A low pressure system was developing between Sri Lanka and India bringing light wind on our bow which would have made sailing conditions slow and tedious. We were eager to start exploring the Maldives and still had plenty of fuel to get us safely into port so the decision was easy. We fired up the engine and motored the last 200 miles. The timing of our arrival worked out perfectly. We approached the entrance to the Ihavanndhippollhu Atoll at daybreak and the morning sun made it easy to locate a nice sandy spot between coral reefs to drop anchor. Within an hour of settling in our agent Assad came out to meet us bringing along representatives from all relevant government departments (one even wearing full military gear). Thanks to Assad the entire check-in process was streamlined and painless (he even brought along Sim cards).
By 10:00 we were able to replace our 'Q flag' (quarantine flag) with the Maldivian courtesy flag. WhileTom signed and stamped his way through a mountain of documents a pod of 50 dolphins approached. They put on a show for us swimming at the surface, weaving around each other, jumping exuberantly until all of our paperwork was complete. This was without a doubt, the best check-in process ever. Assad says the dolphins are comfortable swimming wit people nearby so our next priority is to pull out our snorkelling gear. We're keeping an eye out for the next time they venture our way.
(A few new photos added to our gallery)