Maldives is one of those places which ferries you to a trance mode. The feeling of sitting on a dock with feet dipped in the cold blue water is certainly beyond words. Comprising of roughly1190 small coral islands, Maldives covers an area of 10,400sqKm. A. Kameshwari of One World News got to know from Anahita Gangwani, the experience of her recent visit to this mesmerizing island.
Maldives is sitting happily in the middle of the Indian Ocean, right near the Equator. The locals, seen roaming in ‘burqas’ or playing at the beach give tough competition to the foreigners rambling in their hot pants and bikini tops. Inspite of being a Muslim country, the ladies are as outgoing as the men, making it just about the best thing. The mutual respect the society members share is something that can be looked up to.
“I remember us planning and booking the whole trip with utmost anxiety and excitement. The booking document came with a set of instructions regarding- entry at the airport, arrival, payments, sun protection and especially clothing, which I distinctly remember, said that Maldives being a Muslim country, requests the ladies who are visiting the island, to cover their shoulders and knees. However, excursion trips allowed us to wear, whatever we wanted to.” saidAnahitaGangwani.
Male(pronounced –Maaley) is the islands’ capital, and staying true to the phrase ‘across the street of ocean’ is anairport; the airport is an island by itself called ‘HulhuMale’. From the airport, you are supposed to take a boat ride to the island you have planned to stay on. And if you are concerned about the size of the island on which are staying, you need to stand on one corner and have a look around to find an answer to your question.
Sitting out with their gang members and playing cards is what all Maldivians love doing. More often than not,people invite the tourists to play along with them. Art and craft is another aspect which these people are very good at. The deft coral stone carvings at HukuruMiskiiy, the intricate lacquer art, the fine mats woven by the women of Fioari in the south and the work of skilled calligraphers whose works, old and new, can be viewed in mosques around the country are indeed worth a watch.
Maldives is an extremely relaxing place, everything tends to move slowly; you tend to forget about the time, distance, space and everything else, once there.No rush, no push, nowhere to reach, there is nothing more to ask. With a buffet of adventurous water sports which the youngsters can’t get enough of, Maldives is a place which people from all age groups can enjoy. If not a water person, you’ll have lived past nirvana with the glory of the sunrise and harbouring of the sunset, here.
Exciting stuff Maldives has in store for you:
Beach Volleyball: Sand, Sun, and beach and to top that a game of volleyball. One need not worry if new to the game, as sometimes, the fun lies in not knowing.
Spa: Maldives has a flurry of spas for the tourist totreat themselves. A tranquil body spa is certainly a world in itself. There lies a wide variety of spa packages which Maldives presents.
Water sports: Snorkelling, Wind-surfing and Catamaran-sailing are among the most venturesomewater sports, Maldives has in the offering. There are ample teaching courses available to ensure that you do not miss the fun. And if you are into surfing, then June-August is the best time to visit this scintillating place.
Diving: Without a doubt, diving is the mostdaring sport in Maldives. The site of fishes, being in their zone is breathtaking as well as terrifying. Feeling and touching them is a moment to remember. Deep-sea diving is indeed an experience which will find a definite space in your stories to tell, once back home.
Each dive site of Maldives has its unique characteristics in form, fauna and flora, the currents and other elements that shape and mould them.
“For sure! Take tons and crates of sun lotion. Much is never enough, never. I’m still hiding the tan. But all worth it”, confessesAnahita.One can start the day with a visit to an uninhabited island for a snorkelling session and some lunch. Your first trip cannot be more magical. Every colour, shape, size and pattern in every possible combination is there, right there. Feel like a mermaid between it all. “I remember pulling back and gasping when the land below my eyes disappeared. There was no end to the blue water; it takes over your senses for split of a second. That is why, what you see is so beautiful, magnificent enough to keep you distracted.”
The water is so crystal clear that one can see the corals with naked eye. That expression and feeling of being in a hand span range from them, sends chills down your spine. But honestly, it is something worth the fear. Adding further about her experience Anahita admits “Three hours, seven layers of tanning and five course meals later, we were pretty much at ease with the ocean to go in by ourselves. Scuba diving however, took a little more effort. Swimming, surrounded by fishes and corals was simply amazing. Maldives surely gave us an experience of a lifetime, if you want to spend quality time and feel young all over again, then Maldives is your calling.”
Picture Courtesy : Anahita Gangwani & Dhiraj Vedula
Information Courtesy: Anahita Gangwani
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