Remember when isolation had positive connotations? Back before COVID made it mandatory and we truncated it to three cold and sterile letters; ISO. Pre-2020 a period of isolation was something we sought out; a disconnect from work, an escape from the humdrum. My recent period of isolation all started with a phone call 4 weeks ago. "Surf Travels back! The Maldives are open and quarantine has dropped", it was Perfect Wave Travel founder Jamie Gray's voice booming with excitement on the other end. "We've got a boat, Southern Atolls, you want to come?" S#*t yeah I do!

If you want to add a little perspective to today's post, type Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll into Google Maps, put it in satellite mode and zoom out; it's a spec in the Indian Ocean;153 Islands, most of which are uninhabited, all surrounded by shallow lagoons, coral reefs and the warm blue equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. A perfect place to redefine isolation in favour of the positive. It's a little early in the true surf season for the Southern Atolls of the Maldives but exposure to three directions of swell and a skilled local surf guide meant we squeezed the life out of a sleepy Indian Ocean and scored the glassiest conditions imaginable. We're talking shoulder-to-head-high fun waves in crystal clean water with just us in the line up - it's hard to imagine a more comfortable place to surf.

Surf Trip July 2022 - Later in the year I'm heading back to the Maldives, this time onboard the Carpe Vita. While most trips on the Vita are 7 days, our trip extends to 10 days giving us access to the Central Atolls - more options, less people further afield from the main Male Atolls. As of today, there's only fives spaces left onboard that trip. If you're interested in joining us, get in touch with myself or Perfect Wave Travel for all the finer details.

Home - Looks like the water's turned a rather dull shade of golden brown back home. But i hear there's plenty of swell about and all that sand movement might have done the banks some good. Not sure I'm that keen on the dirty water but the waves sure do look fun!!

See you back home next week!
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Murray

Splendid Isolation

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