We’ve learnt about the politics of the Maldives, met young, enterprising businessmen and finally seen the ‘other’ side of the Maldives. Mafushi and Guiridhoo were real eye-openers for us, a side of the Maldives we hadn’t expected to see. Having spent quite a few days tied to a mooring buoy in the bay of Guiridhoo, it was time to move on.

The outboard had packed up again (an ongoing saga I won’t bore you with) and so, once more, Brian and Deb of Chinook give us a tow!

We said goodbye to Brian and Deb of ‘Chinook’. At the time we thought it would be the last we’d see of them since we were planning to head west and they east. Since that time we’ve said goodbye to them a number of times and are currently in the same marina as them 1,500 miles away!

The last part of our trip with Ma and Pa Furlong took us back up the eastern side of the South Male Atoll and to Emboodhoo, on the north east corner of the atoll. This is a resort island owned by the Taj group and was the perfect last stop before returning to Male.

As resort islands go, this is up there as one of the best. We’d expect nothing less from the Taj group, of course, so we took the dinghy ashore and spent a day pampering ourselves with cocktails and fine dining. There’s not much more to say about it so let the photographs do the talking.

A relaxed Ma Furlong

Taking in the views, looking west towards Esper at anchor somewhere on the horizon

To the infinity pool, and beyond!

Best get a move on, lad