Blogs from Ari Atoll, Maldives, Asia - page 4

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Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 31st 2012

I am not sure if it's because we remain becalmed with virtually no breeze and little current in the ocean or because the temperatures are getting hotter but the last two evenings we have seen two fantastic and utterly different sunsets. One from the Dhoni as we sailed the atoll islands changed colours all the time with beautiful shades of pink and coral reflecting on the clouds and the surface of the ocean. As the sun sank we saw incredible silhouettes of islands. Yesterday the cloud seemed to auger for a limited sunset but in the last 10 minutes we saw incredible colours emerge from behind the clouds and on to the ocean. It was simply stunning. We sat on the deck and watched one painting after another unfold - brilliant!... read more
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Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 30th 2012

Yesterday was stunningly hot - the breeze of the last few days disappeared and the whole atoll and island was becalmed. The sea was like a mill pond and the visibility in the water was terrific with views of Surgeonfish, Cornetfish, Wrasse and Unicorn fish crystal clear. We decided to go on a Donhi in the evening to watch the sunset and search for dolphins. A Donhi is a Madivian boat - wooden up to 50 feet long originally sail powered now motored. With a carved prow and stern with flags astern. We set out across the atoll to the neighbouring islands about 5pm local time. The ocean was astonishingly still and calm and the colour of a deep blue sapphire. Within an hour we had seen dolphins -just a few swimming close by - Dhoni's ... read more
Dolphins in the atoll waters 2
Swimming together 1
Swimming together 2

Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 29th 2012

Two encounters with the local fauna yesterday. One good one not so good. We have seen lots of jellyfish in the last few days as the currents have brought in lots - most of the time they are small - about 5cms in diameter or so - clear with a blue central piece. Tricky to see when you're swimming or snorkelling but the stings aren't too bad and some rapidly applied vinegar does the trick. However yesterday we saw a huge purple one - about 30 or 40 coms in diameter - floating gracefully in the water but with a pretty serious kick - later it washed up on the beach before the tide rescued it and returned it to the ocean. The other encounter was with the local stork yesterday. It visits most days and ... read more
Getting ready to catch
Popping for a drink
Popping in for a drink 2

Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 26th 2012

We have had two very lazy days - lolling around on the beach and by the pool, having a few drinks and reading our books - life really doesn't get more chilled than this.... In addition yesterday and today we were treated to two great sunsets - we sat out on our deck and just watched the sun sink behind the clouds - pretty chilling too...... read more
Sunset 2
Sunset 3
Sunset 4

Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 25th 2012

For a very small island there is a wide variety of flora. Yesterday Gemma and I went on a "flower safari" to see how many different types of flower we could see. These are some of the results of our botanical research ... Plus a photo of the explorer on the beach ...... read more
Some root system
Cream flower
Red flower

Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 25th 2012

Cob has now returned from Romania having had a fantastic time there learning how to lay foundations, build concrete floors and brick laying with a bit of plastering thrown into too for good fun. The next team are out there already doing the decorating - sounds like Cob had the short straw. But what a great experience ... Josh is in Belgium near Bruges preparing for the first festival of his tour. We have had another lazy day here on the island - lounging around and enjoying the sunshine and scenery. One of the things that has struck us here is the colour of everything - there's little pollution in the air or the sea relatively speaking - and the light is very intense for most of the day. So colours themselves are intensified as some ... read more
Along the jetty to the plane
Flowers
Over the bridge

Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 24th 2012

Even though it is not the best season for sunsets you can still see some remarkable ones with evocative cloud scenes as the cloud builds up when the heat of the sun diminishes. What's also really spectacular is that for a short five minute spell the colours on the sea surface also mix with the coral reefs too.... read more
Moody clouds over the atoll

Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 24th 2012

As well as being a divers dream and a great place to snorkel the atoll is a pretty good place for all sorts of other water sports too....... read more
Waterskis waiting
Catermerans and palms 1
Catermerans and palms 2

Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 23rd 2012

Ok so some photos are up side down - this has nothing to do with being in a particular hemisphere I'm told and even if I were on the equator they should be just be normal - it maybe a connection speed issue so we will try how these work .... We also had a stork visitor today so here he is on the first photo ...... read more
Some of the local flora
Paradise Beach
Through the archway

Asia » Maldives » Ari Atoll July 23rd 2012

So this summer we are spread out all over the place - Cob is is Romania and has been there for a couple of weeks. He's working for a charity helping to build orphanages. He is in a remote part of the country without phone and Internet. Josh embarks today on a month long tour of Europe with his friends from college. He is aiming to hit the main music festivals in Belgium Netherlands and Germany before returning via Austria, Switzerland and France. No doubts lots of music and drink over the next 30 days especially as he celebrates his 19th birthday on 19 August. In the meantime we are in Machchafushi in the South Ari atoll of the Maldives. It is certainly everything you expect it to be. Landing at Male airport gives you an ... read more
Frangipani
Beautiful colours
About to flower into flame




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