Till soon

 The finicky August Maldivian weather finally caught up with me and the wonderful guy who ran the hotel I stayed at on Omadhoo recommended I take a boat back to Malé a day early while there was for sure one to take, as boats were getting cancelled right and left, creating a definite danger I could get stuck on Omadhoo while my plane home left without me. I took his advice. So my idyllic island days ended a day earlier than planned, but will loom large in my memory as such a beautiful time regardless. For now I’m heading back to the US for a month of friends and family time  but I’ll see you back here in the second half of September to continue the adventure….

Omadhoo

The third and final idyllic Maldivian island I’m getting to visit on this trip. Just as much as I enjoy these gorgeous beaches, I love watching the locals enjoy them in their own way. 

Ooh la la Feridhoo

 

In favor of the off-season

 It’s not a very popular time of the year for tourists in the Maldives right now, as there is a good chance of (gasp!) rain, wind, and/cloudy skies. So the hotels are discounted and the islands I’ve been to so far are quiet. If you ask me, all that plus the music of an intense downpour, the way it breaks the heat and humidity, the cooler temps from some-times overcast skies, and the beauty of watching a storm cloud roll in over the ocean are all total joy. (Though ask me again if a full-blown monsoon rolls in while I’m here!)

Ukulhas = heaven

 

Maldives!

 A dream destination, for sure, and I. Am. Not. Disappointed. I’m doing a little island hopping for a couple weeks and I’m so happy to be here I can hardly stand it. This here’s the view from the beach on the SE side of Ukulhas island…

So long, Sri Lanka

 Two months on this impressive island, already gone! I can’t believe it an am sad to leave. 

But I do have one more exciting stop to make before heading back Stateside for a regroup…

Kilpatiya