Lohifushi Island Resort, Maldives October 2004

Organized by Neckermann Reisen AG, Austria
Duration: 14 days
Group size: 3
Type: Private Holidays

Map of Central Maldives

Map of Lohifushi

Photographs presented were taken with Samsung Digimax V4 digital camera, originally taken in 2272 x 1704 resolution and downsampled for the web site to 1280 x 960. Original photos are also available on a CD version. Most images were digitally adjusted for optimal color and contrast to compensate for exposure errors. Some images were shot in very poor light conditions, and as no tripod was available or used, they may be blurry.

Arriving to Lohifushi

Vienna airport in the evening, waiting for a plane to Male, Maldives	About 10 hours on the plane, and we are leaving Lauda Air B-767-300 that took us to Male via Colombo, Sri Lanka, just before midday next day.		Next is a half-hour speed- boat trip to the Lohifushi island...	... and here we are.

First impressions of the beach in the afternoon, with fine white sand and a shallow coral lagoon with dug-in holes for swimming			Our bungalow #238, a home for the next two weeks

Bungalow from the inside

First Impressions

The first vacation day started cloudy, and quickly turned to justify the rainy season.		By lunchtime the rain subsided, and we were getting acquainted with Lohifushi on our way to lunch		Among other things, we discovered large bats...

The weather next morning turned out to be much better, and we could start to enjoy our beach...

Bungalows viewed from the beach			Although some heavy clouds have threatened with rain in the afternoon...

...it only ended with light- and-shadow effects...	...and a beautiful rainbow...		...or two...

First Sunset Fishing Trip

This evening we are going sunset spot fishing by these two dhonies.		Fishing lines and bates are ready	Even though the first fishing trip only resulted in one hastily released moray fish on the score sheet, it was a pleasant evening with a nice sunset.

Enjoying days on Lohifushi

Another day is starting with a memorable sunrise...		...and a coconut treat	In the afternoon, we were snorkeling at the end of jetty, on the reef...

...and spotted dolphins passing by	Westside beach from the jetty	Jetty in the evening light	One of the surfing spots	A spectacular sunset

Waking up to a peaceful morning...

...

A banana plantage behind the bungalows			Scenery by the beach bar

The "undholi", a traditional Maldivian swing	A view on the pass by the jetty		Snorkeling entrance with a safety rope	And another sunset while snacking in the Sunset restaurant

Snorkeling trip

The sixth day started with kicking back on the beach...	...and in the afternoon we went on a snorkeling trip, taking us by boat to the two of the best snorkeling points on the local coral reef			Passing neighboring islands

Back on the boat, still dripping water	On the way back, we were joined by playful dolphins

Returning to the Lohifushi harbor in the late afternoon...

...just in time for an afternoon snack...	... and one more sunset photo session...

...

Fish at the Beach Lagoon

Collected here are a few photographs taken by carrying the camera while walking in shallow lagoon waters, or simply taken from the water edge. While there is a lot of interesting fish to see this way, it doesn't begin to compare with what one can see by going snorkeling on the coral reef. Unfortunately, my camera is not capable of underwater photography, and I could only enjoy watching all the breathtaking reef fish we have encountered, including black tip sharks, various colorful parrot fish, surgeon fish, study a few intimidating looking moray fish under their rocks, watch graceful stingrays, swarms of unicorn fish, and many others... We even had an unique chance of swimming with and holding on to a 1m large sea turtle.
Still, these photos can give you a basic impression on how fish and sea are like in the Maldives.

A baby black-tip reef shark ("sharky") in shallow waters, there were a few to be seen every day		A small moray fish		Local crabs

Another regular visitor to our piece of beach, possibly a small titan triggerfish.		A beautiful and colorful picasso triggerfish, very common, very territorial, and acting as police of small lagoon corals

Small corals in the shallow lagoon are a gathering place and home to many colorful fish

A colony of Hambug Damselfish	Blowfish, paying us a visit		Small butterfly fish in its element

There are lots of other fish, smaller and larger, in the shallow waters, virtually unafraid of people

Butterfly fish		A small stingray visiting our beach	A crab party

Sunrise Fishing

We are going sunrise fishing, at 5:30 AM on a Friday morning, to a great delight of our crew...		Dragging a fishing line behind, hoping for a tuna or jackfish	Not much action though, with half-comatosed crew in the background...	Returning to Lohi for a breakfast, after two-hours panoramic drive along the Male atoll. Fish were safe that morning.

More Beach Time

Returning from early morning fishing, back to the beach...		Seaplanes, common to be seen flying between Maldives islands

Local flora...	...and fauna	It's a coconut picking day today...	...and blinking eyes gets a girl a fresh coconut	Coconut pealing demonstration

Bungalows are regularly cleaned, towels replaced	Walking through the south, "industrial" part of Lohifushi

Some posing going on while on a roundtrip around the island

...		Banana plantage		Papaya plants

Papaya fruit, not yet ripe	A back road to the bungalows	Back at the bungalows		Air-conditioning device, our best friend

A bit of sugar- coated advertising	The staff is playing cricket and volleyball in the afternoon on a Muslim holiday day of Friday		A tranquil evening

Fresh supplies arriving for hungry guest	Three important Lohifushi locations: Beach bar...	...Hiyala bar...	...and, snack time, Sunset bar...

For some reason, I just keep on photographing sunsets...

The next morning a few more photos of our beach and bungalows, this time from a sea side, with a very low tide. After lunch, we are visiting Male, the capital city of the Maldives.				The Hole

A visit to Male

Two speed boats are waiting to take us to Male			A few snapshots by sticking the camera out of the speeding boat's window...

Arriving to Male		Maldives parliament	The Islamic Centre, the main Male mosk	A dress code applies for entering the mosk...

The Islamic Centre minaret	Sultan Park and the Museum of Maldives. Nice, small park - lots of green, lots of mosquitoes.

Schoolgirls in Male going home after school	Presidential Palace	The oldest mosk in Male. For men only.	Busy Male streets on the way to fish market

Fish market. Tuna, barracuda, swordfish, whatever you like, in big piles on the floor.				Fruit market.

Even back alleys in Male are busy...		Maldivian naval forces		The Republic Square park by the harbor

These pigeons know where the shadow is	Sitting around, watching the street, waiting for a boat back to Lohi

Surfing on Lohifushi

Lohifushi is well known for its surfing waves	Surf Bar on Lohi	Surfers in action...

More surfers in action...		Waiting for the right wave

Second Sunset Fishing

Going spot fishing at the sunset for a second time	Enjoying the last sun rays	Another beautiful sunset as we arrive to the fishing spot, and fish are waiting.

The best fisherwoman out of us three, a red snapper on the hook	The catch of the night. Note the bit off fish on the left, attacked by a big barracuda while being pulled up.

Wrapping it up

It's our last full day on Lohi, time to take a few last photographs		Our three beach chairs	Banyan restaurant, the place of soup chefs...	Reading corner by the souvenir shops

Sunset bar and restaurant		The last sunset on our beach		The last dinner, flowers marking our departure

The next morning, we are leaving. The last few shots from the bungalow porch while packing the last few details. Luggage will be picked up within an hour.

Going Home

Returning the key and checking out	A dhoni waiting for us to take use to the airport	Last fish by the jetty	Leaving Lohifushi...

Last glimpses on the familiar beach...	...and the island on the other side...	...and off we go.

Crystal clear waters, with clearly visible bottom when surface is calm, and large swarms of fish passing by.		Getting closer and closer to Male. The airport is on an island of its own, on our left.

Passing scenery	Returning from tuna fishing...	A speed boat passing. Emphasis on "speed"...	The airport must be near now...

The last view on Male while turning to the airport	Male Intl. Airport harbor	Waiting for a plane is sooo boring...	India's Airbus A320. Not our plane, but there was nothing better to do...

Our B-767 arriving from Colombo, Sri Lanka	Boarding the plane some 45 minutes later	On 34.000 ft somewhere over Iran, going home.