Joanna James
The Maldives is the ultimate tropical getaway, a place of powdery white sand beaches, coral reefs home to an abundance of marine life and exotic island getaways to relax at; the place is never boring, especially when you spice up your trip with the following.
That's right folks, the Maldives is not just about lying on the white sand beaches or scuba diving and snorkelling; join the many surfers who turn up at the archipelago from across the world, to ride the impressive swells brought on by the southwest monsoon. The North Male Atoll, home to Kurumba Maldives, is one of the Maldives top surfing destinations and with the help of your Maldives resort you can book a tour and enjoy riding the foaming white waves and weaving through barrels. The best season for surfing there is from the middle of April to mid-October.
While fishing is one of the archipelagos biggest attractions, there is something incomparably exotic and exciting about night fishing. Night fishing tours are organised by Maldives resorts as a treat for guests. Set off into the folds of the Indian Ocean as the sun is setting and start your adventure under the light of the silvery moon. Your fresh catch is often cooked by the onboard cook on an isolated island for you to enjoy.
Dating back to 1656, Hukuru Miskiiy is the islands oldest mosque. Built from pink coral stone, the historical building boasts elegant and intricate wood carvings in doors and windows as well as Arabic scripts inscribed on the walls, and a cemetery where the remains of past sultans, kings, queens and national heroes rest.
Nothing helps you savour a new culture better than exploring the local markets. There you are privy to local culture, and lifestyles while shopping for unique souvenirs. The local market located on the capital Male Island is where traders from across the atolls bring their wares to sell. Hence, you are treated to a variety of food, handcrafts and loads of fresh coconut water to keep you cool.
The Maldives fish market is located next to the market and is truly the backbone of the fisher nation. Go there to experience the essence of local lifestyles, watch as fish is traded and fresh catches are brought in, be a part of the hustle and bustle and enjoy the experience. You need to get there early to snag the freshest catch and also, leave behind any squeamish inhibitions you may have before visiting the place.
The National Museum is a wealth of information on the history of the Maldives. The place well chronicles the existence of the island from its pre-Islamic state to the present. Although certain artefacts not pertaining to Islam were destroyed, there are many items there such as the first gramophone on the island, to view and understand the country's evolution into one of the world's most popular tourist destinations in the tropics.
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