Velavaru, Maldives
In October/November 2002 Cedric, Thomas and I stayed for two weeks at Velavaru Island Resort , also called the Turtle Island. This island is located at the South Nilandhe Atoll at the Maldives. The excellent dive base is run by Ocean-Pro Dive Team . First we had booked the dive trip at Bali but on 13 October 2002 some dumb Al Quaida fanatics confused Australians with Americans and bombed a night club at Kuta. Although after this attack Bali would have been the most Al Quaida safest place on earth we booked another dive destination.
Fig. 1: One of the many quick white beach crabs. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, 2.5/90mm macro lens, Fujichrome Velvia)
Fig. 2: Two ships and a pump house on the sea. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, 2.5/90mm macro lens, Fujichrome Velvia)
Fig. 3: The sun is hiding behind these palm trees. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, 2.5/90mm macro lens, Fujichrome Velvia)
Fig. 4: One of the many cute hermit crab on a dune of soand. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, 2.5/90mm macro lens, Fujichrome Velvia)
Fig. 5: A white beach crab digging a hole. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, 2.5/90mm macro lens, Fujichrome Astia)
Fig. 6: A hermit crab (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, 2.5/90mm macro lens, Fujichrome Astia)
Fig. 7: Yes, it looks indeed as kitschy as a travel brochure. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, Fujichrome Astia)
Fig. 8: The same palms as from the previous picture but from the other side with the setting Sun. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, Fujichrome Astia)
Fig. 9: The little pump house where they sucked the sand to recreate the beach in front of the restaurant. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, Fujichrome Astia)
Fig. 10: A waterplane in the light of the setting sun. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002, Fujichrome Astia)
Fig. 11: The beautiful reception hall in the evening. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 12: A coconut palm (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 13: My footprints on the beach. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 17mm wideangle lens, October 2002)
Fig. 14: Saltwater bubbles on the beach. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 90mm macro lens, October 2002)
Fig. 15: Some fruits on the sand. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 90mm macro lens, October 2002)
Fig. 16: The footbridge to the reception hall. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 17: The floatplane from Trans Maldivian Airways. The island is 45 minutes away from the international airport. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 18: Two crabs on the rocks taking a sun bath. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 90mm macro lens, October 2002)
Fig. 19: A black crow sipping from a freshwater puddle. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 300mm telephoto lens, October 2002)
Fig. 20: Another kitschy sunset with one of the dive boats. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 300mm telephoto lens, October 2002)
Fig. 21: One of the baby blacktip reef sharks that swam along the beach hunting for fishes. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 300mm telephoto lens, October 2002)
Fig. 22: You probably will see that if you are looking from the beach at the horizon. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 23: Another kitschy picture of a sunshade and palms on the beach. Hey, it really looked like this! (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 24: One of the breathtaking sunsets. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 300mm telephoto lens, October 2002)
Fig. 25: Yet another sunset. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 26: Practising your balance. Surfing without wind. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 27: A black crow on the beach. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, 300mm telephoto lens, October 2002)
Fig. 28: Sorry for just another kitschy sunset picture. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 29: A cloud above the Maldives. To be honest, they look the same as in Switzerland ... (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 30: Cedric playing with his kite. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 31: In the last week we had some rainy days. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 32: Yes, the same palm as on an earlier picture but another background. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 33: Do you like pretty sunsets every day? Then go to the Maldives. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 34: A freight ship in the dusk. Note the little fata morgana on the left side. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 35: The little harbor of Velavaru in the dusk. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)
Fig. 36: At the morning of our departure the first beams of the rising sun hit the freight ship. (Velavaru Island, South Nilandhe Atoll, Maldives, October 2002)