arrival...
i ended up checking out the airport's spa/shower/lounge facilities and i have to say... well worth the money! for about US$80 i got a 1 hr massage, got to use their showers and had access to their lounge area for the duration of my stay which included free wireless internet! why didn't i look into this before? they even have a fairly well-equipped gym if you feel like a work out. i tell ya, if you can have love for an airport this would be the one to inspire it!
so after 28 hrs of travelling and maybe 5 hrs of sleep, the fatigue decided to kick my ass during the flight to the maldives. i just couldn't keep my eyes open and before i knew it i was through customs and waiting at baggage claim for my diving gear. you know that empty, sinking feeling you get when you've been standing in front of the carousel waiting for your luggage longer than anyone else and wondering if it all made it? couple that with jetlag-induced delerium and you have the makings for some good times.
anyhow, the gear made it and ismail from impex - the travel agency that booked my travel arrangements - met me again at the airport. good to see him again and be recognized by him. it's so strange and wonderful that i now have people here that are familiar to me. we took a short water taxi ride from the airport to the capital, malé, which cost 10 rufiyaa each (about 80 cents at 12.75rf to 1usd) a short walk away from the docks and here i sit in my hotel room for the night. then it's up at 6 for a little brekky and down to the lobby by 7:30 i go to meet my contact that will bring me to the handufalhi - the boat that i will be calling home for 7 nights.
it feels so good and right to be back here. i can't wait to see what the next few weeks has in store for me!
so after 28 hrs of travelling and maybe 5 hrs of sleep, the fatigue decided to kick my ass during the flight to the maldives. i just couldn't keep my eyes open and before i knew it i was through customs and waiting at baggage claim for my diving gear. you know that empty, sinking feeling you get when you've been standing in front of the carousel waiting for your luggage longer than anyone else and wondering if it all made it? couple that with jetlag-induced delerium and you have the makings for some good times.
anyhow, the gear made it and ismail from impex - the travel agency that booked my travel arrangements - met me again at the airport. good to see him again and be recognized by him. it's so strange and wonderful that i now have people here that are familiar to me. we took a short water taxi ride from the airport to the capital, malé, which cost 10 rufiyaa each (about 80 cents at 12.75rf to 1usd) a short walk away from the docks and here i sit in my hotel room for the night. then it's up at 6 for a little brekky and down to the lobby by 7:30 i go to meet my contact that will bring me to the handufalhi - the boat that i will be calling home for 7 nights.
it feels so good and right to be back here. i can't wait to see what the next few weeks has in store for me!
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