![\"mal.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/www.asianinny.com\/temp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/06\/mal.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt delivers on the promise of Eden – to those who can afford its charms.Resorts in the Maldives woo tourists with promises of ‘the last paradise on earth’. If your idea of paradise is a pristine, tranquil tropical island with swaying palm…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It delivers on the promise of Eden – to those who can afford its charms.Resorts in the Maldives woo tourists with promises of ‘the last paradise on earth’. If your idea of paradise is a pristine, tranquil tropical island with swaying palm trees, pure white beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons, then the Maldives won’t disappoint.<\/p>\n
This group of 1190 coral islands is also a major destination for scuba divers, who come for the fabulous reefs and the wealth of marine life; however, this is not a place for low budget backpackers or amateur anthropologists who want to travel independently and live as the locals do.<\/p>\n
Maldives: When to Go
\nIf you’re looking for a few extra hours of sunshine then you should visit the Maldives between December and April, which is also the brilliant height of the dry season. However, this is also the main season for tourism – resorts can be fully booked and prices are higher than the rest of the year. The Christmas-New Year period is the busiest and most expensive part of the high season, when many of the all-inclusive package tourists arrive from Europe and America. Between May and November it’s still warm, but the skies can be cloudy, humidity is higher and rain squalls and tropical storms blow in on the southwest monsoon. This is the official low season – prices are lower and there are fewer tourists but some resorts close for annual repairs. The transition months of November and April are said to be associated with increased water clarity and better visibility for divers.<\/p>\n
Weather
\nWhile it’s always hot and humid, the southwest monsoon period from May to November see the most rain, storms and the least sun. The other monsoon period is perhaps more friendly: the northeast monsoon or ruvai lasts from December to March, which are quite dry and slightly cooler months. Daytime temperatures hit about 30\u00b0C (86\u00b0F) all year round and lows average in the low 20\u00b0Cs (low 70\u00b0Fs). Daytime sea breezes also help take the edge off but nights can be quite muggy.<\/p>\n
Maldives: Events
\nMost holidays are based on the Islamic lunar calendar and the dates vary from year to year. The most important religious event is Ramadan (known locally as rorda mas ), the Islamic month of fasting. Other noteworthy events are Kuda Id, the sighting of the new moon (celebrated at the end of Ramadan), and the Prophet’s Birthday, which commemorates the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. Fixed holiday dates include: National Day (the day Mohammed Thakurufaan and his men overthrew the Portuguese on Mal\u00e9 in 1573, the first day of the third month of the lunar calendar); Victory Day (victory over Sri Lankan mercenaries who tried to overthrow the Maldivian government on 3 November 1988); and Republic Day (which commemorates the current republic, founded on 11 November 1968).<\/p>\n
Maldives: Sights<\/p>\n
Banana Reef
\nTransport boat: from North Mal\u00e9 Atoll Keyword national park, dive site This protected marine area has a bit of everything: dramatic cliffs, caves and overhangs; brilliant coral growths; big predators such as sharks, barracuda and groper; and prolific reef fish including jackfish, morays and bluestriped snapper. It was one of the first Maldives dive sites to become internationally known. The reeftop is excellent for snorkelling.<\/p>\n
Mantas drop in at several cleaning stations around the reef.<\/p>\n
Fish Head
\nTransport boat: from Ari Atoll Keyword dive site Also called Mushimasmingali Thila, this is one of the world’s most famous dive sites. Its steep sides are spectacular, with multi-level ledges, overhangs and caves supporting sea fans, anemones and black corals. The fish life includes fusiliers, large Napoleons and schools of hungry barracuda. The main attraction, however, is the numerous grey reef sharks.<\/p>\n
Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque)
\nAddress Mal\u00e9 Keyword religious\/spiritual, architectural highlight Hukuru Miskiiy is the oldest mosque in the country, dating from 1656. The exterior is protected by a corrugated-iron covering which doesn’t look very attractive, but the coral-stone walls are intricately carved with patterns and Arabic script. The interior is superb and famed for its fine lacquer work and elaborate woodcarvings.<\/p>\n
The mosque was built on the foundations of an old temple that faced west to the setting sun, not northwest towards Mecca. Consequently, the worshippers have to face the corner of the mosque when they pray – the striped carpet, laid at an angle, shows the correct direction.<\/p>\n
Overlooking the mosque is the solid, round, blue-and-white tower of the munnaaru – the squat minaret. Though it doesn’t look that old, it dates from 1675.<\/p>\n
National Museum
\nAddress Mal\u00e9 Phone tel: (960) 332 2254 (info) Hours Sun-Thu 08:00 – 18:00 Keyword museum Many of the National Museum’s exhibits are things once owned by local sultans. Some of the fabrics are beautiful, especially the rich brocades. Weapons include bonthi sticks, which were used in martial arts. Especially interesting are the pre-Islamic stone carvings collected by Thor Heyerdahl and others from sites all over the country.<\/p>\n
Wreck of the Maldive Victory
\nTransport boat: from Male’ Keyword ships, dive site This is an impressive and challenging dive because of the potential for strong currents. This cargo ship hit a reef and sank in 1981 and now sits with the wheelhouse at around 15m (49ft) and the propeller at 35m (115ft). The ship’s structure is almost intact and provides a home for a rich growth of new coral, sponges, tubastrea and large schools of fish.<\/p>\n
Maldives: Money & Costs<\/p>\n
You could conceivably visit the Maldives on as little as US$35.00 per day, but only if you stayed in the cheap guesthouses in Mal\u00e9, the built-up island capital of the Maldives, and passed up on beach activities and watersports. The cheapest resorts start at around US$50.00 per day in the low season, for a standard double room with full board – but bear in mind that the low season coincides with the rainy season. At most resorts, for most of the year, a double room with full board will cost around US$100.00 a day or more. Diving costs vary from resort to resort but keen divers expecting to undertake about 10 dives a week should allow about US$350.00 per week if they have their own equipment or US$500.00 per week if they rent everything. On a dive safari, the costs can be anywhere between US$60.00 to US$160.00 per day, depending on the luxury, plus another US$70.00 or so for diving. Unless you’re content to bask on the beach all day, expect to spend around US$30.00 per day hiring windsurfers, snorkel gear, tennis courts, etc.<\/p>\n
If you stay at a resort, you don’t need to carry money at all since everything will be billed to your room and you can settle up when you leave with travellers cheques or credit cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard are best). It’s best to carry money in US dollar denominations, but British pounds and euros are pretty acceptable. You won’t need Maldivian rufiyaa unless you’re using local shops and services. The capital, Mal\u00e9, has some excellent local restaurants serving spicy fish curries for just a few rufiyaa.<\/p>\n
Officially, tipping is discouraged in the Maldives. Unofficially, if the service is good – and it usually is – it’s quite customary to tip room staff and waiters in your resort. US$10.00 per week is a suitable amount. A few resorts add a 10% service charge, in which case there’s no need to tip. Bargaining is limited to tourist shops in and around Singapore Bazaar in Mal\u00e9 and at island village souvenir shops where prices are not fixed.<\/p>\n
Currency
\nName Rufiyaa
\nSymbol Rf Sample Price Guide
\nroll of 24 exposure print film Rf 90.00 postcard and stamp Rf 23.00 small bottle of beer Rf 35.00 internet access per half hour Rf 100.00 roll of 24 exposure film Rf 75.00 public toilet useage fee Rf 2.00 Average Room Prices
\nLow Mid High Deluxe
\nUS$30-160 US$160-500 US$500-800 US$800+
\nAverage Meal Prices
\nLow Mid High Deluxe
\nRf7-12 Rf12-25 Rf25-65 Rf65+<\/p>\n
Maldives: Getting there & around
\nGetting There
\nRegular flights connect the Maldives to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Thrivandrum (southwest India), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and there are numerous charter flights from European centres in the peak season. Mal\u00e9 International Airport is the only international gateway; departure tax is US$12.00 and is included in the ticket price. There are regular cargo ships, but they don’t usually take passengers. The Maldives is not popular with private yachts because the reefs are so hazardous and cruising permits are restrictive and expensive.<\/p>\n
Getting Around
\nTourism is strictly regulated, and independent travel is discouraged because it is seen as disruptive to traditional island communities. Those wanting to see the Maldivian way of life can visit Mal\u00e9, the intriguing capital city, and make daytime visits to island communities close to resort islands. It’s not impossible to visit the outer islands, but it’s difficult enough to deter all but the most dedicated and determined. An Inter Atoll Travel Permit is required to visit islands outside the tourist zone, and the Ministry of Atolls Administration will only issue them to those whose visit is sponsored by a resident of the island concerned. Even charities working in the country after the 2004 tsunami were unable to get around this rule.<\/p>\n
Air Maldives, the small national airline, has regular and very scenic flights to the four air strips in the outer atolls, while seaplane resort transfers are operated by Maldivian Air Taxi. Helicopters and seaplanes are used to transfer guests to some of the remoter resorts. The main form of local transport is the dhoni , a traditional all-purpose vessel now usually powered by a diesel engine. Larger boats called vedis are used for longer trips to outer atolls. Safari cruises in modified, live-aboard dhonis are increasingly popular, especially with dive groups who want to reach more remote sites. Most safari trips cruise around the tourist zone, but it is possible to arrange longer trips to the outer atolls – the operator will have to obtain the necessary permits. Most islands are so small that transport is not a problem, but there are taxis, motorcycles and bicycles in the capital.<\/p>\n
Maldives: History
\nPre-20th-Century History
\nThe first inhabitants probably arrived in the archipelago from Sri Lanka and southern India before 500 BC. Some archaeologists – including the explorer Thor Heyerdahl – believe that an ancient race of sun-worshipping people called the Redin were the first settlers; their custom of orienting important buildings towards the sun is still evident today in the layout of many Maldivian mosques. Most experts agree that these early settlers were absorbed into the Buddhist culture brought to the Maldives by settlers from Sri Lanka and India after 500 BC.<\/p>\n
Arab traders en route to the Far East recorded visits to the Maldives from the 2nd century AD onwards. Known as the ‘Money Isles’, they provided enormous quantities of cowrie shells, an international currency of the early ages.<\/p>\n
The conversion to Islam, in 1153 AD, is a watershed in Maldivian history. According to legend, a sea jinni (evil spirit) called Rannamaari demanded regular sacrifices of young virgin girls in Mal\u00e9. Abu Al Barakat, a visiting North African Arab, took the place of a sacrificial virgin, and drove the demon away by reading from the Koran, the Islamic holy book. The Maldivian king at the time was sold on Islam, and Barakat later became the first sultan. A series of six sultanic dynasties followed – 84 sultans and sultanas in all. At one stage, when the Portuguese first arrived in the 16th century, there were actually two ruling dynasties: the Malei and the Hilali.<\/p>\n
The Portuguese, eager for a greater share of the profitable trade routes of the Indian Ocean, were granted permission to build a fort and a factory in Mal\u00e9, but it wasn’t long before they wanted more from the Maldives. In 1558, Captain Andreas Andre led a Portuguese invasion which killed Sultan Ali VI. Andre ruled Mal\u00e9 and much of the country for the next 15 years. Portuguese occupation came to a sticky end in 1573 when an island chief, Mohammed Thakurufaan, led an attack on the main Portuguese garrison and slew the lot.<\/p>\n
In the 17th century, the Maldives came under the protection of the Dutch and later the British, but neither established a colonial administration. In the 1860s Borah merchants from Bombay set up warehouses and shops in Mal\u00e9, and quickly acquired an almost exclusive monopoly on foreign trade. Sultan Mohammed Mueenuddin II, weary of the Borahs’ economic grip, signed an agreement with the British in 1867 which guaranteed the islands’ full independence. The Maldives subsequently became a British protectorate, which allowed the British to establish defence facilities on some outlying islands.<\/p>\n
Modern History
\nThe sultanate became an elected rather than a hereditary position when the islands’ first constitution was drawn up in 1932. In 1953 the sultanate was abolished and a republic proclaimed, with Amin Didi as the first president. Less than a year later Didi was overthrown; the sultanate was returned, with Mohammed Farid Didi elected as the 94th sultan of the Maldives. Around the same time, the British secured permission to re-establish its wartime airfield on Addu Atoll in the far south of the country. In 1956 the Royal Air Force began developing the base as a staging post, employing hundreds of Maldivians and undertaking the resettlement of the Gan islanders. But when Ibrahim Nasir was elected prime minister in 1957 he immediately called for a review of the agreement, demanding that the lease be shortened and the annual payment increased.<\/p>\n
This was followed by an insurrection against the government by the inhabitants of Addu and Suvadiva (Huvadu) atolls, who objected to Nasir’s demand that the British cease employing local labour. Influenced by the British presence, they decided to cut ties altogether and form an independent state. In 1962 Nasir sent gunboats to the southern atolls and the rebellion was quashed. Britain recognised the islands’ sovereignty soon after and in 1965 the Maldives became fully independent.<\/p>\n
Following a referendum in 1968 the sultanate was again abolished and a new republic inaugurated with Nasir as president. His autocratic rule ended a decade later when, fearing for his life, he fled the country for Singapore. The progressive Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected president in his place. Gayoom has been in power ever since, surviving coup attempts in 1980 and 1988.<\/p>\n
Recent History
\nRecent years have been characterised by modernisation, rapid economic growth, and improvement in most social indicators. The main contributors to this growth have been the fishing industry, tourism and foreign aid. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected for a record sixth five-year term in 2003, the same year Amnesty International accused his government of human rights abuses.<\/p>\n
The president has been in power since 1978, and faces pressures for political liberalisation and the introduction of multi-party democracy. Pro-democracy demonstrations in August 2004 led to dozens of dissidents being detained without charge, prompting the EU to suspend a multi-million dollar aid package. Many critics of the regime remain under house arrest on deserted outlying islands. Meanwhile, the prospect of environmental annihilation caused by rising sea levels overshadows island life. There has even been talk of the Maldives suing polluting Western nations for damage caused to their islands by rising sea levels linked to global warming.<\/p>\n
The December 2004 tsunami sent waves up to 5m high surging over the Maldives. As the highest point on the islands is just 1.5m above sea level, much of the area was completely devastated and had to be evacuated. Some 20,500 islanders were displaced from their homes and 81 people were killed, including three tourists. A further 27 people are missing, presumed lost in the disaster.<\/p>\n
The east coast was hardest hit, particularly in the North and South Mal\u00e9 Atolls, although the capital, Mal\u00e9, was mostly unaffected. In the far south, Vilufushi in the Thaa Atoll and Kolhufushi in the Meemu Atoll were badly damaged. In the north, Kandholhudhoo island in the Raa Atoll was completely destroyed, displacing 3000 people from their homes. Several thousand residents of the worst effected islands are still homeless, staying in temporary accommodation or the homes of neighbouring islanders. The slow pace of reconstruction of replacement housing is causing some resentment, and there are signs that the welcome for refugees is wearing thin. Some people have even suggested that the islands affected by the disaster were punished by god for allowing alcohol and other Western vices to take root in these Muslim islands – not exactly a positive direction for a nation economically dependent on tourism. According to the UN, even though a majority of resorts are now open to tourists, the Maldives will suffer the worst economic effects of all the nations struck by the Indian Ocean tsunami. This is partly due to its dependence on tourism and fishing and partly a consequence of the costs of reconstruction over such geographically spread-out islands.<\/p>\n
Politics may prove an even bigger issue for the Maldives. In April 2005, the exiled opposition leader Mohammed Nasheed returned to the Maldives and was promptly arrested, along with 100 supporters, for alleged treason against the Gayoom regime. Independent journalists have reported summary raids on island communities by the security services, who are banned from reading independent newspapers and listening to independent radio stations by a Gayoom edict. With supporters of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party now being arrested at an unprecedented rate, many locals are asking whether the protectionist policies of the Maldivian government are just a ruse to keep the people living under a dictatorship.<\/p>\n