Male - so small .... so pretty...

I was in Maldives two years ago.. sometime in October I think!! Do read my Maldives post first!!



Male’ would certainly count as one of the smallest capitals in the world in terms of its physical size. Different from other islands in Maldives, Male is a city of high-rise buildings and paved roads. The main streets attract tourists with its shops & offices and all the government offices are located in one area.

Male does not have any beaches… However, a paved scenic harbour is a pleasant walking or jogging route – very popular as the sun sets and the temperatures drop.

Main places of interest in Male are –

The Islamic Center – is an architectural landmark of Male. As you approach Male you can see its majestic golden dome. The centre is a big mosque enough for 5000 people, a conference hall, classrooms, Islamic library & offices.

Local Market – Must visit the Male First Market… and just a block away is the Local Market. These are little stalls with a variety of local products mainly vegetable, fruits, nuts, chips, home made sweets & pickles and bananas and bananas hanging on coir ropes from the ceiling.

The National Museum – this is supposed to be the only remaining building of the Sultan’s palace, which is now part of the Sultan’s park. It is a three storey, Edwardian colonial style building. Don’t go by its outwards looks, inside there is an amazing collection of articles, artifacts ranging from thrones & palanquins to riffles, ceremonial robes, headgears, umbrellas, earthen pottery and even the first printing press!!

One thing for sure.. I did not expect to see this wealth of history!! So go on.. and discover Maldives!!

Maldives – a perfect way to unwind

Maldives was definitely not on my list of destinations to visit…. But coming here has made me realize that a holiday is not really about site seeing but a time to unwind, relax & rejuvenate. And Maldives can offer you just that and a lot more!!






The blue skies, the turquoise blue sea that gets darker in colour as it get deeper, the blazing sun is an ideal location for a tropical holiday. The combination of sun, sea, sad, a thousand scattered islands, massive lagoons with varying depth, amazing underwater corals and breathtaking marine life…. Can give you the tranquility that you are looking for.

So serene, calm & peaceful, yet Maldives has a lot more to offer. There are a few resorts here and am sure all of them offer more or less the same amenities. Check details on Maldives & places to say here. We stayed at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. Do check it out as well… its awesome!!



While you are here, you can try snorkeling, diving or eve simpler water activities like water skiing, banana boat rides, string ray rides or even just fishing.









Maldives if famous for its rare, extremely colourful, abundant & beautiful life underwater. This is what has made Maldives a fascination for divers & snorkelers. All resorts in Maldives have professional dive schools with multi-lingual instructors.







I am no diver or snorkeler, but the 30mins instructions are more than enough for enthusiasts like me to experience life beneath. Just a few strokes away from the beach are the house of reefs & shallow corals. Some reefs are so shallow that you can simply walk up to them and enjoy their beauty. However do not stand or attempt to walk on the corals as this will damage them and it can take upto five or more years to regain itself. 







The snorkeling equipment is easily available at all resorts. Snorkeling is an amazing experience. One that I cannot describe in words. To see the fish in their habitats, was like seeing life beyond my everyday being. Among the many fish I saw, the ones that caught my attention were tens of tiny aqua coloured fish that went around in groups, then a purple coloured fish with yellow fins, then a huge purple, blue & aqua coloured fish…. I stood there absolutely spell bound seeing the beauty of the colours and the psychedelic colours of life beneath.

 

While in Maldives you can also do island hopping and a visit to Male or some other smaller islands to see the lifes of people here.




Please also remember that the weather in Maldives is warm / hot all year long. So carry sufficient linen / cotton clothes and sun screen. Don’t forget your swimsuit & waterproof sunscreen and ofcourse underwater cameras.

 

I am no beach lover, yet I absolutely loved Maldives. Just sitting by the beach listening to the waves and reading a book or sipping my coffee. Lazing around the beach, going for a massage, watching the sunset, spending some time with myself, was the break I much needed. I am a 100% sure you will enjoy it too.