Another Spectacular Sunset from my back door
So I’m finding that a week on a restful island paradise is just what I was looking for! This place fits the bill. The view out my bungalow is constantly changing and continuously spectacular, rain or shine. The island is small, and you can walk across it in about 15 minutes. There are boardwalks constructed between the buildings. There are many trees on the island and also carefully maintained vegetation along the boardwalks. Some are fascinating plants I’ve never seen before. Someone also had the brilliant idea of using old daab for flowerpots, but I haven’t seen any to drink here. I doubt they would be imported, as it would be a bit cost-prohibitive.
Daab Flowerpot and Local Flora
Rainbow peeking out at Gangehi
There are individual cabins along the shoreline and the ones in a few clusters over the sea, accessible by docks. There is a stretch of beach, but since I have access to the water from my deck, I haven’t spent much time there. There’s a library, a regular restaurant, a fancy restaurant (costs extra, probably won’t go!), a spa (where I get a free massage!), a scuba center, volleyball court, gym, bar/hangout area.
Fresh Passionfruit
The restaurant has a crazy buffet-style selection of tons of different kinds of food – Maldivian, Indian, Italian, Greek, Spanish. I got to have beef! More than once! (Haven’t been having much of that lately.) Also, there are desserts and homemade-on-the-island ice cream. I even tried a fresh passionfruit, which I’d never had before. The food is all served up by people who also tell you what each dish is. Usually with a strong accent – there are so many languages spoken here, among both visitors and staff. A lot of Italian, as that is what the owner of this island is, I believe, but many others. The staff is mainly Maldivian, Indian, and some Italian, I believe. So, “Grilled swordfish with asparagus and squash” or whatever fancy dishes they have can come out in many different ways – especially depending on how good the guy’s English happens to be. The other day, I was actually offered some “Rice Crappies” for desesert! Awesome. How could I resist?
Snorkel Gear in another Sunset
There are yoga, classes, evening games and entertainment, and excursions you can sign up for. Some are trips to nearby islands, or fishing trips, or snorkeling trips. In fact, I got to borrow a snorkeling set for the week, so that’s been fun. And today I’m going to check in with the scuba school and find out what the situation’s like there. I’m already certified, but it’s been a while since I’ve gotten to dive. Hopefully this week I can change that. I hear the Maldives has some of the greatest diving anywhere.
One evening, one of the staff members at the bar from Sri Lanka taught me how to play a game they have there. It’s similar to pool, but it’s played with discs on a smaller table. You have a main one that you flick at the others, kind of like in marbles, and try to sink the discs in pockets as you do with billiards. It was pretty cool and I enjoyed playing. 
Lover’s Beach
One part of the beach here only appears when the tide goes out. It’s pretty cool. I can see it in the distance from my sunbed. I think they call it Lover’s beach or walk or something. It is a long strip of sand that appears at low tide and makes for a lovely walk. I’ll have to head out there some time.
Aother thing that made my week super-great already is that I found one of my favorite trilogies in the little English section of the library! (His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman, fyi). I love reading, and I’ve been getting in some quality reading time here. I think I’m going to go sit on my sunbed and ready now. With some coffee that I make here in my own room! I’m so glad I came to the Maldives.