Exploring Maldives, A Heaven On Earth

Maldives are an archipelago of 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 coral atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts) in the Indian Ocean. They lie south-southwest of India and are considered part of Southern Asia.Formerly a Sultanate under Dutch and English protection, the Maldives are now a republic. Allegations of corruption continue to plague the regime of President Gayoom, as do reports of political dissidents being exiled. None of this appears to bother tourists, however, who are attracted to the warm Indian Ocean waters.

The Tsunami of 26 December 2004 caused extensive damage to the Maldives - of a population of only 290,000, over a third was directly affected by the tsunami and more than 29,000 people were left homeless. The economic damage alone was over 62% of the GDP or US$470 million.

Some islands, including Thaa atoll Vilufushi, felt the brunt of the wave, and residents on the island are now living in temporary shelters on the island of Buruni in the same atoll. More than a year later, there are in excess of 11,000 people in temporary shelters across the country. It was a brutal shock to the small island state which is so vulnerable to environmental disasters and global warming.

The Maldives has a very large choice of resorts. They are all "resort" hotels so you wont find any youth hostels or cheap hotels. Most resorts take up their own island ( any thing from 1500m by 1500m down to 500m by 500m) What this does mean that the ratio of beach to guest must be one of the best in the world and it is hard to imagine that you would ever have to struggle to find your own private piece of beach to relax on.

The range and themes or the resorts is impressive, most people will find one they like. Starting from bed and breakfast 3* ( European stars) level which none the less benefit from the wonderful water beaches and scenery. All the way up to something like Soneva Gili (in North Male) with its completely water locked stilted bungalows with their personal rowing boat and oarsman to take you to and from dry land.

Lots of the resorts have a no shoes policy and with such soft sands it is easy to love this idea. The resorts also vary enormously in distance from the airport on the island next to Male. (Soneva Gili is 10 mins boat ride by and velavaru is 45mins plane ride). Don't let that put you off as the further from Male you get generally the more peacefully the islands and the better the diving.