The story of the trip, in order. Video clips are re-encoded for easy playback (1080p, H.264) rather than the original camera files, which run several times larger. 6 on-the-move stretches that used to appear as several separate cards - like the Ella train ride on 23 August and the drive on 24 August - are now shown as one event each. See README.txt alongside this page for what everything is.
1 · Dharavandhoo and Hanifaru
2026-08-08 · Male - the harbour and the fish market
On the movemeasured09:44-09:441 item
arrival in the Maldives - the atoll from the aircraft window09:44
Male harbourmixed10:52-10:521 item
Male: the flight in, the airport ferry, the Sinamale bridge, the Islamic Centre and Artificial Beach10:52
The Male fish marketmeasured12:01-12:052 items
Male fish market - the family in it, the banana stall, the peppers, the tuna floor and the man filleting12:01
Male fish market - the family in it, the banana stall, the peppers, the tuna floor and the man filleting12:05
On the movemeasured14:57-14:571 item
the hop to Baa: boarding the Maldivian Dash-8, the manta and whale-shark murals, and the Dharavandhoo sign14:57
2026-08-09 · Hanifaru Bay and the whale shark
Dharavandhoo harbour, earlymeasured07:59-07:591 item
Hanifaru day, topside: the harbour, Corinne on the dhoni, the dive deck kitting up, and the flagged spotter boat with a man on the roof looking for mantas07:59
On the movemeasuredmerged08:24-08:302 items
▶0:29Hanifaru Bay08:24
Hanifaru day, topside: the harbour, Corinne on the dhoni, the dive deck kitting up, and the flagged spotter boat with a man on the roof looking for mantas08:30
Hanifaru Bay - the manta cyclonemixed10:01-10:5911 items
manta head-on, mouth wide, filling the frame - the best animal frames of the trip10:01
manta head-on, mouth wide, filling the frame - the best animal frames of the trip10:01
▶0:30Hanifaru Bay10:10
▶0:08Hanifaru Bay10:14
▶0:12Hanifaru Bay10:21
Hanifaru: mantas in the bait cloud, the family in the water, and the close passes10:24
manta mouth wide at arm's length, cephalic fins curled - the frame the whole day was for10:26
▶0:04Hanifaru Bay10:26
▶0:22Hanifaru Bay10:26
Hanifaru day, topside: the harbour, Corinne on the dhoni, the dive deck kitting up, and the flagged spotter boat with a man on the roof looking for mantas10:29
Coco at the surface in her pink fins, Hanifaru10:59
The breakwater at Dharavandhoomeasured15:49-15:552 items
the island afternoon: Corinne finding hermit crabs, Cassandra on the breakwater, the lagoon, and one frame each of the family15:49
the island afternoon: Corinne finding hermit crabs, Cassandra on the breakwater, the lagoon, and one frame each of the family15:55
2026-08-10 · Aboard the Carpe Vita
Dharavandhoo in the rainmeasured10:58-10:581 item
moving aboard the Carpe Vita: the wet island jetty with the supply trucks, the storm front over the harbour, the transfer boat, arriving alongside, the salon, Corinne in the cabin and Paul with her on deck10:58
2 · Carpe Vita
2026-08-10 · Aboard the Carpe Vita
Aboard, the first afternoonmeasured12:55-13:223 items
moving aboard the Carpe Vita: the wet island jetty with the supply trucks, the storm front over the harbour, the transfer boat, arriving alongside, the salon, Corinne in the cabin and Paul with her on deck12:55
moving aboard the Carpe Vita: the wet island jetty with the supply trucks, the storm front over the harbour, the transfer boat, arriving alongside, the salon, Corinne in the cabin and Paul with her on deck13:00
moving aboard the Carpe Vita: the wet island jetty with the supply trucks, the storm front over the harbour, the transfer boat, arriving alongside, the salon, Corinne in the cabin and Paul with her on deck13:22
2026-08-11 · Coco's first scuba day
The house reef, first diveapproximated07:40-07:472 items
first scuba day: Coco in her pink fins, the anemone colony, and the reef life07:40
first scuba day: Coco in her pink fins, the anemone colony, and the reef life07:47
Coco's first scuba diveapproximated11:32-11:321 item
turtles, the reef wall and Coco diving; plus the only topside frames of the day on the dhoni11:32
The afternoon diveapproximated16:02-16:112 items
▶0:43Coco's first scuba day16:02
▶1:20Coco's first scuba day16:11
2026-08-12 · Hanifaru again
On the movemeasuredmerged06:37-06:442 items
liveaboard life on the Carpe Vita: the Dhigali Haa briefing board, the dive deck, the boat itself, the crew on the dhoni bow, a squall over an island, the guide briefing, the dive-site log, and the dhoni at blue hour06:37
liveaboard life on the Carpe Vita: the Dhigali Haa briefing board, the dive deck, the boat itself, the crew on the dhoni bow, a squall over an island, the guide briefing, the dive-site log, and the dhoni at blue hour06:44
Dhigali Haa, topsidemeasured08:38-08:381 item
liveaboard life on the Carpe Vita: the Dhigali Haa briefing board, the dive deck, the boat itself, the crew on the dhoni bow, a squall over an island, the guide briefing, the dive-site log, and the dhoni at blue hour08:38
On the moveapproximatedmerged16:43-18:292 items
▶0:27The reef16:43
▶0:11Moving aboard the Carpe Vita18:29
2026-08-13 · Mantas on the thila
2026-08-14 · The sandbank BBQ
Mahibadhoo Rockapproximated11:48-11:542 items
reef sharks in the blue, then the good fish work: sweetlips, butterflyfish, scorpionfish, snapper school - plus Paul's own diver portraits11:48
▶0:32The reef11:54
Kudarah Thilaapproximated16:04-16:082 items
▶0:19The reef16:04
▶0:38The reef16:08
Kudarah Thila, topsidemeasured17:54-17:541 item
the day: a palm island close up, the dive group posed on the dhoni with the Carpe Vita behind, Paul and Corinne on the sandbank, and the Carpe Vita whale shark drawn in the sand17:54
On the movemeasured20:29-20:291 item
the sandbank evening: the VISITDHIGURAH sign and the BBQ, figures walking the sandbar at dusk, the group around the sand art, and the night boat20:29
2026-08-15 · South Ari to South Male
On the movemeasured12:16-12:161 item
▶0:14The sandbank BBQ12:16
Kandooma Thilamixed14:04-14:041 item
▶0:24The reef14:04
2026-08-16 · The last dives
Kuda Kandumixed08:14-08:141 item
last dive day and the run back to Male: a diver about to giant-stride in, the old cargo boat Niyaama, the Male skyline and bridge from the sea, a crew member on the bow, and sunset over the anchorage08:14
Hulhumale Reefmixed11:47-11:471 item
▶0:06The reef11:47
2026-08-17 · Off the boat, into Saii Lagoon
On the movemeasuredmerged08:01-08:082 items
▶0:04Moving aboard the Carpe Vita08:01
leaving the liveaboard for Saii Lagoon: the seaplane, the outboards, the three of them on the sandbar, the lagoon channel and the villa row08:08
3 · Maldives on land
2026-08-17 · Off the boat, into Saii Lagoon
The first day at Saiimeasured11:07-18:286 items
leaving the liveaboard for Saii Lagoon: the seaplane, the outboards, the three of them on the sandbar, the lagoon channel and the villa row11:07
the I-heart-SAii swing in the lagoon, the overwater villas, the jetty panorama and the infinity pool12:45
the I-heart-SAii swing in the lagoon, the overwater villas, the jetty panorama and the infinity pool15:11
▶0:36Saii Lagoon17:56
the evening: Paul and Cassandra at sunset, Corinne with a cocktail, and the Boduberu drummers with the fire torch in front of the villas17:57
sunset on the beach - the sky over the lagoon, Corinne laughing with her arms out, the champagne glass, and the swing silhouetted at dusk18:28
2026-08-18 · Saii Lagoon
2026-08-19 · Male to Colombo
The swing in the lagoonmeasured08:32-13:012 items
▶0:12Saii Lagoon08:32
last resort day: Cassandra on the lagoon swing, the mosaic pool, a rhinoceros beetle on the path, and a baby reef shark in the shallows13:01
4 · Sri Lanka on wheels
2026-08-20 · Colombo, then down to Galle
Beira Lake, earlymeasured06:43-10:202 items
Colombo morning: the dawn panorama, the tuk-tuk ride, the Kovil, and the driver who took them06:43
Colombo and the road to Galle - the headline frames: the family in the tuk-tuk, Seema Malaka on the lake, and all four at the Galle sunset10:20
The Hindu temple, Colombomeasured10:25-10:251 item
Colombo morning: the dawn panorama, the tuk-tuk ride, the Kovil, and the driver who took them10:25
The Galle lighthouse at duskmeasured18:13-18:302 items
Colombo and the road to Galle - the headline frames: the family in the tuk-tuk, Seema Malaka on the lake, and all four at the Galle sunset18:13
arrival in Galle: sunset from the ramparts, one frame each of the family, the lighthouse, and the rice and curry that night18:30
2026-08-21 · Galle, the hatchery and the mangrove river
Galle fort, the morningmeasured07:10-10:253 items
Galle Fort: the Old Gate, ramparts, colonial streets and interiors07:10
Galle Fort - the things the Nikon did not get: the Dutch Reformed Church, the carved Dutch memorial slab, a monitor lizard lying on a gravestone, the Ceylon posters for sale, and the Fort Bazaar courtyard10:23
Galle Fort - the things the Nikon did not get: the Dutch Reformed Church, the carved Dutch memorial slab, a monitor lizard lying on a gravestone, the Ceylon posters for sale, and the Fort Bazaar courtyard10:25
Birds on the rivermeasured16:01-16:011 item
mangrove river: Cassandra's turn with the croc, the cinnamon peeling, the monk's blessing, and the boat16:01
Dinner in Gallemeasured20:22-20:221 item
evening: Galle cricket ground under a pink sky, the ramparts and lighthouse at sunset, and Corinne and Joshua at dinner20:22
2026-08-22 · Tea country
The estate gardenmeasured10:57-11:545 items
tea estate and spice garden: the pickers, the peppercorns, the cinnamon man, and the family tasting10:57
tea estate and spice garden: the pickers, the peppercorns, the cinnamon man, and the family tasting11:00
▶0:12Tea country11:35
the tea estate: the family in the factory, the tea grader with his sample tray, the shop, and the plantation-people chart11:36
the tea estate: the family in the factory, the tea grader with his sample tray, the shop, and the plantation-people chart11:54
The tea gradermeasured16:08-16:081 item
the gorge at Ravana: Joshua on the walkway, the restaurant perched above it, and the river through the jungle16:08
On the movemeasured19:45-19:451 item
▶0:26Tea country19:45
Corn on the grillmeasured20:06-20:102 items
Ella: the station platform and the curving track, the town under the crag, then the BBQ, the corn on the grill and the four of them at the table20:06
Joshua, Corinne and Cassandra laughing over corn on the cob at the BBQ20:10
2026-08-23 · The train to Kandy
Monkeys on the linemeasured12:58-12:581 item
macaque troop on the rails, one sitting upright to camera12:58
Ella townmeasured16:21-16:492 items
▶0:23The train to Kandy16:21
the train: the blue train at Ella, the red train out of the tunnel, the platform, the painted destination board, Joshua leaning out of the window16:49
(no stop)none17:26-17:322 items
▶0:23The train to Kandy17:26
▶0:17The train to Kandy17:32
On the movemeasuredmerged17:45-18:062 items
▶0:31The train to Kandy17:45
the ride to Kandy: three of them at the windows, Corinne leaning out over the tea country, and the lit clock tower on arrival18:06
2026-08-24 · Sigiriya
The paddy fieldsmeasured11:20-11:201 item
the drive to Sigiriya: Corinne with the owner of The Coco ice-cream bar, the coconut-magic mural, the paddy fields under the hills, a chameleon on a trunk, a man sweeping the roadside11:20
The irrigation channelmeasured11:33-11:331 item
the drive to Sigiriya: Corinne with the owner of The Coco ice-cream bar, the coconut-magic mural, the paddy fields under the hills, a chameleon on a trunk, a man sweeping the roadside11:33
On the movemeasured14:00-14:001 item
roadside Sri Lanka from the car: a monitor lizard in the verge, a loaded motorbike, a truck stacked with sacks, and two thatched bullock carts14:00
2026-08-25 · Lion Rock and Polonnaruwa
Below Lion Rockmeasured07:30-07:312 items
Sigiriya: the approach, the climb, the summit and the view; then the macaques and Polonnaruwa07:30
Sigiriya: the rock from the approach, the family in front of it, the boulder gardens, the face from below, and the Lion's Paws07:31
The climb, and the plain from the topmeasured07:40-08:376 items
Sigiriya: the rock from the approach, the family in front of it, the boulder gardens, the face from below, and the Lion's Paws07:40
Sigiriya: the approach, the climb, the summit and the view; then the macaques and Polonnaruwa08:14
the summit: the ruins, the rock-cut water tank, the view over the tank to the hills, the terraces above the lake, all four at the top, and Pidurangala across the jungle08:18
the summit: the ruins, the rock-cut water tank, the view over the tank to the hills, the terraces above the lake, all four at the top, and Pidurangala across the jungle08:25
▶0:19Sigiriya08:35
Sigiriya: the rock from the approach, the family in front of it, the boulder gardens, the face from below, and the Lion's Paws08:37
The water monitor by the roadmeasured10:57-10:582 items
▶0:30Sigiriya10:57
the water monitor by the pond and crossing the road, the family watching it, and the close-up with its tongue out10:58
Lunch at Kethbima, over the paddiesmeasured11:27-11:271 item
▶0:31Sigiriya11:27
The stone lionmeasured13:55-13:551 item
Polonnaruwa: the vatadage, the friezes, Lankatilaka and Gal Vihara; then the plain at dusk13:55
Lankatilaka and Gal Viharameasured15:05-15:232 items
Polonnaruwa and the plain: wild elephants across the lake, the museum model of the vatadage, the bronze Ganesha, the white stupa against the sun, and the herd on the plain at dusk15:05
Polonnaruwa: the vatadage, the friezes, Lankatilaka and Gal Vihara; then the plain at dusk15:23
The plain at duskmeasured16:20-16:201 item
Polonnaruwa and the plain: wild elephants across the lake, the museum model of the vatadage, the bronze Ganesha, the white stupa against the sun, and the herd on the plain at dusk16:20
2026-08-26 · Dambulla, then the perahera
The driver and the vanmeasured08:12-08:121 item
the family with their driver, and Dambulla: the reclining Buddha, the cave of the stupa, three seated Buddhas, Corinne and Cassandra among them, the great reclining figure, and the plain from the rock08:12
The reclining Buddhameasured09:39-09:391 item
▶0:12Dambulla09:39
The Dambulla cavesmeasured09:44-10:095 items
▶0:08Dambulla09:44
the family with their driver, and Dambulla: the reclining Buddha, the cave of the stupa, three seated Buddhas, Corinne and Cassandra among them, the great reclining figure, and the plain from the rock09:46
the family with their driver, and Dambulla: the reclining Buddha, the cave of the stupa, three seated Buddhas, Corinne and Cassandra among them, the great reclining figure, and the plain from the rock09:50
the family with their driver, and Dambulla: the reclining Buddha, the cave of the stupa, three seated Buddhas, Corinne and Cassandra among them, the great reclining figure, and the plain from the rock09:52
the family with their driver, and Dambulla: the reclining Buddha, the cave of the stupa, three seated Buddhas, Corinne and Cassandra among them, the great reclining figure, and the plain from the rock10:09
(no stop)none13:31-13:311 item
▶0:22The Esala Perahera13:31
2026-08-27 · The Esala Perahera
Coffee in Kandymeasured08:50-08:512 items
▶0:18The Esala Perahera08:50
Kandy: street, family and the temple elephants before the perahera08:51
2026-08-28 · Kandy to Delhi
The tuskers, after midnightmeasured00:15-08:002 items
Perahera, later stages: peacock dancers, the red and gold tuskers, and the walk home00:15
last morning in Sri Lanka: the four of them at breakfast, the vintage Ceylon travel posters, the hotel dining room, and the roadside fruit stall with the stallholder picking rambutan08:00
5 · Agra
2026-08-29 · The Taj Mahal and Agra
The Taj at dawnmeasured06:15-07:5910 items
▶0:25The Taj Mahal06:15
Taj Mahal at dawn: the reveal through the gate, the family at the pool, the architecture06:17
Taj Mahal at dawn: the reveal through the gate, the family at the pool, the architecture06:19
early morning, iconic spots: the good result from a run they were deliberately working06:37
Taj Mahal at dawn: the reveal through the gate, the family at the pool, the architecture06:39
the four of them together in front of the Taj - the family portrait of the trip06:41
the four of them together in front of the Taj - the family portrait of the trip06:41
marble: carved relief and pietra dura inlay - the detail you were hunting for07:12
Taj: portraits against the sandstone and marble, the pietra dura, the river side07:35
Agra: the fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh and the road between them07:59
On the movemeasured10:13-10:131 item
Agra: the fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh and the road between them10:13
Agra Fortmeasured10:15-11:003 items
Agra: the fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh and the road between them10:15
Agra Fort and the road: arriving at the red walls, Jahangir's stone bath, the Taj from the fort across the river, the family in the Khas Mahal colonnade, a cow in the traffic, an e-rickshaw alongside, and a row of Royal Enfields10:38
Agra: the fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh and the road between them11:00
On the movemeasured11:34-11:341 item
the marble inlay workshop, the finished piece, a man on a motorbike past a painted wall, and Itmad-ud-Daulah11:34
On the movemeasured14:10-14:101 item
Agra: the fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh and the road between them14:10
Mehtab Bagh - the Taj across the gardenmeasured14:17-14:171 item
Agra: the fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh and the road between them14:17
Mehtab Bagh - the riverbankmeasured14:23-14:231 item
Mehtab Bagh - Paul, Corinne and Cassandra with the Taj across the Yamuna. The family in front of it, which the Nikon set does not have14:23