Our passage in the Equatorial Channel toward Addu Atoll on 1st April was initially met with calm weather and later squalls moved in that left 30+kts in their wake - which was fine as we could shut off the engines and sail for a while. Overall, the 9hr trip we sailed for about 30% of the time. I've been noticing the winds taking a more easterly element upon them lately.

We also crossed the Equator - with dolphins dancing - see our post and video in facebook (aroundoceans).

Shortly after leaving Gaafu Atoll's southern channel we had a surprise encounter at 4am with a fishing boat. We saw him some miles off with his red/green lights and while we took adequate directional changes to pass him he just kept coming for us. And he bloody well didn't stop until he was 30m from us. We blasted him with the spotlight and I had to turn 90 degrees to avert a collision. Once he saw we were not a fish boating buddy (which I assume is why he was pursuing us), he went to full throttle and scooted out of there. Rrrrrrrgg.

We decided not to initially anchor at Gan and its pit stop for check-out but rather stop first at Hithadhoo, the larger town on the NW arm of the atoll to allow us to do our Chagos shopping and fuel up (USD0.86/L at the station a few minutes walk from the harbor). We entered Hithadhoo's long channel (00 60.00'S; 73 10.42'E; 0.6km long; 2m under keel at high tide) and anchored in 4m in sand in front of the harbor. Good anchorage.

Hithadhoo has some 30,000 residents and an improved choice of shops. We met some friendly folks and I discussed with a captain the sea current conditions south of Addu to assist with my route planning. They wouldn't let me leave without a nice Rainbow Runner in hand - well appreciated!

Maldivian Customs came by in their boat yesterday and initially asked us to move to Gan and after a discussion about this, didn't seem to mind that we remain in Hithadhoo for a few more days.

We need wind before we leave for Chagos and there seems little of it in the forecasts lately. We'll throw some chicken bones over the side tonight!!