An exotic paradise in the Maldives
Maldives 2013
This feeling is comparable to the first panorama of Hong Kong, which opened up to our eyes through thick fogs, after going around the deserted island by ferry. This unusual journey has no background and was not even tentatively planned. Always stories about exotic islands seemed something fabulous and unreal. The very name Maldives already reveals the beauty of the islands. Rereading the information about Sri Lanka, I noticed that the islands are very close, and having googled the price, Dasha was overtaken by a surge of fabulous joy, and I could not believe it - we would fly to the Maldives!! ! We still could not believe in a fairy tale because we would fly with Emirates airlines, which are the best in our experience. One fine day, the fairy tale began. . .
After traveling around Sri Lanka, we had a very short break, only 90 minutes. During the flight, I watched the themed cartoon "Finding Nemo" and received a positive charge from the ship's personnel. Islands appear behind the windows, there are many of them, their beautiful illumination can be seen through the darkness. Through the group of islands you can see the handsome metropolis of Male. Considering the area of .5 km2 and the population density of 17.000 people/km2, one can imagine the impressiveness of the built-up island.
Having received a stamp in the passport, we visit our first island - the Airport)))
The island is quite cramped and not very suitable for recreation, but for some reason we took a closer look at it so much that at the very end we even returned to it again : ). Having plunged into the ferry for $ 1, which runs every 15-30 minutes, we swam. Guys, one thought “We are in the Maldives! ” increases adrenaline in the blood. Through the thick night you can see all the transparency of the water, and the unrealistic starry sky complements all the beauty. The night was very beautiful.
Male
Our first stop is in the world's smallest capital. People are relaxed, talkative, while riding in a taxi for $ 1, some woman loaded up to us and got off on the way like from a minibus. A relaxed path led to the hotel, and at the reception there was an absolutely relaxed rastaman who settled us and extended the check-out time from the hotel for free. The next post will describe all the details of organizing the tour "Savage to the Maldives". We were well aware that in order to fit into the regime of the Maldives public ferries for $ 1, we need to spend a lot of time in the metropolis of Male, otherwise we will have to pay dearly for transfers. So, our hotel rasta man casually printed out a relaxed sheet with dachshunds on excursions... And then we landed from heaven to earth. Approximately $ 150-300 per person for a one-day visit to the island. This moment was remembered by the phrase “You are in the Maldives, baby! ”. Looking at the prices, I realized that the entire route would have to be adjusted, since we would not last long in Male with such prices. It is very useful to have the Booking app installed.
"Ass of Labor"
In the morning, for some reason, the island turned into an asshole of labor) There are no pedestrian zones, no parks, some kind of ruined cemetery. Someone is loading fish, someone is sawing a pipe with a grinder, someone is repairing a car in the workshop, a person walking with a pick suddenly stops and starts chiseling tiles, taxis without drivers, others are busy all the time. We got lost, but we can't get to our Hotel, the sun is burning above 30 degrees at 10 am, again we get to the place where the fish was loaded. Everything is gouged, solid pits instead of a footpath, a man and his friends are already chiseling a new pit, about three pits from the first pit, three others are standing nearby and helping to gouge with advice. Then three hammer, and one advises. Traffic is everywhere, everyone is going somewhere, skyscrapers. Instead of a park, there is an old cemetery. The taxi driver told us that we were in another part of the island, and he wouldn’t take us to the hotel for less than $ 1.5, and in general he didn’t really want to go that far, it’s more than a kilometer!
Respite)
After persuading the taxi driver, we got to the hotel. In general, everyone presents the ass of labor in their own way, but it turns out to be very similar to Male. At 11:00 we are back at the hotel, and the ferry is only at 14:00. The tuna steak and seafood pizza quickly made things right. Sitting on the ferry for $ 2.5 / person, a firm decision was made not to return to Male for any money, as previously planned. Ferry timetables can be found on the MTCC websitehttp://www. mtcc. com. mv/transporthome. aspx. In general, Male left positive memories and the city itself is really beautiful, especially from a porthole or a neighboring island)
Maafushi Island
This is an ideal place for overnight stays and traveling savages. We prepared a lot for the trip and I want to say this is definitely the most correct and good decision. The island is relatively large, 1.3x0.3 km long. It has many hotels, a prison, a school and infrastructure for local residents, which makes staying on it very comfortable and, most importantly, cheap. A distinctive feature of the island, it has a beach for tourists, where swimming is allowed.
On the way to the island, a local resident treated us to chocolates, and outside the windows there were such views that defy description! The hotel manager received us directly from the city ferry. Upon entering the hotel, cool wet hand towels and welcome fresh juices were waiting for us, as well as a free romantic dinner. An absolutely relaxed worker began to bring us up to date, but since there was little time left before sunset, we rather ran to the shore of the Laccadive Sea. Prices for future excursions were expensive, but many times cheaper than in Male. Luxury dinners at the hotel cost $7 per person, in the style of a seafood buffet. We did not hesitate to sign up for dinners, for all days.
Excursions for two are very expensive to take, you need to get acquainted with all the tourists of the hotel and join different groups. Knowing English, it is not difficult at all, and the manager always helps in unification.
In the evening, there is where to walk around the island. Flocks of crabs scatter along the embankment, hiding in the sand, sea and minks. Burrows are digging such that in the dark more than once the leg failed. So you can get a ridiculous injury). There are also many local shops on the island, including grocery stores. They don’t let you into the prison, no matter how you ask.
During the trip, we got hooked on Indian TV shows. They go one by one several times a day. So at any time you can see how events unfolded. In the evening, we were very worried about whether the queen would marry the king, not suspecting that his mother was against this marriage. After dinner, we were worried about how the fatal man would react to the fact that his chosen one already has a child, despite the fact that the wedding is coming soon. Everything was complicated by the fact that he did not go to study in England because of her. And after a night walk, we empathized with the girl whose fiancé secretly worked as a mechanic. And we woke up in unrest for the heroes whom my mother could catch for the pre-wedding hand painting with henna, but they had not yet got engaged!
Well, about the Maldivian clips, this should be written a separate story . . : )
Biyadhoo Island
We are diving with a group of our new Malaysian friends in a speedboat. And then at full speed we fly through the water. The speed was so great that we were blown off the seats, it was very fun and funny, everyone was laughing and rejoicing until the engine burned out... It's good that it was not the road to the airport. The boat barely dragged us to the island. According to the price of the trip, this island was one of the cheapest, but in fact... the jaw dropped. One thought “Take pictures everywhere!!! ”. Only arriving tourists can be easily distinguished from guests. The guests are monotonously red, and only those who have arrived are photographed near each palm tree) The visual beauty of the island exceeded all expectations about the Maldives. Now let's find out what its underwater world is like! By the way, our hotel gave us tubes with masks for free.
One has only to dive into the clear turquoise water, an underwater paradise opens before one's eyes, completely different from Sri Lankan or Egyptian, it is something completely different. Due to the white color of the sand, there is no blue in the water aground. Coral groves look completely different. Hundreds of fish swim around you, octopuses peep out from the depths of large reefs, hefty fish swim very close. One fish intensively dug up the bottom, grabbing stones with its teeth and throwing them aside, a large stingray steamed near me and hid in the depths, and the Chinese told us how he swam to see a turtle, and met a big shark. In the Maldivian underwater world, you feel a little alert. For example, when meeting with an octopus, it was a little unclear who should be afraid of whom. Our heads were the same size. When a stingray hovers next to you, it is very beautiful, but the thought “If only he were not interested in you” does not leave his head. If small sharks swim, you wonder beyond your will, but where are the big ones? Sailing to the border of the shallows, beautiful coral cliffs begin. Whole shoals of small fish hide under large corals. During the day you swim under the sun without sparing yourself for hours in the water. At night you feel sorry for yourself from strong combustion. The above underwater world overlaps a little with the Filalhohi island, I did not divide it into different islands in this story. In general, the island is wonderful and small, just right for a one-time visit.
We spent the night on our Maafushi, saving enormous sums, as it turned out later. Heavy rains began at night and it seemed to me that the hotel would flood along with the island. Sometimes the sound of showers even woke up. In the morning, only obesity in the sky reminded us of rain, which partially saved us from total combustion. For all three days, not a drop of rain fell during the day. And when the clouds dispersed at lunchtime, the merciless sun appeared.
Fun IslandIsland
After boarding a speedboat with our Chinese brothers, we went to Fun Island. Looking ahead, I will say that we do not recommend visiting the island. The island is quite large and relatively expensive for Maafushi, the island has a very poor underwater world and is still covered with algae. There is a wonderful spit on the island, where you can make a bunch of exotic photos.
On the one hand, there are spit waves, and on the opposite side, complete calm, the spit itself, probably 10 meters in diameter. There were many Russian-speaking guys on the island and it was possible to chat with them. We met grandparents with a funny fact, who have already traveled to 40 countries, respect to them!
One Chinese woman, as soon as she lay down on the sand, got up after 4 hours, said to her friend in Chinese, “Sleep! ” and went back to sleep on the bed. Here is an excerpt, to come to an expensive island and sleep for 8 hours on the sand. The Chinese are very strict with themselves. The most interesting fish of the island hangs out near the pier, near the “Do not swim” sign, but this will not stop the snorkelers) The next day we have our third exotic island planned, and our curiosity was already sorting out how we would like it.
Filalhohi Island
The island is just perfect, its size allows you to walk a little on it, its corals are simply enchanting, its fish become your best friends, an English-speaking parrot is ready to listen to every tourist, answering him “Hello” or “How are you? ”. The island hotel has luxury houses on the water. In the evening, all the guests of the island traditionally gather to watch the sunset. Nobody even stops the fact if the sunset goes into the clouds and is not visible.
That day I was already swimming in a T-shirt, because the skin is not used to such intense combustion. When it seemed that it was no longer possible to burn out, his legs burned. In general, in the Maldives, you need to smear yourself very well from combustion. After spending the whole day on the island, we went back to Maafushi. The next day, the owner helped to resolve the issue with the airport, and we got to the airport for $45 per person in 40 minutes. This is a very cheap price compared to other transfers as the city ferries do not run on Friday.
Second time in Sri Lanka in a week, it's spectacular. We left the airport like we were at home. Oddly enough, even used a taxi service right next to the terminal, the price was really good. Then, of course, someone called the driver on the phone and tried to demand a large amount in broken English, but it didn’t work out))) Kidalovo on the phone is something new) We stopped in Negombo for the night. In the evening in a cafe we ate a lot of street food, I ate some kind of crucian carp with green bones. Moreover, the bones were green even at a break, but the local Sri Lankans ate so confidently in this cafe that we came to the conclusion that it should be so.
Our second visit to the country was not in vain. While we were walking, I noticed that the kitten had fallen into the gutter and could not find a way out. While I put my hand into the ditch, I was afraid that some monster would bite it off me. Putting the kitten on the ground, other kittens immediately ran to him. In general, the trip turned out to be eventful and unforgettable.
Trip information
Date of travel: 24.11. 2013 – 29.11. 2013
Duration: 5 nights (3 full days on exotic islands)
Air tickets: Emirates, bought with a card on the site for 2 months
Hotels: We took them through booking. com, we recommend hotels. Male (Marble Hotel) + Maafushi (Picnic inn)
Insurance: Alpha insurance
Excursions: Agreed with the owner of the hotel
Difficulty of the trip: 6/10 (above average, complex organization)
Islands to visit: Biyadhoo, Fihalhohi
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More about Sri Lanka here
How to organize a tour to the Maldives yourself here
