The Maldives ~ Enjoying Paradise!

We've been anchored here off the beautiful Uligan Island in the Maldives for four days now and are enjoying all the peace and tranquillity of island life once again. Blue Moon is sitting in 12 feet of the clearest turquoise water we've seen in a very long time and surrounded by fantastic coral reef bustling with tropical fish. On Monday we took a boat trip with 18 other cruisers to visit some of the other islands in the atoll (as we can't move our own boats) and spent a relaxing day getting to know everyone in the anchorage. Last night the locals arranged a Pot Luck Dinner on the beach where they cooked up a bunch of fresh fish on the BBQ and sang and danced to traditional music.

The Maldivians are extremely friendly people and our agent 'Imad' has done everything possible to make visiting here as smooth and easy as possible. We've been able to buy fuel at $1.20 a liter and water from the village Well is free. There are a few very small shops in the village where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables and sliced white bread. Checking in and out is really easy and free for the first 72 hours after which you have to hire the agent which costs $20 US for a further 15 days and another $10 when you check out. We plan to stay until Sunday and then head on to Oman...that's if we can pull ourselves away from all the great snorkeling!!

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