3 March Nolhivaranfu

06 41 79N 073 06 77E, 6m sand

We enjoyed a fast sail south to join up with the rally at the island of Nolhivaranfu. Getting in to the anchorage was our first experience of negotiating a bommie strewn pass. The entrance to the boat passage is marked at the southern end with two slim posts. Thereafter it was head towards the jetty with a look out on the bow to guide around suspect low patches. The water is so clear you can assume it is shallower than it really is. We entered with our 2.1m draft without problem – the least depth seen was 4m – and anchored in a big bowl of sand with 9 other rally boats.

Late in the afternoon all crews were invited ashore by the island council for a welcome ceremony and a coconut (drink). Many mothers and their young children decked in best party clothes formed a welcoming line and offered each of us a flower garland before the music and dancing. There was an escorted tour of the village and we were done.

During the night there was a major storm. No yachts dragged but the rally 'Mother Boat' which will be travelling with us from stop to stop with the leader Ahmed Hanyff and the crew did. Mother Boat, or boat-without-a-name, is a traditional wooden boat which used to take guests on charters. It's heavy and they have one simple rebar anchor so it dragged and help was summoned from the local fisherman to secure it with more lines.