Phuket - Sri Lanka - Maldives
After the exciting passage to Sri Lanka, on which we were lucky to miss a tropical storm for about 120 miles, we enjoyed a week in Galle. Rolf left the boat and Caroline joined to sail with me to the Maldives.
The authorities in Galle were a sheer disappointment: all of them were corrupt, the customs officer was even demanding the one bottle of wine I had declared on the form. The immigration officer was directly and in a very impertinent way asking for "compliments", which I kindly but clearly refused to give in any way. He finally did his job letting Caroline into the port area, but he did so very slowly and unwillingly.
I strongly advise all cruiser not to give in on demands for gifts from any officials. It spoils them for all other yachties to come in the future. My policy is to keep being friendly, always with a slight smile on the face, and refuse to give anything, mostly cigarettes or alcohol, telling them the truth, which is, that I don't carry such things with me on board.
So, we enjoyed at least the teo-day-tour in the highlands of Sri Lanka, to the tea plantations and to the city of Kandy where we visited an impressive Buddhist temple.
The 440 miles passage to the Maldives was apart from a quite fresh breeze on the beam for 36 hours uneventful. The marvellous anchorage in turquoise water and the very friendly officials in Uligan were very welcoming and let us forget quickly about the frustrating experiences with the authorities in Galle.
Nevertheless, the following days were partly spoiled by the reports, fear and doubts regarding the next passage and the related dangers that it might bring. More on that in the next log entry....
