The Maldives Journal, day 8: farewell Maldives, for now

Thomas Edes, Sunday 19th November The day started at 6 o’clock. This last breakfast in the Maldives included of course the usual wraps with a tuna and coconut mixture. At seven everybody went to the bus which would take us to Kadhdhoo Airport. After all the luggage was put into the bus we all went in, while Sophia hitched a ride on Ahmed’s motorbike. Very unexpectedly Melchior played the song ‘’Shooting Stars’’ on his speaker followed by a very fitting ‘’another day in paradise’’ by Phil Collins. Unfortunately at this point we had to say goodbye to Maattey, since he would be staying in Laamu atoll a little longer, while we would continue our journey to Malé.

On the ferry to Malé some of the Crazy Cocos played cards. Around 11 o’clock we arrived at the UNDP headquarters where fortunately we could store our luggage. In the meantime we were once again able to walk around the capital. Later that afternoon, after visiting the market, walking about and buying some souvenirs, everyone returned to the lovely air-conditioned room. Here Azaf showed videos of flooding, some students pitched their ideas for a new farm on Laamu atoll and we saw the video the Dutch news channel (NOS) made about Maldives Matter. Obviously food and drinks were provided by the ever welcoming Maldivians. To thank Azaf and her team we gave her one of our Maldives Matter shirts, and as a group went out for dinner later that night. Before dinner however we again had one or two hours of, which some used to walk around the city a bit more, crossing the whole island, while others played football against some locals in the EXTREME heat. After dinner, we walked back to the UNDP headquarters to get our luggage and took the ferry back to the airport. After a seven hour flight we arrived in flipflops and shorts at Istanbul. Here we got to prepare for the slightly colder climate at home, by the time we reached Istanbul it was already just 12 degrees. Definitely not the pleasant 30 degrees we were now used to. Finally, at 12.43 we arrived at Schiphol airport. Tanned, tired yet thrilled to be back.