Joanna James
Because of the natural bliss of sun, sea, and sands, the Maldives is often called the 'sunny side of life' by tourists, and they dream to come to the Maldives at least once in their lifetime. But, there are some dos and don'ts that you will have to adhere to when visiting this island nation.
While you spend your tropical holiday at a Maldives beach hotel the likes of Saii Lagoon Maldives, do not forget to enjoy some local dishes that are truly Maldivian. Garudhiya and Baiy, Rhihaakuru, and Masburi Riha are just some of them. You'll notice that most of the dishes you'd come across are fish or seafood-based, and you can't help it because this is a country that is 99% surrounded by the ocean.
If you really wish to be like a local when you holiday in the Maldives, you can do one of the two things. One is to visit a local market or a fish market in the early morning to experience the daily life of a Maldivian. The markets can be noisy and chaotic, but you'll get used to it after a certain while. Or else, you can visit a rural island in the Maldives and talk to some locals there to have a big picture of their lives.
What you'll love the most about the people in the Maldives is that they are extremely friendly. They will always greet you with a big smile on their face, and they'll be happy to talk to you as much as they can, even with some broken English. But, how about you speaking to them first with their own language? Learn some words such as 'As-salamu Alaykum' (Hello), 'Haalu Kihineh?' (How are you?) and, 'Rangalhu' (Good) before you are visiting any village, and then use these phrases to delight them.
The Maldives is a haven for those who love nature. But one thing that most of the tourists forget when they travel to this beautiful destination, is that they should keep the same for their next generations as well. So, when you travel to the Maldives, please do not litter its streets. Whatever the polythene bags you use to carry your things, should be kept with yourself even after you are done using them. And, if you choose to dive or snorkel, do not touch or pick the corals or try to touch the amazing sea creatures.
The Maldives is a Muslim country, so it does have certain dressing restrictions. When going out, make sure your shoulders are covered and your knees too. Do not wear mini-skirts or shorts when visiting any public attraction, and do not wear shoes when entering a mosque or any other religious site.
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.
