Surviving Maldives

When you are planning to visit Maldives, it becomes of prime importance to be aware of Maldives social conventions. The majority of the indigenous population does not mix with the tourist visitors, with the exception of those involved with tourism in the resorts and Malé. The Maldives is a Muslim country and dressing conservatively is preferred, with women covering their shoulders and thighs. For men, shorts are acceptable. Do get to know the locals. Maldivians are a friendly and hospital and always up for a chat. A smile will always be returned. Also, since it’s a 100% Muslim country, you cannot drink alcohol just anywhere, you can have it in hotels but not in the city without a special permit, also you can’t bring them from the airport. The ecological system is delicately balanced and in danger of being lost to future generations, not just as a result of natural circumstances but also because of the actions of visitors.

Maldivian Food

Maldives comprises of more water than land, therefore its natural that seafood is the most prominent Maldivian food. Since Maldives is at a crossroads in the Indian Ocean and has a lot of travellers and visitors from different parts of the world, over time, they too have left their mark on the Maldivian cuisine. Food of Maldives retains all the tastes and traits which are evident of its predominantly Muslim identity. But, the reason to rejoice for the food lovers is that Maldives acknowledges the influence of the varied abundance of global cuisines and the result is rewarding.The world travellers brought new seasonings and introduced vegetables to the country. The Maldivian cuisine in now an eclectic mix of Indian, Arabic, Oriental, Sri Lankan blended uniquely embodying a culinary identity of its own. Almost all resorts in Maldives have multiple restaurants and cater to international cuisine like Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern and Continental.

Shopping in Maldives

Shopping in Maldives can be an exciting experience. Malé is the commercial hub of the Maldives in addition to being the capital city. Varieties of consumer goods are imported to Maldives and are sold in Malé. Electronics, cosmetics, perfumes, garments and chocolates are available from shops in different parts of Malé. You get edibles like canned fish too, which is famous here. The main areas of shopping are Majeedhee Magu and Chaanhanee Magu. There is excellent shopping at the duty free outlets selling toys, perfumes, liqueur, cosmetics, electronics at The Malé International Airport. All shops in Maldives are generally open till 2300 hours, closing only for 15 minutes for their prayers. It is always better to visit a few shops to compare prices before you go ahead. Also beware of people trying to persuade you into buying things or entering their shops. Shop in groups too and avoid going alone. Most resorts in Maldives have in house souvenir shops that cater to basic needs as well as the island curios.

Maldivian Culture

It is difficult to define the culture of Maldives because its origin is cloaked in mystery. It is a blend of various cultures because of the seafarers who finally settled here too. The most important are the ones closest to it, Sri Lanka and South India. Their language is Indo Iranian with Arabic influences. The African were brought as slaves by the kings and noblemen. One can say, Maldives has been a melting pot for Indian, Sri Lankan, Arabian, African and South East Asian settlers. The to-and-fro flow of people and their cultures left a marked effect on the Maldivian people, the language, beliefs, arts, and attitudes. The looks of the Maldivian people may differ from one atoll to the other, attributing to the genes passed on by South and Southeast Asians, Africans, and Arabians. Maldives is probably the only country with a 100% Sunni Muslim population. No other religion except Islam is permitted. They celebrate all the festivals on the Muslim calendar.

Art in Maldives

The fact that the Maldivians are sheer craftsmen is evident when you visit mosques, cemeteries and tomb stones. The delicate carvings are witness to their intricate skill. They are master calligraphers and their work has strong connection to Islam. The Islamic centre is the biggest example of this. Maldivian handicrafts, sculptures, wood carvings and other forms of art and craft have their own unique charm and beauty. The skills have been passed down through generations and the craftsmen take pride in possessing these artistic skills. The are deft at producing beautifully crafted pieces of what is available locally. The island is known for having strong cultural heritage with Indian, African, Sri Lankan, Arabian and South East Asia influences. They produced ornaments with black corals and tortoise shells for years. But that has reduced now and become almost obsolete due to awareness with regards to preservation of nature and the environment.

Sightseeing in Maldives

Maldives is a place known for its beautiful atolls. Male, being the hub of commercial trade, is the most happening place in Maldives. Its local markets and the fish market are worth visiting. There is a big reservoir of tourist places in Maldives. Since the first resort island opened on the Male Atoll in 1972, tourism has been developed to become the most important industry in this country, there are now over 90 resorts in the Maldives, each of which is on its own island, with its own unique natural beauty, style and concept. Apart from the beautiful resorts and beaches, Maldives has a unique lifestyle, culture and architecture which are very impressive. So, take out your cameras to click the photos of these picturesque places.

Magical Maldives

The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in both size and population. It is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by approximately 1,190 islands grouped in a double chain of 26 atolls, lying just off India’s Lakshadweep Islands. The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with more than 80% of the country’s land less than one metre above sea level. The Maldives waters are noted for their colourful coral reefs, home to 300 species of fish. The coral reefs act as a natural barrier against the tropical storms, floods and tsunamis. Seaweeds grow on the skeletons of dead coral. The corals reefs are like the rainforest for marine life. The lack of vegetation and wildlife is supplemented by the abundant marine life. The largest island of the Maldives is Gan.