Creating Maldivian memories

WE WERE out on a speedboat in the South Ari Atoll in the Maldives, bobbing on the water after a bumpy 45-minute ride. It had rained on our way here, and it looked like the chances of spotting whale sharks — what we were suffering sea sickness for — would be slim. 

But the skies suddenly cleared, and our captain spotted a dark shadow under the water. Our guide, marine biologist Nathalia Samper, called out excitedly: “Everyone, get ready to jump into the water.”  

We plunged into the warm waters. It had been over two years since we snorkelled, and seeing marine life up close was welcoming.