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The Maldives trip report
The Maldives trip report
More pictures can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N ... 898665271/
My husband and I went to the Maldives for a week in late January. Since the Maldives has so many islands it was hard to choose where to stay, although it seems like I was lucky getting what I wanted just 1,5 months ahead. The Maldives is a destination people book very long time in advance. Anyway, we ended up choosing Vilamendhoo island in the south Ari atoll.
We flew Austrian Airlines via Vienna. 2 hours to Vienna and 8 to Male and then 25 minutes in a seaplane to Vilamendhoo. All went well, just a couple of hours delay in Vienna due to freezing fog and they ran out of deicing fluid. That meant we had to wait in Male for 3 hours for our seaplane ride. It was very cool with the seaplane, flying over small islands and all this turquoise water.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439074580/" title="IMG_1860_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/543 ... 1cb5_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1860_edited-1"></a>
The island is 900 meters long and 250 meters wide and had 154 rooms. This is relatively big for being the Maldives. Our villa was situated on the beach only 25 ft from the water. It was newly renovated (as was everything on the island) and very nice. The bathroom was semi–opened and we had a nice patio outside where you could sit and listen to the ocean. There were also overwater Jacuzzi villas and beach Jacuzzi villa, but they were all booked. And ow villas were twice the price. Our beach villa was 255 USD per night.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439076318/" title="IMG_1981_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/543 ... 017248.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1981_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439076228/" title="IMG_1977_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/543 ... fa8c_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1977_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438467085/" title="IMG_1866_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/543 ... 8fa4_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1866_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438472733/" title="IMG_2115_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/543 ... c42e_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2115_edited-1"></a>
In the price for the villa was full board, which meant breakfast, lunch and dinner, but NO drinks (except for breakfast). Every item of drinks was about 5-7 USD, all from water to vodka. They offered a package called all inclusive plus which included most drinks including some from the mini bar, for 45 USD per person and day. It also included a sunset trip, admission to the gym, tennis court and a few more things. Drinks included were all soft drinks, water, juice, beer, wine, some spirits, coffee/tea, ice coffee/ice tea and daily special cocktail. When you started to count how many items you drank per day, I say we made the right decision about the all inclusive. And the convenience to just go to any bar and order what you wanted. They also came and asked what you wanted when you were by the pool. The ice coffee was really good btw. Today’s cocktail, not so much. The food was really good and much better than I expected. Lots to choose from and always fresh fish like tuna. Their dessert table was impressive so no dieting on the trip.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439080168/" title="IMG_2124_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/543 ... 48f9_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2124_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439080324/" title="IMG_2126_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/543 ... fb8e_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2126_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439076736/" title="IMG_1985_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/543 ... e76f_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1985_edited-1"></a>
The island had a very narrow beach on the long sides, but wider on the ends. It had a spectacular house reef just 30-60 ft from the shore, and the reef went all around the island. Inside the lagoon you could snorkel when it was high tide and there were 10 exits in the reef so you could go outside to the wall, which was about 30 meters deep (90ft) and full of corals and fish life. This was the reason we picked this island and we were so happy about it. I didn’t even dive, the snorkeling was spectacular. I signed up for diving, but canceled. Guess I got lazy as it was just roll out of bed and into the ocean and an aquarium.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439085908/" title="IMG_2370_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/543 ... 5919_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2370_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439072898/" title="IMG_1886_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/543 ... 3b62_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1886_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439073468/" title="IMG_2015_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/543 ... 8d8a_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2015_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438466575/" title="IMG_2245_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/543 ... 2f6320.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2245_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439081470/" title="IMG_2151_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/543 ... a504_b.jpg" width="800" height="618" alt="IMG_2151_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438466465/" title="IMG_2328_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/543 ... 2618_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2328_edited-1"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438479681/" title="IMG_2481_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/543 ... 647b_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2481_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439073630/" title="IMG_2200_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/543 ... 4b59_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2200_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438474039/" title="IMG_2309_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/543 ... c865_b.jpg" width="800" height="547" alt="IMG_2309_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438476413/" title="IMG_2224_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/543 ... fa73_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2224_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439082152/" title="IMG_2174_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/543 ... b40b_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2174_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438468871/" title="IMG_1952_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/543 ... ac51_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1952_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439086622/" title="IMG_2463_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/543 ... 7231_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2463_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438478699/" title="IMG_2364_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/543 ... dde7_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2364_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438475421/" title="IMG_2191_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/543 ... a9a9_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2191_edited-1"></a>
We went on an excursion looking for mantas, but ended up seeing a whale shark instead. It was about 5 meters or 15 ft long and so beautiful. I will never forget it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438466825/" title="IMG_1968_edited-2 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/543 ... e6ef_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1968_edited-2"></a>
One week was really not enough, but I knew that in advance. It would have been nice with 2-3 more days. Weather was great, a little cloudy first days but all sunny the last three days. No complaints at all and the temperature was just perfect. We were 4 degrees north of the equator, so we used spf 30 and higher all the time.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439085598/" title="IMG_2346_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/543 ... f801_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2346_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439079254/" title="IMG_2103_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/543 ... 4dd2_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2103_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438480477/" title="IMG_2513_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/543 ... 862f_b.jpg" width="800" height="576" alt="IMG_2513_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439087614/" title="IMG_2514_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/543 ... 3c40_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2514_edited-1"></a>
All in all, a wonderful vacation. I would love to go back someday.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N ... 898665271/
My husband and I went to the Maldives for a week in late January. Since the Maldives has so many islands it was hard to choose where to stay, although it seems like I was lucky getting what I wanted just 1,5 months ahead. The Maldives is a destination people book very long time in advance. Anyway, we ended up choosing Vilamendhoo island in the south Ari atoll.
We flew Austrian Airlines via Vienna. 2 hours to Vienna and 8 to Male and then 25 minutes in a seaplane to Vilamendhoo. All went well, just a couple of hours delay in Vienna due to freezing fog and they ran out of deicing fluid. That meant we had to wait in Male for 3 hours for our seaplane ride. It was very cool with the seaplane, flying over small islands and all this turquoise water.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439074580/" title="IMG_1860_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/543 ... 1cb5_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1860_edited-1"></a>
The island is 900 meters long and 250 meters wide and had 154 rooms. This is relatively big for being the Maldives. Our villa was situated on the beach only 25 ft from the water. It was newly renovated (as was everything on the island) and very nice. The bathroom was semi–opened and we had a nice patio outside where you could sit and listen to the ocean. There were also overwater Jacuzzi villas and beach Jacuzzi villa, but they were all booked. And ow villas were twice the price. Our beach villa was 255 USD per night.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439076318/" title="IMG_1981_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/543 ... 017248.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1981_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439076228/" title="IMG_1977_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/543 ... fa8c_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1977_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438467085/" title="IMG_1866_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/543 ... 8fa4_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1866_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438472733/" title="IMG_2115_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/543 ... c42e_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2115_edited-1"></a>
In the price for the villa was full board, which meant breakfast, lunch and dinner, but NO drinks (except for breakfast). Every item of drinks was about 5-7 USD, all from water to vodka. They offered a package called all inclusive plus which included most drinks including some from the mini bar, for 45 USD per person and day. It also included a sunset trip, admission to the gym, tennis court and a few more things. Drinks included were all soft drinks, water, juice, beer, wine, some spirits, coffee/tea, ice coffee/ice tea and daily special cocktail. When you started to count how many items you drank per day, I say we made the right decision about the all inclusive. And the convenience to just go to any bar and order what you wanted. They also came and asked what you wanted when you were by the pool. The ice coffee was really good btw. Today’s cocktail, not so much. The food was really good and much better than I expected. Lots to choose from and always fresh fish like tuna. Their dessert table was impressive so no dieting on the trip.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439080168/" title="IMG_2124_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/543 ... 48f9_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2124_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439080324/" title="IMG_2126_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5214/543 ... fb8e_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2126_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439076736/" title="IMG_1985_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/543 ... e76f_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1985_edited-1"></a>
The island had a very narrow beach on the long sides, but wider on the ends. It had a spectacular house reef just 30-60 ft from the shore, and the reef went all around the island. Inside the lagoon you could snorkel when it was high tide and there were 10 exits in the reef so you could go outside to the wall, which was about 30 meters deep (90ft) and full of corals and fish life. This was the reason we picked this island and we were so happy about it. I didn’t even dive, the snorkeling was spectacular. I signed up for diving, but canceled. Guess I got lazy as it was just roll out of bed and into the ocean and an aquarium.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439085908/" title="IMG_2370_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/543 ... 5919_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2370_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439072898/" title="IMG_1886_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5015/543 ... 3b62_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1886_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439073468/" title="IMG_2015_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5099/543 ... 8d8a_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2015_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438466575/" title="IMG_2245_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/543 ... 2f6320.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2245_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439081470/" title="IMG_2151_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/543 ... a504_b.jpg" width="800" height="618" alt="IMG_2151_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438466465/" title="IMG_2328_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/543 ... 2618_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2328_edited-1"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438479681/" title="IMG_2481_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/543 ... 647b_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2481_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439073630/" title="IMG_2200_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/543 ... 4b59_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2200_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438474039/" title="IMG_2309_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/543 ... c865_b.jpg" width="800" height="547" alt="IMG_2309_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438476413/" title="IMG_2224_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/543 ... fa73_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2224_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439082152/" title="IMG_2174_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/543 ... b40b_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2174_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438468871/" title="IMG_1952_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/543 ... ac51_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1952_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439086622/" title="IMG_2463_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/543 ... 7231_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2463_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438478699/" title="IMG_2364_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/543 ... dde7_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2364_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438475421/" title="IMG_2191_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/543 ... a9a9_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2191_edited-1"></a>
We went on an excursion looking for mantas, but ended up seeing a whale shark instead. It was about 5 meters or 15 ft long and so beautiful. I will never forget it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438466825/" title="IMG_1968_edited-2 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/543 ... e6ef_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_1968_edited-2"></a>
One week was really not enough, but I knew that in advance. It would have been nice with 2-3 more days. Weather was great, a little cloudy first days but all sunny the last three days. No complaints at all and the temperature was just perfect. We were 4 degrees north of the equator, so we used spf 30 and higher all the time.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439085598/" title="IMG_2346_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/543 ... f801_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2346_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439079254/" title="IMG_2103_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/543 ... 4dd2_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2103_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5438480477/" title="IMG_2513_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/543 ... 862f_b.jpg" width="800" height="576" alt="IMG_2513_edited-1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32574000@N08/5439087614/" title="IMG_2514_edited-1 by Maggy1960, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/543 ... 3c40_b.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2514_edited-1"></a>
All in all, a wonderful vacation. I would love to go back someday.
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT! I'd trade a lot of fear of flying (including a sea plane) and extremely long distance travel to be there for a week.shoemak38 wrote:One word WOW that the Maldives are on my wife's and I bucket list
Thank you for the report. Amazing.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
Thank you. Actually the seaplane ride was really not scary at all. It was fun. And I don't like to fly.Marcia (Mrs. Pete) wrote:I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT! I'd trade a lot of fear of flying (including a sea plane) and extremely long distance travel to be there for a week.shoemak38 wrote:One word WOW that the Maldives are on my wife's and I bucket list
Thank you for the report. Amazing.
I took a video from the start of the seaplane ride home, but I don't know how to post it. Maybe I need to start a youtube account first. I'd like to share it if I find out how to do that.
And yes, it was just an amazing place. I feel so blessed that I got to see it, before the islands disappear under water. Highest point is 7 ft.
Thank you Bev. I should have posted the fish names also, I kind of forgot.bevm wrote:Awesome! The underwater shots are amazing Maggy! I'm so glad you guys had fun! I love the picture of the school of fish with the black stripes (can you tell I don't know my marine life?). You should enter that in to a photo contest!!!
I think you mean the Convict Surgeonfish. Big school. Yellow fish. Black stripes (or do they called bars when they are vertical)?
Thanks. I have a Canon Powershot G11 with underwater housing Canon WP-DC34. I used the same camera both on land and under water. Really happy with it. Used Photoshop mostly to remove the blueish and also some croping.byado18 wrote:Absolutely gorgeous!
What camera did you use for the underwater pix?
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California Girl
Yes, that's what they predict is going to happen in the future, if nothing changes with environmental destroying, so that sea level keeps rising. They will need to move all people to another country. Very sad.California Girl wrote:Is that a possibility? Are they really disappearing?Maggy wrote: I feel so blessed that I got to see it, before the islands disappear under water. Highest point is 7 ft.
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bayer40601
- Posts: 612
- Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:06 pm
- Location: Kentucky
Maggy, your pictures are wonderful. It's amazing (as in WOW!) that you got to see a whale shark. You are so lucky to have traveled there. It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing your trip.
When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else. – Mark Twain