Maruhabaa. Looks like you’ve had some chunky south swell over the weekend in Sydney. Nice. It sounds like it wasn’t the gold-plated swell of the year though (as originally predicted). Fortunately there will be waves for most of this week as the south swell supply continues. The onshore winds may be a problem some days, wait ‘til they subside.
Back here in the Maldives things are moving a little slow – on island time…I’m still on sabbatical for a few more days, just thought I’d show you how beautiful this little island is. I’m in the Huvadhoo Atoll (400 km’s south of the capital Male) on a tiny island called Hadahaa. There’s not many people down here just plenty of untouched coral and iridescent blue water. There are surf breaks nearby (‘Beacons’ + ‘Tiger Stripes’), but $500USD for a Donny (local boat) to take me there was quickly dismissed and I’ve returned to the deck chair.
Maldivian Facts
- The Maldives is the lowest country in the world with highest point only 2 metres above sea level, and they are sinking with rising seas…
- Maldives population is 396,334 (small!) living on 1,190 coral islands
- Male is the capital – 100,000 people are jammed on that little capital island
- The island I am on has 170 staff and 63 guests. They decided to move the clocks forward 1 hour to savour the sunlight. They call it ‘island time’
- A tsunami in the Indian Ocean caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake caused serious damage to these islands (that’s why I’ve got a life jacket in my hotel room)
- Alcohol is banned here (Islamic country) but can be purchased at resorts if you’re a guest. No duty freebie’s can be brought in.
- Tourist from all over the world come here – but it seems mostly Koreans dominate the resorts, maaan they can snorkel all day long
- It’s one of the most photogenic places I’ve ever been…
Bye, uge
