FEB 6 MOVING TO OMADHOO

MOVING DHANGETHI TO OMADHOO
We pack and say our goodbyes to Nish and the staff. They have been exemplary catering to our every need. Our luggage is wheeled down to the dock while we walk sharing memories. We wait for the ferry to arrive. A fisherman jigs for a couple calamari to use as bait for Marlin. Young boys dive off the dock while young girls give them the eye. The boys entice first one young girl onto an open kayak and soon the girls are all as wet as the boys. It brings back memories of 60 years ago. In some ways life hasn't changed much. One hour later we reach Mahibadhoo and are picked up by an old working boat and transported to the Island of Omadhoo 20 minutes away.

LIFE ON THE DOCK

STEERING WITH ONES FOOT

We are met by Ishmael and shown our digs the Kuri Inn. Not as fancy as Dhangethi but half the cost at $40 per night including breakfast. There are three houses offering accomodation on the Island all owned by Ishmael's family. The Island seems more traditional and not so used to tourists. There are supposedly two public places to ear on-Island but we have only seen one.

THE KURI INN

After lunch Don and I drift snorkel the outer reef of one side of the Island. It takes about 2 plus hours as the tide runs against us. When we get to the end of the island there is no place to cross the coral encrusted reef to get to shore so we have to snorkel partway back to where we started until we find a channel to access shore. The reef does not have as much coral as Vilamendhoo but more fish and a deeper drop-off which makes life more interesting. One moment you are in warm turquoise waters on the reef in 2 metres of water the next cooler rich blue waters with the bottom 25 meters below. We get to shore just as the sun is setting.