30/Dec/2007:
As Kuda Rah Thila is only 15 minutes away by boat from Vakarufalhi we go to this
beautiful dive sites on a regular basis. Everytime we are overwhelmed by the amount
of different fish there. Today there was the cherry on top: We could see an amazing
guitar shark (guitar ray) which was lying a bit deeper down in the sand.
28/Dec/2007: During the check dive on the house
reef we could see a manta ray passing by. At the same time there were four dolphins
seen during the dive on Ali Thila. And on the fullday trip we could see three
manta rays at Manta Point and five juvenile grey reef sharks at Sun Island Beru.
18/Dec/2007: At Vakarufalhi Beru Thila we saw
again five grey reef sharks und some really fat tunas. Two of these tunas were
about 1.2 to 1.5 meters long (4 - 5 feet) - real monsters!!
At the same time two Advanced Open Water students had luck at our house reef:
During the ascent from the Deep Dive they saw three dolphins and one eagle ray.
16/Dec/2007: During our fullday trip to Manta
Point today we saw our first manta ray of this manta season. The manta ray was
"only" passing by and not at the cleaning station. Anyway it looks like
they are already close to the cleaning stations and so we hope that the manta
season will start soon. In the afternoon there was again a whale shark which could
be seen during the dive at Sun Island Beru.
15/Dec/2007: At 7th Heaven we could watch again
grey reef sharks together with some whitetip reef sharks. At Rheeti Thila we had
two stingrays in the canyons, some barracudas and a huge napoleon wrasse.
13/Dec/2007: This morning on the way to Thinefushi
Etere Thila we had a very spezial encounter: We drove in the middle of a huge
group of pilot whales which were hunting. These animals were up to 3 meters long
(9 feet) and some jumped totally out of the water or they came in groups up to
ten very close to our boat. After that spectacle we could follow a sailfish (swordfish)
for a long time which had its sail up looking for food close to the surface.
In the afternoon we dived on Vakarufalhi Beru Thila and could see approx. 15 grey
reef sharks. No matter if under or over water - today we had sensations everywhere!!
07/Nov - 09/Dec/2007: We are not sure if it's
fair that the best things can be seen while we are on holiday! Here we write a
summary of the last 4 weeks: First there were grey reef sharks on Dhigurah Etere
Thila and Aah Thila to see. On Rheeti Thila they even saw two grey reef sharks
swimming through the canyons. On Angaga Thila there was an encounter with the
rare silver tip shark. A lot of sailfish (swordfish) are still around and were
seen during safety stops in the blue or from the boat while jumping out of the
water. But that's not all yet: At Maamigili Beru and Dhidooh Beru Faru they could
snorkel with a whale shark and next day at Dhidooh Beru Faru even they saw a whale
shark on the dive. But the best is yet to come: During a dive at Sun Island Beru
the divers saw 3 whale sharks passing by!!! Now we are very curious what else
we can expect until the end of the year :-)
03/Nov/2007: This evening we went for a jog around
the island like many times. As the island is quite small to run around we always
run to the end of the jetty and back to extend the length of the track. Today
we were rewarded for that as we could see a guitar shark (guitar ray) swimming
over the top of the reef!!! This encounter gave us boost for an extra round. There
is probably no other fitness centre that exciting on the whole world!!
24/Oct/2007: Today we tried our luck once again
at Dhigurah Beru hoping to see a whale shark again. Unfortunately we saw no whale
shark but had other luck: First we saw two eagle rays on top of each other swimming
in formation, then we saw three whitetip reef sharks together swimming over the
top reef and the absolute sensation was a guitar shark (guitar ray), which was
coming along as well for a short time!
23/Oct/2007: Also on Kuda Rah Thila we could
see today a sail fish during the safety stop. Finally whale shark news: At Dhigurah
Beru we could see an approx. 7 meters (21 feet) long whale shark which came along
during our dive.
21/Oct/2007: Courses are really worth to be done:
Two students from an Open Water Diver course and two from an Advances course could
see 5 dolphins during their dive on our house reef.
During our morning and afternoon boat dives we had sailfish (swordfish) encounters
during the safety stops, where once a sailfish came even one meter close.
06-14/Oct/2007: We had some exciting days on
Vakarufalhi. Here is a small summary of what we have seen in the last few days:
It has begun with 6 mobula mantas (pygmy devil rays) at Thinefushi Beru Thila
followed by several black blotched stingrays at Dhigurah Etere and Angaga Thila
(there were as well 6 whitetip reef sharks in a group on the way and 3 turtles
together on the top reef looking for some tasty food). It continued with a nurse
shark at Kalu Giri and 4 eagle rays and 2 dolphins at Dhidooh Beru Faru (Outreef).
At Broken Rock we have seen again 6 mobula mantas (pygmy devil rays) and at Dhangethi
Beru Outreef we just missed a whale shark (we discovered him at the surface, but
as we came closer he dived down unfortunately). But for that there were those
10 sailfish (swordfish) at Hane Thila and again several eagle rays at Ari Beach
Beru. We keep you updated…
26/Sept/2007: The last week was full of interesting
encounters: First of all the ornate pipefish at Ali Thila is still there. Then
two leaf fish have been found at Dhigurah Beru. One day later we saw another grey
reef shark at Broken Rock and two days later four grey reef sharks at Vakarufalhi
Etere Thila. The next day went on with mobula mantas at Dhigurah Etere and Dhigurah
Beru Thila. After that we had a house reef night dive, where a guitar shark (guitar
ray) passed by. And today we saw finally a big blue frogfish again on Kahambu
Thila. We hope now, that he will stay for a longer time there!
We are curious if the next week will be as exciting as this one but we'll try
our best!!!
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This afternoon we suddenly heard the news of a whale shark that have been seen
in the bay of Dhangethi. Fast as lightning we took our snorkelling gear and went
there by boat. When we arrived, there was really a whale shark and already some
snorklers from liveaboard in the water. We could snorkel for 45 minutes with the
approx. 5 meter (15 feet) long giant. While snorkelling Tommy could take this
picture of Nancy with the whale shark. Don't worry, the whale shark is no competition
for the manta ray Ravioli which is still No. 1 :-) See also our news from 23/March/2006.
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16/Sept/2007:
This morning we went to Ali Thila again to check if the ornate pipefish is still
there. It was still there but it had already moved a bit and was hiding in another
coral. On the way back we had a big surprise: From the boat we could see a lot
of fins sticking out of the water. When we came closer we could see that they
were pilot whales. So we jumped in the water with snorkelling equipment and could
snorkel with more than 15 pilot whales!!! Approximately one hour later we could
see the pilot whales together with sailfish (swordfish) hunting from the 2 tank
dive boat. At this time there was so much action in the water that the spectacle
was watched from the boat.
15/Sept/2007: Today was "Clean up the World" day, where we cleaned
up the house reef together with our guests. During the dive we found and collected
lots of tins, bottles, all kind of plastic trash, fishing lines and so on. Thanks
to everybody who helped for a good cause!
In the afternoon we went diving to Ali Thila, where we found a ornate pipefish
(harlequin ghost pipefish)!!! We now hope that this beautiful small creature stays
there for a while so that many more divers can see it.
12/Sept/2007: This morning we went to Dhigurah Etere Thila. Just after descending
we found two Jorunna Funebris nudibranchs having sex and shortly afterwards two
flatworms lying on each other!!! Some minutes later there came a leopard shark
along and was lying in the sand so we could watch him for the longest time. Too
bad that not a second shark was coming along to play the same game the nudibranchs
and the flatworms were playing…but unfortunately this did not happen.
In the afternoon we dived on a good current Broken Rock. While we were diving
through the canyon we could already see a grey reef shark which was swimming above
us. After we came out of the canyon he swam another round in front of us and then
disappeared. Considering that we don't see grey reef sharks often and even less
often leopard sharks in the South Ari Atoll this was a lucky day today!
07/Sept/2007: Today at the famous Kuda Rah Thila was again the honeycomb moray
eel with the slightly aggressive cleaner wrasse which is always drilling into
the moray eels gill on full speed to make everything clean down there. The moray
eel seems to like it. See also the pictures in Gallery
6.
02/Sept/2007: Two days ago we have seen already one of the pretty rare mangrove
whip rays at Aah Thila. Today we were lucky and have seen an other one coming
along at Thinefushi Etere Thila.
01/Sept/2007: Already at the 27. and 28. of August we saw eagle rays at Broken
Rock and Thinefushi Etere Thila. We could even top it today. On the Outreef at
Ari Beach Beru we have seen today 12 eagle rays at the same place!!
16/Aug/2007: Encounters from its best on today's Fullday Excursion. First
we could snorkel with more than 20 sailfish (swordfish) on the Outreef at Ari
Beach Beru. Later on, on our way along the Outreef, we could go snorkelling again
at Bodufinolhu Beru. But this time with a whale shark. And last but not least
on the afternoon dive at Manta Point we saw two manta rays passing by along the
reef.
09/Aug/2007: On today's fullday excursion along the Outreef were no whale
sharks to see. But for that we discovered a leopard shark (zebra shark). He was
lying at 28 meters (84 feet) in the sand and was having a little snooze down there.
01/Aug/2007: Again a full day trip was on today's program with perfect weather
conditions. First we could snorkel with manta rays at Dhigurah Etere. Then we
went for the first dive to Ari Beach Beru where we saw two beautiful eagle rays
but no whale shark. As soon as we descended the boat crew was pointing beside
us where an approx. 5 meter (15 feet) tall whale shark was. It was swimming on
the top reef in a depth of 3 metres. We had to fin like crazy to follow the big
animal. Shortly later we saw a second whale shark from the boat which disappeared
fast again in the blue. In the afternoon we dived at Manta Point where we saw
again manta rays feeding on the surface.
29/July/2007: This morning we went to Kalu Giri. On this dive site we usually
find small animals and shoals of fish. That's why we were even more surprised
when we saw an approx. 2.5 meter (7 feet) tall nurse shark lying in an overhang.
28/July/2007: Today we had beautiful weather which was perfect for our fullday
trip along the Out Reef to Manta Point. But first we started our day in the bay
of Dhigurah Etere as we heard that manta rays have been seen on the surface. There
were really up to 5 manta rays on the surface and we could snorkel with them.
Along the out reef we could not find any whale shark but were then surprised with
a stunning dive on Manta Point: With beautiful visibility and a light current
we were drifting along the reef where we saw several whitetip reef sharks, some
napoleons, a big black spotted stingray, a mangrove stingray and during the safety
stop a manta ray!!
24/July/2007: On today's program was the deep dive out of an Advanced Open
Water at our House Reef. So we are kneeling down there at 30 meters in the sand
and doing our skills as 3 mobula manta rays (pygmy devil rays) came along and
swam by directly in front of us. As all of us saw the same we assume that it wasn't
a hallucination of a nitrogen narcosis.
20/July/2007: Since a long time we have seen a grey reef shark at Broken Rock.
He was there together with a whitetip reef shark. But today we paid a little bit
more attention to the grey reef shark :-)
16/July/2007: Faithful guy: The nurse shark on MV Kudhima Wreck still seems
to like his home. Almost every time when we dive the wreck we can find this more
than 2 meter (6 feet) tall shark lying underneath the keel. Hopefully he stays
there and is not looking for a new home.
25/June/2007: Actually we went to Sun Island Beru to see some whale sharks
on our dive but instead we had a sad experience there. In about 10 meter depth
we found a dead hawksbill turtle which got completely tangled up in a fishing
net. As the net as well got caught in the reef the turtle could not swim up anymore
to the surface to breath and so she simply drowned down there. So we cut her out
of the net and "buried" her in deeper water. Also the net we cut off
the reef and brought it up on our boat.
We think it is time to think again about fishing methods and what harm they do
to the sea (also to glean in our categories "Do
something" and "Fishing")!!
09/June/2007: Today we went on a full day trip to Manta Point and the out
reef. First we could dive for more than 40 minutes with up to 5 manta rays which
were always on the cleaning stations. After lunch we went with big smiles on our
faces to the out reef hoping to find a whale shark. Already before the dive we
could snorkel with 2 different whale sharks in front of Sun Island and after the
dive again with 2!!! The score of 5 manta rays and 4 whale sharks is not to bad,
isn't it? We are sure that we and the guests who were joining will often dream
of this day…and tell everyone, no matter if he wants to hear it or not :-)
08/June/2007: Because of too strong current in the channel we went this morning
to the Outreef to Ari Beach Beru and have seen there a 2 meter (6 feet) tall guitar
shark (guitar ray).
02-04/June/2007: On 2 June we went to Hukuru Ehli Faru, where we can see manta
rays from January to April. We did not expect manta rays but were looking forward
to a nice dive on a beautiful reef. We enjoyed napoleons, sharks and turtles when
we suddenly saw a manta ray on a cleaning station. Until the end of the dive we
saw 3 manta rays. Two days later we went again to this dive site and were again
lucky to see some manta rays on the cleaning stations.
31/May/2007: During the safety stop a in the middle of the channel at Dhigurah
Beru Thila two of our divers were very lucky today and have seen a whale shark
passing by directly above them. Unbelievable!!!
24/May/2007: Today there was beside other activities a 2 tank dive on the
program. The trip led us to the North where we dived first Kalu Giri. While we
were looking for small things on the reef there was suddenly a manta ray out of
the nothing. We all could admire the manta ray for a while before he left again.
The second dive was on Velagali Thila. Unfortunately we did not see another manta
ray there but we were enjoying the dive anyway as we were still thinking of the
manta from the first dive.
23/May/2007: Today the snorklers of Vakarufalhi were the lucky devils. Besides
a whale shark they also saw dolphins under water while snorkeling on the house
reef. We were diving on the out reef looking for whale sharks. No wonder we did
not see one as he was directly at our front door :-)
20/May/2007: Again a whale shark and two manta rays have been seen. This time
at Dhigruah Etere. And that happened just because we had to change the dive site
because of too strong current in the channel. As you can see also plan B can be
very exciting!!!
19/May/2007: What a surprise at Dhangethi Corner this morning. We are drifting
very pleasant along the reef as suddenly about 10-12 dolphins showing up beside
us, having an eye on us and already disappearing again. These are 15 seconds out
of a 60 minutes dive which will stay forever in our memory.
18/May/2007: Very special shark encounters! This morning on MV Kudhima Wreck
there was a guitar shark (guitar ray) on his way, a species which we don't see
often here. The nurse shark which was lying under the wreck was almost ignored
because of the guitar shark!!
In the afternoon we went to Kahambu Thila where we saw up to 7 silvertip reef
sharks. They came and disappeared again and again during the whole dive so we
could enjoy them several times.
16/May/2007: Finally news again on our behalf! We were on holiday the last
weeks and that's why we did not write any news. But while we were away there was
a lot going on here: Twice whale sharks on the out reef, once a whale shark in
the channel on Thinefushi Etere Thila, manta rays, mobula mantas, eagle rays and
and and. On top of that on 1st May exactly 65 young green turtles hatched out
of their eggs, which had been laid on 27th February here on Vakarufalhi by a green
turtle. Now we hope that it will go on with so many great encounters so we can
keep you updated on our website.
21/Apr/2007: Today as already two days ago we got really spoiled at Manta
Point by the manta rays. Again and again they came up from the deep blue water
and got cleaned by the small cleaner wrasse on the top of the reef in about 10
meters (30 feet) depth. Some we could watch there for about 30 minutes without
moving ourselves from the place. As it looks like manta season hasn't be finished
yet!!!
20/Apr/2007: At Angaga Thila we were lucky today and could watch a grey reef
shark patrolling all the time along the reef. And a small baby eagle ray showed
up for a short time as well.
18/Apr/2007: After a long time we found today the leaf fish at Dhigurah Etere
Thila again. But now there are even two of them there. A yellow one and a white
one are sitting right to each other by the same coral. Therefore you can admire
now leaf fish with us at Manta Point, at Broken Rock and as already mentioned
at Dhigurah Etere Thila.
10/Apr/2007: At Dhigurah Etere were a lot of special things to see. First
some manta rays and the smaller pygmy devil rays (pygmy mobula) were passing by
and on top there was even a guitar shark (guitar ray) coming along. We think we
go there again!!!
3/Apr/2007: Again we went to Manta Point this morning. Already on the way
there we could see manta rays feeding on the surface. When we arrived at Manta
Point we could see that it was good visibility and an incoming current, so we
lost a bit the hope of seeing manta rays today. But already on the current check
there was a manta ray on a cleaning station. So we all started our dive there
and could see up to 3 manta rays on the cleaning station for 20 minutes without
even moving a bit!!! Then we went on along the reef and could see manta rays again
and again. On the safety stop we could even see a "manta ray street":
5 manta rays swimming behind each other close to us! Now you are asking how the
mood was on the boat after this dive??? We guess we don't have to say anything
else!
2/Apr/2007: This morning we tried our luck at Maamigili Beru but unfortunately
we could not find a whale shark. But instead we could see a big shoal of barracudas
and a pygmy devil ray (pygmy mobula) on the safety stop.
The divers from the 2 tank dive boat were also lucky and could see some grey reef
sharks on their second dive at Meddu Thila.
1/Apr/2007: This morning we went to Manta Point. During the dive there was
only one manta ray passing by very quickly. But we were rewarded after the dive:
The manta rays were feeding on the surface and so we could snorkel with up to
20 manta rays. It looked like a manta ray soup and we did not know anymore where
to look because there were so many around!!!
31/Mar/2007: We heard that a whale shark had been seen on the out reef that's
why we went to Maamigili Beru this morning. Unfortunately there was no whale shark
but a leopard shark (zebra shark) instead. On the way back there were many dolphins
coming very close to the boat. Because the sea is totally flat at the moment we
could see the dolphins in their full size and beauty for a long time.
30/Mar/2007: The last days we have seen a lot: There was for example a leaf
fish on Manta Point and the next day one leaf fish on Broken Rock. Who knows,
maybe we find some more on the other dive sites. Today we had to focus our eyes
on bigger things as we could see a grey reef shark for 10 minutes on Vakarufalhi
Beru Thila.
26/Mar/2007: This morning we went to Vakarufalhi Etere Thila. As we had quite
strong current the last days we expected the same today and were already hoping
for bigger animals. There was only a very small current but a lot of big things:
We could see several whitetip reef sharks in the sand, two grey reef sharks passing
by, a mobula manta and also a huge napoleon wrasse. And on top of that we also
saw an electric ray (torpedo ray) in an overhang. What can we say - it was just
a successful dive from the beginning to the end.
25/Mar/2007: On the outreef at Ari Beach Beru four dolphins came along our
way. We could watch them for a short time before they disappeared into the blue
again.
21/Mar/2007: Today we found a golden moray eel on the house reef. We were
actually looking at some small juvenile blue striped snappers when we suddenly
saw the cute little orange head of a tiny golden moray eel looking out of a coral
block.
18/Mar/2007: At Vakarufalhi Beru Thila we were watching this morning at the
edge of the reef two grey reef sharks and one stingray on a medium-strong current.
A few minutes later even a shoal of bigeye trevallies (jacks) were passing by
directly in front of us!!
In the afternoon we went again diving in the channel at Dhigurah Etere Thila with
a medium strong current. There were many fish enjoying this current and also many
whitetip reef sharks were cruising around.
13/Mar/2007: At Aah Thila a grey reef shark showed up today for a short
time. Furthermore a second honeycomb moray eel has been seen by the one which
is always at the same spot since already a longer time.
05/Mar/2007: Today we went on our afternoon dive to the famous Broken Rock.
Suddenly we saw a huge napoleon wrasse under a overhang being cleaned and not
disturbed at all by us. After we said good-bye to the napoleon wrasse a formation
of seven eagle rays came flying over the top reef. They made a round in front
of us and then disappeared again.
27/Feb/2007: Today we have to write a correction: On 24 February we were writing
that we had one of the best manta ray dives which was true. But today's dive on
Manta Point even topped the last one!!! There were already two manta rays right
at the beginning of the dive, then went away. After some minutes the next manta
rays came along and disappeared until finally 9 manta rays together came out of
the blue. Imagine what a picture it is to see 9 manta rays together in one spot!!!
Then they went on the different cleaning stations and everybody of us could enjoy
his "private" manta ray. It went on like this until finally we had to
finish our dive and say goodbye to these amazing animals.
Again an entry of a special kind: This night a green turtle came on the island
of Vakarufalhi to lay its eggs. A guest was on the way home from the bar to the
bungalow when he saw this big animal on the beach. We got up once again and could
watch how the turtle was digging the hole in the sand and laying the eggs in there.
It was an incredible event even thought it could have gone a bit faster…the
whole procedure started at 11 pm and was over at 2 am. You can imagine that we
all looked a bit older the next morning than usual :-)
26/Feb/2007: The lines from 25 February were only 3 hours old when we again
had something special under water. Because of a too strong current in the channel
we dived on Dhigurah Etere. Already during the dive we could hear dolphins but
did not see them. After the dive the boat crew brought us to the dolphins which
were jumping out of the water and playing. We tried our luck and jumped with snorkelling
gear in the water and were rewarded: Up to 10 dolphins together were swimming
together on the top reef and we could swim with them for 10 minutes!!! That was
really big luck because normally the dolphins here disappear as soon as one has
jumped into the water.
25/Feb/2007: It's almost getting too much writing these news as there is so
much going on under water at the moment!!! Today we went on a 2 tank dive to the
North. The second dive was on Noo Giri where we normally find small animals. Today
there was apart from the small things a huge nurse shark lying in one of the overhangs.
After long discussions and most different size estimations we agreed on a approx.
3 meter (9 feet) big shark :-)
24/Feb/2007: This morning we went again to Manta Point and had one of the
best Manta dives there. Already after 10 minutes dive time the first manta ray
came along on one of the cleaning stations and stayed for a long time. Shortly
after that two more manta rays showed up, let themselves being cleaned and came
really close to the divers. We could enjoy for 40 minutes the beautiful manta
rays while there was almost no current.
And in the evening we had another surprise. One big and five smaller eagle rays
were swimming in formation totally relaxed in our lagoon. We are sure these were
the two eagle rays from 20. February 2007 who invited their friends for a happy
hour cocktail…
23/Feb/2007: Finally!!! On today's full day trip to Manta Point and to the
outreef we were very lucky again. On the first dive we saw a manta ray on Manta
Point, but we were more stunned about the encounter with a whale shark at Holiday
Island Beru on our second dive!!! As we haven't seen a whale shark for a long
time we were really surprised when this 4 meter (12 feet) tall whale shark came
along. After the whale shark encounter we could even find a leopard shark lying
in the reef. In the evening it was very easy to recognize the divers from the
full day trip…they were the ones with big grins on their faces!
22/Feb/2007: Today we enjoyed a spectacular night dive on Coral Garden: First
we found two turtles, then one cuttle fish, after that one black spotted ray and
last but not least a nurse shark lying in an overhang. When you consider that
we are normally spotting for small things during night diving, this was really
a unusual and very exciting one.
21/Feb/2007: Ravioli is back!!! Today we've been to Manta Point and after
almost one year (first encounter was on 23 March 2006) we could see the manta
ray named Ravioli for the first time again. There is still a piece missing on
his left fin and he is still "well stuffed". It seems that Ravioli was
not pregnant last year but that he is only a well fed manta ray. Besides Ravioli
there were also some other manta rays to see. At the moment we go to Manta Point
on a regular basis where we meanwhile mostly see manta rays.
20/Feb/2007: Already for two days a baby eagle ray visited us on the house
reef and watched us diving. This evening we had even two eagle rays swimming in
the lagoon in front of the bar…most probably they were looking for some sunset
cocktails :-)
11/Feb/2007: Today beautiful showed itself from it's best. Because we could
not only see many whitetip reef sharks at Vakarufalhi Beru Thila but also a grey
reef shark.
04/Feb/2007: We have been a lot of times at Manta Point in the last few days
and saw always some manta rays there. Today unfortunately only one manta ray showed
up but for that we could enjoy for the longest time a leopard shark (zebra shark)
lying in the reef having a little snooze.
03/Feb/2007: Already two days ago we had a big group of barracudas around
us during the safety stop at Thinefushi Etere Thila. Today we could enjoy the
barracudas directly by the reef and a couple of minutes later even a grey reef
shark showed up for a short time.
25/Jan/2007: And again a surprise: On today's morning dive we found on Noo
Giri a young leopard shark (zebra shark) lying in the sand. It was "just"
about 1,20 meter (4 feet) tall. As we don't see often leopard sharks in the area
we were even more surprised and happy about that.
24/Jan/2007: On our day trip to Manta point we once again had manta ray luck.
It seemed until almost the last minute that that it would be no success but then
a manta ray came along, did some loopings in front of us and left again…just
as if we have ordered it!!!
23/Jan/2007: Sad story: Guests came to the dive centre because they saw something
swimming on the surface and were not sure if it was a turtle or something else.
So we went with snorkelling equipment to the house reef and could see already
a turtle and small plastic swimmers around her. After some meters snorkelling
we reached the animal and saw that the poor thing was caught in a fishing net.
The net with the turtle must have drifted to our house reef where the net got
stuck in the corals. Fortunately we could rescue the turtle out of the net. First
she was trying to defend herself but must have realised that we wanted to help
her and was then calm. If she survived we don't know as the arms and legs were
badly injured by the net. This was so sad that even thinking of it could make
us cry. And all this happened just because a lost fishing net was drifting in
the sea (as it happens unfortunately all the time everywhere). Once again we agree
that we have decided already a long time ago the only right thing: Not to eat
any more fish at all!
19/Jan/2007: Surprise on the house reef! This morning there were a couple
of divers and snorklers in the calm water when suddenly a big shadow came along:
A 5 meter (15 feet) long whale shark was swimming along the house reef. During
the whole day it was easy to recognize who the lucky ones were…it was impossible
to get the smile out of their faces :-)
04/Jan/2007: From middle of October 2006 until the end of the year we were
back in Switzerland because we wanted to have a break from the island life. The
plan was to stay for a while in Switzerland, find a job and find out if we can
get used to the everyday life here again. But as plans are here to be knocked
on the head everything came different. So we are already on Vakarufalhi in the
Maldives again since the beginning of January 2007 and have postponed our "Project
Switzerland" to a later date! |
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