Joanna James
The Maldives is more than what meets the eye and for the discerning visitor, a voyage ripe with cultural influences and pageantry awaits. Have a read through what it truly means to be in the Maldives.
Of particular relevance and worthy of one's visit would be the islands located in the north and south. Once here, one will be greeted by vistas of a remarkable nation and its people, long before tourism and outdoor adventuring rose to prominence. Utheemu in the northern atolls bears testament to this thought as it is the home of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu; the man who was influential in driving out the Portuguese during the 16th century. Remnants of the Sultan's once magnificent palace remain which successfully brings to light a period in the Maldives where ruling classes were placed on society's highest pedestal.
Island hopping outings are outstanding ways to set about discovering and unearthing how communities get on living life as they have come to understand and accept. Though communication may be a tad tricky if you do not happen to have a good grasp of the basics in the Dhivehi dialect, sign language and common gestures should not get in the way of your travels and sharing a meal with a family. In this light, you will learn to eat with your fingers while tasting the finest catches of the day coupled with dashes of coconut, rice, flatbread and curries packed to their fullest with an assortment of pungent spices.
Residing on any of the Maldives' islands will present a plethora of opportunities to tuck into household favourites and a pastime known as drinking tea. However, why stop at a cuppa tea when you can venture out further and tantalize your taste buds with a range of delectables? The local café, restaurant or coffee shop ought to be your point of interest in this regard where servings of French toast, pancakes, sponge cake, tuna and egg might be attacked and that too vigorously.
Boarding a pubic ferry will come off as being an easy-paced outing for those keener on spending their time in the atolls, admiring and embracing its alluring elements. What's more? You will be travelling with Maldivians and handed a chance to make new friends and be informed of the reasons why these sumptuous isles must be visited more than once.
Of course, no introduction to the Maldives can ever be done justice to in absence of its glorious outdoors and especially, its surfing hotspots. For the adventure junkie and vacationer who believes that life must be lived on the edge, then the Maldives is the perfect tonic. The swells in this part of the world are consistent and therefore, allow for quite the entertaining time and the period beginning June through September is when you need your surfboard beside you. In terms of favourable regions, look at Guraidhoo in the South Male Atoll and North Male Atoll's Thulusdhoo. Having a good form of accommodation to be based at counts as well and for this purpose, have a look at Minor Hotels which is one of the major hotel chains worth holidaying at.
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.
