Mostly sunny and hot day again in Male.
LAST EVENING
Shrimp spring rolls was a new appetizer. Loved it!
My beef bourguignon was tough. I also had asked to try the fresh pan fried sea bream which was very good so I sent the beef back and ordered the fish entree.
Sea bream was very nice.
Loved the Cline Old Vine Zinfandel. It was actually on tomorrow's menu but Murphy brought me a bottle.
Pumpkin pie was not that good.
Isabel was fantastic.
TODAY
After an early treadmill time I changed and took the ship's tender to downtown Male. This is where the tender dock is.
These are fast boats that take people and things to the other islands.
I'm walking down along the water heading to the fruit & vegetable market, and next to it, the fish market.
Lots of coconuts and bananas coming from the other islands.
The market was full of people shopping so I put my mask on and did not walk and down all the all alleys.
The fish market was just next door. It was not as crowded but some loud talking like an auction.
Looking across the Republic Square at the Maldives flag in front of the Police Headquarters.
The Islamic Center and mosque was built in 1984. It is 3 stories with a gold dome on the top. The minaret on the left side is 142 feet high. It is also houses the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, a library, and conference hall.
This is the National Library, National Art Gallery, and Chinese Center
Victory Monument dedicated to the martyrs who shed their blood to protect the civilians of the Maldives during the November 3, 1988, terrorist attack.
The above three photos are of the Male Friday Mosque complex.
A school but this is Saturday.
The King Salman Mosque is the largest mosque here which can hold 10,000 worshipers on 6 floors. It is flanked by five minarets representing the 5 pillars of Islam. It lacks the traditional dome but the dome-like structure is designed to represent a Bedouin tent. Construction began in 2018 and opening in 2021 was delayed. The official opening is yet to be announced but it is open for prayers.
The President's Office
Police service building.
I was in town for an hour this morning. That was about all I could take as it was incredibly hot (88 degrees) and humid. My clothes were sweat wet by the time I got back on board. Most all the stores were closed on Saturday. The Maldives people are Muslims and they are celebrating the Islamic month long Ramadan. It runs from March 22 to April 20. It is a month of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and devotion to Allah. Fasting during Ramadan is an important act of worship that teaches them self-discipline, spiritual awareness, and sympathy.
Once back on the ship I stopped at the Coffee Connection and asked Rommel to make me a big Arnold Palmer (tea with some lemonade) to take back to the suite. I was so hot and thirsty. I started the uploading of the photos I had taken today. With the ship's internet it took 2 hours.
For lunch in Compass Rose I had the "penne alla vodka". It had smoked salmon and a creamy tomato sauce. Joseph told the chef I was not having an appetizer so they made a large portion. I did not eat it all but it was very good.
After lunch I finished this post and Rebecca is doing her nails. We are sailing again at 2:30 this afternoon and heading across the Laccadive Sea up to India. Tomorrow is a day at sea.
Tonight's menu in Compass Rose. We did not care for it, so yesterday we made a reservation for 6:30 this evening in Prime 7. Of course, cocktail hour in the suite first and I ordered some pigs in a blanket as our canapes.
Tonight's show is featuring Susana, a virtuoso violinist. She looks to be very cute in her photo. We're not big on violinists but just might go. Tonight we set our clocks a half hour ahead so will lose 30 minutes of sleep tonight. That will put us on India time.
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