The following report is provided courtesy of Robert Ricke and
Maria Hults. Recently returned from a trip to the Maldives, and a
cruise aboard the M/V Manthiri, Bob & Maria are full-time professional
photographers, and highly experienced world-travelers.
=====
From: "Robert Ricke"
To: "Kenneth Knezick"
Subject: M/V MANTHIRI -- Maldives Review
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:34:30 -0500
Ken: Please excuse the tardiness of this reply but I'm busy as
always. We recently dove again with the Manthiri. By request
Manik was our divemaster, and did his usual outstanding job of
divemastering. Everyone had an excellent trip and speak of it
still. The currents were up, but not as strong as the last time
we were there - or we're becoming accustomed to them. I think not
though, Manik said we were a bit early for the large full moon
tides.
Her recent refit has given the Manthiri a large and gracious air
conditioned salon. Half of this salon is organized with couches
into cozy islands where small groups of passengers may gather to
visit, or seek privacy in their book. The other half of this
comfortable salon serves as the dining room with two large round
tables giving everyone plenty of elbowroom. Other on-board
amenities include an unlimited supply of towels with no
"inside/outside" restrictions, and en suite flush
toilets American style.
The food was superb and lavish with a European/American/Indian
flair. There is a meat and a fish course at every meal. Even our
fussy eaters, "I don't like hot food!" fared well. The
bunks were comfortable and our older, larger divers slept
comfortably.
No report about this fine dive boat would be complete without
mentioning the exceptional crew that acts as your host, food
service, cabin maintenance, and dive crew. Working in exceptional
harmony this crew of eleven will have learned all your habits by
the second day. On the dive dhony (boat) the dive crew will have
your gear set-up and waiting when you arrive, your backpack
positioned just as you like it.
If you are a photographer, by your third dive they will know how
you enter the water and how you come up looking for your camera -
it will be right in that same place for your hand every dive.
Want to take your tank off in the water? "No problem, glad
to help!" In short, they work together with a harmony and
pleasure of the job that reflects itself in your comfort on the
dive dhony, at meals, or in your cabin.
Sharks, a White marlin in the middle of a dive, a hammerhead
close enough to touch, and the excitement of being whooshed down
current among schools of fish maintained its level of excitement
for the whole ten days. An older couple wants to come back next
year -- and I thought they might be our worst travelers and
divers.
The Manthiri now has E6. I know, I helped put the act together.
Manik bought a great Jobo developer and we spent the ten days
showing the fellows how to use it. While in Singapore I stopped
in to his supplier and ordered up some Kodak chemistry which I
think will make the operation even better, but it is a fine E6
processor and now the guys know how to use it.
Based on all this, we are looking to do another trip on the
Manthiri. Now I must get back to work - but will look forward to
seeing you at Beneath the Sea...
Best regards,
Bob, for Maria & Bob
PS. One night, much to our pleasure and surprise, we were taken
to the island for dinner. The island in this case did not require
the credit cards everyone ran to their cabin to get, the island
was a spit of sand barely above the tide line, its 150 feet lit
with a line of sand candles the crew had put out for the
occasion. We were all astounded that they would have spent their
afternoon creating such an elaborate evening for us. But that
glowing line of sand candles was merely the beginning.
On this thin sand shingle, halfway around the world, in the
middle of the Indian Ocean, the crew of the Manthiri had dug a
sit-down table out of the sand, covered it with a tablecloth, and
had a multiple course dinner of meat, fish, pasta, and desert,
including wine, hot and ready to be served. As the sand-candles
found their end, sputtered, and went out they were replaced by
stars, too many to count, and the Southern Cross high in the sky
pointing to a Milky Way.
It was an evening we shall carry with us to many places, many
conversations, and shall remember warmly forever.
Or view these Arhictectural Diagrams of the M/V Madivaru 7
For a selection of additional photographs see the new Maldives Photo Portfolio
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