Cruising involves motion! (Irene)

We have had a wonderful time in Asia. The Malaysians are the friendliest people we have met, and we enjoyed our stay here, even though there is hardly enough wind to sail. We enjoyed our trips abroad, China was interesting, but we especially enjoyed our 14 days hiking in the Himalayas in Nepal!
But, cruising involves motion and we are getting itchy to go again....
We're leaving Saturday or Sunday (17 or 18 January) and will go for 1642 miles to the Maldives, where we will explore the atolls and the surrounding waters for 3 weeks or so. After that, we'll stay for 3 months in Chagos, where we will not be able to find anything but fish and coconuts, because nobody lives there, so no shopping :-)
Then on to Mayotte, Comoros, Madagascar and Mozambique. We will arrive in South Africa in October/November. We look forward to Richards Bay: we have read you can find crocodiles and hippos in the marina there! South Africa, here we come!!