Male, Maldives, December 4

We are anchored in the bay in Male, surrounded by many islands both close and distant and lots of boats.  A few tankers but mostly water taxis and pleasure boats.  And of course seaplanes taking off every few minutes for sightseers.  Was overcast and humid when I stepped onto the balcony and by the time I’d finished breakfast was raining quite heavily. It eased after a while but the humidity remained.  I didn’t leave the ship -have a tour tomorrow- but did think I might take the tender across to the town/city as G was out snorkelling.  But after hearing some people sitting next to me by the pool I decided against it.  They said it was chaotic, motor bikes everywhere, no real shopping etc so I settled in on the deck chair with a book, a piña colada and a few chats and naps!  

A few facts about Male, as you all know it is the capital and most populous city of the Maldives.  It has a population of 250,000 and an area of 3.20 sq miles! No surprise then that it is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city consists of a central island, an airport island and four other islands governed by the Male City Council.  The whole island group is named after it’s capital and the word ‘Maldives’ means ‘the islands (dives) of Male’!  The first settlers in the Maldivian islands were Dravidian people who arrived from the neighbouring shores of the modern Indian subcontinent and coastal Ceylon. Studies of Maldivian linguistic, oral and other cultural traditions, in addition to folklore, point to a strong Dravidian influence on Maldivian society, centred in Male, from ancient times. 

Dinner in Pacific Rim tonight with a couple from Edinburgh. Then the show was a very casual concert with the band, singers dancing (for some) in the aisles.  There was meant to be a big party on the pool deck tonight, with bbq, seafood, dancing etc but it was cancelled due to the earlier rain and unpredictability of the weather in general.  

So, goodnight from Male!  Back tomorrow.