you.theworld.wandering
CONTENTS Maldives Facts Accommodation Guide How To Choose Your Accommodation Non-Resort Islands Top 10 Things To Do In Male’ Popular Holiday Activities Surfing Guide North Male’ Atoll South Male’ Atoll Central and Southern Atolls Surfing Tips Transport Money 6 Top Money Saving Tips Food Wifi Photos You Can’t Leave Without Helpful Holiday Tips About The Author About The Photographer Product Disclaimer Contact you.theworld.wandering
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MALDIVES-FACTS Geography
The Maldives are made up of over 1000 islands. Many of these are uninhabited or local village islands. There are 26 island regions, called ‘atolls.’ !
Capital City
Male’ (pronounced Mar-lay’ like café) is the capital city island of the Maldives. Male’ is one of the most densely populated islands in the world, with over 100 000 people living on the island measuring approximately 5km square.
Religious Beliefs!
The Maldives is a 100% sunni Muslim country. This means no other religious material may be brought into the country, no pork products are sold, you must dress respectfully when in the capital city or on a village island and alcohol is forbidden except for on resort islands and safari boats. Swimming in a t-shirt and long pants is recommended when not swimming at a resort or designated ‘bikini beach’ as bikini swimwear is strictly prohibited at public places.!
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Weather!
Equatorial, humid and hot depending on the time of year you travel. The wet season runs from around March to October. During this period there are many sunny days and the temperature is still very hot. The dry season runs from November through to February in which rain is less common.!
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Language!
Dhevihi (pronounced dee-va-he) is the national language of the Maldives and it has its own alphabetic system. English is widely spoken and many Maldivians speak fluent English as their second language. !
Independence!
The Maldives has been Independent for 50 years as of 2015.!
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ACCOMMODATION-GUIDE
Exclusive Luxury Surf Resorts Stay at an all-inclusive luxury surf resort that has the perks of exclusive surf breaks. Only surfers staying at exclusive resorts are permitted to surf the waves located at these islands. Exclusive surf resorts also have a maximum capacity of surfers staying at the island at any one time, meaning that these waves are off-limits to the public and are significantly less crowded. Exclusive surf resorts offer luxury fine dining experiences, incredible day spas, kids clubs, day excursions and activities. There are less than a handful of them and essentially, you get what you pay for! Exclusive surf resorts are perfect for honeymooners, couples or families hoping to surf quality uncrowded waves.
Luxury Resorts / Overwater Bungalows Imagine staying in an overwater bungalow or suite on a private island? There are over one hundred islands scattered throughout the Indian Ocean of the Maldives, that are home to only private resorts. If you are a surfer, then staying at an allinclusive luxury resort that offers daily surfing facilities is a great option. Some resorts have access to surf breaks from land, whilst others you will need to sign up for daily surf transfers. Be sure to check if there is an added cost for surf transfers as often these extras are not included in the initial accommodation package. Luxury resorts in the Maldives are a popular holiday choice for families, couples and honeymooners as they offer the perfect combination of resort life and ocean dwelling.
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Surf Camps Staying at a surf camp in the Maldives means you will get all of the best insider tips each day for a particular break. You will meet other surfers staying at the camp, get a taste for local island life and meet other surfers each day in the line up. This type of trip is the perfect mix of culture and surf. Often many surf camps also have their own speedboats and will organize day trips for guests to other nearby breaks.
Guest Houses This is the budget option for travellers in the Maldives. Many village islands have a variety of guesthouses catering for tourists on a budget. Often these guesthouses have packages that include accommodation and meals, snorkeling and fishing trips and offer services like speedboat transfers. It is possible to stay at a guesthouse or surf camp and purchase a day pass or night pass to a resort. This allows a certain number of hours access to a resort’s facilities. This is a great money saver for those on a budget. Simply stay where accommodation is cheaper and purchase day or night time passes to resorts. Each guesthouse is different and you will need to choose one that best suits your desired holiday needs. Many guesthouses start from US$60 per night in peak season, including meals. !
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A Surf Safari Charter Set sail on the ultimate surfing trip, onboard a luxury safari boat. Enjoy drifting between Maldivian islands with an experienced surf guide, in search of perfect waves. Most of these trips are all-inclusive except for alcohol and added day trips. Enjoy surfing, snorkeling, fishing as well as watching the sunrise and sunset.
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HOW-TO-CHOOSE-YOURACCOMMODATION Moving from one island to the next in the Maldives can be quite complex. It can be rather difficult to ‘find’ a speedboat on a particular day of your holiday that is willing to take you exploring. Determine if your accommodation facilities offer day trip services before you book, if exploring other islands is what you intend to do. Try to pre-arrange day trips through your accommodation where possible. It’s advisable to pick an island or two that best caters for your needs whilst in the Maldives, rather than hopping between many islands. Island hopping, as luxurious as it sounds, is not likely to happen unless it is very organized (and even then, it may still not happen). Plus, remember there will be a high cost involved each time you wish to take a speedboat.
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Write A Holiday Wish List !
! What is my budget? ! What style of accommodation can I afford? ! What are the main activities that I wish to do in the Maldives? ! What type of transport will I require to get from the airport to the desired resort island? ! How long can we realistically afford to stay?
Stay at an island that best caters to your needs..
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NON5RESORT-ISLANDS As most resorts in the Maldives are located on their own private island, many village islands are where budget travellers will find guesthouse and surf camp style accommodation. Remember staying at a guesthouse or surf camp and doing day trips to a resort is a much cheaper holiday alternative. Here is a selection of village islands that offer great surfing, diving and ocean facilities.
! Hulhumale' Hulhumale' (pronounced hool - a- marl - lay) is the actual airport island. Here you will find a beautiful uncrowded beach and white sand fringed with palm trees. This is an alternative if you are on a strict budget. Accommodation here can be as inexpensive as USD$50 a night and you will not require a speed boat or sea plane to reach your destination. Hire water equipment such as jet-skis, paddleboards and snorkels also very cheaply. Swimming covered up here in a t-shirt and shorts is a must, as bikini swimwear is illegal, but, you may just find you that have the entire beach to yourself. The beach does sometimes have small amounts of litter laying in the sand. There are also Chinese restaurants on this island and it is fast becoming the alternative for many locals to living life on the busy mainland of Male’.
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Himmafushi Himmafushi is easily accessible by the local ferry from the mainland of Male’ (see transport section) for around USD$2 and it is a pleasant fifty minute journey cruising between Maldivian the sunny islands – money well spent! On the island of Himmafushi you will find many guesthouses. Himmafushi is home of the local surf break ‘Jails;’ a perfect right hand wave that breaks directly out the front of the small jail on the island. ! !
Villimale’ or Villingili Villimale’ / Villingili (above) is the small island adjacent to Male’. Ferry services run every fifteen minutes from Male’ and the journey takes only ten minutes. Villingili has a number of beautiful beaches, is a little on the sleepy side and has a number of outdoor cafes scattered throughout the island. It’s best for a day trip and there are limited accommodation facilities available on the island.! !
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Thulusdhoo (pronounced Th-ool-a-st-who)
Thulusdhoo is the perfect island if you are looking for a mix of relaxation, culture and all things beach. Home of the local surf break ‘Cokes,’ hence the island is home to the country’s own Coca Cola factory, a perfect deep right hand wave that offers a combination of perfect walls and almond shape barrels. The long punchy left hand wave ‘Chickens’ is just a quick five-minute speedboat ride between islands. It usually costs around USD$10 per person for a transfer to ‘Chickens’ from Thulusdhoo and this can be easily arranged before a surf through the many local speedboat drivers on the island. Thulusdhoo is an inexpensive island to travel to, if you choose to take a local ferry from the mainland Male’ (see transport section). A one way ticket will cost around USD$2 and takes around 1.5 hours. There are great snorkeling, swimming and paddle boarding hot spots directly off the shore of the ‘Bikini Beach’ at Thulusdhoo. Remember to dress modestly if planning to visit the local shops or to walk through the village of the island. There are two local café’s at Thulusdhoo. Staying on the island is a great way to meet other surfers and immerse yourself in local life. Along the waters edge, adjacent to the surf break is where the surf camps and guesthouses are located. Here it is the main tourist area and you can meet other travellers, relax in a hammock or simply sit on the shoreline and watch the waves roll in.
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Maafushi Maafushi is a popular island for travellers on a budget. With a number of guesthouses starting from as little as USD$30 a night in the low season, Maafushi is again another island that offers a perfect mix of relaxation, culture and all things beach. Diving, snorkeling, fishing trips and surfing trips can easily be arranged.
Dharavandhoo If you love your snorkeling and diving, you cannot go past the incredible Dharavandhoo Island of the Baa Atoll, which also happens to be a protected UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Swim with whale sharks, eagle and manta rays and scuba-dive some of the best underwater reefs and dive locations in the Maldives, including Hanifaru Bay. A trip here is well worth the journey. You will see breath taking scenery and leave with amazing images and holiday memories. Getting There: ! 20 minute seaplane ride from the Male’ International Airport starting from around USD$120 per person ! 2.5 hour speed boat transfer - price will be arranged through accommodation ! 8 hour slow boat night journey departing from Male’. Other guesthouse islands include: ! Thoddoo ! Keyodhoo ! Maalhos ! Rasdhoo ! Dhiffushi ! Thinado
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TOP-TEN-THINGS-TO-DO-IN-MALE’ Male’ is a small city that only requires one day to check out. It is not set up as a typical tourist destination. However, it is worth seeing if you would like an insight into local life and the contrast of the Maldives – yes that’s right, not every island in the Maldives is like a picture perfect postcard. Also there is not much nightlife in Male’ – no bars or clubs as the Maldives are a 100% Muslim country, meaning no alcohol (unless in a resort). If you are up for an adventure and have spare time in your holiday schedule, why not check out these top 10 places:!
2. Artificial Beach Artificial Beach is one of two swimming areas in Male’. This beautiful little beach is great for a quick dip or place to sit and unwind on the waters edge. Remember you will need to swim in at least a t-shirt and long shorts here, as it is against the law to swim in a bikini. The n e a r b y c a f é ‘ B re a k w a t e r ’ a l s o overlooks Artificial Beach. !!
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1. Cafe’s and Restaurants Male’ has many great cafes offering both a selection of local Maldivian and Western cuisines. Remember the Maldives is a 100% Muslim country so products like pork are unavailable. Be sure to sample local food like roshi, tuna cakes and curries. Well known restaurants along the waterfront include Shell Beans, Sea House and Break Water – all three offering both local and Western cuisines. Other great restaurants around the island include Seagulls and Lemongrass. !!
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5. L o c a l F i s h a n d L o c a l
3. Raalhugandu and Tsunami Monument
Raalhugandu is the one and only surfing break on the island and is located just up from Artificial Beach. If planning to surf here, be sure to be extra friendly in the water as this is a heavily local break that not many tourists surf. Be sure to be polite and the session will be thoroughly enjoyed.
Produce Markets !
It is here that you get a real taste for the Maldives. Local fisherman sell their catch of the day at the Local Fish Markets and The Local Produce Markets showcase some of the homegrown produce of other islands.! !!
Walk to the end of the surf break and you will find the Tsunami Memorial in remembrance of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. On the way here enjoy viewing the artwork painted on the panels of the concrete break wall. 4. Swimming Track ! This is the local pool and definitely worth a look. Set outside as an ocean pool, made from re-used floating oil containers, it’s incredible to see how local swimming lessons and aerobic classes are run. Looking out in the distance you will see the overwater bungalows of luxury resorts scattered on the horizon. ! !!
6. National Museum and Tourist Shopping Get up to speed with the country’s history and culture at the National Museum. A small fee will allow entry. It is here that you can buy authentic souvenirs and take home presents. Along the same street (Chaandhanee Magu), is the main tourist shopping strip. This is where to purchase gifts like coral beads, sarongs and postcards.!
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7. National Library The National Library opened in 1945 and is the largest and oldest library in the Maldives. The opening hours are from Saturday to Thursday 9:15am to 5:45pm.!
8. National Football Stadium !
Football is the most popular sport in the Maldives. The National Football S t a d i u m re g u l a r l y h o s t s m a n y international games and has a capacity of 11 850 seats. ! !!
9. Islamic Centre and Friday Mosque !
The Islamic centre is marked by an incredible golden dome that illuminates the city’s daytime skyline. Built from coral stones, the Friday Mosque is one of the oldest and most sacred places in Male’. The Mosque boasts traditional carvings and art forms and is a must see for tourists.! !
10. Presidential Jetty and Republic Square !
You can view the President’s Jetty outside nearby Presidential office buildings. This area is also marked by a large Maldivian flag pole. Not far from here is Republic Square; an open park located adjacent to the water.! !!
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POPULAR-HOLIDAY-ACTIVITIES Diving and Snorkeling The Maldives is renowned as one of the best diving locations in the world. From the incredible coral reefs to the astonishing sea life, Maldivian oceans have it all. Many of the resorts in the Maldives offer scuba-diving certification. It’s also possible to swim with the likes of whale sharks and eagle-rays. The incredible Baa-Atoll is known for unforgettable sea life experiences and is also a protected UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Relaxing If you can afford to indulge and stay at a luxury resort you will be rewarded. Spend your days in paradise poolside, paddle-boarding, sailing or jet-skiing. A cheaper alternative is to stay at a guesthouse and organize speedboat transfers through your accommodation to take you to a resort on a day or night pass. Always check which resorts the accommodation will be willing to take you too as speedboat transfers will often only be willing to transport you to a near-by resort. Other Popular Holiday Activities: ! Jet-skiing ! Stand Up Paddle Boarding ! Surfing
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SURFING-GUIDE Surfing or a Surf Safari Charter !
The surf season in the Maldives kicks off from April and runs through to October, as winds are mostly offshore. Many world-class waves are on offer in the Maldives, with the most consistent and larger swells generally arriving from June to October. The Maldives offers tropical water temperatures of around twenty-eight degrees Celsius, making it the ultimate surfer’s playground. The waves in the Maldives aren’t as powerful as those in Indonesia and the Mentawai’s, however with large swells, these waves can definitely become heavy. The breaks of the Maldives are spread over hundreds of kilometers of coral reefs and are organized into a series of island regions: ! The North Male’ Atoll ! South Male’ Atoll ! The Central Atolls ! The Southern Atolls
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North Male’ Atoll !
CONDITIONS !
The most consistent waves of all the atolls are found in the North Male’ Atolls. Waves in this region are for intermediate or experienced surfers and there is a large choice between right and left hand breaks. ‘Pasta Point’ and ‘Lhois’ are the two exclusive breaks in this area. Only surfers staying at Chaaya Island Dhonveli and Addran Select Hudharanfushi are permitted to surf these two waves.
WAVES !
There are many other amazing waves in the North Male’ Atolls. Popular Waves: !
Cokes – a fast right hander off Thulusdhoo Island.
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Chickens – a long punchy left hander off Chickens Island.
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Jailbreak – aka. ‘Jails’ – a long fast right hander off Himmafushi Island.
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Honkys – a wrapping left hander that bends and increases in size as the wave runs along the reef outside of Thamburudhoo Island.
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Sultans – a fun right hander that breaks off the other side of Thamburudhoo Island.
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Ninjas – a perfect wave for beginners or long boarders, off the island of Kani where the Resort Club Med is located.
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South Male’ Atoll CONDITIONS
The waves in the South Male’ Atoll are slightly smaller than those in the north. There are still consistent swells here during the surf season and often fewer surfers.
WAVES
Popular Waves: ! Kandooma Rights. An exclusive break reserved only for surfers staying at Kandooma Resort. This wave can be considered world class on a good day, often with three different barrel sections. ! Riptides – a more mellow wave that breaks in a beautiful channel and is best accessible by dhoni transfer. ! Foxy’s - off the shore of Guraidhoo Island and close to Rip Tides is this long fast left hander with plenty of barrel sections for experienced surfers. ! Tucky Joes – a lengthy super fast left hand wave for experienced surfers with has plenty of barrels on offer. ! Quarters – a super fun right hand wave with faster inside section. Best for intermediate surfers and a dhoni transfer is a must.
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The Central Atolls CONDITIONS
In the Central Atolls you will be graced with less crowded waves. Thaa and Laamu Atolls get smaller swell than the northern and southern atolls. Here you will discover medium-sized fast waves with a range of barrel sections on offer.
WAVES
Popular Waves: ! Ying-Yangs – Most consistent wave in Laamu Atoll. A powerful right hander with a great inside barrel section. ! Inside Mikados – A wrapping punchy right hander. Get the conditions right and this place fires. Other Waves: ! Thaa Atoll: Malik’s, Finnimas, Outside Mikados. ! Laamu Atoll: Refugee’s Lefts and Refugee’s Rights.!
The Southern Atolls CONDITIONS
The Southern Atolls receive the most swell, as here it is open to the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Laccadive Sea. Waves in this region are considered fast and powerful and are for experienced surfers only!
WAVES
Blue Bowls, Antiques, Beacons, Castaways, Love Charms and Five Islands.!
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SURFING TIPS
! Boat Drop Off vs. Paddling Out
Many breaks in the Maldives are accessible from land although a boat drop off saves a paddle against a strong current. Currents can be super strong as the Maldives is extremely tidal. Be prepared for some tough paddle battles. Paddle training is recommended before coming to the Maldives if you wish to surf all day.!
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! The Best Sun Protection
Many guys in the water surf in hats here as staying out in the line up for hours can mean braving the intensity of the day-time sun. Bring at a minimum 50+ sunscreen - you will need it being so close to the equator. Zinc here is always a must! Many surfers also surf in lycra.
! First Aid
Bring a mini first aid kit as many of the breaks are on village islands and medical assistance can be far away. I always like to bring an antiseptic powder for nasty coral cuts. This way your cuts are less likely to get infected or turn ulcerated. The locals will also encourage you to squeeze fresh lime into any cuts to stop tropical infections. lslands like Thulusdhoo do have doctors and chemists services available.
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! Wax
Use tropical wax as the warm water will melt anything cooler.
! Surfing Supplies
Bring spare fins and a resin kit. Too many people get washed over the reefs, resulting in snapped fins, urchin wounds and holes in the underneath section of boards. On some islands, locals offer ding repair services, however these services can be hard to come by and depends entirely on the island.
! How Many Boards To Take? This is always a personal preference. A wise suggestion of at least two boards, possibly more, depending on how long you are in the Maldives. Three boards for a months trip would be ideal.!
! Prepping Your Boards
Make sure your boards are well prepped and packed for the plane journey. There’s nothing worse than turning up after a long flight ready for pumping waves and your board is out of action. Wrapping boards in a towel and packing the remaining space along side the rails and tail with board shorts, bikinis and clothes can be useful and prevent damage.!
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TRANSPORT Once you arrive in the Maldives you will need to have pre-organised a speed boat or sea plane to the island you are holidaying at, unless you are planning to visit Male’, the capital city, or Hulumale’, the airport island.
Domestic Flights
As the islands of the Maldives are immensely spread out, it may be necessary for you to take a further domestic flight to reach your holiday island. Your resort will inform you if this is necessary and if it’s possible to arrange the flight through the resort itself, or whether you or your travel agent will need to contact Maldivian domestic flight services to book a plane ticket. If in Male’, booking tickets directly at a particular airlines office will save significantly as opposed to making an internet booking. However, internet booking will be much faster and less hassle.
Sea Planes
As the beautiful islands of the Maldives are scattered over kilometers of vast ocean reefs, a seaplane ride may be necessary to reach your tropical destination. The resort you choose will inform you if a seaplane journey is necessary, and will provide you with costings and details. Don’t’ forget to have your camera charged and ready for this spectacle of a ride. Lucky you.
Speedboats
Tourists cannot just turn up at the airport and expect to take a ferry or boat to their holiday island. ALL speedboats are pre-arranged through the resort you are staying at. There are no public speedboat services offered in the Maldives. Speedboat rides generally cost around US$200 per boat one way, for approximately an hours journey. There is no cheaper alternative, unless staying at a village island where a public ferry from Male’ may be taken and these ferries usually only leave Male’ once per day.
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Ferries
The only alternative is to take a ferry if you are planning to stay at either Male’ or Villimale’ (better known as Villingili).
Male’ Ferries
There is a very cheap ferry service that transfers to and from the airport and Male’. A ticket will cost 10 Rufiyaa or US$1 and does not need to be pre-arranged. Simply turn up and expect to wait fifteen minutes for the next available ferry. The ride takes approximate fifteen minutes. This service leaves outside the airport and arrives at the ‘Airport Ferry Terminal / Jetty’ in Male’. If you are staying on Male’, there are a number of local ferry terminals on the island which transfer to some other village islands and are very inexpensive. Be sure to check the local timetables at the ferry terminals as these services don’t necessarily run daily.
Villimale’ Island Ferry
If staying at Villimale’, you will need to take a taxi from the Male’ Airport Ferry Terminal to the Villimale’ Ferry Terminal, on the opposite side of the island.
Thulusdhoo Island Ferry
If you are staying at Thulusdhoo (a popular surfing island home to the surf break ‘Cokes’), there is a 3:30pm daily ferry that leaves from outside the Mary Brown’s fast food chain restaurant and arrives at Thulusdhoo at 5pm. On Tuesdays the ferry service does not run. Fridays the ferry leaves Male’ 10pm and arrives Thulusdhoo 12pm midnight. The journey from Male’ to Thulusdhoo Island, takes 1.5 hours and costs 35 or 45 Rufiyaa with a surfboard - around $USD3.
Himmafushi Island Ferry
Himmafushi is also another popular surfing Island and home to the break ‘Jails.’ A cheap ferry service runs from Saturday to Thursday from Male’ at 3pm, arriving at Himmafushi at 4pm, taking around forty-five minutes. The ferry leaves Himmafushi at 8am. No ferry services on Fridays. Tickets cost around USD$2 per person.
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Bus
This is only an option if you are staying at Hulhumale’ – the airport Island. There is a bright red air-conditioned bus that does laps around the island. Just be sure to know exactly where your accommodation is as the island is relatively large and the bus stops only at public bus stations. You will need to walk from the bus stop to find your accommodation. Local people are mostly willing to help should you need to ask.!
! Taxis
Only run on the mainland Male’. The other alternative to get around Male’ is by foot, which can be extremely hot during the daytime. Taxi’s are very affordable, costing 25 Rufiyaa / USD$2 to anywhere on the island during the daytime. There is a slight price increment for luggage and night time fares. All pricing information is on the back of the driver’s seat in each taxi. It’s best to allow yourself time if you do need to take a taxi, especially in wet weather. There are many taxi companies but taxis are always in high demand due to the large number of people living on this small island. ! !
Motorbikes
There are many scooters and motorbikes on the island, however they are extremely hard to hire as most are private vehicles.!
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MONEY
The main currencies used in the Maldives are US Dollars and the local currency, Rufiyaa. Most resort islands prefer to accept USD$ or credit cards. Most resorts will also accept Euros (best to check before arriving), whilst on the mainland of Male’ and on smaller village islands, Ruffiya is mainly accepted.! ! Be sure to take enough USD$ with you as it can be hard to come across ATM’s unless on the mainland. Credit cards are the next best option and it’s always advisable to carry cash with you in the Maldives. Exchange Rate Most places in the Maldives use the exchange rate of USD $1 = 15.42 Maldivian Rufiyaa!
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Biggest Expenses ! Sea Plane / Speed Boat Transfers (see travel section for estimated costs). ! Food is a big variation in price, depending where you stay. If you are on a budget, eating local foods can be an inexpensive alternative plus you will get to sample local Maldivian cuisine. Eating dinner out at a local restaurant or guesthouse on a village island will cost you around US$7-10. Eat at a local café and you will surely find food at an even cheaper price. Buying snacks and food from shops on local village islands is also inexpensive.
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6 TOP MONEY SAVING TIPS ! Tip #1
Buy your flights in advance. Remember there are companies like Sri Lankan airlines that offer great flight services and are a cheaper alternative to the two main companies – Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, that fly to the Maldives. Be sure to book out of school holiday times and you will save even more.
! Tip #2
Remember to check a resort’s website direct for the best accommodation deals. Some resorts will offer free nights accommodation or heavily discounted stays during certain periods.
! Tip #3
Staying at a local island and buying day / night passes to a resort means that you will have the best of both world’s – make your budget stretch and take advantage of the luxurious facilities on offer across the different resorts in the Maldives.
! Tip #4
Organise speedboats in advance, through the resort or guesthouse you are staying.
! Tip #5
Enjoy the local cuisine and it will also help your bank account.
! Tip #6
Take cash with you. If you pay in the local currency it can be cheaper than paying in US Dollars. Paying in cash means your money will go further as you will not be charged the hefty bank exchange rates. However some resorts only accept US Dollars. Guesthouses and local islands will be accepting of Rufiyaa. ! !
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FOOD
Maldivian food mostly consists of seafood, curries, rice dishes, coconut and spices. Maldivian food is largely influenced by Sri Lankan and Indian cuisines. Popular Maldivian dishes include: ! Mashuni – a traditional breakfast dish consisting of tuna and coconut. ! Dhon Riha – a yellowish tuna or fish curry. ! Bokiba – traditional tuna cake that makes a great snack. ! Dhonkeyo Kajuru – a banana and coconut dessert. ! As the Maldives is a 100% Muslim country pork based products are strictly prohibited unless in a private resort island that caters for tourists.
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WIFI If you are staying in a resort you will most likely have access to wifi. If staying on a local village you will need to purchase a sim card to have wifi access. Make sure your phone is unlocked and not restricted to a certain network or the sim will not work. It’s best to get a sim card at the airport or in Male’, before you arrive at the local island. You can choose a series of data packages and call packages to load on to your sim. Internet can be slightly expensive here, depending on the package you choose. The local mobile providers are Dhiraagu and Ooredoo both offering 3G pre-paid services and both work reasonably well throughout the islands.
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PHOTOS YOU CAN’T LEAVE WITHOUT ! Daytime shots from above – from your plane journey of the beautiful islands and reefs ! Overwater bungalows and bridges ! Palm trees ! Island shots ! A shot of the pop-up city that Male’ is and it’s bright colourful buildings ! Underwater sea life ! The local people
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HELPFUL HOLIDAY TIPS ! Day of Prayer Male’ and village islands will be deserted on Friday’s before
2pm. This means all shops will be closed as it is the religious day of prayer. It’s
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best to purchase items from shops or arrange transport by Thursday night if required before 2pm Friday. ! Weekends In the Maldives, weekends take place on Fridays and Saturdays. Shops are mostly open on Saturdays but closed Fridays. ! Dress Respectfully Remember if visiting a village or Male’, dress modestly as a sign of respect. If swimming at a beach, be sure to check whether bikini swimwear is permitted. ! Water Drinking bottled water is a must – even locals do this. ! Ramadan – middle of the year (June –July 2016) around the new moon. During this time, locals are fasting during sunlight hours. Many shops are closed and it can be difficult to even find a café or restaurant that is open, even on the mainland. ! Pre-arrange speedboat transfers and accommodation at least a few days before required. ! Carry Cash as not everywhere will accept cards, especially on village islands.
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ABOUT-THE-AUTHOR
Kristie Murray is an Australian Freelance Travel Writer and Blogger and is the Founder of the award winning blog you.theworld.wandering. you.theworld.wandering is a travel, lifestyle, fashion and photography blog inspiring people to travel, seek happiness and live the life they have always dreamed of. you.theworld.wandering won it’s first award after just seven months. Kristie has travelled to over thirty countries throughout the UK, Europe, USA, Oceania and Asia, and lived in the Maldives for almost seven months during 2015. Kristie has written for a number of travel, tourism and fashion companies based in Europe, the Maldives and Australia. Kristie grew up on a small beach town on the south coast of NSW Australia. She loves travel, writing, photography, adventure, nature, fashion and most of all is a passionate surfer. For loads of inspiring tips, travel stories, photography and all things fashion, head to you.theworld.wandering blog to wander the world with Kristie.
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ABOUT-THE-PHOTOGRAPHER
Husham (Hupa) Ibrahim is a Maldivian Freelance Photographer and Tourism Guide. He has been a contributing photographer to the award winning blog you.theworld.wandering for the past six months. Hupa was a professional Maldivian Cricket Player and represented his country over a number of years in many International Cricket matches. He has a strong passion for travel and has travelled to many countries throughout Asia and the Middle East. Hupa grew up in Male’ and now resides at Thulusdhoo Island. He has also lived in both India and Sri Lanka. Hupa has an International Surf Coaching Qualification and has worked for a variety of International Surf Guiding Companies in the Maldives. Hupa has worked at a number of luxury resorts, including Club Med Kani and has been employed as a surf guide onboard luxury safari vessels. Hupa likes to spend his free time playing guitar and has played many gigs at a number of luxury resorts throughout the Maldives.
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PRODUCT-DISCLAIMER The information and materials used in this guide are produced exclusively by you.theworld.wandering’s Kristie Murray (Australian Travel Writer and Photographer) and Husham Ibrahim (Maldivian Photographer). All information contained in this book is written from the knowledge and experience of Kristie Murray and Husham Ibrahim. This is a guide designed to inform prospective travellers of all the essential information necessary for holidaying in the Maldives. Kristie Murray aims to ensure an unbiased representation of the different types of holiday styles available for tourists within the Maldives. While the information is correct at the time of publishing, given the fast-paced changing nature of travel and tourism industry, this guide will be re-issued annually. Accordingly, the information and material in this guide are copyright, 2015. Š you.theworld.wandering No part of this guide may be in any form reproduced by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other means, or be sold or transmitted without the prior permission of the publisher, you.theworld.wandering. Company Features: If you would like to feature your company in the e-book, please contact Kristie at youtheworldwandering@outlook.com.au Sales: If you are interested in selling copies of the e-book in digital or print formats, please email Kristie at youtheworldwandering@outlook.com.au
SEE MORE AT: http://youtheworldwandering.com/
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