local islands

approaching the small island infested with palm trees, i can see old wooden boats tied to a tree, moving with the ebb and flow of the tide. a bunch of guys milling around turn their heads as we arrive in the harbor. we hop off the boat and the light rain continues to fall but we are not bothered by it. taking in the scenes around me, it feels good to be on a new island. a few locals arrive on scooters and we each jump on the back of one and head off along dusty roads, blinking as the rain still falls down into our eyes. hiding in a little cafe we sip on some coffee before continuing to explore the island. we stroll around the streets, taking in the new smells, new faces and smiles. an old couple with wrinkled skin and milky eyes just watch us go by. you can tell they have seen many faces pacing by, and many changes through the years. flowers burst colour in between green shades of the many trees, hibiscus, frangipani and some other tropical flowers i have never seen before. an array of fruits hang from the trees, so different and exotic; small bananas, breadfruit, papaya, passion fruit and green mangoes. the houses we pass are so simple, some painted and others left bare. coral is used as bricks for some of the other older walls, a typical Maldivian home. in one part of the island is a dense forest of trees, walking through the dense foliage of palm trees and other tropical trees, its so damp and humid! it gets darker as we go deeper in, a mixture of a denser flora and the sun dipping into lower shades. soon we filter out of the forest and back into the village. smoke rises above roofs as locals get ready to make dinner and freckled chickens scuttle in between trees and bicycles. the atmosphere slows down at this time of day, only the children are still full of energy, running around in the streets. as we pass by them they stare up at us with huge dark eyes filled with curiosity and mystery. pointing and giggling at us, their innocent nature is reflected upon us. older boys play soccer on a sandy, dry field. people we meet are full of smiles and warm eyes. we walk along the beach to get the last glimpse of the sun. reflecting off glassy water the whole world is lit up in a light glow. a lonely man throws a line into the water hoping for one last catch. making our way back through the main street to the harbor, the evening prayer starts. it echoes across the twilight sky and gives the air a magical feel. back in the boat we go, just as the first few stars make an appearance.