Mohammed Ali, our table waiter, had decorated our table for breakfast with flowers. It was lovely but rather out of character. It transpired that another table whose guests were also leaving today had also been decorated and we agreed that it must have been a token of departure, although since we don't leave until after 14:00 we were banking on receiving lunch at Embudhu Village, so a quick dash to reception was in order to ensure we would be receiving lunch. Our room number had also been removed from the table!
The souvenir shop has just commenced a 5% to 20% sale! Obviously it is receiving little custome for its USD 1.50 chocolate bars. I'm also not convinced anyone would pay USD 15 for three posters of selected fishes of the Maldives...
A final wander around the island in search of bats to photograph was spoiled by more rain. We sat, miserable, in the bar waiting for the weather to change.
After an interesting lunch before which Mohammed Ali had entirely overlooked the fact that we would be dining at lunchtime and had consequently moved another couple, who had just arrived, from our regular seats to another table the other side of the eating area, having spotted us as we entered the restaurant. Nicely done Mohammed Ali.
We finally left Embudhu Village, bidding a fond farewell to sharkey. The speedboat ride to the other resort island Giravaru was uncomfortable and frightening, again. I was very pleased to arrive at the island safely.
My first impressions of Giravaru are good. We were greeted by a nice size beach and a friendly Australian who introduced us to the island, our guest registration cards, his full family life history and his aspirations. He was familiar with the Star Alliance fifteen stop offering around the world having made use of the offer twice himself and it was nice to chat to a fellow traveller instead of the resort holidaymakers.
It was Maldivian night at the resort tonight so after another rainstorm and a refreshing warm shower we enjoyed some Maldivian cuisine, much welcomed by me in favour of the western attempts we had been receiving on Embudhu Village.
A quick visit out to the jetty after dinner revealed, unfortunately, that sharkey didn't reside in Giravaru after all although trumpetfish did.
As I write this journal and retire for bed it had begun to rain...again. It evidently rains in Giravaru as much as it does in Embudhu Village if not more...
Copyright 2002 Helen Fuller. All rights reserved.