The route to Thinadhoo
The exit from our anchorage was easy and we headed north to exit the atoll for a clear passage south. There were a number of options to enter the next atoll and we held a course on the wind to keep them all open. It was fairly rough with a westerly wind creating a short period chop on top of the swell. We soon realised that the Counter Equatorial Current enhanced by the westerly winds was pushing us well east. We sailed most of the way with double reefed main and staysail, expecting the winds to increase but instead around midnight they died away we used the engine till 0600 when there was enough wind to sail again with full sail. During Sarah's watch from 0300 till 0600 there was torrential rain but Phil slept through it. We had accepted that we would not be able to use the nearest pass to Thinadhoo, as it was open to the west, but used one further north which was wide and deep.

We entered Thinadhoo not long after 1pm and had our anchor down before Jamala arrived.  Eternaut, a motor sailer with Hano and Rita onboard joined us a couple of days later.
This is Thinadhoo city and it is the administrative capital of the area, historically it has been very rebellious and a rich island. In 1959 the southern atolls rebelled and formed the United Suvadive Republic. Under orders from the then president of the Maldives the island was forcibly depopulated and of the population of about 6000 some 4000 were killed or died as a consequence. Their boats and buildings were destroyed by fire and assets seized. It was repopulated in the sixties. Like many of the Maldivian islands reclamation work is being carried out to increase its size and it appears to have a very active fishing fleet.
Inside the reef we are well sheltered from the west and it’s relatively shallow and seems to have good holding for the anchor. The intention is to wait here
until the strong winds ease off and the seas go down before making a passage to Gan which will be our departure point for the Seychelles.
There had been very little in the shops at Hirilandhoo and we hoped that Thinadhoo would be better as it was reported to have a number of supermarkets and a market but they are waiting for a supply ship. There are few vegetables in the shops and the market could sell us bananas, butternut squash, papaya and aubergine. We managed to get some carrots, red onions and spinach so we won’t starve. There are a good number of hardware stores here so it’s quite good for working on our boats.

Friendly market seller and Phil in a silly sunhat.
Phil has been doing some woodwork which he had started in Pangkor last year and changing some water pipes on the engine. Sarah has made some rain water catchment to augment our watermaker. She is also sewing a dress for herself and a shirt for Phil.

Jigsaw puzzle of reclaimed timber to repair floor and bulkhead.