Why Maldives ?
The country has a long and eventful history and has been an independent sovereign state except for a brief occupation by the Portuguese during the 16th century. Maldives became a British Protectorate in the mid-fifties and gained full independence in July 26, 1965. That same year it also became a member of the United Nations. The country has a Republican government with an elected president as the head of the state. It was converted to Islam in the 12th century AD. Maldives has been a 100% Muslim State for more than 800 years.
Although official Maldivian History only begins in the twelfth century, literary works and archeological remains provide clues to earlier pre-Islamic eras. Maldives was a port of call for many great sea faring civilizations that roamed the high seas, long before European Maritime History began. A roman coin dated 90 BC has been discovered in the Maldives, and since it Was the Egyptians who taught the Romans how to cross the Indian Ocean, it may not be fanciful to imagine the great Egyptian papyrus boats with their colorful square sails sailing towards the Maldives. Perhaps the Maldivians modeled the elegant curved bows of their boats from the Egyptians, and the Women, the beautifully embroidered collar pieces of their dresses.
Maldives
Maldives is now one of the top holiday destinations in the world. Tourism has been carefully developed in a sustainable manner over the past 3 decades with great care and attention on both environmental aspects as well as quality. All Maldivian resorts are located on a single island and with relevant facilities available just a few steps from the rooms. Since the industry is young, evolving and dynamic, the quality of these resorts and the standard of service offered is probably the best you will find anywhere in the world today. As well as the traditional Maldivian style resorts; the country now boasts a host of international brands.
For those who love the sun, sand and the sea, a visit to the islands of the Maldives would most certainly be a dream come true. Island Holidays is here to ensure that all your travel services are organized professionally and efficiently. With our wide local and international network, we can offer you a holiday of a life time, no matter where you live. Our collection of resorts ranges from the simple to the most sophisticated resorts in the Maldives, and in the world for that matter. Let us be your host here in the Maldives.
Where to Stay
The Maldives has a wide variety of accommodation for the visitor. Choices vary from 87 resort islands, which will increase to 100 in the very near future, to hotels and guest houses in Male', to yachts and yacht-dhonis, a specially converted Maldivian vessel, which are licensed to accommodate visitors.
A resort island is a world by itself. Developed on uninhabited islands, each island is just one hotel, exclusively maintained in pristine form and serviced for only a limited number of guests. The untouched white beaches are perfect for relaxation and a healthy tan under the Maldivian sun. Crowned by majestic coconut palms which characterize the Maldives, the vegetation on all islands are quite similar; rings of tropical vegetation adapting to a variety of environments, salt resistant and hardy varieties closer to the beach-line giving way to shrubs and plants, and more delicate and dense greenery towards the centre.
A resort island is a world by itself. Developed on uninhabited islands, each island is just one hotel, exclusively maintained in pristine form and serviced for only a limited number of guests. The untouched white beaches are perfect for relaxation and a healthy tan under the Maldivian sun. Crowned by majestic coconut palms which characterize the Maldives, the vegetation on all islands are quite similar; rings of tropical vegetation adapting to a variety of environments, salt resistant and hardy varieties closer to the beach-line giving way to shrubs and plants, and more delicate and dense greenery towards the centre.
Just inside the vegetation line, well dispersed for maximum privacy along the beach in a typical resort island are small bungalow style rooms where accommodation is provided. The rooms, though mostly shaded by tree, allow a clear view of the beach, the lagoon and the horizon beyond. They are generally equipped with modern conveniences, with en suite facilities. Most of the resort islands have at least two restaurants. Some of the larger resorts may offer as may as five different restaurants. Local and continental cuisine is available in addition to exotic buffets and barbecues. Normally the hotel rates quoted are for full board - bed, breakfast, lunch and dinner included. In club style resorts and in some smaller resort islands this is often preferred. Except in the evening, when wining and dining under the stars may be the choice for most, there is never enough time to exhaust the wonders of the sea.
Naturally, most of the activities centre around the sea. The reefs around the islands are excellent for diving and snorkeling. Activities such as water-skiing and windsurfing may seem strenuous but exciting. Water sports equipment and facilities are available for hire on all resort islands. There is either a fully equipped diving school or a more elaborate water spots centre.
There is sufficient activity on all resorts which are self contained worlds of their own. Equipment for sports such as lawn tennis, soccer, volleyball, and indoor games such as billiards, table tennis, chess or darts are usually available free of charge in many of the resort islands.
Those who wish to relax can spend time on the beach; sit under the sun or under the cool green shade; admire the surrounding natural beauty or perhaps simply gaze at the horizon lined with green islands springing out of the blue ocean. The beaches are peaceful and never crowded. Every island resort is Robinson Crusoe's island but equipped with modern amenities subtly hidden away. As depicted by local artists in stencil prints unique to the Maldives, relaxing on the beach is not only aesthetic but a sport and an art in itself. There are only a few places in the world where so much pleasure can be derived by doing nothing.
Cruising among the islands may be an exciting alternative to lazing on resort beaches. Yachts and yacht-dhonis with bunk beds or private cabins are available for hire. These boats can accommodate between eight to twenty passengers on cruises that sail for ten to fifteen days. Some of the larger vessels have scuba diving and windsurfing facilities with qualified instructors on board. Food prepared by the crew using the day's fresh catch of fish may be modest, but a tourist is never too far to stop for a sumptuous meal or a drink.
On a cruise, dining under a clear sky in the Maldives can be an experience in itself. With the equator running through the Maldives, it is an astronomer's dream too.
Besides safari boats and resorts there are a few hotels and guest houses in Male' as well. These facilities cater mainly for the business traveler. The larger establishments provide meals. Tourist accommodation is also available on Gan island in Addu; the southern-most atoll of the Maldives.
Resort Islands
There are, at the present time, eighty seven resorts in the country. It is amazing just how different one resort can be from another. To be honest, it is also amazing how just about everyone who comes to the Maldives has a great holiday no matter where they end up. But if you put some thought into what you definitely would like to have on your island and what you would rather not find there, then find it in this web site, you are on your way to a truly memorable couple of weeks. Here is a list of the main things to consider as you surf for your ideal getaway.
Some islands have a policy of getting a good mix of nationalities but most resorts tend to have more of one nationality than any other. And a few resorts are all Italian. Even if you love the sound of a particular island, it may be a mistake to take your holiday there.
Although there is a dive base on every single resort and although there is no such thing as a bad place for diving in the country, some islands are much more focused on diving than others. If you are a keen diver these are the ones to seek out. There will be more frequent diving on offer, more options available (such as might diving, nitrox diving and all day safaris) and more fellow divers to share your experiences with.
If you don’t dive but you are a keen snorkeller then you want to find a resort that has a surrounding reef with at least some of it close to shore. It is at the drop off that you will find the variety and number of fish. If you are a beginner or nervous swimmer than any fair-sized lagoon will do for you. A really close reef drop-off wouldn’t be ideal.
For learning watersports a large, deep lagoon is best. For watersport experts, find the few resorts that have large setups and active staff.
For the sun worshipper, you really can’t go wrong. Do you like to have a lot of people around for the fun, games and evening activities or are you looking for a private spot and an early bed? The Maldives is great for both, but read up to make sure that you don’t make a terrible mistake.
A number of islands take just a few minutes to completely walk around, others are relatively huge. Some don’t have much in the way of vegetation and coconut palms (but wonderful beaches) others have towering green interiors and picturesque palm trees leaning out over the water (but maybe unsightly groynes and sea walls.).
The Maldives is one of the truly great holiday destinations of the world. The variety it offers under the sun and under the water will keep you coming back for years, checking out one resort after another looking to find that perfect paradise. If it is to be found anywhere on this earth, it might well be here.
Geographic Location
The Maldives consist of 1190 islands which are spread over a distance of 870 km in a north - south direction just north of the equator and about 450 miles southwest of Sri Lanka.
Estimates of the number of islands differ, depending on the definition of an island. Officially there are 1190 islands having some form of vegetation on them, whether grass or bushes or trees. Of this number 991 are uninhabited and 199 inhabited.
The actual number of islands varies from one year to the next as islands are continually being washed away and new ones formed. The islands and reefs are divided into 26 geographic atolls but for convenience, these are broken into 20 administrative groups. The warm tropical climate attracts divers and holiday makers from around the world.
People
With a total population of around 270,000, the Maldives is the smallest independent nation in Asia. Astonishingly, however, the grinding poverty found in other parts of Asia is rarely seen on these islands. Beggars are a rarity. According to HCP Bell ‘….. the people desire nothing so greatly as to be left by the outside world, as much as possible, along and undisturbed in their sea-girt happy isolation.
The majority of Maldivians live their lives on tiny islands where interaction is limited to a few hundred fellow islanders. To this day the dhon meehaa (white person) is often regarded with fear and suspicion on the far-flung islands where tourists rarely go. So don’t be surprised if you are met there by screeching children, women in flight and cold, pensive stares from the men folk. But human nature is paradoxical and the Maldivian people can be as bold as they are shy, as knowledgeable as they are naïve, and as hospitable as they are hesitant. To accept and be accepted by this small, closely knit, rigidly structured and discipline society demands a fundamental appreciation of the politics, beliefs and customs of its people.
Social Classes
It was once considered dishonourable to eat with a member of an inferior class or to be seated physically higher than someone from a superior class. The superior class were the beyfulhu make up of sultans and their relatives. They bore titles, such as ‘Maniku’ and ‘Didi’, and prohibited anyone without a permit to wear shoes, buy a flashlight, erect a fence around their house or study a foreign language. Nowadays things are a lot different. ‘More civilised’, Bell would say. Maniku and Didi are popular surnames and ‘Kalegefaanu’ is the most coveted title. Something of a knighthood, it is bestowed on only a handful of people, including the President and those who render outstanding services to the community.
While a caste system does not operate now, the texture of Maldivian society shows its effects. The most overt form of social distance today is found in the language. Different words and prases are used according to whom one speaks. For example, if referring to yourself when speaking to a fisherman, you would say ‘aharen (I)’, but to a government offical you would say ‘alhurgandu (slave self)’.
Traditionally the population is socially ranked according to job status. Fishermen occupy the largest peer group, making up almost 50 per cent of the total work force. The captain of a fishing crew, the keyolhu, earns one fifth of the catch and that may equate to 1000 fish on a good day. Carpenters are highly respected and the best carpenters are found in Raa Atoll, where they are renowned for their boat building skills. On the same social rung are the hakeem (local medicine men and astrologers) who are held in high esteem. Throughout the country, there are many such men who are considered to possess mysterious powers. They combine traditional herbal remedies with Unani (Arabic) philosophy to treat their patients.
Government
In the Maldives, there are three levels of governing. At the grassroots level is island administration. Every citizen is registered at one of the 199 inhabited islands and each family is given a plot of land. The inhabited islands are ruled by Chiefs (Katheeb) and Deputy Chiefs (Kuda Katheeb) who are responsible for controlling political factions, reporting extraordinary occurrence and managing nearby uninhabited islands.
For administrative purposes, the islands are grouped into 20 ‘administrative atolls’ (the administrative atolls differ completely to the geographical atolls), with Male’ as the capital. These administrative atolls are ruled by Chiefs. The Chiefs are responsible for political and economic welfare while the judges (Gaazee) attend to judicial matters and religious queries. Daily reports are sent via walkie-talkie from the island Chiefs to the Atoll Office. The Atoll Chiefs relay relevant details via radio-telephone to head office in Male’. Facsimile services are currently being installed in many Atoll Offices to enable faster and easier communications between the atolls. In this way, the national government is attuned to day to day affairs through-out the archipelago.
The basic law code of the Maldives is Shari’ah or Islamic law, handling criminal, civil, religious and political cases. The attorney General’s Office examines all cases sent in from the atolls before passing them on to the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs. Banishment is the most common form of punishment.
At the apex of the political system is the President, elected every five years by national referendum after being nominated by the Citizens Majlis (Parliament). The Citizens Majlis is a body of 48 members, consisting of two representatives from each atoll, two representatives from Male’, and eight Presidential nominees. A single candidate for President is nominated and the people simple vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’. In the 1988 elections, Gayyoom was re-elected by a 96.37 per cent majority. The 1993 election saw him elected for a fourth term by a 92.76 per cent majority.
The national flag is a green rectangle with a white crescent in the centre surrounded by a red border. The green rectangle donates life, progress and prosperity. The crescent represents the Islamic faith of the nation. The red border symbolizes the blood of the national heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence and sovereignty of the nation.
The national emblem consists of a coconut palm, a crescent, a star and two national flags, crisscrossed and bearing the traditional state title: Ad-Dawlat Al – Mahaldheebiyya. The coconut palm illustrates the nation’s livelihood, while the crescent, star and flags embody the nation’s Islamic faith.
Culture
A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the world traveling the seas in ancient times.
The Maldives has been a melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the world came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for instance resemble African influences.
As one would expect there is a great South Asian influence especially in the traditional food of the Maldivians. Many of the traditions are strongly related to the seas and the fact that life is dependent on the seas around us.
Religion
100% Sunni Muslim. Maldives is perhaps the only country with a 100% Muslim population. Islam was introduced around A.D.800, and the moderate form practiced in Maldives has remained virtually unchanged.
Since Maldives embraced Islam in 1153, Island has been central to the life of Maldivians. The main events and festivalss of Maldivian life follow the Muslim Calendar.
From infancy children are taught the Arabic alphabet. Religious education is provided both at home and at school. Islam is part of the school curriculum and taught concurrently with other subjects.
Language
The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi. Believed to have developed from Sinhala, an ancient Sri Lankan dialect, Dhivehi also contains Arabic, Hindu and even some English words. English is widely spoken in Male, in the tourist resorts and by educated people throughout the country. Many young children also speak and write English as its now taught in schools. In the resorts and safari dive-boats, you will often find instructors and other staff who speak English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.
The written language, Thaana, runs from right to left, similar to Arabic. As with Arabic, there is no official written translation of Thaana, just various forms of transliteration. Words are spelled a variety of ways. For example Dhivehi itself is often spelled Divehi.
Economy
Fishing dominates the economy. It is traditionally the main occupation and employs about one-quarter of the country’s total labour force. Almost two-thirds of the annual catch is exported and the rest is consumed locally. The fishing industry generates about 14 per cent of GDP (tourism at 17.7% is now the biggest single contributor to GDP), accounting for 75 per cent of export products. Fisheries and trade follow close behind. The Maldivian Economy is regarded as exemplary in the region and welcomes foreign investments.
The predominant methods of fishing are pole and line for skipjack, and trolling for tuna, mackerel and wahoo. Maldivian fishing vessels are called dhoni and closely resemble Arab dhows. In the 1970s, the government launched a program of modernizing and mechanizing the fishing fleet, and recently embarked on a new design for a second-generation Mark II dhoni which is sleeker, faster and holds more fish than the older-style dhoni.
In the past, the bulk of the catch was exported to Sri Lanka in the form of dried and smoked tuna. In 1971 however, when the Sri Lankans reduced the quantity of Maldivian fish they wished to import, the need to find alternative markets and new processing methods become urgent. The government acted promptly, signing agreements to sell frozen fish to several foreign companies. In 1977, a small fish-canning factory was established by Japanese investors, on Felivaru in Lhaviyani Atoll. Today the factory is wholly owned and operated by the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Corporation, and has the capacity to produce 50 tonnes of canned tuna per day for exportation to the Far East and Europe.
The national shipping line, which is operated by Maldives National Ship Management Limited, handles 95% of the country’s imports. Since the mid-1960’s the shipping industry’s profits have been an important source of foreign exchange. During the 1980’s however, a glut of shipping services sent freight prices crashing and to make matters worse, the war between Iran and Iraq affected trade between the Maldives and the Middle East.
Tourism has been the most dynamic sector of the economy over the last two decades. Since the first resort was built in 1972, the number of tourist arrivals has risen from 1000 to 200,000 per year and celebrated 600,000 tourist arrivals in year 2004.Tourism contributes nearly 26.6 % of the national revenue and is the country’s biggest earner of foreign exchange.
Agriculture is mostly a supplementary source of income. Coconut farming and the cultivation of crops, such as millet, areca nut, mangoes, bananas, onions and chillies are widespread. The main markets for agricultural produce are Male’ and the tourist resorts. Unfortunately, large quantities of fruits, vegetables and poultry products still need to be imported but the government has implemented measures such as coconut rehabilitation, pest control and the utilization of more uninhabited islands, to help stimulate and improve agriculture in the Maldives.
Traditional cottage industries such as boat building, mat weaving, rope making, ironmongery and handicrafts, have been strengthened by the growth in tourism. These industries account for nearly one quarter of the workforce, predominantly women. Modern industries which have recently evolved include fish canning, garment manufacture, the production of PVC pipes and soaps and washing powders, and the bottling of soft drinks
Food
Maldivian cuisine is tasty and particularly interesting considering so many dishes have similar ingredients yet taste unique. The staple diet is rice and garudhiya, a fish broth. It may appear bland and boring to the new comer, but the taste is immediately enhanced with a dash of thick fish paste and a spicy side-dish of onion, lime and chilli. Another popular dish is roshi (unleavened bread) and mas huni, a mixture of grated coconut, fish, lime and chilli which is eaten as a snack or main meal. Mild creamy curries made from ground curry pastes, fish and locally grown vegetables, such as breadfuit, pumpkin, sweet potato and eggplant, are delicious.
Teashop Temptations For most visitors, the highlights of the local cuisine are the sweet and savoury snacks which are served in all the teashops in Male’, cooked for special occasions on far flung islands and occasionally served on the resorts. The savoury snacks are usually a mixture of smoked tuna, grated coconut, lime juice, onion and chilli, while the sweet snacks are concoctions of four, sugar, eggs and a few generous slurps of coconut honey. It is quite amazing that they all look and taste so different. Here is a selection to wet the appetite
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Savouries
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Fihunu mas
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Fish brushed with chilli paste and cooked slowly over hot coals
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Gulha
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Fish mixture wrapped in a pastry ball and deep fried
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Kavaabu
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Deep fried fish rissole
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Keemia
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Deep fried fish roll, the local answer to a sausage roll
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Kulhi bis
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Fish mixture wrapped in egg-shaped pastry, steamed and turned in a thick, creamy curry paste (eaten with a spoon)
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Kulhi Borkibaa
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Mildly spiced fishcake
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Bajiya
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Slightly sweet fish mixture wrapped in triangular shaped pastry and deep fried
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Theluli Bambukeyo
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Strips of breadfruit, deep fried until golden brown on the outside and soft and mushy in the middle
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Theluli Kavaabu
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Fish rissole dipped in bright yellow batter and deep fried
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Theluli mas
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Chunks of fish brushed with a chilli-onion garlic paste and fried
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Sweets
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Banas
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Small sweet bread rolls
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Bondi
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White, finger-long coconut sticks
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Bondi-baiy
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Sticky rice custard
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Foni borkibaa
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Glutinous cake
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Foni folhi
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Thick pikelets
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Keyku
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Fluffy plain cake
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Roas paan
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Slices of bread dipped in egg and sugar then fried
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Suji
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Drink made with semolina, coconut milk, sultanas, nuts, sugar and a dash of cinnamon and cardamom
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Weather
In a nation that is more sea than land (less than one per cent of the Maldives is land), the weather obviously plays a significant role in day to day life. Since earliest times, the Maldivian people have organized their lives around a calendar of nakaiy - a series of 13 or 14 day intervals, each with a predictable weather pattern. Every year brings two monsoons, iruvai (the north-east monsoon) and hulhangu (the south-west monsoon). To a visitor, this simply means the hot and dry season (iruvai) and the hot and west season (huhangu).
But to the Maldivian people, each monsoon means a series of nakaiy which determine lifestyles for the next six months. This calendar is still used today to determine the best times to fish, travel or cultivate crops. Some people even use it before planning a marriage or building a house. It is said, for example, that children born in Maa nakaiy will attain high stations in life and that those born in Uthura nakaiy will be deeply religious.
The nakaiy calendar goes something like this:
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Iruvai
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Dec 10 – Dec 22
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Mula
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Strong winds, rough seas. Fishing in the north is good
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Dec 23 – Jan 5
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Furahalha
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Strong north easterly winds, rough seas. A good fishing season in the north
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Jan 6 – Jan 18
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Uthurahalha
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Clear blue skies, strong winds and rough seas
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Jan 19 – Jan 31
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