Welcome back or welcome on your first visit! Fabulous to have you participate in my latest adventures. How was your week? Was celebrating Valentine's Day part of your past week? I hope you had a chance to show a little love and attention in your world (or were the recipent of love and attention!). The world can always use so much more love and positive vibes!
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| A recent fav photo! |
I've discovered in my island hopping how much the inhabitants like to drive around their island on their scooters/motorcycles. Adults with children on their laps, women/men on bikes together, small groups of riders roaming about the island. Scooters and motorcycles are found in abundance on most islands. A reminder for context - most islands are about one km long and 300 - 400 m wide. People like to drive around in spite of limited distances to travel. Limited laneways to drive and distances to travel. Seeing this activity reminded me of growing up in a small town where we would do the same thing, patrol the streets at the end of the day, just with more roads to travel on.
Aircon brings a mixed blessing! Great relief from the heat and humidity! ๐ The downside is getting a head cold, sinus issues and a runny nose (like I'm currently battling) from an overindulgence and/or the aircon blowing on you while you sleep. The worst instance I had was an aircon unit with a dirty filter in a Philippines hotel on Panglao Island. My remedy is suppressing the early symptoms with ibuprofen tablets to prevent a full onset of congestion and misery!
My newest friend ะะตััะตัั asked me an important question about the goodness and kindness of people I meet in my travels. I was unequivocal in my quick affirmative response. The people I've met throughout all my travels have been good, kind and supportive. I've been continually blessed to find myself in what must be a kindness bubble throughout my travels. I also think this is a fair question given what we hear about the discord in the world today. I think there is a small group of people occupying important roles throughout the world who are working hard to create fractures and tensions in their respective worlds. The more disunity they spread, the more fracturing is created resulting in the concentration of power within their hands. There is a definite shift in governments wanting more control that has been underway for several years. COVID has greatly accelerated the pace. AI and AI agents will take us over the finish line in the weeks and months ahead. Call me paranoid...
Wishing everyone an early Lunar New Year 2026 - The Year of the Horse. Festivities kick off on February 17! I have to wait until 2030 to celebrate my Chinese Zodiac sign - The Dog.
May the universe bring endless blessings and moments of magic ๐ฆ to you and your loved ones in the week ahead. ๐
Travel Administration
Let's discuss eSims. I now have experience with downloading an eSim for Barbados and Maldives. I LOVE the convenience of eSims. I've used
Nomad for my eSim provider given their pricing, mobile networks used and ease of use. Nomad has a mobile app you can use to manage your plan, monitor your data usage and buy an additional data package to extend your coverage period or top up the data amount. Nomad provides easy to use eSim installation instructions that even I could follow! The one drawback I've been able to work around using so far through WhatsApp is the lack of a local phone number. This may be an issue in Sri Lanka if I need to buy a luxury bus ticket as a local phone is required to complete the purchase. I also had an issue in Barbados where I had to restart my phone most times to switch from wifi to data. The eSim is working like a charm from the minute I entered Maldives cell tower territory. Chick out Nomad or any other eSim providers including
GigSky,
Holafly,
Airalo, and
4S as examples.
Travel Update
I'll take the local ferry to Kamadhoo next week for my second last island visit. I'm likely to travel to Haaru, about 20 minutes from the airport, for my last two nights in Maldives. Yes, I'm avoiding spending any time in Male! I fly to Sri Lanka on the afternoon of February 26.
New country on my travel radar - Kazakstan. My newest friends live in Kazakstan so our conversations piqued my interest in their country. I can fly directly from Mongolia to Almaty, Kazakstan as a starting point. My friends live in Astana (new capital) which is about a 90 minute flight north from Almaty (old capital). Be interesting what the universe has in store for me regarding this potential addition to my travels.
I'm also sorting through my proposed Sumatra travels. Getting about the island readily maybe an interesting challenge. There may be more flights in my future as opposed to taking overnight bus rides between cities. The idea of taking photos of your luggage before stowing it on a bus caught my attention as to security of my luggage. How much adventure do I want to invite into my travels???
Travel Maps
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| Maldives |
This week's travel involved both local ferries and speedboats. I successfully rode the local ferry to Mahibadhoo to catch the next local ferry, after a four wait, to Hangnaameedho. Total local ferry costs - about $4 CAD/$3 USD. My travel to Dharavandhu involved a 90 minute speedboat ride to Velana Int'l Airport, a five hour layover, then a two hour speedboat ride to my final destination. Total speedboat costs - $95 USD/$130 CAD. There is a local ferry from Male to Dharavandhu if you have 12 hours to spend on the ferry. The other alternative is taking a 45 min seaplane ride from the airport for $200 USD.
Maldives: January 28 to February 26, 2026
Dhangethi
My last full day on Dhangethi was a day of adventure. My new friend Jan and I had exchanged texts early in the day lamenting about how distant the locals seemed to be. The universe was surely peeking in on our text as the locals suddenly turned on the charm and were smiling and greeting me throughout the island!
The Proposition
I'm guilty of being less than inquisitive during my morning walks, to my own culinary detriment. I walked by the small kiosk in the photos below every day without stopping to investigate. I only made the stop after some friends alerted me to the local food alternatives they had eaten (and enjoyed) at the kiosk on a previous evening. Sunday was my last chance. I had more of an adventure than I expected.
After selecting my food (fish cakes, fish balls, cake and another local sweet), I sat a table next a small group of local men who were eating, chatting and smoking cigarettes. Yes, smoking is much more common in Maldives with a noticeable absence of rules we have in North America or Europe.
I was befriended by Waheedma, a local woman, who chose to sit with me and strike up a conversation with her limited English. She was 43 years old with one son (21), and three daughters (18 yo, 7 yo and one w/o an age). She asked for my age and whether I was single. She also offeren the proposition for us to become a couple. I politely declined. She opened a bag she had, offering me a series of food items to taste including areca nuts from the areca palm/aka 'supari' (hard as rock without any taste) which is supposed to be a mild stimulant. She also offered me cardamon to chew on. A local man sitting at the next table interjected periodically to explain what my suitor was talking about.
About my food - it was delicious and inexpensive! I missed my opportunity to have a fulsome evening meal on Sunday evening as I was invited to the one last get together for the large group of German divers.
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| Lunch options |
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| Local cuisine at its best |
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| My delicious lunch |
Ice Cream Heaven
My extraordinary fortune continued on Sunday afternoon. I discovered the local gelateria that had reopened in this new location earlier in the afternoon. Carmella, the proprietor, was a former Madrid resident who moved to Dhangethi two years ago with a plan to open the gelateria. After about four different attempts to open her business over the two years, she thought she had now found the right location. She was in the process of moving her store sign from the previous location.
Lots of interesting flavors to sample. How lucky can I get? Eating amazing ice cream and sorbet served by a gorgeous Spanish woman!
I returned to her shop later that evening with a few fellow ice cream lovers who were at the same dinner. I was treated to a couple scoop of ice cream by a fellow diner who appreciated the chance to enjoy the delightful ice cream!
Yes, Marvin, I was definitely flirting with Carmella!
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| Getting closer to diary heaven! |
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| Dhangethi Gelateria |
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| Sample of local ingredients |
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| Ice cream and sorbet options - made instore |
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| Carmella and her divine creations |
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| Hibiscus sorbet |
Fauna
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Look how many fish you can attract
using a slice of bread! |
Friends Revisited!
As I mentioned in last week's post, I needed more space to introduce you to the remaining friends I met through Lukas, Louisa, Archie and Lucy. The first three new friends were Marvin, Meret and Meredith who were visiting Maldives during their stay in Sri Lanka, The trio were medical students in their final year of their program gaining real life medical experience in Sri Lanka. I also met Maya and Sophie, who worked with German immigration, who were enjoying snorkeling. Their next stop was Sri Lanka before returning to Germany. I also met a mother and her two adult children (Neo and Olivia) who had spent the day diving with this group. I'm missing the name of my fellow diner who graciously bought my ice cream. He mentioned I was living the life he was dreaming about! Seth, the diving instructor, also joined in the merriment and great food!
Unfortunately, the video that our waiter Aja shot is unavailable. I'm encountering a technical issue when I upload videos from my new phone that I need to resolve.
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| Divers dinner at Blue Moon Cafe! |
Sunset - February 8
My final Dhangethi sunset was a subdued blessing!
Dhangethi to Hangnaameedhoo
I was off to Hangnaameedho on Monday morning via the public ferry. My first stop was Mahibadhoo where I would catch the second ferry for the one hour ride to Hangnaameedhoo that departed at 1:30 pm. Just the small matter of a four hour wait.
Public Ferry
The public ferry travels at eights knots, about 30 knots slower than the average speedboat.
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My newest mode of transportation
Toilet in back! |
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| Exterior view |
Mahibadhoo
Streets
This is the first island I visited that had roads with paving stones and lots of vehicular traffic. I missed taking a photo of the petrol station at the harbour's far end.
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| Entering the 'downtown' area! |
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| Honest, there are all sorts of vehicles on this road! |
Fauna
This gray heron was kind enough to provide several poses!
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| Gray Heron posing |
Hangnaameedhoo
Welcome to my third island of my Maldives adventure. I chose this island based on proximity, ease of access from Dhangethi and accommodation availability. My hotel was an interesting place. The guest experience was a real science with attention to detail which the manager closely monitored. Chefy and Ahasan, employees from Bangladesh, were warm and friendly. They offered a wonderful outdoor dinner buffet every evening, at a reasonable cost, which I enjoyed. Surprising range of food choices (pasta, salads, juice, desserts, fresh fruit, soup, butter chicken/chicken marasal, etc.) along with grilled fish most evenings.
About the Island
I had a negative first impression of this island. I thought, from the state of various buildings' disrepair, the inhabitants had less pride in their island as compared to other islands I visited. The island has a different vibe, just unsure what the vibe is. I felt less welcome here, in spite of the 'Welcome' sign I found on my bed after checking in.
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| Found on my bed |
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| Bikini Beach |
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| Laneway |
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| Sign at each end of island school |
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| Laneway |
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| Laneway |
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Store where I discovered chocolate covered
biscuits!!! Thank you universe! |
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| North Harbour |
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| Romance in advance of Valentine's Day |
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| Leading to Bikini Beach |
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| More construction underway! |
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| How unusual - a 'hill' on an otherwise flat island! |
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| Banyan tree |
Bikini Beach
Great set up with beach chairs, well maintained beach area and plenty of shade on the tourist beach. House reef with plenty of snorkeling. Beach was located on the northwest end of island requiring a short walk to reach the beach.
Fauna
I shared every sunset with this solitary gray heron.
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| Fellow sunset enthusiast |
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| Loads of stingrays patrolling the harbour |
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| Nurse shark in harbour |
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| Crustaceans abound |
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| Crustaceans abound |
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| Crustaceans abound |
Friends
I continued to be blessed with meeting fellow travellers during my five night stay.
Johann and Sarah
An interesting Finnish couple who were more last minute in booking trips and accommodation than me. Johann was in IT and Sarah was in corporate finance. Both enjoyed diving and snorkeling. Johann seemed keen on sharing his experiences with a limited interest in learning about others. He had an edge in his personality that I thought border on being an unhappy person. He was a private person who was slowly revealing himself. Sarah was more reserved so I learned much less about her. She had traveled more extensively in SE Asia including a couple trips to Tokyo for cheerleading competitions earlier in her life. They also owned a recreational vehicle that they lived in during the summer outside their home city of Helsinki. We shared several meals together without developing any 'warmth'. Yes, I can be a good listener! A photo of the three of us and sharing my travel blog just seemed inappropriate. An odd situation,
ะะตััะตัั Almagambet and her mother Mensulu
I had the exact opposite experience with Mepyept and her mother, Mensulu, after Johann and Sarah departed for Digurah. Mepyept (menas 'Pearl' in Kazakh) is a vibrant, inquisitive and conversant data analyst in the Kazakstan oil and gas business living in Astana, Kazakstan's capital. She has the flexibility to work remotely, which was taking advantage of to travel with her mother. They were traveling in celebration of her mother's 58th birthday. Their destinations included China, Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Maldives. They were blazing their own path in travel destinations as many people from Kazakstan travel to Vietnam and Thailand.
I had the blessing of Mepyept's fluency in English (her mother knows limited English). She had the best questions and insights in life. She had this magical world view because of her curiosity about the world beyond Kazakstan. She had attended university for a year in the Netherlands. She discovered her latest job through a contact she made while working on a project. Her former employer was a large corporate entity (joint venture) between oil companies and the Kazakstan national oil company. Her boss at her new company, the woman who hired her, was fired after six months leaving Mepyept with understandable angst. Everything in her job continues to work out positively for Mepyept which I must say, from our conversations, should be expected. Mepyept is a modest and super capable person!
I'm now intrigued with visiting Kazakstan during this current adventure. There is a four hour direct flight from Ulan Bator in Mongolia to Almaty, Kazakstan. Almaty, the former capital in the southern part of the country, looks like a beautiful destination to explore. Astana is a two hour direct flight from Almaty or a 16 hour overnight train ride (on a train with sleeper berths, if I book the sleeper in sufficient time, that is!). My new friends have graciously offered to show me around Astana if I were to visit.
I'm thinking I do need to visit with them. After all, we do need a better photo together than the photo below we had taken at our last dinner together.
I am grateful for the universe's continued blessing of meeting the most extraordinary people in the world!
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| Mother and daughter enjoying a photo opp |
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| Our last dinner |
Tristan and Inรฉs
I received the following text (italics below) and photo from Tristan last week that was an incredible blessing, honour, and humbling all wrapped up together.
Hello Dave, my family created a Famileo for my grand-ma and grand-pa. It’s like your blog but for all their grandchildren. This way, they can see what we do for living cause we are not all close to them.
I’ve put some words about you ;)
"A memorable encounter with Dave, a 67-year-old Canadian from Toronto who doesn't have a home. He used to be a project manager and left his family to live all over the world... What a walking encyclopedia! He has been traveling the world since 2020. A kindness rarely matched ❤️ »
Sunsets
I have a new word, opacarophile, to share with you that my good friend Sam shared with me in the past week.
An opacarophile is someone who finds beauty in sunsets, entranced by the shifting hues that dance across the sky as the day makes way for the night.
The term "opacarophile" is a linguistic marriage of Latin and Greek elements.
The first part, "opacare," is Latin for sunset or dusk, symbolizing the transition between day and night.
The second part, "phile," is Greek for love, representing a deep, abiding affection.
Together, they create a word that elegantly encapsulates a love for the dimming of the day and the onset of twilight.
February 9
February 10
February 11
February 12
February 13
Dharavandhoo
Dharavandhoo is my final stop for the week. I'm going to get my exercise during my stay as my hotel and bikini beach are on the opposite ends of the island. Bikini Beach is on the island's north side which is unusual and far less attractive. The preferred location for watching sunsets is also on the opposite end as the runway for this island's airport runs the full length of the island's south coast.
About the Island
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| Every island has a similar 2026 sign |
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| Bringing the sea up close! |
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| Petrol station in paradise |
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The sign on the right side says "Pink House" -
reminds me of John Mellencamp's Pink Houses |
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| Unsure why this is a 'Pink House'??? |
Fauna
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| Gray Heron must be following me! |
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| Crustaceans enjoying the sunset |
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| Crustaceans enjoying the sunset |
Sunset - February 14
Fascinating how different the sunsets are from island to island!
Next Week
I'll be heading to Kamadhoo, by public ferry, on Thursday for my last five night stay in the Maldives. I'll also be booking my last two nights in Maldives on Haaru.
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