We were loaded yesterday and it was quite impressive.  Then we were watched over by our new Ukrainian friend Nikita, a crewman on the BBC Everest who got us coffee and helped get us onto our launch in the bumpy seas.  We arrived at the Male" airport about 3pm having paid the "cheaper group rate" and there was no problem with immigration since we still had one more day of grace since our check-out."   After we were loaded there was a storm that delayed the next 3 boats but by late evening the last 3 had been loaded and everyone made it to the airport on time.  Our flight left at 11:55 pm and we arrived in Dubai at 3 am.  We’ll leave Dubai at 11:20 and arrive in Istanbul at about 3 pm.  We’ve arranged with our hotel for transport from the airport so that will be great.  So things are certainly looking up for us.  Now if things could only improve for the Sox.  Amazingly we saw 4 Sox hats at the Maldives airport all worn by Koreans!  Go Sox. 

  So that’s it

Ru