Maldives - In search of November sun
Winter 2009
The clocks have gone back and winter is advancing. The October Indian summer has faded and as the thermometer drops there is perhaps one last chance to grab a burst of sun before rummaging in the woolly jumper drawer.
Now where did I put my hat, scarf and gloves?”
I write from The Maldives, on day 7 of a visit which has yet to see the sun other than an odd glimmer from behind thick cloud. As I tap on my keyboard I am giving thanks once more for the skills of the local craftsman who built and pinned my water villa to the seabed, whilst contemplating what sin deserves such penance. The rain has been relentless; the wind has battered day and night.
But this is The Maldives in November and the rain should have departed a month ago. Locals say they have never known a storm last more than four days, and rarely have they had one at this time of year.
A scan of weather reports around the world suggests that all is not well in other tropical territories. The Caribbean coast of Mexico has battened down the hatches as Hurricane Ida storms across the Yucatan Peninsula towards the US coast. Last November I spent a week in Turks & Caicos, just managing to avoid the havoc of a hurricane, and the previous year a trip to Barbados was peppered with rain. November is a risky time to go west.
This week sunny California is seeing temperatures fluctuate between a warm 24º and a cool 16º, with the occasional day of rain.
Temperatures in Brazil remain high but as with SE Asia, forecasts talk more of storms than sun.
Heading south to South Africa looks no better with temperatures lurking around 20º in Cape Town and, of course, rain.
It’s too late for surety in the Mediterranean. Sunny St Tropez is wet and around 14º. Malta is a couple of degrees warmer but also wet. Barcelona still has the odd pleasant day.
So where is one to go in search of November sun?
Marrakesh seems to offer the most promise with temperatures consistently sitting around 27º and not a hint of damp in the air. So if you fancy a little last minute, pre-Christmas sun, take the Road to Morocco.
Now where did I put my hat, scarf and gloves?”
I write from The Maldives, on day 7 of a visit which has yet to see the sun other than an odd glimmer from behind thick cloud. As I tap on my keyboard I am giving thanks once more for the skills of the local craftsman who built and pinned my water villa to the seabed, whilst contemplating what sin deserves such penance. The rain has been relentless; the wind has battered day and night.
But this is The Maldives in November and the rain should have departed a month ago. Locals say they have never known a storm last more than four days, and rarely have they had one at this time of year.
A scan of weather reports around the world suggests that all is not well in other tropical territories. The Caribbean coast of Mexico has battened down the hatches as Hurricane Ida storms across the Yucatan Peninsula towards the US coast. Last November I spent a week in Turks & Caicos, just managing to avoid the havoc of a hurricane, and the previous year a trip to Barbados was peppered with rain. November is a risky time to go west.
This week sunny California is seeing temperatures fluctuate between a warm 24º and a cool 16º, with the occasional day of rain.
Temperatures in Brazil remain high but as with SE Asia, forecasts talk more of storms than sun.
Heading south to South Africa looks no better with temperatures lurking around 20º in Cape Town and, of course, rain.
It’s too late for surety in the Mediterranean. Sunny St Tropez is wet and around 14º. Malta is a couple of degrees warmer but also wet. Barcelona still has the odd pleasant day.
So where is one to go in search of November sun?
Marrakesh seems to offer the most promise with temperatures consistently sitting around 27º and not a hint of damp in the air. So if you fancy a little last minute, pre-Christmas sun, take the Road to Morocco.
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
