Vaadhoo Hukuru Miski

One of the oldest places in Maldives, this is the "Hukuru Miski" (Friday Mosque) of Gaafu Dhaalu Vaadhoo - place of the famous "Vaadhoo Dhanna Kaleygefaanu" - Mohamed Jamaaluddin Mahulee - and the mosque and cemetery with his burial place.

It is not the most accessible island in the Maldives, even today. After a 35 minute flight from Male' to Gaafu Dhaalu Kaadehdoo, you have to first visit the island of Thinadhoo (the capital of the Atoll). Once there, you have to catch a local ferry, that takes almost five hours to go to Vaadhoo. But once you visit the island, it is almost impossible to leave without at least hearing once about the famous man.

It is said that he studied abroad, but later returned to Maldives after the national hero Mohamed Thakurufaanu Al Auzam liberated the Maldives from the Portuguese rule.

Mohamed Thakurufaanu wanted him to take the position of Cheif Judge, however he refused and went to Vaadhoo island where he became a teacher. He was teaching in the Hukuru Miski, and people from both Maldives and abroad came for education. Among his pupils include "Addu Bodu Fandiyaaru Thkurufaanu" and "Aboobakuru Fandiyaaru Thakurufaanu".


The island itself is huge, with lots of space and fertile soil. For some reason, the island community seems to have moved from one area to another (a conclusion driven due to the fact that there are areas ruined now due to people abandoning them.)


In any case the island is filled with plants and vegitation. Brinjals, cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbages, sweet potatoes, chillies are some of the products grown here. Everyone you meet seem to have two jobs - a day job at an office or shop, and one on their own 'farm'.

Apart from the Friday Mosque, there is also another very old cemetery in the island. This is in an area that is currently not inhabited, and the cemetery is almost covered by vegetation. 





Source: Haveeru: http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/history/122735

Life Photography

I have always had a keen interest in science and life. Many times I have wondered about how small insects and animals feed, where they sleep, what they do and think. It was this curiosity that led me to take again and again, photos of insects, animals and birds.


This photo, which was taken in Laamu Atoll, Maldives is on an insect which was really small. I had to chase this guy all over the small garden, in the house where I was staying. I got hold of him while he was eating an ant! I wonder what the name of this one is? If anyone knows, do let me know.



This is a more recent photo from Addu, Maldives taken while these birds were feeding each other in a mango tree. This is the white tern, also known locally as "Dhon Dheeni" - literally meaning 'fair bird'. In the Maldives, this particular species of bird is very exclusive to Addu Atoll - and is sort of an identity for the atoll. Now a days its reported that some people do bring these birds to some others areas of Maldives, but are not as abundant as in Addu.

A hermit crab from Vaavu Keyodhoo, Maldives, running ashore as the sun was setting (notice the yellow reflected light in the beach?). These guys are sometimes really difficult to shoot, especially from up close. Whenever you approach them, they start running all over the place. I had to keep my camera on a tripod, get my zoom lens and shoot this guy from a distance.

I believe this to be a type of a cricket, which I found in Gaafu Dhaalu Vaadhoo. These guys are really tiny, and they keep jumping at the fist sign of any intrusion. I was very determined to take a photo of one - I remember myself lying down on the grass, pointing my camera and adjusting my focus, only to realize this guy has already jumped to his next grass blade. I spend about two hours, just to get this shot. Was definitely worth the effort!


While I was shooting a sunset in Vaavu Keyodhoo (see above hermit crab also from same location) I had a curious visitor. It was a heron; locally known as a "maakanaa". The lights at the time wasn't ideal for shooting a detail shot of the bird; which is why I went for a silhouette. I especially like the shimmering effect that the water seems to have at this time.


And lastly an ordinary house fly from Laamu Atoll. This guy just landed on a leave in the garden while I was taking the picture at the top (the insect eating the ant). The colors in this composition is what I like most here.







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At Vaavu Keyodhoo

January 2009: My close buddy and myself went to Vaavu Keyodhoo to take some photos. This was way back when I just started taking photos.

We went there on a Dhoni which took some time. On the way I took some photos. Here is one which really touched me. I really don't know what this man was thinking - but I like to think that he was looking forward to something.


Since I have always liked taking close up photos, I tend to take photos of flowers. Here's one that I believe is appropriately named - the Passion Fruit flower



But sometimes even death and withering can have its beauty. This one I found on the ground (it was a bit rainy at that time) and somehow this grabbed my attention.


Nature is wonderful ... its full of small wonders ... and the closer you look, the more wonders you see. These small spring like things are the newly forming vines of the passion fruit tree (from which I took the flower earlier). I especially like the background colours of this image.







Below are some more interesting shots from the same trip. Enjoy and let me know what you think of them.