I returned from Ungoofaaru (Raa Atoll) this morning. I had a wonderful ride on a tiny speed boat from Ungoofaaru to Meedhupparu Resort early in the morning when the sun was low on the horizon and life was waking up to a new day. The ride to Male' from Meedhupparu was on a sea plane. The view out of the plane window was amazing thanks to the good weather today - too bad I didn't have my camera to shoot a few pictures of the wonders of the Maldive islands.

I felt sad leaving the island behind, watching it disappear into the horizon. I've made a bunch of new friends among the trip mates and I quite like them. They are energetic and each posses an amusing, unique personality. I also picked up a few acquaintances from the island... though it's a sad possiblity that I may not meet them ever again

The Raa Atoll website project, which I was there for, couldn't be finished before I had to leave. The project is still going ahead fullspeed. I also taught a crash course on Microsoft Access while I was there. The course was conducted by Resource Education - the company that (sub)contracted me the website. Teaching was a thrill and I loved educating people! I think the students loved my class. I am satisfied that I imparted a bit of knowledge to them.

The quiet, relaxed time I've had in Ungoofaaru has injected me with new energy and given time for reflection on a lot of things. Sitting in joali's under the cool shade of trees, thinking and observing the world as it is in the island, gave me the jolt that I needed snap out of the dreary life in Male'. I left the island refreshed and a bit more enlightened...

Here is a 360 degree panorama conjured up from a lazy session of stitching up sloppily shot images on the beach here on Ungoofaaru. Boredom is productive sometimes... innit?

Haha. This is wicked! It's my third day in Ungoofaaru of Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (better known as Raa Atoll). I'm away from the honking of vehicles and grinding of construction machines of Male'. I'm free in the wild. Free in the abundance of nature.

Work is light and I get a lot of time for myself. I've completed the requirements analysis, developed a concept and I am now onto layout designs and systems setup. The prototype of the website would be up soon. I hope.

The day begins with energy. The bright sun,the blue ocean and the green and orange hues of palm trees really keeps me upbeat. The people here are relaxed and don't seem to have much to do. Amazingly, they've got two establishments offering Cable TV! There is also a CyberCafe here offering internet via dialup. (Speaking of internet, the GPRS connection wasn't worth the time or the effort!) The night sees the island go quieter, with the sounds of waves and swaying of trees becoming more prominent. The sky is dark and unpolluted and I can enjoy star gazing - I wish I brought the telescope. Venus is bright as ever and Mars makes the red dot unmissable. Scorpio and Libra constellations are visible directly overhead from 8pm to 10pm.

I took a stroll around the island yesterday, snapping some pictures to keep the sights stored for later. Here are a few…