[password] brucelaura
[Position] 4 18.45N 073 33.83E
[Status] We are three weeks into our sojourn through the Maldives. The good
news is that we are enjoying the sailing, swimming, schools of reef fish,
daily dolphin sitings, and the occasional Manta Ray. The bad news is that
this world renowned reef system is 90% dead from coral bleaching. We wonder
how long before the fish disappear too. Heartbreaking. This country's
economy depends on very high end tourism and the attraction is the diving.
The Maldives is a 100% Muslin country which means no bacon and no booze!
Anywhere! We've been living in Muslim countries for the past 2 years and
typically the Chinese merchants sell non-halal products. But not here. So
our beer stash has dwindled to about half a case and we won't have an
opportunity to get more until the end of May when we get to Mauritious!
Fortunately, Bruce stocked up on rum in Langkawi (it was $10 a bottle for
the good stuff so we have a supply of good, Caribbean dark rum). I am
experimenting with my first batch of ginger beer! Hopefully the only part
of our adventures that will be 'dark and stormy' will be happy hour!

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