Joanna James
The lovely Maldive Islands are always a delightful place to holiday in. If you enjoy shopping there is no need to worry as you will find a number of fun opportunities for retail therapy, as listed below.
The city of Male which is the capital of the Maldives features a number of markets where you will be able to buy appealing souvenirs such as miniature boats. In these markets, you will also find other merchandise such as brooms, slippers and mats made from coconut and palm leaves. If you visit these engrossing marketplaces make it a point to sample the coconut milk which will be fresh and invigorating. Other interesting things that you will find in the Male markets include wooden vases, lacquer ware and decorations fashioned from seashells. However, make sure to take local currency to the markets as many vendors will be unfamiliar with the rates of exchange of foreign currencies.
Majeedhee Magu is a popular shopping avenue which extends from the eastern side of Male to its west. This street is renowned for its merchandise including apparel items, a variety of textiles, electronics and accessories. Other goods that you will find at Majeedhee Magu include perfumes, cosmetics, handbags, jewellery and watches. In fact you will be able to find almost everything you may desire to purchase in the Maldives here. Since the shops here remain open until 11 at night you will have plenty of time to explore the numerous shops which will attract your attention.
If you would rather not leave the cosseting luxury of your chosen resort in order to check out the local shopping opportunities, there is no need to worry as there is a mobile market which may regularly arrive at your resort itself. This one of a kind market regularly travels around the islands of the Maldives, bringing a diverse selection of merchandise to many of the resorts. You may find that this mobile market arrives at your resort on a specific day of the week or perhaps on the weekend, offering a variety of goods at moderate prices. Additionally, some of the resorts feature their own boutiques, including Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives which is an accommodation choice that you could consider, featuring attractive Maldives villas.
For visitors desiring to purchase gifts and souvenirs as mementos of their visit to the Maldives the place of choice would be Chaandanee Magu. This appealing locality is lined with an array of gift stalls and shops offering a fine selection of locally made craftwork such as miniature boats, mats and clothing. A highlight at Chaandanee Magu is the well-known locally made mats known as thudu kuna, in addition to the miniature dhonis, which are souvenir size versions of the popular Maldivian sailing vessels. Browsing through the shops on this street is sure to be an engrossing experience for avid shoppers.
For an authentic glimpse into the everyday life of the native Maldivians, make it a point to visit the Male Fish Market. As you might expect, you will find a mind-boggling selection of different kinds of fish and other sea creatures at this bustling marketplace. Many local people come to this market to purchase fresh fish, making it a great place to watch the Maldivians engaged in one of their daily activities. You will also find that the Fish Market is a highlight for taking photographs, as you will be able to take pictures of the unusual kinds of fish as well as the buyers and sellers engaged in the sale of the fresh seafood.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
