Almost two weeks in now and everyday is still an adventure, everyday I set out with a few missions to complete and a couple corners of the island to uncover. Friday Jess joined me on one of our most important and successful missions to date in the Maldives. Buy, Borrow or Steal bicycles. After 10 days of unsuccessfully trying to round up a pair of bikes we were getting desperate. Used bike stores are scarce on the island and whatever is available is quite decrepit and being sold at a resale price not fit for even Canada. I guess the holding value on a bike is a lot better here than back home.

We put the word out into the pilot community that we were interested in obtaining a set of his and hers, but to no avail. Everyone was in the same boat and whoever had one was holding on to it. There was rumor of an abandoned bike floating around though, an orphaned bike that was locked up in the garage of one of the pilot buildings. “Oh yeah its in Faduu but is locked up and the garage attendant won’t let you get away with it, besides you’ll have to find someone to cut the lock, they’ll think you’re stealing it.”

Well that’s exactly what we were doing but the story goes that it belonged to a westerner female pilot, so we sent Jess in there pretending it was hers, it had been six months the Maldivian guard wasn't going to know the difference. The garage attendant was very receptive and was glad that someone had finally come back for the bike. After boosting it from lock-up we conspicuously carried it from repair shop to repair shop asking if anyone could cut the lock off. It wasn’t long until we were pedaling the adopted bicycle to its new home, promising it that when we did leave we will pass it on and never leave it unused locked up in a garage again.

The second bike we acquired shortly thereafter was from a new bike shop. Her name is Hercules. The most coveted bike on the island. White walled tires, that went well with the rest of the bike straight out of the 50’s but in amazing shape. I had been eyeing these bikes up all over town and was determined to make one my own. After asking the shop owner for info on tracking one down he said he had one in his possession that was being repaired, but the guy had not come back to pay for it. I was promised that if I came back in two days time and the bike was still not claimed that it would be mine for small fee. Returning I was in luck the bike was still there and the transaction was made.

Navigating the bikes home in the incessant scooter traffic is a feat in itself. No need for mountain biking when a ride to the local coffee shop is as adrenaline full as any Rocky Mountain Downhill.

I don’t know what I am thinking but I had an interview for work already. Yesterday I met with the Red Cross delegate for waste management, a faction of the Tsunami Relief effort in the Maldives. A friend who also works with the Red Cross said they were looking for a project manager to oversee the clean up waste from the tsunami and construction of waste management stations on local islands. After informing her of my construction background she was excited to have me come in and meet with her associates. After meeting with them I was informed that if chosen I would get to visit islands that few other foreigners get to explore. At that, I was sold. Fly and boat to local islands eat and sleep as they do and oversee a large relief effort that is headed up by the Red Cross, what experience that would be. So now I sit and wait to hear back hoping I will be chosen for the position that would last until March.

Finally I have ventured into the local surf, it’s actually not as intimidating as originally suspected. Even though there are giant tetra pods littering the shoreline the access is quite easy and the coral is flat without any large coral heads sticking up. Spending 3 hours a day for the last few in the water I have caught quite a few waves and the new board purchase is definitely worth it. Today I think I need to take a day off to let my rash under my arms recover, caused by wearing a T-shirt out the first day. I am also nursing swollen ribs from paddling, both bottom ribs are swollen up with fluid and are quite sore. Haven’t been kiting yet but may try to get out to Kuredu a resort island with Jess this weekend and throw the kite in the air.

Jess has been flying everyday short hops, long hauls, photo flights, and tourist picnics. So many take offs and landings must be very skill building taking into account ocean winds, ocean swell, and overloaded planes. I’ll get her to sit down long enough to submit to the blog, I am sure she will be able to throw down some more exciting stories than buying bikes!

Hope everyone is keeping warm, I heard it snowed! Have fun.

Scott