The Maldives: Paradise Resort

The Maldives is the direct and the closest synonym for  the paradise. Here you can not only enjoy all of the tropical treasures but also create a unique scenario for your stay and recreation.

Here all of your wishes come true as the islands manage to do so!

Male-Capital of the Maldives

Male – the capital of the Maldives, as well as the commercial and administrative center. This is the most popular and busiest island in the Maldives archipelago. Male – the only settlement that can be called a city. The city is located on the eponymous island. Male Island is located approximately in the center of the Maldives archipelago.

In the capital there is anything that you can demand from the eastern city: mosques, markets, lots of souvenirs shops, small cafes with exotic meats and so on. Just opposite of the  Dzhumuri Maidan, or the Republican park, is the Islamic Center, the main building of which  is the Grand Mosque. Its golden domes shine so brightly that you can be see it even from the sea, when the coming closer to the island.

Great Mosque has a capacity for 5 thousand people, it’s an amazing structure. Its interior is decorated with wooden carvings and Arabic calligraphy, skillfully executed by local craftsmen. Remember, the mosque is a place for prayer, and crowds of tourists here are undesirable. If you do decide to go in there, it is better to do it, accompanied by Maldivians. Visitors must be dressed accordingly and maintain complete silence.

Across the road is the Sultan Park and National Museum. Its exhibition includes a large collection of clothing and jewelry of earlier sultans, the manuscript of the Koran and a list of interesting Islamic statues found during excavation of the archipelago. Among the unique monuments – the head of the statue of the Buddha from the island Todd, referring to the pre-Islamic period, and wood paneling in the XIII., Covered with ancient characters.

There are no tall buildings, and the bike is much more typical than cars. It is almost impossible to get lost in Male, all the streets go into three major roads, so as long as you get to a straight road you’ll get back to the place. There are various hotels on the island. Each hotel has its own dinghy, where you can go on a cruise in the archipelago for several days.

Maldivian Nature

The soil of coral islands is relatively poor and not very favorable for plant growth. Despite this fact, flora of islands varies greatly. This applies to both agricultural crops and ornamental plants.

The main tree on the islands – coconut palm, which became the emblem of the state. This is the main crop of the country. In addition, the Maldives is also famous for its breadfruit and pandanus, banyan and fig-trees, the branches of which hold additional roots hanging down to the ground. Mangrove trees grow abundantly on the sandy shores of the island.

There is an abundance of various kinds of roses on the island. And actually roses are now considered to be the national symbol of the Maldives. Here you can find Althaea with delicate yellow and orange flowers, as well as pink and yellow plumer which spreads its pleasant smell all over the island.

Wildlife of the island is not very rich. Once the islands were only inhabited by sea birds. Almost the half of the different species of birds is permanent inhabitants of the islands, while the other half – migratory birds.

In the Maldives, there are many gulls and terns, which are called sea swallows. Birds are being fed with mosquitoes, eliminating housing of the annoying insects. The most impressive birds are sea frigates with dark plumage and powerful wings.

Another interesting creature to meet in the Maldives is crab. There is a big amount of them especially in some parts of the island. They play a prominent role in the natural balance, cleaning beaches of animal skeletons and rotting plants.

Maldivian Cuisine

The bases of all dishes of Maldivian cuisine are two products: fish and rice. As for fish, it is mainly tuna. And one of its varieties, better known as the Mediterranean tuna – a small fish with red meat.

Most of the time fish is being served with fresh curry and pepper together with rice. The fish which is not being immediately turned into some kind of dish, is being dried in the sun until it becomes hard as stone. When cooking it locals usually add coconut and pepper. Chicken meat is being used only in exceptional cases, and the beef is cooked only in tourist islands.

Most traditional dishes can be tasted in ti-shops. The thing is you can hardly ever find this kind of dishes in the restaurant’s menu. Some of the tastiest ones are rice with vegetables, rice with fish or rice with chicken. Despite the fact that these dishes are very spicy, they are wonderful.

The main beverage here is tea, which they drink with plenty of milk and sugar. If you just order tea, then they will bring this exact drink. To drink regular tea without sugar and milk, you should clarify that you want “black tea”. In ti-shops you will be offered a variety of flavored milk: rose and orange flavored, as well as, coffee powder, which is the Maldivians preferred. Another drink which is not that common is “Raa” – sweet drink which doesn’t include any alcohol.

The most common dessert is no surprisingly coconut, which is being used at any stage of its maturity. Even from the very unripe walnut you can extract juice. Walnut average maturity gives a sweet jelly-like pulp. The flesh of the nuts is being rubbed on a grater and added for dish flavoring of fish and rice. In the Maldives they also eat bananas, papaya, mango, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and breadfruit.

Entertainment in the Maldives

One of the most useful ones here is the evening fishing. Boat serving staff will help you to cope with the initial difficulties, and then everything will depend on your skills! The following evening is a dinner-BBQ from  fish, you caught.

Sometimes there is even a special hunting and fishing on the big fish. Departure for such an event takes place on special boats far beyond the territory of the atolls. It will be interesting to ride on the glass bottom boat. Through this miracle can make a lot of colorful pictures of the underwater world.

But for those who are looking for something more interesting here comes the possibility of  scuba diving. The Maldives are renowned as one of the most beautiful places in the world for scuba diving. Magnificent lagoon, many species of fish and coral, stingrays and sharks.

Almost every resort has its own diving school. The equipment being used while the diving is periodically checked for compliance with the latest requirements of international standards. The schools have professional instructors and assistants. World-recognized certificate PADI Open Water Diver can be obtained for the beginner divers after nine dives and theoretical training. Some schools hold classes for the acquisition of the certificate of professional diver.

We recommend that you take diving courses in advance, before visiting the Maldives, so that you can begin to dive immediately after arrival at the resort, instead of holding nearly a week of your vacation in the classroom. If you plan to go diving course during your stay, we recommend to obtain a medical certificate prior to departure confirming the good state of your health, because not all resorts have a doctor who is constantly on the island. You should be able to swim and you must be at least 12 years old. Scuba Diving in Maldives will give you unforgettable impressions which you’ll remember in rest of your life