Day Six; A usual day in Kandooma






 

Maldivian waters are alluring, they enchant you, captivate you, bind you in a spell and you sit there for hours simply looking at them!

Kandooma is a beautifully cultivated island with its swinging palms, winding trees, swishing ferns, pearly beach and well preserved marine life! Curious geckos, shy hermit crabs, cunning seagulls are your constant companions whether you are relaxing next to your room or enjoying a leisurely stroll!



Our sixth day starts with a hazy morning which turns into bright afternoon. Apart from our first two days that’s how weather is here; sun playing hide and seek amidst clouds. Whether day is hot or humid, early mornings and evenings are pleasant.

It is a relaxing day. After a hearty breakfast kids and Aleem goes to sports center to book some activities while I am sitting beside the pool, enjoying my latte. We realized that not many days are left if we want to experience water sports. These days sea is choppy. ‘Choppy’ is an interesting term I learnt couple of days ago. It describes that sea is rough. Some of the activities we booked including sunset cruise got canceled because of rough waters. However, we have booked the next one for Friday and fun part is that we will be accompanied by Siddiquis. It was pleasure meeting them the other day. We bond instantly specially our girls. So, we are eagerly looking forward to our next meet up.

Kids are spending the afternoon swimming. They are getting apt at snorkeling. Fatima and has spotted few stingrays in shallow and rest of the crew follow her. A memorable experience to swim by them, rejuvenating and little threatening at the same time, fearing that they might sting. We have no knowledge whether they sting or not but when name clearly indicates then better avoid the risk.


 


While planning our trip to Maldives, we knew that we would have limited food options. There are only two restaurants working because of COVID. One serves a la carte while other offers a buffet. Breakfast is included in the package, a buffet offering decent choice of dishes from various cuisines. There’s a bar as well which offers a selection of teas, coffees, and gelatos. However, there is no place to get some crisps or candies. So, we stashed some boxes of Pringles, Lays, cookies, candies, and chocolates. So far Cocomo and Pringles are on the hitlist of everybody.

While browsing snacking isle at Al Fateh, I spotted packs of cooked food. Though it was not part of our plan to carry cooked food along but when we saw the opportunity, we thought better to avail it! We hoarded some packs of chicken handi, malai boti, chicken qeema, Haleem and biryani. These cooked items were vacuum packed and to reheat we need to put them in boiling water for couple of minutes.

Now when kids feel hunger pangs after swimming, they would call room service to order garlic naans and some dinner plates while putting a pack of one of the curries in the cattle. Sometimes they would order French fries or egg fried rice. Enjoying ice cream in happy hour has also become a ritual. Aaminah has set an alarm in case she might miss it. It has been week now and our dinner menu is also set. Everyone has chosen two or three favorites from menu and religiously repeat them.

Nights are as calm as the sea at that hour. We leisurely stroll on the deck, trying our best to spot a shark or sting ray, while kids try to recover the required dose of screen time they miss during the day. And that is how our nights and days are going by amidst Kandooma 


The fact that I love about this life is that it gives us endless chances to grow. Every moment is a new moment and every day is another day. What you really need is, a believing heart, a determined mind, a smiling face and a hot cup of tea :)

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