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Maldives: Atolls of Enchantment
By Islomaniac | June 29, 2007
The
Catherine Lambert
News.com.au
Catherine Lambert lists some of the things to see and experience that make a holiday in the
1. Hot spot
The
With good connections, flight time can be less than 15 hours. Time difference is only five hours, jet lag is negligible, especially once you’re lying under a palm tree, sipping on natural coconut juice - the Maldivian elixir.
In the Indian Ocean, about 500km from the southern tip of
2. Picnic lunch
The natural environment is so valued and protected in the
Island Hideaway Resort makes full use of its local island, transporting guests by speed boat to the small, untouched island for picnic lunches.
Complete with tablecloths, waiting staff and cutlery, the lunches include a range of salads, wines and fruit. Tables are set in a clearing in the trees. The island is only 20m wide, so the view on either side is water, lapping at the shore.
3. Sunset fishing
Tourism and carpentry are the main industries of the
Often the only mark on the horizon will be a dhoni, a traditional Maldivian fishing boat, ploughing through the water with the help of its big sails.
At White Sands, locals take groups out for night fishing under the stars and inevitably return with a good catch, which can be barbecued for you when you return to the resort for dinner.
Fishing is done with hand lines or rods and is best accompanied with a glass of cool white wine and the calm, still,
4. Spa
Though most of the spa therapists are Balinese, the Maldivian spas have their own character.
They are mostly set on the water for maximum visual and aural relaxation.
The water soothes spirits, as do highly trained, sensitive therapists working on stressed muscles.
The spas tend to feature double treatment rooms for couples or friends to enjoy pampering together.
Treatments are traditional Balinese, though they often have different titles, but some diversify. The Away Spa at W Retreat and Spa combines the best of all Asian massage techniques, while the Jiva Grande at Taj Exotica has an Ayurvedic emphasis, introducing a range of traditional Indian therapies and oil blends.
5. Clubbing
Opportunities to dance at the
Built 15m below ground, the cool club is small, but atmospheric. The DJs, who rotate every two months, won’t play anything remotely last season, even on request, preferring trance music. But if you don’t dance you can always pose on the divans, watch the big-screen projection behind the dance floor or try the great array of cocktails.
6. Snorkelling/diving
Experienced divers say
They have 1000 recorded species of fish, many thousands of reefs and more than 200 species of coral.
All resorts have dive sites within an hour’s boat ride, though some will obviously have more to offer than others. Snorkelling at the W Retreat and Spa, for example, is superior to diving at some other resorts.
It is common to see guests snorkelling in the lagoons that fringe each resort, happy to look at the abundant fish life right at their doorstep.
7. Surfing/water sports
The best experiences in the
It is a popular spot for surfing, the fastest growing water sport in the country.
The best season for surfing is the southwest monsoon, from April to October, with the biggest swells rolling in from June to September.
Surfing safaris are popular for serious surfers. They range from luxury cruise ships to the more rustic boats, featuring four cabins in which crews cook in the Maldivian style - tuna, usually barbecued.
8. Romantic sunsets
It is no surprise that the
It is hypnotic soul food to watch the sun turn a brilliant shade of coral against a purple sky as it gradually descends into the horizon.
That is the time you suddenly see previously hidden hotel guests, keen to have their photographs taken in front of the sunset.
Bewitched by the heavens, guests at the Taj Exotica are encouraged to also gaze at the starry sky and moon through their super telescope, have another nightcap and retire to bed with calming dreams.
9. Dining
Surprisingly, the
Resort chefs tend to look to
A delightful custom at Island Hideaway is to introduce guests to traditional Maldivian cuisine. Primarily seafood, it combines southern Indian spice with interesting textures.
10. Doing nothing
One of the greatest attractions of this tropical paradise is to lie on a sundeck, under a beach umbrella, and marvel at how quickly time passes when you’re doing … absolutely nothing.
You can do nothing by the beach, by your private pool, by the communal pool, on a boat, at the spa or in the lounge areas.
Of course, you can always do nothing in your room, many of which are a natural source of entertainment because they are so full of luxury novelties.
You can do nothing with a cocktail, a book, a plasma television, jacuzzi or a beautiful Maldivian swing rocking in the sunshine.
And there is always the bath - most resorts in the
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June 30th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Well, very impressing. Have done a good job.
June 30th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
It is not 1190 atolls. It is 1192 islands which are grouped into 26 natural atolls.
Best Regards
June 30th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Thank-you for that correction.
June 30th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Thank you for writing about Maldives. its wonderful to know people love about our country and wants to be back. interesting work.well done. but tourism and fishing are the main industries.
June 30th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
There is something else too. You mentioned about the sailing boats sometimes being the only objects seen on the horizon. As if fishing is still so traditional. But using sailing boats for fishing and travelling is already history. The usual fishing boats usually have 250hp marine engines and even have freezing capabilities and GPRS systems. And it is once in a blue moon that u can see a sailing boat these days.
July 1st, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Truly,truly No place on earth like our home:D