Cart is empty It’s Friday again so get your popcorn and your adult beverage and let’s explore The Maldives.
Some holidays spell unrivalled excitement from the word “go” while others can be enjoying serene solitude with that special person at your own pace. The Maldives, located in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean has rightfully earned its place among the most sought after vacation spots around the world. After years of looking at postcard pictures of perfection, it was time for me to escape into the heavenly ambiance and comfort of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and “Live Like Friday.”
The Maldives breathes life into one of my favorite travel quote: “Live in the Sunshine, Swim the Sea and Drink the wild air” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. If you have never been to the Maldives, then I suggest that you contact one of my travel experts and book your next trip to The Maldives.
Everything wonderful that you have imagined about the Maldives is true! The crystal clear water, the sea life, peace and tranquility. Would you feel guilty about enjoying a cocktail on the beach while others are at work? I bet you don’t.
A Little History
The Maldives consist of 1,192 small islands shared between the residential islands inhabited by the local population and the resort islands reserved purely for visitors. Slowly this line is blurring with many independent travelers preferring guesthouses on the inhabited islands where you can mingle with very welcoming and religious Maldivian people. The place has undertones of Sinhalese, South Indian and Arabic ethnicities, with tourism being the major economic force for generating revenues and employment.
I didn’t want to go to the Maldives alone so my good friend from Thailand accompanied me on this trip. We flew into Male International Airport located on Hulhule Island. Hulhule Island was once the home of the aboriginal Giraavaru people until 1968 when they were forced to relocate to Male. We were tired from a late night flight into Male so we spent the night at the transition hotel called Ripple Beach Inn in Hulhule.
The ferries are located next to the airport with regular trips to the main island of Male and to the many different resorts that make up the Maldives. After a short 20 minute ferry ride, a friendly perfectly dressed staff eagerly awaited our arrival at the dock, “welcome to paradise.” The staff greeted us with a warm and friendly smile, a refreshing beverage to cool us down and warm towels.
Our home for the next four days was in the form of a wooden villa, built on stilts that set into the ocean. Our room was private and the stairs from our deck extended into the crystal clear water. The room was large, modern and included a king size bed, clean bathroom, a safe, and cable television. Wifi was located throughout the entire property. The sight from the room was spectacular, an all-encompassing view of the Indian Ocean; truly breathtaking. Nothing comes close to this feeling of peace and relaxation.
Things to do in The Maldives
If you like anything related to the world “Marine” then the Maldives would be right for you. The Maldives is a gateway to extraordinary sea life and dazzling corals that are treat to sore eyes. I recommend that you immerse yourselves in the following fun activities to “Live Like Friday.”
Best time to visit the Maldives: I recommend visiting The Maldives between December and April for great weather and to see the manta raysand whale sharks.
Incredible Water Adventure: Warm and crystal clear waters make it a perfect setting for some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling experiences. The unspoiled underwater life is explored in all its grandeur and color with some rare varieties of fish, resplendent coral reefs and even the most sought after sharks, manta rays, sea turtles and if you are lucky even the whale shark.
The Maldives is also becoming a favorite with the surfer community with its perfect waves, unbeatable climate and turquoise tinted waters. If you don’t know how to dive, there are options of underwater scooters that you can practice. Your resort can arrange for the diving tour along with guide, diving gear and equipment.
Miraculous Spas: Relaxation is the name of the game in the Maldives. You can soothe your senses at luxurious spas, with some of them located strategically above waters with transparent glass floors that give you a glimpse of teasing fishes schooling their way to glory
Joyful Dolphin Spotting: It’s a sight to spot playful dolphins making their way into the big waters under the gleaming sun with occasional spins mid-air. You can also watch the whale sharks, manta rays and hammerheads in their natural habitat.
Inimitable Sight Seeing: The Maldives has an interesting concoction of places to see with their rich interiors, religious significance and cultural heritage. Jumhooree Maidan (Independence Square), Utheemu Ganduvaru (Wooden Palace), Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque (oldest Friday Mosque with intricate coral walls) and National Museum (must visit to see historical artifacts) are some places that should feature on any true travelers’ itinerary.
Where to Stay
In addition, the unbelievable view of Azure Ocean from each villa and wooden flooring that transports you into tropical bliss in seconds. The dining and spa facilities are great and they even had a gym for us to stay in shape.
There are many guesthouses and village rooms offering value for money options in the Maldives. Overwater bungalows on private beach are a hot favorite with frequent visitors who like privacy and luxury fused together.
Travel Options to Get Around
There are boats, air taxis (fancy term for sea planes) and private yachts that offers transportation to the many different resorts. Public ferries and cargo boats are also available for budget travelers. For day trips around islands and population centers can be organized through semi-public and private charter speedboats
Quick Tips to sail you through Maldives
Keep your passport, necessary documents, and travel permits handy while hopping from one island to another.
Private boats are expensive and may cost between $150-200 per boat.
If you choose to stay on an inhabited island, be observant and appreciative of the Islamic traditions with modest dressing, no alcohol and reticent behavior.
Importing pork, alcohol and porn into Maldives and exporting sand, seashells or coral are forbidden.
Drink bottled water instead of the tap water.
Other useful information:
Safety: Safe for vacation. A representative from the resort will meet you at the airport but be vigilant.
Health concern: Minimal for traveling. Drink bottled water.
Climate: The average temperature is about 27°C or 80.6°F
Population: 409, 200 (2015)
Capital: Male
GDP: 3.14 billion (2015)
Religion: Muslim
Language: Divehi