There was no problem joining today’s 2 dives. The first dive was super awesome! Not much of a current but it took a while to descend. Mind you, if the current was stronger, it would have been scary having to quickly swim thru it and use gloves to grip to something to hold on. The second we jumped in, it was exciting, the visibility was about 25-30m!!! Never seen so many fish ever! As an open water diver, I’m allowed a maximum of 18m and today we were down 30! **big, big grin** Since it was so clear, it certainly didn’t feel as deep. Saw many sharks – white and back tips. The black tips were huge and rested on the ocean base. Lots of morays of various colours and sizes. Some were about 6-7 feet long. The dive master was petting the ‘chin’ of huge one. The whole experience was unreal, the corals and fish amazing…like TV. The 2nd dive was quieter and slower. It was about 55 mins and I still had 100 left from the 250 bars in the tank. I’m either getting more efficient with my air, thanks to yoga training, or the tanks are super filled. Saw another turtle further away, octopus, stone or rock fish..can’t remember…and gazillions of little fish. I made it a priority to be an irritating human to swim right through their schools 🙂 It was neat to be surrounded. The only thing I didn’t see in todays dives were the eagle rays…hopefully there will be other opportunities. When we were close to surfacing, multi-coloured fish about 4 inches long came right up to my goggles. They were so close I can see their curious googly eyes checking me out. That was fun! My expression at this point surely would have me appearing ‘narc-ed’.
My lunch…don’t remember the name but asked for the tuna and asked twice about the contents to avoid the other meat dishes. It tasted like chicken! Very difficult to be vegetarian here or avoid dairy. Went to the grocery store, bought some stuff and now I’m taking most of it with me on the plane today. I unfortunately overestimated how long I’d be marooned on this island 🙂
Got convinced the milkshakes here are really good and joined the 2 ‘happy’ 45+ year old guys from Dubai at the shop. It wasn’t that good and I couldn’t finish it…they obviously are missing out while living on this side of the world. Tonight the dive group will meet at a buffet restaurant at 7pm to say goodbye to some and discuss plans for further trips.
How luggage is transported to the surrounding hotels on Maafushi, Maldives.
Got up at 6am this morning to catch the ferry, taxi, ferry then plane for my return trip. Today I leave Male for Trivandrum, South India. From here, I’ll take a taxi to the train station. If I have time, I’ll ask the driver to pass down the Main Street to see the Sri Padmanashwamy temple and stop at the Indian Coffee House, famous for its historical value and hopefully java as well.
From Trivandrum, I catch a train to Varkala for 1 night. Famous beach area for pilgrims and tourists. Will spare 1 night there, taking a recommended yoga class at Kamaraj Yoga. Saji and a retreat group will also be in Varkala. Maybe I see them on the beach. The next morning at 7am, I leave by train for Ernakulam and find my way to a hotel on Marine Drive. Intend on staying here until my flight leaves on Monday morning at 4 freakin’ AM! I’m willing to bet the wicked gets more rest!
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How does the saying go? If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans. Well never again, Air India! First the 3 hour delay on Monday in Trivandrum and now another 5 hour delay to leave the Maldives. I could’ve slept in if Air India sent me an update about this flight status.
That flight didn’t leave intil 4:15pm. When I got to Trivandrum, I took a taxi to Varkala and got there around 8pm. It was dark so I couldn’t see the beach and cliffs. However, after dumping the pack at the hotel, I checked out the stores that lined the cliffs. Got pestered to buy stuff and all stores sell pretty much the same items. If I was hungry, the fish grilled in banana leaves would be priority. The numbers of tourists in this area was mind boggling and all I smelled was weed! I did manage to get a good deal on a handmade singing bowl. The guy wanted to know where I was from and didn’t understand my birthplace until a ‘tadaa’ moment arose and finally realized how to better explain Trinidad’s location other than having to draw a map. When I said ‘West Indies’, immediately he knew. When I added, ‘they always lose at cricket’, he couldn’t stop laughing. And so, I got the deal! Only a few will recognize Trinidad and Tobago from their debut at World Cup so I didn’t bother with this.
The cliffs and beach of varkala is really stunning but I had to go! And desperate to get out of here. Way too touristy for me. I’m currently on the 12noon train for the past 4 hours and should be in Ernakulam soon. Hopefully I dont miss my stop! Planning to get a rickshaw to the hotel where I will stay for 2 days till my return.
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I am so mixed up with the date when you should be returning to Canada! Today, I told G that you are on the plane home until I read this post.
Glad you had a great time in Maldives 🙂
Quote Robert Urich's: "God laughs as we plan"
I told you the truth about Varkala, didn't I? Day trip for me, wouldn't want to stay over night.
Have a safe trip home. I am arriving Wed Mar 20. See you soon.
Call if you can when you get to London. mom
Yes, some were posted a day or 2 late. I leave tonight. Should be home on the 18.
Too bad about Varkala though…such a nice area. See you soon!
I'll try to Skype again. You'll need to up the brightness on your screen…otherwise teeth is all you'll see!