the maldives

Yes, they are sinking, but not fast enough to put one off from visiting the world's most stunning atolls that float like turquoise innertubes on the surface of a cordoroy blue indian ocean. Fringed on top with lush palms, equipped with wi-fi internet and plasma tvs, and below the waves with rich reefs, the maldives practically invented the word paradise.

the archipelago may be far away for north americans, but almost half a million europeans travel to these islands each year to dive, chill out, and for the celebrity set, to escape the paparazzi. (each winter, a line of private jets at hulhule airport attest to the popularity of these islands as a photographer free zone)

the maldives may be upscale, but you dont have to be an oil sheik or a dot domb millionaire to enjoy the place either: low season rates, when the weather might be a bit rainy, is actually peak season for whale sharks, when rates can be cut in half....and this is music to the ears of any diver worth his salt, because the maldives has some of the best diving anywhere.

maldives don't miss:

A seaplane flight, from anywhere to anywhere else in the archipelago (just don't forget your camera);

Bodu Behru, the drum performance brought to the islands from African traders;

a manta cleaning station dive, sheer balletic performances by the seas most elegant creatures is almost guaranteed;

mas riha, tuna curry, made from the world's tastiest tuna;

a sunrise, or sunset on any island;

 

maldives give it a miss:

shopping visit to local islands, unless paying 15 times the cost of the item in bali interests you;

sunset fishing trips: they rip fish right off the reef;

visits to male with a guide, unless being swarmed like a piece of rotting meat appeals;

sarong competitions: why?

hermit crab races: why again?

 

 

maldives don't even think about:

coming here looking to have a backpacker budget holiday;

staying on a honeymooners only island, if youre single;

expecting rocking night life: the only boom is happening in the honeymoon suite;

booking a room at a one-nationality only resort, unless you like your aerobics in italian or russian;

bringing DVD's through customs, even teletubbies are a no no;

smuggling those tiny airline alcohol bottled, they are even more verboten;

sleeping under a palm tree without checking for coconuts above (falling nuts are a leading cause of death in the country);

take any sand or shells home with you: an over zealous customs agent at the airport will send you to jail