Joanna James
Most people jet-off to the Maldives for fun, sun and surf, to stay at a luxury resort, enjoy thrilling water sports and savour delicious seafood. But did you know the nation is strongly influenced by religion and traditions; most of the islands are deserted and transport options can be expensive.
The Maldivian archipelago consists of close to 1200 little islands, clustered into 26 atolls. Most islands are so tiny they do not appear on maps, while some have long since been swallowed up by the sea. Hint - island hopping is quite a rewarding thrill.
Those of you seeking a deserted island experience have plenty of choice since amongst the staggering 1,000 plus islands only about 200 are inhabited; most are owned by private resorts like Adaaran Club Rannalhi Maldives, some are kept as picnic islands for guests of resorts, others are inhabited by locals while the rest are used as farmlands; the balance remain wild and pristine. Some of the best hotels in Maldives are the luxury resorts offering guests a chance to explore a local village and experience the culture, religion and traditions.
The Maldives is a 100% Muslim nation and all locals follow the Islamic faith, hence, pork products are banned on the island, as is the use of alcohol outside of your resort. While alcohol is freely available to guests at luxury resorts in the Maldives, you cannot order drinks at local restaurants, but then again there is so much to savour around the exotic archipelago that many experiences will give you a thrill minus the intoxication. Public displays of too much affection are also not permitted, although lovers may hold hands and enjoy the gorgeous sunsets.
As followers of the Islamic faith, Maldivians are very conservative. Visitors too, should respect this fact and strive to dress and behave accordingly. Ladies should cover their shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites or local islands. Bathing suits of any size or shape are allowed at your private resort, but when exploring local areas, you can only wear a bather at stipulated ‘bikini beaches’.
The most lavish mode of getting to your luxury hotel in the Maldives is the seaplane or speedboat; in most instances, the private resort you booked will have its own. Chartering these services can be quite expensive, although the views from your plane are quite stunning and a speedboat ride across the Indian Ocean, dotted with tiny islands is an experience to savour. And really, the Maldives is a place to splurge and enjoy. Those of you on a tight budget though, have the option of taking the public ferry, a tad longer journey, but much cheaper; you should be warned that ferry’s keep to very irregular timetables.
As a tropical archipelago, the country only experiences two seasons; the dry season and wet season. The former takes place from December to April and has less rainy days and a lower humidity; the wet season, lasting from May to November, has a humidity of 75% to 80% more rain and stronger winds, perfect for sailing and kite surfing.
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