Spanish Explorer Spends 13 Years In Maldives

It was 1979. Xavier Romero-Frias was just 25. Left military and went to Srilankan on a mission to explore the world. The next destination on plan was Malaysia. But then it was this Maldivian he met that changed not just his tour, but his whole life as well. Saeed Abdulla was working in a cargo boat and he met Xavier in one of the trips to Srilanka. He introduced Maldives to Xavier and it didn’t take long before he got convinced to change his course.



From the first step Xavier felt difference and uniqueness in Maldives. The calm atmosphere was peaceful. No vehicles other than a few bikes in unpaved rods. It was a village with many trees. This was the first impression of the Spanish-born explorer.

Some days later Xavier met Saeed, the one who introduced Maldives. This time he introduced an island called Fuahmulah. Like the previous case, Xavier decided to embark the mission. He went to Fuahmulah and that was the beginning of his 13 year stay in the Maldives.

Fuahmulah is one of the biggest islands in the Maldives, the island itself is one of the 20 atolls. It's in the southern parts of the country. The island has rich culture and history, people are said to be friendly and speaks a different accent of the local language called Dhivehi. People cultivate fruits and vegetables in the back yard. People have enough home-grown organic food that led a healthy generation in Fuahmulah.

Xier was excited to be here, keen to learn more about the Maldives and the island life. He studied Maldivian culture and researched folklores that had been passing on over the generations. He also visited many other islands in the southern most atolls. He translated the local folklores to English. He loved his interesting work which was more like a hobby. He met different people and enjoyed their company from different parts of the Maldives.

59 year old Xavier is not just an explorer. He has had Maldivian wives, have children and grandchildren. Maldives is a part of him. Life's most precious moments were here.

The Spanish explorer was interested to experience a different atmosphere, away from hustle and bustle of busy western lifestyle. Even the Maldives capital was a village at that time. But soon rapid social and political changes along with economic development started taking place and Xavier was even more enthusiastic. In his 13 years he published many books including The Maldives Islanders, A Study if the Popular Culture of an Ancient Kingdom, Folk Tales of the Maldives.

Xavier left Maldives in 1991 and visits Maldives every now and then. He wishes to visit Maldives more often.



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