MALE, Maldives (11 Mar 2004) -- Shoes are the last thing you'll need when you arrive in the Maldives. For these sun-drenched islands set in the Indian Ocean are the original barefoot paradise. This is the perfect setting for romantic couples, for those who love scuba diving or lazing about on the shore. You can walk around most islands in about an hour, and it's real Robinson Crusoe stuff - beautiful sandy beaches and stunning clear water. Around 70 of the 300 islands have now opened up to tourists. The others are strictly for locals. The village people are fishermen or boat builders whose lives have changed little over the centuries. The Government likes to keep tourists away from the natives, who they fear may be corrupted by alcohol or the skimpy beachwear many of the visitors sport. Tourist islands usually have one resort, offering comfortable villas right on the seashore. Hop out of bed and you can dive straight into the water. Open air restaurants and bars surrounded by lush gardens complete the idyllic picture. The inner islands offer one of the world's most glamorous resorts, Kuda Huraa. It's a beautiful place with the biggest freshwater pool in the Maldives, plus a spa, a gym, a dive centre and two restaurants. And it's an easy 25-minutes by speedboat from Male airport. | | The thatched villas are built off a long slatted deck with steps into the water. They are expensive at £200 or more a day, but you are paying for something very special. The Banyon Tree resort on the island of Vabbinfaru is attractive and low-key. It offers 48 romantic thatched cottages, a dive centre and an excellent spa. It's set in grounds of four and a half acres and has an open-sided dining room for guests. Or if you prefer you can have dinner under the stars on the balcony of your villa, served by your own cook. The outer island resorts can take up to three hours to reach by boat from Male, the capital of the Maldives, and the seas can be choppy. These are the latest islands to be opened up to tourists. Soneva Fushi is the largest, with 42 villas, a wonderful mile-long beach and outstanding diving. There's an optional helicopter transfer but it does not come cheap. Other options include Gan, where unusually you can mix freely with the locals; Baros, which has a dozen wooden bungalows; and Teethi Rah, which boasts a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. If your primary focus is on scuba diving, consider booking a liveaboard dive boat so you can explore many of the beautiful atolls of the Maldives. SOURCE - IOL |
