Toni the Maldive Lady
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The mystery of Richard Harley

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Vadhoo Resort

I was asked  one day to visit Vadhoo Resort to meet and dive with an American Dive master, a one Richard Harley
I had no idea what to expect.

On arrival my Maldivians in charge of the Resort were troubled with him. I learned later that he was feeding sharks by hand, filming them and then after dinner running the pictures and selling off to his clients for a large sum. I did not take to him and got the impression he was a bit of a Mr know it all.

Diving Dangerously

Next morning we were diving Vadhoo Channel, a very pleasing drift dive. Just the pair us. 
A beautiful day, calm seas, slight breeze. I always have an octopus (secondary source of air) on my tank.
Drifting along at about 20 meters delicious and peaceful! Until I freaked out!  "someone was on my back, someone was taking my air".
A quick look confirmed I had ample air and was no where near reserve...

Out of the water

I motioned a thumbs for UP. My boat boys pull old mama aboard. My wet suit bright pink and yellow which was made for me by Tabata in Japan and has my name down each leg  MALDIVE LADY  so the sharks wont eat me!

Behind me is the dive master supreme! He is swearing shouting
"...I've never been out  dived by a woman. I have never never..." etc etc! He got very rude..
When he was finished with his tirade I rounded on him and said "what the hell do you think you are doing, you are the Dive Master and why would you be gobbling my air !?" 

When back he had to fill in my Log Book.  He had told me he was going to move to Bandos.
I left, called male and gave my opinion of this dreadful man. I'd had over 20 years in the islands and having had loads of dives with various dive masters I made it very clear, he was NOT a Dive master.  I phoned Claude a divemaster on Bandos to tell him to WATCH him.

Claude did keep an eye on him and one day found he had 7 Passports under different names, ironically one of those names was Lazarus.
Toni the Maldive Lady

The Man with many names: Richard Harley

The real name of Richard Smith Harley was David J. Friedland an American lawyer and politician who went on the run after faking his own death. He was hunted by Interpol and considered the number one fugitive wanted by the United States Marshals Service.

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Find out more
Wikipedia
David Friedland

New York Times Archive (1987)
Flashy Life as Fugitive Led Agents to Ex-Senator
Fugitive Jersey Politician Seized Off India's Coast

LA Times Archive (1988)
Global Manhunt

The Maldive Islands


Ariyadhoo, Himithi, Mini Mas,
Gali & Maamigili
Fuah Mulaku

GAAFU ALIFU ATOLL SCHOOL
Gan and Feydhoo
Hanimadhoo & Uteemu
Ihuru
Kuramathi
Kurumba
Laamu  Atoll
Lhaviyani
Niyama - Dhaalu Atoll
Rashdoo & Noonu Atoll
Villingili

Holiday Of A Life Time:
Maldives, Sri Lanka & Dubai

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SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION - LETTER FROM BENEDICTA

MY ISLAND STORY

On My Way To Happy Days

Passenger Flying Log Book

My Very Good Looking Father

Through a Zanzibar Doorway

Lion Sands

Cape Town

A Night At The London Zoo

Wild Reef Child

Ashley

Flying With Hunting Clan

Love At First Sight

The Queen Mother

Romy Has a Surprise!

GEORGE

My Talk 2018

My Flying Diary

The Maldive Lady, by Jo Foley

LiveWire: First Lady of Leisure

Kunfunadhoo

The Lady In The Loo

First Round The World Flight

Tehran

PHINDA

Rat Story

Visha & Maya

Saint Helena

A Flight of a Lifetime

Diving Bangaram Island
Shark Circus
Richard Harley
Yusuff Moosa

I Dived To Victory
Memorable Muscat
You Must Not Wear Any Weights Or Life Jacket


A Magic Boat Launches

Angkor, Cambodia

Champneys

Country Life

Crown of Thorns

Having A Whale Of A Time

​Hurlingham Club Magazine Summer 2016

Kenya

​KASHMIR 1959

Lady Rose

Love of Skiing

My Magic Beans

My Outstanding Award
My Sandbank
Museum of Mankind
My 86th Birthday
Classic Wings: My 87th Birthday
My 88th Birthday
Magic Yellow File
RACEHORSE
Seychelles
South Africa
The Haute Route
Thrills & Spills - Dhoni Mighili
Underwater Ireland
Welcome To Stanford Bridge
***WEST OF ZANZIBAR***

Helicopter Bride
SCHOOL / FLYING
World Travel Mart
My Adopted Maldivian Family
Life Threatening Thalassemia
Himmafushi - The Young Offenders
Villingilli Orphanage
The Tsunami
Commemorative Coins

1986 Commonwealth Games
Guest Speaker of the Canberra
My Cocktail
Love & Marriage in Sri Lanka


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Flags
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A Maldives Symphony -
My Swan Song:

- Velassaru & Kuramathi
-
Colombo

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