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Malé
A small capital in size, but the heart of the nation and the
centre of government and commerce. Crowded and buzzing with
the sounds of activities on the streets, in shops and in the
markets, this island has not lost its exotic charm and relaxed
atmosphere. The Museum with its wide range of historic relics
and the 400-year-old mosque, the "Hukuru Miskiiy"
with some of the finest coral carvings give you an insight
into the country's unique history.
 Different
from any other island in the country, Malé is a city
of high-rise buildings and paved roads. While the government
offices are located in one area, the main streets are lined
with shops and offices. In the old bazaar area which still
houses the country's hub of wholesale and retail trade, the
lanes are so narrow that a single vehicle would find it difficult
to navigate through, especially with its throngs of busy people.
There are no beaches on Malé; instead seawalls surround
all its sides. However, a newly landscaped artificial beach
area and adjoining breakwater stretching all the way round
to the harbour in the southwest of the island provide a pleasant
jogging route, especially popular in the evenings when it
is cooler.
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Hukuru Miskiiy (Malé)
Built in the 17th century the Huskuru Miskiiy or Friday Mosque
served the population of Malé as their main mosque
for almost four centuries, until the Islamic Centre and Grand
Friday Mosque took over the function in 1984. Built by Sultan
Ibrahim Iskandhar in 1656 the mosque is a masterpiece of coral
curving and traditional workmanship - probably the best display
of coral curving anywhere in the world. The walls of the mosque
are hewn together with blocks of filigree-curved coral blocks.
Heavy wooden doors slide open to the inner sanctums with lamp
hangings of wood and panels intricately carved with Arabic
writings. The area surrounding the mosque is a cemetery with
a legion of intricately curved coral headstones. The Munnaaru
or minaret in front of the mosque, used to call the faithful
to prayer and was built in 1675 by the same Sultan.
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Mulee-aage (Malé)
Right in front of the Hukuru Miskiiy is Mulee-aage, a palace
built in 1906 by Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddeen III, replacing
a house dating back to the mid-17th century. The palace with
its wrought iron gates and fretwork friezes on its roof edges
and well-kept garden was intended for his son, but the Sultan
was deposed. During World War II vegetables were grown in
its garden to help relieve food shortages. It became the President's
Official Residence when Maldives became a republic in 1953
and remained so until 1994, when the new Presidential Palace
was built. At present Mulee-aage houses the President's Office.
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The National Museum (Malé)
The National Museum is housed in the only remaining building
of the former Sultan's Palace, which is now the Sultan's Park.
It is an Edwardian colonial-style building of three storeys,
fairly low key from the outside compared to the amazing collection
inside. The articles on display range from thrones and palanquins
used by former sultans to the first printing press used in
the country, the rifle used by Mohamed Thakurufaanu in his
fight against the Portuguese in the 16th century, ceremonial
robes, headgear and umbrellas used by Sultans to statues and
other figures dating from the 11th century, excavated from
former temples. A variety of artefacts from times past would
give an idea of the unique and rich culture and history of
this island nation. A visit to the museum gives an instant
insight to the wealth of history most visitors never suspect
existed. No longer will you think of the Maldives solely in
terms of a tourist destination. The museum is open daily except
Friday and public holidays from 9.00 to 11.40 and 3.00 to
5.40. A small fee is charged for admission.
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The Islamic Centre (Malé)
The Islamic Centre is the most vivid architectural landmark
of Malé. You would see the spectacular golden dome
in all its majesty dominating the skyline, as you approach
Malé, from any direction. The building symbolizes the
importance of the Islamic religion, which had ruled all aspects
of life in the country for centuries. Completed in 1984, the
Centre consists of a mosque big enough for 5000 people, an
Islamic library, conference hall, classrooms and offices.
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Malé Fish Market (Malé)
The main commercial area of Malé is located on the
northern waterfront of Malé. This area is the main
hub of trade and is a hive of activity through out the day.
The waterfront and the by-lanes in the area are crowded with
shops stocked with a variety of goods. Also in the area are
the Malé Fish Market and the Local Market selling a
range of local produce. While some 'dhonis' from all corners
of the country unload dried fish, fresh fruits and vegetables
from the atolls others are seen loading everything from foodstuffs
to construction materials. The pace increases around mid-afternoon
as fishing 'dhonis' start returning with their day's catch.
The catch, mainly tuna are carried across the road into the
open-sided market and laid out on the tiled floors. As fast
as the fish are brought in they are bought and taken away
by men from all walks of life. The market is kept scrupulously
clean, washed down each day and disinfected.
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The Local Market (Malé)
The Local Market just a block away is divided into small stalls.
Here the pace is slower and the atmosphere more peaceful.
The atmosphere is enhanced by the pale green light that filters
through the fine green mesh that adorn all its windows and
doors. Each stall is filled with a variety of local produce
mainly from the atolls. Here you will find different kinds
of local vegetables, fruits and yams, packets of sweetmeat,
nuts and breadfruit chips, bottles of home made sweets and
pickles and bunches of bananas hanging on choir ropes from
ceiling beams. Another building just next door sells smoked
and dried fish.
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Island Resorts
In many ways Maldivian resorts are unique. For a start, each
resort is on its own island and therefore when you are holidaying
on one, the whole island is yours to enjoy. Consequently each
resort has to be self-contained - producing its own electricity,
desalinates its own water and has its own waste disposal facilities.
There are certain set standards when islands
are planned for tourism development. In every resort island
that is developed the building area should not exceed twenty
percent of the total land area of the island. The buildings
should not rise above the vegetation line. All guest rooms
built should have five linear metres of beach in front.
Each resort has its own unique natural beauty,
style and concept. Some have been carefully planned to give
you an atmosphere of total peace and relaxation while others
offer a variety of activities, games and entertainment. While
some have been developed using local architectural features
and designs, others have incorporated more modern international
styles.
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All About Atolls
According to Darwin, an atoll is formed when a volcano becomes
extinct and is gradually eroded into the sea. He found it
necessary to add a footnote in the case of the Maldives. There,
the 19 main atolls are too large for his theory to apply.
They seem to have been built up by coral, which, as it spread
outwards towards oxygenated waters, left a dying core that
was slowly worn away to sand and sank. When the coral wall
was broken by the sea and fresh salt water entered, new, small
atolls formed inside the ring.
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Malé Atoll
North Malé Atoll South Malé Atoll
Male' Atoll is where it all began and what holds it all together.
Located in the center of the Maldives atoll chain, Male' Atoll
is where the first Maldivian tourists opened and where the
capital island Male' is located. Although the principal atoll,
a surprisingly small number of the islands are locally inhabited.
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Baa Atoll
Until as late as 1998 there was only one tourist resort in
this atoll. Another four have opened up recently. There are
over 35 uninhabited islands in this atoll, most of which are
on the eastern side. Many of these islands make lovely anchorages
with thick tropical vegetation, surrounded by pristine white
beaches and blue lagoons. Whether you are a diver or snorkeller,
the natural beauty of these unspoilt islands will fascinate
you.
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 Ari
Atoll
North Ari Atoll South Ari Atoll
Being situated next to Male' Atoll, Ari Atoll became the obvious
second choice for tourism expansion. Ari Atoll is one of the
biggest atolls in the Maldives and has some of the best dive
sites in the country. This atoll also has the highest concentration
of tourist resorts but with a large number of uninhabited
islands still to be found in this large atoll, the possibility
of feeling overcrowded is none existent. The development of
more resorts in this atoll in the future is highly unlikely
as tourism expansion has now moved on towards the atolls further
away from the center.
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Faafu Atoll
Only one among the 23 islands of this atoll is a tourist resort.
A mere five are inhabited and the rest are all desert islands.
Geographically similar to Ari atoll, this atoll promises to
offer some excellent dives. Many patch and reef small submerged
thilas make diving in this atoll quite similar to diving in
the excellent waters of Ari Atoll.
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Excursions from the Resorts:
Malé Excursion: Malé is the compact island capital
of the Maldives. An island barely 2.5 square kilometers in area,
it is the commercial centre of activity but still retains a
charming tropical lethargy. Malé is the seat of government,
and also where a number of historical and cultural buildings
have been preserved. The Islamic Center dominated by a large
golden dome, the museum and the old architecture of some houses
combine with modern day high-rise buildings to create an island
of contrasts. Malé is the best place for shopping, and
shops packed with souvenir items line the busy streets. The
local fish market is a fascinating sight when freshly caught
fish are landed in the afternoon. The local fruit and vegetable
market in a shaded building near the waterfront displays the
local products. Aerial Excursion:
Fifteen-minutes photo flips by seaplane are ideal for
enthusiastic photographers and island nuts. The view as the
plane makes a swoop around Male' and then flies over resort
and village islands, is so impressive, you might even want
to do it again. Flights can be arranged and are a good way
to pass the time while waiting to catch your plane home.
Island Hopping: An Excursion by motorboat
- a dhoni, offers the rare opportunity to visit neighbouring
islands - inhabited village islands, deserted islands and
resort island. While in the other resorts, you can compare
their facilities and beauty with Kani, and gain an idea of
the variety that is the Maldives. The village islands reveal
an example of authentic Maldivian lifestyle, where simplicity
and close kinship weave a strong tapestry of harmony, peace
and contentment.
Diving: Just a few dive locations
in the world will stand the comparison with the fantastic
diving environment in Maldives where you find an all year
diving season. The water temperature stays more or less constant
throughout the whole year, with hardly any variations outside
of the range of 27-30 degrees Celsius.
There are more than 1000 species of fish
in Maldives, many of them endemic and most of them living
in direct connection with the reef.
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Fun Island
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