Ariyadhoo, Himithi, Mini Mas Gali and Maamigili
HIMITHI ON THAA ATOLL
I am off on my travels again, to pastures new. This time with Adhill and Ali as my body guards!
This would not have been possible had it not been for the kindness of Mr Ilyas and his fast boat. Ilyas's mother came from this island and his Uncle who was the most renowned mathematician of all time. Part of the small island had been washed away, so the locals all left.
There was a small house, a few palm trees looked after by 10 locals and an unending caster sugar beach with a turquoise lagoon as far as the eye could see.
I walked over to where part of the island had been washed away. Fascinating as I could walk in the shallows well below my knees . Bending down I could pick up bits of china plates and cups without any difficulty. There was also a swing hammock between two trees. I was told that if kids were unwell they were put in the hammock, weight taken and money would be given according to the weight of the child to hasten their recovery.
I went for swim while Adhill and Ali prepared supper. Poor Adhill was suffering from Kidney problems. I heard later it was sorted out. At the time he was Mr Ilyas's driver assigned from National Security Service.
While snorkeling in the lagoon I came across a biggish piece of coral, turned it over and under side was a number of the small cowrie shells yellowish in colour. These are the Cowries that were the money of the Maldives years back. Maldives had more than any other countries in the Indian Ocean so trade for these was very high on the agenda. A little later a delicious curry and bed.
Next day another new experience. A young lad arrived in a boat that looked no bigger than a pram! A very small sail. His hair was reddish. How we all got in I just don't know! Heading for a tiny tiny island called Mini Mas Gali
My lads started making a fire while I decided to snorkel along the house reef. All was going very well until just below on my left was a shark looking right another one! I was hemmed in, big panic! Stopped! As they cruised past I headed a.s.a.p to the beach.
Ali had caught a fish and a good fire on the go, not only for our supper but also kept the mosquitos away. We chatted well into the night as Adhill's English was limited he would tell Ali and Ali to me! It was wildly interesting and dear Mr Ilyas who was in Addu called to see if i was OK. We got back at three in the morning!
When running Maldive Travel a number of my clients had asked if they could take their husbands Ashes back to their Resort were they had been been so happy. I was given permission.
After my time on Mini Mas Gali I wanted my Ashes to be dealt with there, I asked "What does Mini Mas Gali mean?" ISLE OF BONES!!
We moved to Ari Atoll for me to look at a number of designated Islands that were to be turned into Tourist Resorts in the near future. Tourism was taking off and in need of more Resorts. The bidding completed. I looked at about 10 islands. The boat was too big to get close, so I would jump and swim ashore. My lads would pull old Mama aboard. At the end they asked me which one I would like to have ?
The Island I picked I was told I had got it wrong! I was told that "No fishermen would ever fish near that island it had sort of spell! Maldivian's are very superstitious. It was a lot later that something very sad came to pass, we then had Helicopters and two crashed close to this island where the locals won't fish.
This would not have been possible had it not been for the kindness of Mr Ilyas and his fast boat. Ilyas's mother came from this island and his Uncle who was the most renowned mathematician of all time. Part of the small island had been washed away, so the locals all left.
There was a small house, a few palm trees looked after by 10 locals and an unending caster sugar beach with a turquoise lagoon as far as the eye could see.
I walked over to where part of the island had been washed away. Fascinating as I could walk in the shallows well below my knees . Bending down I could pick up bits of china plates and cups without any difficulty. There was also a swing hammock between two trees. I was told that if kids were unwell they were put in the hammock, weight taken and money would be given according to the weight of the child to hasten their recovery.
I went for swim while Adhill and Ali prepared supper. Poor Adhill was suffering from Kidney problems. I heard later it was sorted out. At the time he was Mr Ilyas's driver assigned from National Security Service.
While snorkeling in the lagoon I came across a biggish piece of coral, turned it over and under side was a number of the small cowrie shells yellowish in colour. These are the Cowries that were the money of the Maldives years back. Maldives had more than any other countries in the Indian Ocean so trade for these was very high on the agenda. A little later a delicious curry and bed.
Next day another new experience. A young lad arrived in a boat that looked no bigger than a pram! A very small sail. His hair was reddish. How we all got in I just don't know! Heading for a tiny tiny island called Mini Mas Gali
My lads started making a fire while I decided to snorkel along the house reef. All was going very well until just below on my left was a shark looking right another one! I was hemmed in, big panic! Stopped! As they cruised past I headed a.s.a.p to the beach.
Ali had caught a fish and a good fire on the go, not only for our supper but also kept the mosquitos away. We chatted well into the night as Adhill's English was limited he would tell Ali and Ali to me! It was wildly interesting and dear Mr Ilyas who was in Addu called to see if i was OK. We got back at three in the morning!
When running Maldive Travel a number of my clients had asked if they could take their husbands Ashes back to their Resort were they had been been so happy. I was given permission.
After my time on Mini Mas Gali I wanted my Ashes to be dealt with there, I asked "What does Mini Mas Gali mean?" ISLE OF BONES!!
We moved to Ari Atoll for me to look at a number of designated Islands that were to be turned into Tourist Resorts in the near future. Tourism was taking off and in need of more Resorts. The bidding completed. I looked at about 10 islands. The boat was too big to get close, so I would jump and swim ashore. My lads would pull old Mama aboard. At the end they asked me which one I would like to have ?
The Island I picked I was told I had got it wrong! I was told that "No fishermen would ever fish near that island it had sort of spell! Maldivian's are very superstitious. It was a lot later that something very sad came to pass, we then had Helicopters and two crashed close to this island where the locals won't fish.
Final Port of Call ARIYADHOO & MAAMIGILLI
These two islands are on Alifu Atoll. Ilays's owned the former. Quite large and so so pretty. He was quite "Green fingered".
A large house, but smallish beach. This island was awash with beautiful flowers and crops. Roses the National flower in profusion, Papaya, Chillies ,Brinjals, And a small cricket pitch.
I was told the "Rat man" was here, he comes in from abroad annually to deal with the RATS!
I must tell everyone who reads this! I am terrified of rats and mice totally terrified! Rather swim with sharks!
I have certainly seen some in my travels but to have a man come all the way known as the RAT MAN, this had to be something different!
I dined on the beach with a few other guests. I had a chance to discuss at length this Rat problem! Rat Man outlined his procedure ending with how he knows the number he has killed! "I cut off their TAILS and throw the rest away"
Bed time checking every nook and cranny that no rat could get in! Fell asleep to be woken later by screams coming from the room opposite me! Put me head out. A local told me that the other guests had gone to bed and during the night went to the bathroom only to find a whole rat population had arrived in order to avoid the poison and to keep their tails. Bathroom packed with them! I shut my door and again spent a long long time checking all! No Guests around next day! RAT man told me he already had over 60! this was just the first day UGH!!!
A large house, but smallish beach. This island was awash with beautiful flowers and crops. Roses the National flower in profusion, Papaya, Chillies ,Brinjals, And a small cricket pitch.
I was told the "Rat man" was here, he comes in from abroad annually to deal with the RATS!
I must tell everyone who reads this! I am terrified of rats and mice totally terrified! Rather swim with sharks!
I have certainly seen some in my travels but to have a man come all the way known as the RAT MAN, this had to be something different!
I dined on the beach with a few other guests. I had a chance to discuss at length this Rat problem! Rat Man outlined his procedure ending with how he knows the number he has killed! "I cut off their TAILS and throw the rest away"
Bed time checking every nook and cranny that no rat could get in! Fell asleep to be woken later by screams coming from the room opposite me! Put me head out. A local told me that the other guests had gone to bed and during the night went to the bathroom only to find a whole rat population had arrived in order to avoid the poison and to keep their tails. Bathroom packed with them! I shut my door and again spent a long long time checking all! No Guests around next day! RAT man told me he already had over 60! this was just the first day UGH!!!
MAAMIGILLI
This is just a hop stick and a jump from Ariyadhoo and they wanted to let me meet the local people.
A total delight meeting the locals. This little boy in my picture became very attached. I had a curly Marsh Mallow sweet so gave him this. Never had he had anything like this in his life! His grandmother took a liking to me.. Asking if I could PLEASE stay the night with her! In the end she went off, came back with three fresh chicken eggs. I was told it was the highest gift she could give me, had I had more time for sure I would have stayed.
You know all my journey's a long way away from Male, I love best meeting the local people, now and then living with them , learning their ways, eating their food, they show me how they cook neither of us speaking their language seems to make NO difference, the kids running behind me screaming T O R N I !
I play Grand Mother's Footsteps with them on beach and in the sea. I write my name on the sand I am much blessed.
A total delight meeting the locals. This little boy in my picture became very attached. I had a curly Marsh Mallow sweet so gave him this. Never had he had anything like this in his life! His grandmother took a liking to me.. Asking if I could PLEASE stay the night with her! In the end she went off, came back with three fresh chicken eggs. I was told it was the highest gift she could give me, had I had more time for sure I would have stayed.
You know all my journey's a long way away from Male, I love best meeting the local people, now and then living with them , learning their ways, eating their food, they show me how they cook neither of us speaking their language seems to make NO difference, the kids running behind me screaming T O R N I !
I play Grand Mother's Footsteps with them on beach and in the sea. I write my name on the sand I am much blessed.
