shows the real diversity of fish that we saw!! I would have been happy to see just a few, but there were literally hundreds!!

http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/?albumview=slideshow (http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/?albumview=slideshow)


I don't know where I can go to achieve these results for snorkeling that we had in the Maldives!!

Here are just a few "group" pictures to enjoy!! This is basically what I saw every day!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Group%20shots/DSC04188.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Group%20shots/DSC04312.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Group%20shots/DSC04317.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Group%20shots/DSC04318.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Group%20shots/DSC05289.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Group%20shots/DSC05046-1.jpg

[preeya]

Simply amazing! I'm so jeaaalooouuuussss!

[graceland]

Minnie, I don't think I've ever seen such great snorkeling shots ever...now I really really want to go!
I just love snorkeling; its like going to another world and observing total beauty.
Thanks for sharing.:beerchug:
Gracie

[DougSR]

The last shot of the tangs was perfect. I just rigth clicked on it and said "Set as Background". Thanks.

[beachreader]

Gorgeous. I'd make it my wallpaper too, but I'm still using Gale's iguana. :)

[minniemex]

Minnie, I don't think I've ever seen such great snorkeling shots ever...now I really really want to go!
I just love snorkeling; its like going to another world and observing total beauty.
Thanks for sharing.:beerchug:
Gracie

The snorkeling was fantastic!! It has now set the bar so high we don't know if we will ever come close again!!

I have realized that my slide shows aren't working that great, so thought I would just post some of my favorite fish pictures here.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC04173.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC04478.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC04787.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC04764.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC04983.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC05031.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC04575.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC04303.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Coral%20Clams%20Sponge/DSC04237.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Coral%20Clams%20Sponge/DSC04367.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Yellow%20with%20white/DSC04209.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Yellow%20with%20white/DSC04226-1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Yellow%20with%20white/DSC04698.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Yellow%20with%20white/DSC04747.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Yellow%20with%20white/DSC04753.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Yellow%20with%20white/DSC04759.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Yellow%20with%20white/DSC04921-1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Eels/DSC04574.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Eels/DSC04923.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/BEST%20OF%20FISH/DSC04300-1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Parrots/DSC04229.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Parrots/DSC04354.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Parrots/DSC04644.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Parrots/DSC04663.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Parrots/DSC05063.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Parrots/DSC05304.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Parrots/DSC04647.jpg

[TheWindyCity]

WOW! Just amazing! You were really lucky to take a trip like this! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Lynnette]

WOW.....your snorkel photos are amazing. There are so many fantastic shots, that I see why it would be hard to duplicate your snorkeling experience. This is my favorite, all-time, anyone has taken shot...you should enter it in a contest!!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVE%20FISH/Group%20shots/DSC05046-1.jpg

[TheWindyCity]

Yeah...that's one says it all! My favorite as well!

[bellydancer]

OMG...those are the most awesome pics...I just love all the beautiful colors and shapes of the fish.

[ziggy]

Loved your fishy shots, Minnie!

[joyinthesand]

My favorite has got to be the blue speckled starfish! I swear I can feel the current of the water when I look at it. Amazing!

[beachreader]

Awesome shots! You have the best underwater shots I've seen, thanks for sharing!

[Westybchbum]

Our flight to the Maldives does not leave until 11PM Sunday night on the 9th. If you have ever been to England, there is NO fast way to get anywhere!! Gatwick from our friend’s house is a one and a half hour drive, under normal conditions, so to be on the safe side, we left with more than enough time to spare. As it turned out, traffic was at a minimum, so we did make it in the hour and a half. We had lots of time to kill at the airport, so we shopped all the shops, but found nothing that I needed to buy. Our flight is somewhat late in taking off and we are finally on our way. Ten hours in the air can be a challenge!! It seemed forever of course because we were all excited to get there and start our vacation!! None of us can sleep, except for the guy across the aisle that constantly snored and grunted. Somewhat annoying, but hey, he was sleeping, what did he care??

We arrived in Male (pronounced “mahley”) at 2:30PM their time ( I have just encountered an additional 5 hour time warp) (I have now officially lost 11 hours of my life!!) The “airport” is a strip of land – literally – if you were to continue on to Male you would need to take a water taxi over, as it is not connected to the airport. I tried to get a picture of it, but in our 2 landings, we were not in the right place to take the picture!! I did get a picture of it from the ground.


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02531.jpg

From the airport you are transferred to the other side of the “airport” and here they have a part of the island that has been artificially manufactured into a bay of sorts to handle the “Air Taxi” terminal. There are “gates” for departure – you go out on a dock and board the planes from there. Really cool experience!!


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/DSC02530.jpg

We have to wait about an hour and a half for our “seaplane” ride over – the only way I could really show you what it looked like was this slide show!! Enjoy!! It was beautiful!! Little islands in the sun all over everywhere!! ( I have combined the pictures we took coming and going over on the seaplane.)

http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/SEAPLANE%20VIEWS/44bea9f5.pbw (http://s86.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/SEAPLANE%20VIEWS/44bea9f5.pbw)

:wave::wave:
Hi Minnie! I saw you reference this trip and had to check it out. The above photobucket slideshow wouldn't load though?! Do you still have it out there somewhere? I would love to see these pics if it's not too much trouble!! Thanks, chica!!! :D

[courtleigh]

:wave::wave:
Hi Minnie! I saw you reference this trip and had to check it out. The above photobucket slideshow wouldn't load though?! Do you still have it out there somewhere? I would love to see these pics if it's not too much trouble!! Thanks, chica!!! :D

He he! I did the same thing! :D I thought it wasn't working b/c i was on my iphone, but it's not working on mac either. :) LOVED the report, Minnie! Those fish, oh my goodness! :)

[minniemex]

For some reason if something hasn't been accessed on Photobucket in 90 days, it becomes inactive or something.

Lets try this link and see if it works ~

http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/MALDIVES/SEAPLANE%20VIEWS/?action=view&current=44bea9f5.pbw