Smokestack performing at Ian's party

Ian's 70th birthday party, the socialising

Interesting country, interesting people

The Maldives is a collection of over 1000 islands, spread across a vast area. We have been staying on a northern island called Kani, entirely occupied by Club Med. It is a typical Maldivian island, being small (about 1km in length) and partly surrounded by a coral reef. This reef creates a shallow lagoon between it and the island, forming an atoll - the word is actually Maldivian in origin
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Pictured above is Hussain, one of the staff at Club Med. He gave us some idea of the immense spread of the islands when he told us that if he wants to return to his home island of Gan, in the south, then the journey by sea takes three days!

Hussain has done very well for himself, since he never attended school. We were flattered that he wanted to spend a lot of time with us. We eventually discovered that he was eager to improve his English, and we were a means to an end.

Maldives

Yes, the Maldives is prettier than we imagined. An infinite number of shades of blue. The water is clear enough that you can see some fascinating marine life, without scuba or snorkeling.
Mind you, we met a couple from Canada who were scuba fanatics and the underwater video they had captured was breathtaking. Huge manta rays and serene turtles. If they forward pics to us, I'll load them onto this blog.

Bangkok's river

We're back in Bangkok for a stopover. This time we're staying on the river, the Chao Phraya. It is used heavily, by locals and tourists, who want to avoid the congestion on the streets. Ferries are fast and cheap - and you get to watch the monks (who travel free) at close quarters.

This long-tail boat caught our attention. It is festooned with the sorts of garlands sold everywhere in the city as offerings to the Buddha.

New friends!

While on our campervan stint, we met a great Aussie couple, Liz and Bill. They introduced us to Mandalay in Busselton - an early candidate for this year's best camp site. We got on famously, learning about: how to use campers' kitchens; where to avoid stingers; and what to feed hungry sheep-shearers.

After four days together on the campsite, we went our separate ways, they back to their home in Mandurah, and we to head south.

However we met up again at the end of our time in Western Australia: Liz and Bill had invited us to stay with them for a couple of days at their home.

They were kindness itself. Bill lent us bikes; Liz cooked great meals. They embodied the philosophy "what is ours, is yours". It was no surprise to learn that they both had Scottish ancestors.

Mandurah is an amazing location. On the coast, the town is developing a network of canals. So it resembles Miami. Beaches are staggering and almost deserted. Truly Liz and Bill have the most enviable of lives.

(Stingers are small jellyfish, found occasionally off some beaches.. Sheep shearers like lamb sandwiches and vanilla slices)

Forest fire tragedy

The national news here has been dominated by coverage of the horrendous forest fires sweeping South East Australia. The death toll is expected to surpass 200. Many of those who perished did so while trying to flee the fires, the latter sometimes traveling at 50km an hour.
The disaster has been assisted by abnormally high temperatures. In Melbourne the temperature reached 48.5 degrees a couple of days back.
Temperatures on the West Coast have, thankfully, been more moderate.