There are many resorts equipped with kids club. If your kids love water based activities there is only one place to go in es and that is Hideaway Beach & Spa Resort. A floating aqua park is now in the lagoon and it looks like a lot of fun not just for kids but for grown ups as well. Running over, sliding down or jumping off could be endless fun to pass the day with great joy. Besides, Hideaway Beach Resort is one of the top islands remotely located in northern Haa Alif Atoll. The island most popular for having villas that give great privacy. Since 2015 we have been talking about such a facility and this is the first time a es resort introduced floating water park. Below is the actual blog we wrote on the top, back in 2015. Blog: es is branded as a heaven for relaxation. Activities such as diving, surfing and watersports are quite common throughout the industry. But, is that all es can offer? How about making it a little more adventurous? There are plenty of islands untouched and we can use few of those to diversify tourism with a brand new water park. A massive water park would require huge space in one of these tiny islands. If it is located on a separate island the tourists from different resorts and locals could travel there and enjoy the water park. But, unwanted transportation would only add up on its costs. At present the Male' International Airport being the gateway, it would be important to make this water park close by. Then again, most of the islands in Male' Atoll are taken by resorts and few remaining for industrial and excursion purposes. Hulhumale' being larger island, collected to international airport, would be an ideal location for this water park. Also, there are lot of guesthouses or small hotels in Hulhumale'. The locals from Male' and Hulhumale' would definitely find it convenient to enjoy the water park is located there. Tourists can enjoy the facility after arrival or just before the departure. Also, many tourists stay in Hulhumale' for a night before travelling to resort, or after returning from resort. Depending on the success additional water parks could be made at the other airports too. So, locals from different atolls could enjoy and today's youth would have an educate environment to grow up to handle next generation's challenges, both economically and socially. There are some resorts that have villas with nice water slides and some them are actually water villas. Water slide is fun for adults, especially if you are on honeymoon it would great to enjoy sliding with your partner. If you want beach villa there is only one resort for you, but there are two room categories for you to choose. In beach villas the water slides lands in the pool, in the water villas you are thrown away in to the lagoon. es Water Park. # es # #Waterpark #waterslide #fun #waterpark #kidsholiday es is comprised of over a thousands islands of which 200 are inhabited. An average island having a population less than 1000 it is not feasible to operate a bank in every island. Bank of es, the largest bank services provider, have a branch in each atoll and there are some fishing-boat-like floating banks in different atolls. Photo: Bank Dhoni 4, a floating bank operated by Bank of es. These boats visit every island once a month and offer banking services. People can open new accounts,receive cheque books, deposit cash, withdraw cash, replay loans and even get social protection payments. Recently, this service has received Global Business Excellence award from UK's Awards Intelligence. It was awarded under the category of Corporate Social Responsibility. esfinest congratulates the bank for its achievement. What if I tell you this small boat is actually a floating bank? Yes it is! #floating #floatingbank #bank # es esfinest aims to provide a full coverage on the resorts in es. We will also cover different holiday topics, culture and lifestyle. The website is is operated by a group of experienced locals based in the capital of es. Email info[at] esfinest.com Sandbanks are spectacular to experience raw nature at its best. You cant possibly forget your camera or smartphone when you see one for real. Its magnificence enforces you to capture the movements and make your very own postcards. It is essential for a dream holiday. The good news is that sandbanks are plenty in the es. Some are private and many are still free to visit for the entire public. There are 2 very popular sandbanks near Male' International Airport. Male' Atoll consists of most of the resorts and guesthouses in the es. As a lot of tourists stay in this part of the country I thought to share some information about these 2 public sandbanks that anyone is free to visit without any permit. They dont belong to anyone. Sexy Beach Near Maafushi I could say this is the most popular sandbank in the whole es. The beautiful scenery makes you breathless. The sand is partly powder-soft with some coral scattered over some places. The water is clean and clear. It is remarkably bigger than an average sandbank in es-size. Sexy Beach is located 26km from Male' International Airport. Closest tourist accommodation is available in widely popular Maafushi Island. It is less than 4km and guesthouses accommodation means the low budget holiday while enjoying the natural beauty of the es. If you like to have some names look for Kaani Beach, Stringray, WhiteShell Beach Inn. Sandbank Near Baros This is a tiny sandbank near Baros es. In fact there are 2 sandbanks near Baros, one is very close and another one about 5km from Baros. Both are stunning and breath-taking. The sands are finer than Sexy Beach. But, way too smaller in size, about 10 to 15 metres in diameter. That is also in low tide. When the tide is high, its barely enough space to put 2 chairs and a table with a sun umbrella. This is like a patch of sand in the middle of no where. It sandbank sits in its own lagoon, surrounded by its house reef. Current is quite strong at the reef most of the days, you must wear life-jacket and have a rescue boat if you like to snorkel there. Closest tourists accommodation is in Baros. It takes about 25 minutes by speedboat from Male' or the airport. Low budget holidaymakers can find plenty of clean and comfortable guesthouses in Hulhumale', it is connected to airport by land. Detailed information and maps below show exactly where is es located on world map. Map of es then shows local islands, resorts, airports etc. es is chain of 1192 islands located south-west of Sri Lanka and India in the Indian Ocean. The islands are so tiny that many world maps do not show es. It is an independent country of about 357566 in population. es is a member of the United Nations (UN), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Commonwealth and many other international organisations. Major economic activities are tourism, fishing, construction. The economy is mainly based on foreign currency generated through tourism, 99% of household goods are imported from other countries. The local currency is called Rufiyaa but US Dollar is widely accepted throughout the country. There are two maps below, one shows where is es located in world map and other shows the islands on es map with airports marked by flight symbol. To quickly locate the main international airport scroll down and see mid-section of the es map where there is double flight-symbol. Hulhule' is home to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport or formerly known as Male' International airport. Tourism is most develop in atolls close to this airport. Hulhule' also home to world's business seaplane operation. See es Airport Guide es is an Asian country. The closest countries are Sri Lanka and India. It takes about an hour to fly from Srilanka to es, a little bit more than an hour from Trivendrum of India. Every island is surrounded by water and totally disconnected from other islands. It takes about 5 hours to fly from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. About 8 hours from Guangzhou of China. Location of es on world map This map also shows all countries of Asia and the location of es in the region. Asia is mainly divided into three regional sectors. South Asia comprises of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, es, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Southeast Asia includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, East Timor, Brunei, and Christmas Island, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam. East Asia consists of China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea. es Map 2018 Now you know where is es and blow is the map of all islands, including local residential islands, all es resorts, uninhabited islands, airports etc. If you are looking for the location of a specific island it is not easy to spot from 1192 islands. But, if you know the atoll it is easy. Just scroll down till you reach the atoll and then search that particular area. If you are planning your holiday in one of these islands you can check which are the closest islands near your chosen destination and plan trips accordingly. In case you have booked more than 1 resort to stay, you can check location of the other resort and anticipate what you might see during the journey. Below the map there is a list of atolls. We are adding detailed map of each atoll there. There are the 1192 islands in the es and this map shows them all. The country is naturally divided into 26 atolls or chain of islands. You can see this very clearly on the map. For administrative purposes the government has divided it into just 20 atolls. Scroll down to Kaafu Atoll to see the international airport at Hulhule'. Kaafu Atoll being the location of main airport it is the busiest tourism zone, other popular atolls include South Ari Atoll, North Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll. None of the atolls are bad, having said popular it simply means there are many resorts around. Tourism has been booming in Noonu Atoll in the last few years, especially in luxury tourism. See the map of shows many islands in close proximity, this could be one of the reasons for attracting both investors and tourists in luxury sector. On the es map atoll names are on both sides in large font size. The dotted white line separates each atoll from the rest of atolls. Some parts of the map show atolls one by one (from top to bottom), in other places the atolls are located side by side which is often referred as double-chain formation. In rough weather the outer atoll seas are more choppy, but in fine weather it is unnoticeable. Some of the five star resort near Male' or airport • Taj Exotica - Just 10 minutes from airport. • One&Only Reethi Rah: About an hour from airport. • Jumeirah Vittaveli - About 20 minutes from airport. • Velassaru es - About 15 minutes from airport. • Sheraton Fullmoon Resort - About 15 minutes. • Kurumba es - 5 minutes. Some of the four star resort near airport • Meeru Island Resort - About 30 minutes. • Paradise Island Resort - About 15 minutes. • Bandos Island Resort - About 15 minutes. These are just a few to name quickly. Discover more resorts using the map. Male the capital of es The capital of es is Male' (with apostrophe) which is pronounced as Maaley. On internet it is sometimes spelled as Male (without apostrophe) which is not the right spelling. Below is the map of Male (or Male') Between airport and Male' there are ferries every 10 minutes, this is from 5am till midnight, after that ferry operations are not frequent till next morning. Distance between es and other countries Distance between es and Sri Lanka from closest point: 717km Distance between es and India from closest point: 430km Distance between es and Seychelles from closest point: 1950km Distance between es and Malaysia from closest point: 2970km Distance between es and Thailand from closest point: 2750km Distance between es and Japan from closest point: 5800km Distance between es and Hong Kong from closest point: 4760km Distance between es and Germany from closest point: 7200km Male' es to Colombo Sri Lanka: 750km Male' es to Trivendrum India: 645km Gan es to Colombo Sri Lanka: 1120km Gan es to Trivendrum India: 1146km Distance between es and Minicoy of India from closest point: 128km Distance between Minicoy and mainland of India from closest point: 378km Distance between Minicoy and other Indian islands from closest point: 200km Where is es? Is it in India? Surprisingly some people tend to think es is a part of another country. It is the Republic of es, which is an independent sovereign country with its territorial waters and land defined, and recognized by international bodies such as United Nations, Commonwealth. es is widely known throughout the world. es have foreign relations with all major countries of the world. es is not in Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, India, Indonesia or any other country. es is in Indian Ocean. The country is headed by a democratically elected president. Judiciary and parliament are independent bodies of the state. es is divided into 20 atolls which are run by local councils, atoll councils or city councils, under the Constitution of the Republic of es. es is not a part of any country, not even attached to protection of any specific country. Like other independent countries the government headed by the President Of es administers the country. The world map shows geographical separation of es from other countries. Equator es is one of the many countries located on the equator which divides North Pole and South Pole. The country is stretched narrowly from north to south of the globe and equator crosses between Fuvahmulah and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the southern parts of the nation. Out of over 1192 islands in the es each has has unique characteristics in terms of geography and people's lifestyle. Fuvahmulah is one of those unique islands which has native fish and a bird which is not found in anywhere else in the es. But, nothing seems to be remarkably different just because of the equator, except that the people speaks a different dialect of local language which most of the other locals dont understand at all. In fact the atolls at the equator such as Addu Atoll, Fuvahmulah, Gaafu Dhaalu and Gaafu Alif Atoll (collectively called Huvadhu Atoll or Huvadhoo Atoll) have a different dialect in each atoll. The dialects are similar, but also different to a significant degree. Geography es is made up of 1192 coral islands dispersed over an area of 90000 square kilometers in India Ocean. The islands are naturally grouped into 26 atolls. Each island is surrounded by sea, means you will need a boat to visit the island. It is common to find many islands sharing same lagoon, in the same area there are individually isolated islands as well. Most of the islands have its own house reef that protects the beach and some atolls have outer reef that protects the entire atoll. Read more on es geography and geology. It is believed that es is formed atop inactive super volcanoes, each atoll is such a volcano with islands formed on the rim. That could be the reason the islands in each atoll is somewhat circular in shape. History of es es is small but old country, historical evidence shows the es is more than 2500 years old. Through out history es was independent with exception of few foreign invasion that did not last long. The country had a ruler; a king, queen, sultan or president for the past 1000 years and more. In the ancient times people used stars to navigate. Lack of maps and GPS did not prevent people from traveling from island to island, atoll to atoll, and even to overseas. Month long sea journeys, especially to Saudi Arabia, were part of the sea-based life. Historical records reveal a story of ian emissary went to Rome bearing gifts for Emperor. Read more on es history How many islands in es? The official count of es islands is 1192. This number was established several decades back. Over the years we have observed some sandbanks being converted islands. Also there has been some reclaimed islands developed for tourism. Currently there are multiple land reclamation projects on going in Kaafu Atoll, near Male', and many of these projects involve reclaiming land in the lagoon, thus forming new islands. Therefore, present count of es islands would most certainly exceed 1200. It was recently discovered by es Finest that the islands on the north of es have significantly less rainfall over the year. The northern most atoll is Haa Alif Atoll, followed by Haa Dhaalu. It is very easy to locate the islands and atolls because these are at the very top of the map. Scroll up and see the first atoll. Yes, it is the northern parts of the country. Capital Male' is located in the mid region, southern atolls are on the bottom. To visit Haa Alif Atoll you can fly to Hanimadhoo from Male' International Airport, by domestic flight. If you are seeking islands in the north reachable by seaplane, there are many resorts in Noonu Atoll and Baa Atoll. Seaplane takes about an hour to Noonu Atoll from Male', and Baa Atoll it is approximately 45 minutes and varies from island to island. Things To Do If you are planning your first holiday you may be wondering about the things you can do. The main activities you can do include scuba diving, snorkeling (see best reefs for snorkeling), watersports, in-land sports, excursions. Scuba divers usually do diving everyday, relax and enjoy evenings in bars. The same pattern applies to snorkelers who spend hours and hours doing just that. Watersports people are often not that regular, guest who love watersports often try many other activities. Most common watersports includes banana riding, catamaran sailing, waterski, wake-boarding, windsurfing, paddling, jetski etc. There are some resorts that offer parasailing and kite surfing too. Excursions are the most interesting. They include sunset fishing, dolphin watching, snorkeling trips, island hopping, shopping trips, romantic escapes, sunset cruise etc. Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ This section has been moved to a new topic and updated. Read FAQ of es Map of Atolls Haa Alifu Atoll Haa Dhaalu Atoll Shaviyani Atoll Noonu Atoll Raa Atoll Baa Atoll Lhaviyani Atoll Male Atoll North Ari Atoll South Ari Atoll Vaavu Atoll Meemu Atoll Faafu Atoll Dhaalu Atoll Thaa Atoll Laamu Atoll Gaagu Alifu Atoll Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Gnaviyani Atoll Seenu Atoll / Addu ‹ › X Most comprehensive map of es could help you choose a great location. # es # # There are over 120 registered resorts in the es and here we have 90 of them with one picture of each. You can click and enlarge the images. The resorts are not in any particular order. If you have a suggestion drop us a line in the forum. We like to get feedback and improve this list. Mirihi Island Resort JA Manafaru JA Manafaru es Sun Siyam IruFushi Velaa Private Island Velaa Private Island Hideaway Adaaran Meedhupparu Anantara Kihavah Coco Dhuni Kolhu FS Landaa Giraavaru Kihaad es Reethi Beach Resort Royal Island Resort Soneva Fushi Amilla Fushi Amilla Fushi es Kanuhura Komandoo Kuredu Palm Beach Resort Kanifushi Adaaran Club Rannalhi Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Adaan Hudhuranfushi Anantara Dhigu Anantara Veli Angsana Ihuru Bandos Island Resort Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Baros es Biyadhoo Centara Ras Fushi Cinnamon Dhonveli Ellaidhoo by Cinnamon Coco Bodu Hithi Cocoa Island Resort Fihalhohi FS Kuda Huraa Fun Island Resort Gili Lankanfushi Holiday Inn Kandooma Huvafen Fushi Jumeirah Vittaveli Kurumba es Meeru Island Resort Naladhu es Olhuveli Beach Resort One&Only Reethi Rah Paradise Island Rihiveli Beach Resort Sheraton es Taj Exotica Velassaru es Vivanta By Taj Bathala Island Resort Constance Halaveli Kuramathi Nika Island Resort Veligandu Island Resort W es Centara Grand Conrad es Rangali Constance Moofushi Constance Moofushi Diamonds Athuruga Diamonds Thudufushi Holiday Island Resort Lily Beach Resort Lux South Ari Cheval Blanc Randheli Ranveli Sun Island Resort Vakarufalhi Vilamendhoo Hakuraa Huraa Medhufushi Filitheyo Niyama Como Maalifushi Sixsenses Laamu Jumeirah Dhevanafushi Park Hyatt Hadahaa Robinson Club Funamadua The Residence es Ayada es Outrigger Konotta Canareef Resort Shangri-La es Finolhu 1Oak Finolhu es Kandolhu Kandolhu es Oblu by Atmosphere Ozen by Atmosphere Drift Thelu Veliga ‹ › X Hotels and Resorts Accommodation Prices Are you looking for a cheap 5 star resort? Here in es you can't get that. You have to pay reasonably for the class of hotel you are looking for. You can't get 5 start accommodation for $300. There are 4 star resorts that are actually of 5 star quality but officially a 4 star resort. You can go for that and enjoy a superb holiday in es. From November till April is high season in es. The prices are up. A 5 star resort in average start from $800, 4 star resorts from $350. Cheapest type of villas are Garden Villa, Beach Vila. On the expensive side its Water Villa, Water Suites, Honeymoon Villa etc. For about $2000 per night you will get a fantastic villa from 5 star deluxe resorts. In the low season most of the resorts offer free nights, free upgrades, cheaper rates etc. Transfer from Airport to Resort One resort is one island in the es. Each island is separated from the rest by sea. That means you need a transfer to get there. Resort located close to Male' International Airport or Male' Atoll often use speedboats for transfer. For remote locations seaplanes are the most effective mode of transfer. Most of the travel agents and tour operators include transfer in the booking. If you make a direct booking the resort would probably include transfer in the package. If you are coming to stay in a guesthouse the transfer may be organised via public ferry. 90 es Resorts With Photos Updated 2018. # es # # # # # ler # I have visited many resorts over the last 10 years and here is the best 4 infinity pools in the es. Some resorts I looked in had the same class of pool but the infinity factor was not there. Some of those pools were originally made for infinity concept. Existence of palm trees, sun loungers etc. between the pool and sea takes away the beautiful infinity style. I like palm trees on the beach, especially at the pool. Swaying palm trees on a side of the pool would give both, the amazement of infinity and the exotic feel of the coconut palms. Anatara Dhigu es The pool sits right on the beach, giving an incredible view of the logoon and a beatifully designed restaurant over water. The resort is located in Dhigu Finolhu Island in Male' atoll. Beach House Iruveli es This stylish pool gives a magnificent wide-angle view of the Indian Ocean. Located in a remote location of largely undiscovered part of the Haa Alif Atoll, the resort offers luxury and true value for the dreamers. Huvafen Fushi es Sitting partly over water this pools is one of the first infinity pools to serve luxury holidaymakers. The award winning resort is popular among the richest people, celebrities and high profile people from different governments. Lily Beach Resort Partly over the water, the pools overlooks the lagoon and Indian Ocean. You can also get a magnicifent view of the water villas and Tamara Spa which is just few step away. The resort is located in Huvahendhoo Island, Ari Atoll. This resort offers a great all-inclusive concept, you can stay at this pool whole day as your meals are served here as well. JA Manafaru JA Manafaru Lily Beach Velassaru Velassaru Anantara Dhigu Anantara Dhigu Huvafen Fushi Huvafen Fushi ‹ › X Looking for a water villa for your honeymoon? Here is a collection of 5 tasteful water villas from different resorts. All are 5 star luxury resorts. Standard amenities are provided in the room even if not mentioned. In this article I look at the unique features and differences while showing you the room at a glance. Ocean Oasis in W es Just open the door and step in. Its your dream bungalow. A huge king size bed gives a glimpse of Indian Ocean through the glass door in front. Once you open that door it is your very private sundeck. Well furnished and tasteful. Many things come in round shape. A large day bed beside the pool is way to exciting. Then its a pair of sun laungers for you to get some tain. On the left side of the sundeck is a uniquely designed private launge. Its all open air. Only a frame of wood lies on top. The whole sundeck gives a wide angle view of the lagoon that fades away into the blue sea. Ocean Bungalow in Huvanfen Fushi As you step in front it’s the sign that read “Marhaba Huvafen Fushi” which means welcome Huvafen Fushi. On the right is bedroom as you open the door. A huge bathroom on the left gives view of the lagoon. The outdoor deck gives access from your bedroom and bathroom. A fresh water plunge pool is a nice place to spend your day. Sun loungers are essential and it sits right beside the pool. Water Villas in Irufushi Well designed water villas are definitely tasteful. Near the entrance its your mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities along with other standard amenities. As you walk-in, it’s a large writing desk and you make your turn to right or left. Many glass doors makes you feel a tropical paradise. A large king-size bed sits in the middle facing the glass doors that leads to the deck. Bathroom is luxuriously spacious. Just open the sliding doors and get an unobstructed view of the large lagoon. There is a day bed with two sun loungers. The stairs lead you into the water right from your villa. Water Villa in Coco Bodu Hithi Coco Bodu Hithi, otherwise known as Miss France island, is no stranger for luxury villas. A little similar to Iru Fushi water villas but a more wooden shine on furnishing makes it different. Bed looks comfortable and bathroom comes with a stylish bowl shaped tub. Opening the deck doors show one of the largest day beds. Of cause the pool is amazing. Take the stairs to go down and snorkel. The reef is very close from your water villa. Water Villa in JA Manafaru At the entrance is a writing desk. Take turn right or left, bedroom of bathroom. Both are spacious and tastefully luxurious. The black wooden furnishing blends well with the design. Outdoor deck can be conveniently accessed from bedroom or bathroom. The plunge pool is made from black stone. Miles and miles of Indian Ocean is the view. There is a large hammock to enjoy different experience with your partner. Or take the swing on the deck and make it a fairy tale. 5 Tasteful Water Villas For Your es Honeymoon. # es # # # #luxury #watervilla Update: We are pleased to announce that we have relocated our wedding venue to another beautiful sandbank in North Ari Atoll. Prior to this change our location was near the capital Male where we faced difficulties to source decoration materials such as palm leaves and exotic flowers. The new location is perfect in every sense. The new sandbank is narrow in shape and very long, about a mile long. In some seasons this long sand bar is spitted into several different sandbanks. It is spotless like heaven and adjoined to lagoons on both sides. Photo: Underwater surprise proposal on 11 December 2017 The change of wedding venue also makes it better for guests who want to enjoy in resort after the wedding. There two very beautiful resorts near by; Kuramathi and Veligandu Island Resort. The sandbank is about 20 minutes from local island of Thoddoo. Photo: The new wedding venue To have this wonderful ceremonial wedding function guests need to stay at Thoddoo Retreat guesthouse on first two nights. To Thoddoo is there is speedboat transfer daily, except Friday, the boat departs from Male' at 1600 hrs. After spending the first night, following the next day we can conduct wedding ceremony and guests could go to resort on the third day. So, guests spend 2 nights in Thoddoo. There is no other change in the function. Below details we provided earlier could still be useful for other details of the event. Ceremonial Wedding Function Guests who obtain this service have their official legal marriage in the home country. Our wedding functions are ceremonies to celebrate at a beautiful location. There are 2 sandbanks close to the Male' International Airport (also known as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport) which is your main gateway to the es. Depending on your choice we will organise the ceremony for the perfection. In order to plan everything well we recommend that you consult us prior to booking your holiday. As we are based in the capital of es, you could have your wedding ceremony on the arrival day and go to resort right after ceremony. If your are staying at a resort that is reachable via seaplane then you might have to overnight in city hotel or resort close by. Renewal of Vows in the es Has it been many years for your marriage? Go for our Renewal of Vows service and refresh the relationship. Make it feel just-married, once again. Go for your second honeymoon. Youthful heart could remain at any age. It is said that some people are young at the age of 80s, and some are old at age of 20. In your life, what you feel and what you think matters. Renewal of Vows are incredibly popular among Europeans. We have had many of these functions. Most of these falls to like 20th year anniversary, 25th or 30th. Wedding Ceremony Photography Sandbank wedding package includes professional photography. All our photographers are local professionals. It takes a great deal of experience to capture the perfect short. Its outdoor photography that has many luminous colours. A bright sun is up there, you have to keep that in mind and capture from right direction and angle. Bright day light should not obstruct detail on fine white sand. A clear lagoon fading into turquoise and then to the blue often becomes the backdrop. Bouquet of tropical flowers on the bride's hand should flourish the colors while the smile and beauty resembles feelings of joy and happiness. Beach wedding the perfect setting and backdrop In es we do not have green landscapes, lakes or mountains. Instead, pristine beaches with blue ocean fading into the horizon and peaceful sky are a more beautiful setting for your once-in-a-lifetime occasion. The nature's backdrop gives the feel of tranquility while you and your loved ones enjoy the ceremony. After all these will be an amazing collection of pictures for you to go through later and remember the magical moments you had in the world's most romantic destination. If you want the beach best in es for your wedding ceremony, take note that there are over 1190 islands make it difficult to judge which is the best. If you go to sandbank the beach looks more natural and often pristine. The small patch of sand often submerges in the high tide. Hence, it is like taking a bath. Also the forces of nature moves freely in these environments, adding the natural perfection. Beaches of sandbanks are often more beautiful and attractive than that of islands. That is the reason the sandbank beach weddings are everyone's dream and we put our utmost care to make it happen to perfection. We know how important is this function in your life. Frequently Asked Questions Even though we are organising the function very well it is important that the clients understand the process. Also, there are areas where we seek guest's preferences. So, here are FAQs to help you plan your wedding. Should I bring my wedding dress with me when I come es? So far all our guests bring their own wedding dress. But, we also give the option of getting ourselves from es. As wedding dress is very much to the tastes of guests we encourage guests bring theirs. We wouldnt want to worry if the one we chose might not be very liked by the guests. Wedding dress is most important for the bride. For groom we can always give a traditional sarong and a plain shirt. Will I get a certificate for my wedding in es? Yes, we do give our certificate. It has no legal value and officially not a wedding certificate. It is only for the purpose remembering the wedding ceremony. Will there be a wedding cake? Yes, part of the ritual is cutting the wedding cake. This segment is right after finishing the vows and exchanging rings. Guests can tell us their favourite colour and we will take it into preferences. Does it include a dinner? It depends. If the clients are going to resort right after ceremony we encourage guests to book a special dinner from resort. We will help get this done. Otherwise we will arrange a dinner at special location. We actually like to serve dinner at the sandbank. But, these are very natural places and it is risky for the speedboat transfers, careful maneuvering is required to go through a tiny channel that leads to the sandbank. Otherwise speedboat will get stranded. So, we always leave sandbanks right after sunset, just before it gets dark. Do you provide beautician for the bride? If guests like to have a beautician to prepare the bride, we do provide and charge accordingly. We also encourage guests visit a beauty saloon and do facials, manicure etc. It is very much upto the guests to decide and we arrange accordingly. How do you do photography? We hire local professionals for the photography. We want the memories to be preserved in form of pictures. Photography is included in the wedding package. The photographers are highly skilled and experienced with ian environment. Some of the photographers are internationally recognised and frequently visit other countries for photography. After finishing the ceremony the photographers take few days to edit the pictures. In that case we could hand over the pictures during departure at the airport. What if the weather is rainy or windy Wedding function on the sandbank is very much weather dependent. We always check forecasts and compare it with our local knowledge. Also we keep our guests informed. If it is rainy or too windy we cant have the wedding function. We have to delay for a bright sunny day. How many weddings have you conducted before? We have conducted more than 20 functions in the last 2 years time. We are glad that we get nothing but compliments. Its a pride for us. Its our pleasure that we get chance to conduct such an important event in someone else's life. Our happiness is that they will appreciate it for whole life. Is your wedding vows in English Yes. Wedding is in English and it is emotional and meaningful. We could say we have mastered the art of delivering vows. At what time is the actual ceremony and how will I know the timings? Usually we have the actual ceremony around 16.00hrs. We always give an itinerary for the events and guests can follow that. And we will always be there for your assistance. Can you help organise a wedding function at a resort? Absolutely. We initially started this function at a resort and expanded. Today, we do wedding consulting with the resorts and arrange a perfect wedding function for the guests. We take care of all arrangements and collaborate with resorts for delivering the event. How can I book a sandbank wedding or at resort For bookings and inquiries please contact us via email or send us an offline message through chat. You can write to info@ esfinest.com Dreamy es wedding on the sandbank. # es # # # # # ler #wedding #proposal Grilled prime-cuts of meat and seafood go amazingly well with all tourists. Fresh catch on a charcoal grilled means a magic show. You cant possibly ignore it. Traditionally the local ians used coconut shell for charcoal, the same is widely practiced in the es even today. But, at resorts coconut shells are rarely available. With other types of charcoal you still get the natural tastes and aroma. Fuego Grill at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru Located at the seaside of beautiful of Landaa Giraavaru Island, Fuego Grill open only for dinners. The specialty of this grill is the cooking method while the kitchen itself is an open pavilion. Fresh catch of the day is very much the favourite of many guests. Lobsters are not live or fresh, still the char-based cooking does the charm. The Reef Resturant at Kuramathi Island Resort Never fading star of the es, Kuramathi island have a long history of over 30 years. The resort is highly occupied whole year around. Among the many food and beverage options the Reef Restaurant is a delight for seafood lovers. A small outlet on the edge of the shore is equipped with massive charcoal grill. At the entrance is the kitchen pavilion, all their activities are in full view as you pass by. tasteful aroma of lobsters cant get unnoticed from several yards away. May be you are looking only for beauty of the island, luxury accommodation and high class services. But, here is a collection of uniquely designed restaurants from 3 different resorts in the es. To get a different feel you may want to try out something like these. They are designed by world class architects. Iconic shapes means you they want tell you that are different. Now, its u pto you to discover what actually is different. After almost 2 years of political instability an election was conducted on the 9th November. Mohamed Nasheed secured first place with 46% of votes but fet short to reach the magic number 50% +1 vote. Out of the other two candidates Honourable Yameen got the second most votes. A run off election was held on 16th November. President Nasheed from ian Democratic Party contest Honourable Yameen from Progressive Party of es and its coalition members. As results came Nasheed won 48.61% while his rival secured the majority and won the election. A special session of the parliament was held on 17th November at Dharubaaruge and new president took oath. Now the president of es is His Excellency Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayoom, a half brother of former ruler Maumoon Abdul Qayoom. The Oath Ceremony The ceremony was held at popular convention centre Dharubaaruge. Attended by the members of parliament, the guests were welcomed by the speaker and vice speaker of the parliament. Among the guests were former president Maumoon Abdul Qayoom who ruled the country for 30 years and President Mohamed Nasheed who ruled for 3 years. This was the first time two presidents were seen so close and in perfectly pleasant mood. Mohamed Nasheed lost the election but did not show any negative sign or discomfort at the ceremony. The mass media largely complimented Mohamed Nasheed for his matured example of democratic principles. The mass media reports that former president Mohamed Nasheed showed incredible maturity and example of democracy following the failed election. Meanwhile some of the opposition figures claim that his behaviour was highly unusual and there were possible reasons. Two important elections, the local council election and parliament election, were up close. In the presence of international observers there was no way Nasheed could have blame the election process or vote rigging. Some opposition members believe that Nasheed's maturity in fact was a fake drama. They say his intentions were to focus on upcoming elections. He did not want to drag failure any further, instead he accepted it to gain support for the coming elections. Whatever lost was now gone, it will not come back. Its the future that is important. A 25 minutes seaplane flight takes you to Lily Beach Resort at Huvahendhoo Island. Located in South-East Ari Atoll, Lily Beach is just 600 metres in length and 110 metres in width. This narrow formation of island makes its villas right on the beach or over water. Entrance to Lagoon Villas is from land and at the opposite side of the room is a terrace with stairs down in to the water. The magic of this resort is in their state of the art Deluxe Water Villas. A jetty extended from the island for few hundred feet means a small water town. Once you open the door its 6 feet glass floor. If you want to get in you have to step on the glass. At the back is private deck with a plunge pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. On one side is a stair for you to go down. The reef is very beautiful and its just mere metres from your villa. Dont forget to take life-jackets from wardrobe. The current could shift quickly even on a clear day and it is always advisable to wear life-jacket and only go with your partner or other guests. Never go snorkeling alone. At the far end of the jetty that connects water villas are Sunset Water Suites. Suites have separate sitting area, bedroom and a large bathroom which gives open view of the lagoon. The deck and pool are bigger. At this point is very close to the deep sea. Its a great point t start snorkeling. Unlike other resorts in es Lily Beach Resort offers only one simple meal plan. They call it Platinum Plan which is actually a very good all-inclusive plan. Daily meals are provided at Lily Maa Restaurant. There are 3 bars on the island, one near LiLy Maa and others at two ends of the island. These bars also serve light meals and its included in your Platinum Plan. You don't actually need to come LiLy Maa for all your meals. Its a tiny island and convenient to visit to reach different facilities. There is a tennis court, children's club and gym for people who need them. Did you know this and that? Today I am going to share some exciting facts about es. I started working at resorts in 2004. The about about this topic came from the questions tourists asked during my work at various resorts. I hope this enhances your knowledge about es and help plan your holiday better. Here goes the did-you-know facts of the es. 1. Did you know the es is the world's flattest country? Yes, the es is the worlds flattest country. You hardly see even a slight bump in the ground. 2. Did you know the highest point of ground in es is only 1.6m from sea level? es is one of those low lying island nations. But, the difference is all the islands are low lying and the highest point in the ground is not actually very high. 3. Did you know the es do not have any mountain? Yes, the es is a mountain-free flat land. 4. Did you know the capital of es is actually the world's smallest capital? Dont get surprised. Many things are small in the es. But, the size of our capital island is a world record. You wouldnt see any other capital as small as Male'. 5. Did you know there are many 800 uninhabited islands in the es? Out of the 1200 islands in the es, only 200 are inhabited with people. Another 150 or so islands leased for tourism and a few for industrial projects, military, penitentiary etc. An estimated 800 islands are still uninhabited. 6. Did you know that there are 2 mobile sim card registered for every citizen? Currently the population is roughly 300,000 and there are over 600,000 sim cards registered with the telecommunication service providers. It is estimated that there are about 150,000 foreign workers in the es. 7. Did you know that es is 100% muslim country? All citizens of the es are muslims. The people respect belief of others. 8. Did you know the use of fishing nets is illegal in es? In the es, fishing is done by pole and line. Nets are totally banned. Greenpeace says this the eco-friendly fishing. With pole and line it does not scoop out the whole school in one go. 9. Did you know there is no fish farm in es? All the fish you eat are caught from the wild. There are no fish farms here. 10. Everything is small in es. Did you know something big? Islands are small, people are small, the country is small, fruits are small. Some of the fish are big, octopuses are large. Kolhigandu song from Sissuvaali album is probably the best Boduberu song in the recent history. I am not a person devoted to muslic. But, the first I time saw this song on the national television it woke my senses up. The tradition drum music which is commonly played on festivals. The album is presented by Faruma Boduberu Group. Other well known Boduberu group is Harubee. My name is Sharyf, I joined tourism industry in 2004, started as a Receptionist Trainee at Taj Coral Reef Resort, now rebranded to Vivanta by Taj – Coral Reef Resort. I had no experience in tourism. Most of the tourists were Europeans. Other markets were Japanese, Korean and of cause the Indian market was significant. Having joined with no experience I was the most junior staff in the department. To start with I was attached to one of the good guys, I was learning and helping my colleague. After a week I learnt some basics and I got some chances to serve guests while my colleague supervised me. My salary was $200 and there was no service charge at that time. You had to work smarter if you need some tips. But, the senior colleagues they always took the richer guests and gave an excellently personalized service to earn some gratuity. I was also very much interested in putting the extra effort. But, I hardly got guests when the resort was full. Most of them were Indias who normally don’t throw good amounts for appreciation. Soliciting tips was not allowed, my colleagues and I never did that. Most of the guests gave small amounts and some don’t give any, but my constant focus to was to over deliver the friendly and personalized service in a professional manner. Since I had no way of reaching richer guests, I decided to put the gear forward and reach even higher level of guests satisfaction. It did work. Even the Indian guests eventually started giving good amounts, but still not like rich guests from other countries. I never differentiated quality of service to any nationality, but always tried to understood their differences in culture and expectancy to serve them better. After this experienced have done further studies in tourism, worked in many resorts and held high positions. But, the experienced I gained at Taj Coral is really of great value and I appreciate their training. Now, the biggest market is China. I still put the efforts and walk the extra mile to give better service for guests, where I am. They give better amounts in tip than Indians in general. May be they are richer and can afford more. Still, I don’t neglect Indians or any other nationality. Few years back the main international airport of es was leased to GMR Group of India, for long 25 or so years. Detail in the agreement indicates that it was not only about the lease of airport. The entire land where airport was housed was leased and GMR was allowed to carry out many other commercial activities such as running shopping malls, do mass tourism with thousands of beds, give employment to 4000 Indias without subjecting to employment laws of the es. I felt this was too much for too little. There was a huge public outcry for favouring India and compromising the independency of the Republic of es. At this point the president of es resigned and later claimed it was a mutiny and not a resignation. Investigations and inquiries never concluded as a munity and the rule of then vice-president continued. Indian government unofficially imposed sanctions on es; tightened visa process, building raw-materials such as aggregate and sand exportation was put on hold, loan repayments were made strict by demanding on time payments etc. Indian newspapers and people voiced in comments greatly supported former president Mohamed Nasheed who failed on 16th November 2013 election. The new president H.E Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayoo sworn in on 17th November 2013 and became the 5th president of the es. Now, India’s Prime Minister H.E Manmohan Singh has officially invited President Yameen to visit India. During Mohamed Nasheed’s presidency India got a grave chance to influence the es and India tried to make use of it to its maximum. The unthinkable u-turn took place and India was like running after lost opportunities. For many ians now it is very clear that India had too much interest than a friendly ally. President Yameen is more matured, he served the parliament continuously for 20 years before taking the country’s top job. India should know that Yameen will defend and uphold the independence and freedom of the country at any costs. India should know that Yameen is well aware of the intentions of the Indian government in presence of exploitation. Should India fix this? How can they fix this? What if they don’t try to fix? An unshakable president sitting in office for next 5 years could mean that he has enough time to fix internal loopholes that could be exploitable for countries with unusual intentions. The possibility that president Yameen will seek assistance from China is huge. The economy of es being based on tourism in which the highest visitors are from China, the es needs to partner with China. es needs protection from China, against Indian interests that conflict independency of es. This year, 2033, we will mark 41 years of official bilateral relations between es and China. Close to half a century of relationship never was a topic of influence to the independency of es. During former president Nasheed’s rule it was not that he favoured India, I rather believe that in fact it was his immaturity as president which led to open up the government too much for foreign investors. The chance was exploited by India, through a public company called GMR. It is apparent that India has more interests in es than they seem to have, and es needs to select a partner. Go for India and compromise and independency, or go for China and seek assistance from the would-be sanctions from India. If es picks India, its not likely that the Chinese government would impose sanctions. Other way round, the India government already imposed sanctions just to give more possibilities to India-friendly Nasheed to become president. India tried and failed. With China as a partner, there is little the government of India could do against es, much of it having already done. I am not particularly interested in lobbying es to any country. But, the India’s foreign policy having a substance that wants es to gradually fall over India and at some point may be to become a state of India, is something against which es needs to erect a defence mechanism. That has to be implemented before the end of current presidency. In the age of democracy there would be seemingly-advocates who in practice wants to pursue a personal agenda of continuous rule by his family or a person appointed by him. In order to achieve this, a growing economy, would need bundles of cash to impress citizens. By then Mohamed Nasheed was in power and it was India backing him. Now, I have no interest to ask, how or who, made arrangements of cash for Mohamed Nasheed. I stayed in China for 1 month in January 2013. During my stay, I had to renew my visa as I was planning to stay a little longer. I went to the police department that handles visa. There was a big queue of local Chinese, but one desk was allocated for foreigners. I got my visa done with a couple of days. Since I wanted to go Hongkong as well, I checked the visa requirements. The Chinese themselves need visa to go Hongkong, but for ians we can to straight away with no prior visa. I was very impressed. But, this was not the reason that I criticized Indian foreign policy. I have gone to India many times and still be going if allowed. I am not against India or the Indian government. But, their foreign policy conflicts the independency of es and that I take serious and with grave concerns. So, if I take this serious, why not the government of es? I put so much efforts to get rid of the former, half-matured, president and now that I am confident the president have the capacity to rule the country. With help of China, es needs to stay independent. es should hold the present tourism market and serve all nationalities of the world. The country should have freedom to make its own policies in foreign relationships. China has proven to be an honest ally since 1600BC. es is small by size of land and population, but huge in terms of independency, just like India, China or any other big country. Our historical records indicate that even through es was a poor country, the foreign policy exercised in full independence. In the es fishing is done with pole and line. Nets that scoop out the whole livestock are not permitted and never practiced in the es. The commercial gain and profitability of nets are immense and es is an economy fighting for survival with provision of the most basics to its citizens. Yet, es sought sustainable fishery more important than commercial gain. Greenpeace outlines top 6 reasons to choose pole and line. As es observe sustainable ways of fishery the European Union (EU) allowed import of es tuna without an import duty. This was an encouragement, for both es and the rest of the world to follow sustainability. But, recently EU has decided to stop that privilege by end of 2013. The reason for this sanction is that es do not allow practice of multiple religions. es is a 100% muslim country. Despite surprising level of tourism growth and openness in the communities the locals still follow Islam as region. It goes side by side. Consumption of alcohol not being allowed in Islam, its possession or sale is prohibited in the local islands. Alcohol is widely available in all resorts and liveboards, consumption goes with excellent service. You are required to dress modestly in local islands. Whereas in resorts, you are in bikini while sunbathing on the beach. Tourism being the lifeblood of the economy the tourists are well respected. A country that is known as paradise on earth is one of the safest and peaceful countries in the world. But, introduction of multi-party democracy in 2008 shook the calm communities and political dynamics led to violent protests and confrontations within the local communities. Violence did not extend to tourism and it was merely not affected by the uprisings. A clear majority of ians support democracy while the whole country remain in Islamic faith. Recently there was a speculation that half a dozen people were convinced of other religions. But, the 99.99% of the population do not want to allow conflicting religious systems and compromise the existing peaceful atmosphere. It would hurt the small community of this 300,000 people. Introduction of democracy was a bumpy road. But, its success and achievement is highly remarkable. Now, es could be the best example among the newly introduced democracies in the world. Still the political climate is fragile. But, it is slowly becoming stable and more matured. Many international bodies and governments of various countries supported the es in its democratization. Impact of climate change is causing the world to observer severe and catastrophic disasters across the globe. At this time, following and encouraging co-friendly mechanisms should be a priority, not only for the sake of the low lying islands of es but also to all other nationals. So far, es has been an example of eco-friendly leadership. It has been an encouragement for the rest of the world. But, for the European Union, the smaller issue of speculated religious freedom for half a dozen or less people has become more important and significant than the global environmental crisis. 2 years back, President Mohamed Nasheed of es, held an underwater cabinet meeting. Same year, a television advertisement for an environment campaign showed president, in his office attire, standing in the lagoon with water reaching his knees. It depicted as if the rising sea level reached his office desk. Environment friendly fishing should not be ignored unappreciated. It has to be recognized and encouraged to be followed by other countries too. Sustainability is important for the nations. Please share this on facebook to let others know and rise global awareness. A 20 minute seaplane flight takes you to Safari Island Resort located in the heart of North Aril Atoll. It is approximately 60km from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. The island is very tiny, you can easily walk around in a few minutes. One side of the island is a clear lagoon and a rich house reef on the other. A thread of 15 Semi-Water Bungalows run on one tip of the island. The opposite end is a jetty leading to 39 Water Bungalows. The 30 Beach Bungalows are on the island part in exotic green vegetation including palm trees. All the 84 rooms come with sea view. Airport transfers The resort can be accessed by seaplane that operates only in day time. If you are arriving at night you will have to fly the resort the following day. Not far from the resort is a domestic airport named Maamingili Airport. The domestic flight operating to this destination is Flyme. If you are arriving by domestic flight you will still need a sea-based transfer to reach the resort. Diving and Snorkeling The house reef is just minutes from the shore. Safari Island Resort is one of the few islands having house reef so close to the island. It is definitely convenient for addicted snorkelers who spend most of the time enjoy at sea. Despite the closeness to the reef, the opposite side of the island have no reef and just clear blue waters if anyone is interested. The lagoon is ideal for watersports. Beach Bungalow 45 sqm in size Hot and cold fresh water Bathtub with separate shower and air-condition, Wc Mini refrigerator Flat screen TV with cable channels Hair dryer, telephone Tea / Coffee making facility Bamboo furniture, Sun chair Bathroom amenities include Bathrobe, Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower gel Free wifi in the room Semi-water Bungalow and Water Bungalow The amenities are mainly same as Beach Bungalow except a Glass-bottom table which is provided in these two room categories. There is a private sun deck at the back, stairs giving direct access to the lagoon. Luxury Cruise Boat Luxury Boat makes this island special and unique. The ancient looking boats actually come with modern luxury and comfort. Palm leaf thatched roof of the boat may make you like one of those in the island. You have a large bed, hot water showers and other amenities just like a villa on the island. At the front there is a large day-bed to give you an unobstructed view as the boat cruises to your favourite spots in the Indian Ocean. Enjoy sunrise and sunset in peace and harmony. Your butler will be eager to catch a fish for you and cook as you like. Or you may want to try out fishing by yourself. Keen to see a whale shark? Some of the popular whale shark spots are not too distant from Safari Island Resort. Just ask your butler to go there and you can enjoy the cruise till your butler come back to help you wear snorkeling gears. Just jump off the vessel and swim with the whale sharks. Fulfill your dream. Take many photos. But, remember not to touch the whale shark. Even though its huge in size, a gentle touch could cause infections in the skin and eventually become dead. The boats are very unique and look artistically traditional but offers modern comfort and luxury furnishing. Bathroom have hot & cold fresh water. The boat is air-conditioned. Other amenities include Mini refrigerator, DVD player, TV, hair dryer, fully equipped kitchen, deck chairs and table, day bed. Bathroom amenities include bathrobe, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel. Snorkeling and fishing equipment is provide on board. Resort Facilities Reception 24 hrs Bar and Coffee Shop over water Overwater Restaurant Badminton Dive Centre Watersports Centre Spa Gymnasium Free Wifi Excursions / Activities Full day island hopping, half day island hopping Snorkeling, night fishing, morning fishing Scuba diving, Cataman, Canoe, Windsufing, Water ski Table tennis – Free Volleyball – Free Dart – Free Night life / Entertainment: Disco, soft music, live band etc. scheduled over the week. Restaurants The main restaurant serves buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, buffet dinner. Coffee Shop serves light meals and snacks. Open from 08.30 am till 10.00pm. Other information Accepted Credit Cards: Master, Visa, American Express Accepted Currencies: USD, Euro, English Pound, Travelers Cheques. Medical facilities: First aid on the resort, further treatment at near by Mahibadhoo Island. Dreaming to swim with whale sharks and dont know which resort to book? Book Holiday Inn Kandooma is one of the few resorts that offer swimming with whale sharks in the es. Here is a video taken from one of the trips. Join the resident marine biologist for a once in a life time journey to Ari Atoll and swim with the largest fish. Despite its huge size whale sharks are one of the most human friend fish species. Dont be scared. It wouldnt harm you. But, remember not to touch the animal. Despite its size the animal is quite sensitive too. A gentle touch touch could break its skin protection and develop bad bacteria which could eventually kill this awesome creature. Whale sharks often visit reefs to feed themselves with plankton. The biggest fish eats those micro particles. They just keep the mouse wide open and swim along the reef. That is how to take their meals. 10 Jan 2014: GMR Group of India has started sourcing suppliers and partners from es. Currently there is an advertisement on Miadhu News website that shows a banner linked to the supplier database of the GMR Group. Nothing further has been mentioned. Photo: Advertisement on Miadhu News Online Male' International Airport was managed by GMR Group for more than an year and it was taken by the previous government. The legal battle began and case is still in court. The es airport was highly profitable and GMR has been fighting the long battle to get back the airport. GRM has repeated expressed their interests on es airport. President of es, His Excellency Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayroom return from an official trip to India on 4th January 2014. The case of GMR was discussed by his counterparts from India during the visit. There has been a rumour that the government would give back the airport, but the president said effort will be put in place to solve the case peacefully for mutual benefit. Just a week after President of es returned from his official visit to India, GMR Group starts advertising to source suppliers and partners. What's happening? you may ask. esfinest cannot confirm anything further than this advertisement on Midhu News Online. It could be that the company is getting ready just in case, or there has already been some sorts of agreements between the es government and GMR. If a conclusion has been already reached, it wouldnt take long for the news to make headlines. Note: Multiple ads are displayed on same slot on Miadhu News. You may have to refresh the page multiple times to see the actual ad there. Media sources referring to article must provide a link either to this post or our homepage. Under a global voluntary awareness programme the Peace Boat left Yokohama Japan on 22 November 2014. Among the 950 volunteers aboard were a ian named Ahmed Khaleel who was the High Commissioner of es to Japan. He joined Peace Boat from Singapore port on 1st December. Khaleel started his job at Ministry of Foreign Affairs es in 1982 and this remarkable event was of a special pride in his long career. In his trip he met volunteers from many different countries and among them were many Japanese, the same country where he was based. Although es is widely known through the world, there were many people who didn’t know much. Khaleel took this opportunity to introduce es and gave information to them in the boat's lecture hall. Khaleel said that Japanese people loved es, but some people actually didn’t know es. In his lectures Khaleel highlighted the tourism industry, environment, economy and most important the environmental aspects. The lecture hall was packed with people who had their attention on Khaleel. Knowing a country that was so different from the rest of the world might have drawn attention of the audience. Khaleel was proud of his efforts. This trip by the High Commissioner is remarkable as no other high profile ian is known to have taken part any trip by sea in the recent years. Khaleel is thankful for the hospitality rendered to him during this voyage. Restaurants onboard served Japanese dishes while Khaleel and other volunteers shared their experience. Peace Boat reached es on Saturday. It was a great happiness and joy for Khaleel, who is currently staying in Male'. Khaleel was one of the passengers of Peace Boat which crossed huge oceans on the mission of Peaceful World. He was one of the high profile volunteers aboard and his participation deemed as an encouragement for the whole group. After arriving to es, Peace Boat has already set sail to Mauritius. It will go Europe and Africa before returning to Japan on March 6th 2014. One of the memorable destinations for the participants would definitely be the es. The volunteers visited some of the islands and enjoyed white beaches during the strip. es is different. Unlike other countries its just 1200 sandy spots scattered all over the ocean. If you expect a different dining experience in this unique country try out Sand Castle dining. What is this all about? Your waiter heads to the beach before sunset. On a nice location he digs out sand and makes a table with seats on the sides. You wouldnt want your food get sandy. Table cloth and cushions do just that. At Dusit Thani es it feels like a whole new level. The Sand Castle is surrounded with fancy shaded lanterns which makes the setting looks more elegant and peaceful. The look itself is so appealing. The sand castle that sits in a spotless white beach overlooking the ocean. While you enjoy this ultimate dining experience the rhythm of waves becomes your music to fall in love. Dusit Thani # es Takes Sand Castle Dining To A New Level. #DusitThani es #Dinner #Beach #Luxury 18 Dec 2014: Media sources report that David Backham family is planning to visit es for this New Year. David Backham, wife Victoria and 4 children – Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruise and Harper - will have a family holiday in a 5 star deluxe resort. Their last New Year holiday was at One&Only Reethi Rah es at a price tag of 250,000 GBP for 11 nights. At that time several media channels reported that the family cut-short their holiday due to bad weather. Then again the Tourism Minister of es confirmed the reports were not true, he himself was present at the airport to see off Backham’s family. The Minister said the superstar couple and family had enjoyed the stay in the es and they said they would come back. Now they are coming back again and esfinest assumes a senior government official will welcome them at the airport. David Backham is staying in which resort? Which resort they have chosen to stay is unknown as yet. es is a popular hotspot among celebrities and most of the time they just escape into one of the resorts and media have no clue at all. Earlier this year, Diego Maradona was spotted at the airport with a mysterious girl. Backham family is not so elusive. We will know his whereabouts during or after the stay. For the last holiday they chose One&Only Reethi Rah es. It certainly is one of the top resorts in the es. But, this holiday seems more like staying at a different resort. Backham and family is more likely to stay at Conrad es Rangali Island, Fourseasons Landaa Giraavaru, Dusit Thani es, Huvafenfushi . There are other resorts of the same class. Taking clues from the previous holidays, it seems he would not go too far from the airport, not with 4 children. Buzz Aldrin, second person to walk on the moon, have enjoyed a holiday in es and left on 18th December 2013. Buzz was the lunar module pilot and Neil Armstrong was the mission commander of Apollo 11 which landed moon on 21st July 1969. On his return from holiday, Buzz was spotted at Male' International Airport. People took pictures with him, one of them said that Buzz, 81, said he will be back to the es. Aldrin came late for departure. I was only able to take a picture with him. He looked happy and said he will come back. The ian who took a picture with him said. Buzz Aldrin was in the group of three who succeeded the first ever moon mission. On the moon Neil Armstrong set foot first, second was Buzz Aldrin while Michael Collins was orbiting the moon in command module. Which resort Buzz Aldrin and his wife stayed is publicly not known. Some people from airport said they were in a group who came from Baa Atoll. In that case mostly likely he stayed in one of the three. Dusit Thani es, Sixsenses Sonevafushi or Fourseasons Landaa Giraavaru. Blog: The two telecom operators, Dhiraagu and now Ooredoo, it has been a question that which operator is growing faster. Dhiraagu has been operating for over 26 years and Ooredoo about 9. It is apparent that Dhiraagu holds more market share. In my recent observations I noticed Ooredoo in fact did very successfully in the last couple of years. Today I came across Ooredoo es facebook page. The first glance noticed the sheer number of likes. Immediately opened a new tab on my browser I see that Dhiraagu is lagging behind. Oooredoo - 67,404 Likes Dhiraagu - 53,383 Likes The topic could be controversial. Some would say Ooredoo is doing excessive marketing on the social media while others oppose that statement. Anyway, this is an indicate that we all can see. Its right there for everyone to see. While we dont have other indicators to compare with, this bit draws up an image. I was switching between operators in the past. But, now it has been quite some time that I am staying with Ooredoo. I am actually not a big fan of Ooredoo, though I use their service. I believe that there are areas that Ooredoo could improve. Having done well on many aspects could have brought them so much success, anyhow. Blog: es have a population of about 300,000 and 100,000 lives in the capital Male' where jobs, education and living are dramatically advanced than the rest of the islands. The actual descendants of Male' are less than 25,000 and the other 75,000 are islanders who have come from other islands, for a better living. Male' being the capital island, all the past governments, had given priority to develop the capital city. es is not a rich country, despite its high-end world-class tourism. But, the property value in the capital city is that of the same in London or New York City. A small unfurnished 1-room apartment costs US$400 a month in average. How come a third world country complete world's most advance cities by property value? More surprising is that an average worker, such as a secretary, earns an income equivalent of US$400 a month, that is including bonuses and overtime pay. Islanders who dont not own property in Male' are forced to share accommodation with the relatives. Its common to find 6 people living in a single room apartment, sitting rooms are converted to a bedroom at night and floor gets covered with mattresses. Married couples often share a large apartment with all the relatives to reduce the proportional rent. More common is that wife stays in home island to lookafter their children while husband works in Male'. Many locals work at resorts and transfers are organised between Male' and the resort. Hence, husband cannot reach his wife for several months. Hulhumale' is a man-made island near the capital Male'. The government built this island with a plan to provide adequate housing for the descendants of Male', not the residents. This is where racism begins to take shape. Racism is not only when it is between blacks and whites. A clear majority of 75% of the residents from Male' are paying extremely high rent for the 25% landlords. The government seems to recognise the needs of these 25% of landlords, but not the rent-paying 75% islanders. So far there has not been any single project carried out by the government to relieve the distress of 75,000 people living just to earn and pay the whole sum to the landlord. After almost 10 years since people inhabited in the island of Hulhumale' the house rents are only going up. Many of the Male' landlords have rented out whole house and moved out to countries such as Srilanka, India, Malaysia and Singapore. Government housing schemes only work for those landlords to update their life with more properties belonging to different members of one family. They could rent out all the houses and live a luxury life abroad, whole family together. Hulhumale' development budget came from the government, not from the pockets of landlords. It was the national income for which every citizen had equal rights. While a large proportion of government's budget being spent for the development of capital Male', discrimination by birthplace is nothing but racism in the 21st century. If you are born the family who is registered in Male' the government seems to be responsible to provide educate housing. If you are living in Male', no matter how long, you have no right for adequate housing and you will have to pay extremely high rents for your entire life. You get to pay London rent and your income is just 10% of that of London. The point here is not the expensive housing, but racial discrimination which is lifting the housing rents. The most recent phase of housing scheme, 1300 housing units were built in Hulhumale', 1000 units were specially allocated for the descendants of Male', remaining 300 units for non-descent residents. This means 77% of housing gone to 25% landlords, and remaining 23% for 75% islanders. The government of es has long been racist. No wonder the all presidents came from Male'-born families. I changed my life to Male' in 1996. I completed my grade 7 studies in my home-island and that was the highest class in the school. I joined a private school in Male' and paid school fees. Best schools were allocated to the children of those landlords, being government schools they did not have to pay fees. I have been living in Male' for 17 years and I will most probably be paying London-rent for the rest of the my life. Its no problem for me, if there is no better option. But, racism is something that I refuse to accept, not in 21st century and not when we all know that it. All the medias are owned by the landlords. Hence, this racial discrimination scandal has not gotten their attention. Please share this to support end racism in the es. Ever heard of noni fruit? esfinest is looking for tourists who like to try out this fruit and get slim. Information on internet about this fruit has impressed us so much that we want to do our own test. It is labelled as one of the super fruits, helps slimming and also fights cancer. Noni fruit is native to es, you can find it in many bigger islands. People actually dont now its heath benefits. Unlike other fruits noni is spicy in taste. Despite its unpleasant smell it doesnt taste bad actually. But, people dont usually eat this fruit and its left out on the trees. Under "get slim with noni fruit" project esfinest will arrange guesthouse accommodation for a couple for $100 per night. We will supply noni fruits for free. Guests should agree to provide us a picture before starting the diet, then another picture after the test, also tell about your experience. We plan to conduct this study for 3 weeks. The pharmaceutical industry is selling many slimming agents. But, when you have this amazing fruit that is said to help slimming, why not give it a try? After all its just a fruit, not a drug. And its said to have many other health benefits. We are interested in exploring the benefits of this organic method. So, if you are interested please do contact us. We will take a few guests for this test and based on the results we plan to develop this segment as a tourism product. Video: a testimonial of a person claimed to have reversed cancer Video: a scientific approach to noni fruit P.S: information presented in this post is based on online research only. A scenic seaplane photo-flight of 45 minutes from Male' International Airport takes you to Velaa Priate Island. Set in the largely undiscovered part of the Noonu Atoll, Velaa Private Island is a fusion of elegance and contemporary luxury. It inherited its name from the original island name Fushi Velavaru which literally means “turtle island”. Sea turtles flock to this island in the breeding season. It was their home for countless years. Thanks to Jiri Smejc, the owner of the resort, for leaving some space between the villas so that these amazing creatures can still enjoy their island. Beach Pool House The beachfront house nestled in tropical vegetation with swaying palm trees is ideal for couples and small families. The pavilion comes with an additional space convertible to a second bedroom, spa, gym or library as you prefer. Beach Pool House - exterior view There is a large living area and a kitchen with high stools to serve as both a bar and facilitate catering. When you step out from your bedroom its a large terrace with private pool, carefully positioned day beds and a dining platform that gives panoramic view of the lagoon faded into the blue ocean. Total Area: 581 square meters of which 189 are interior and 337 exterior, pool 74 square meters. In two bedroom customization the rooms are separated by a spacious living area which is designed to work as a retreat in the day and social hub at night. Beach Pool House comes with a kitchen that looks like a bar with high stools but also facilitates catering. Lighting and decor are perfected to reflect harmony and feel of relaxation. Rattan swing chairs in the bedroom could be fun, especially for families. When you step out the terrace is a hallmark of pleasing atmosphere with private pool, carefully positioned day beds and private dining platform which overlooks the beach and lagoon. BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE BEACH POOL HOUSE Beach Pool Villa Beach Pool Villa - exterior view Selectively furnished beachfront pool villa is an affair of luxury and sense of nature. Reflective lighting bring perfections to this architectural wonder, as if the sense of relaxation never wants to leave you. Complete wall-to-wall glass doors gives you a magnificent view of lagoon over the private pool. The terrace and day bed is a pleasing environment that embraces a full view of the beach and lagoon. Villa's dining area located here is an additional enhancement. Its a total of 295 square meters, 80 in interior, 179 in exterior and 36 square meters for pool. BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA BEACH POOL VILLA Deluxe Beach Pool Villa Deluxe Beach Pool Villa - Private Dining Pavilion Deluxe Beach Pool Villas are more spacious and come with an additional living area. Its deal for couples who dream spacious beachfront living. Total area extends to 346 square meters that is divided into 108 in exterior, 188 in exterior and 50 square meters for private pool. DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA DELUXE BEACH POOL VILLA Ocean Pool House Generous two bedroom house over the water offers elegant living blended with art and harmony. Catch fresh breeze flowing over the India Ocean at the comfort of unusual but comfy furnishing. Ocean Pool House - Private Dining Pavilion Perfectly-sized terrace holds a pool to enjoy with utmost privacy in the most private resort in es. Dine under the stars over water with Indian Ocean as the backdrop. Total area extends to 501 square meters of which 223 goes to interior, 233 for exterior and 45 square meters to the pool. OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE OCEAN POOL HOUSE Sunrise Water Pool Villa At the entrance is a living area leading to the terrace, one side is bedroom and bathroom on the other. These tastefully appointed villas give unobstructed view of sunrise from bed, bathroom, living area, terrace and pool. Sunrise Water Pool Villa - Private Dining Pavilion Designed to never miss a sunrise, colors and shades get reflected over the endless ocean as sun rises up over the horizon. Total area extends to 232 square meters of which 94 goes to interior and 105 to exterior and 33 square meters to the pool. SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA SUNRISE WATER POOL VILLA Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa Separated by wooden pillars, each is designed for private moments and these villas come with an additional element, an unobstructed sunset view from the privacy the terrace and pool or the large day bed. Bright sun gets yellowish fading into orange and say good-bye for the day over the horizon. Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa - View of the jetty Everyday marks ab unforgettable moment in paradise. These villas are relatively bigger than Sunrise Water Pool Villa. Total area extends to 256 square meters of which 102 goes to interior and 114 to exterior and 40 square meters to the pool. SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA SUNSET DELUXE WATER POOL VILLA Velaa Private Residence Carefully positioned in the lush vegetation, the four bedroom villas come with a large pool facing the beach, overlooking the lagoon that fades into the Indian Ocean. Secluded on a pristine beach, its a 1349 square meters of grand interior and exterior space, with terraces, pool and courtyward. Velaa Private Residences are ideal for groups and families. Velaa Private Residence VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE VELAA PRIVATE RESIDENCE Romantic Pool Residence This is an atmosphere of ultimate romance in the Indian Ocean. Made for a couple, two palm trees stand erect in a suspended platform over the water. Underneath swaying palm leaves is a sized-for-two beach on the platform. Romantic Pool Residence is totally disconnected from the island, for the utmost privacy, and can only be access by boat. Having equipped with many facilities such as dining, private gym, spa treatments etc. within the room there is little reason to leave. Total area extends to 623 square meters of which 197 goes to interior and 337 to exterior and 89 square meters to pool. Romantic Pool Residence ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ROMANTIC POOL RESIDENCE ‹ › X Velaa Private Island - Luxury Done Right # es # # # # ler # Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, is set to visit es on 24th February 2014 on a family holiday that extends to 3 islands and beyond. The next in line for the throne of Saudi Arabia is visiting Pakistan on 17th February on an official visit and then to the es. He is spending $30 million to exclusively reserve Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladu from 20th February till 15th March, 2014. The local news reports that other bookings made to these resorts are to be cancelled. More than 100 body guards will provide security for crown prince and his family. Staff ferries to capital Male’ will be cancelled and they will not be allowed to bring their mobile phones with them except for some key people who require them for communication purposes. The 3 resorts are to be exclusively reserved for the indulgence of prince and his family. Other tourists will not allowed in the resort during the royal holiday. For emergency medical assistance a small hospital will be setup with incentive care unit. A floating hospital is also on the way to es. A team of more than 30 doctors will ensure medical assistance. Medical care is very important for the family of prince. In July 2001, Fahd Bin Salman the oldest son died of heart failure at the age of 47. Another son, Ahmed Bin Salman, died of a heart attack in July 2002 at the age of 43. Private yacht of the prince has set to sail to the es. The luxury yacht has a helicopter on board and resort is building helipads just for this exclusive holiday. Photo: Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud The could-be governor or the present Chief Economist of the es Central Bank says es earns huge amounts of dollars but could not retain within the country and that is the root cause of the dollar crisis in the es. At a forum conducted by es Monetary Authority for the first public release of a business survey Dr.Azeema Adam said the es earns around $2bn an year of which $1.5bn goes out of the country. She said such a high outflow rate would make it difficult to cater the demand. She further pointed the issue of many expatriates working in the es. Everyone one of them takes home a salary in USD and collectively the amount is huge over the year. esfinest estimates a staggering $800m per annum for salaries and benefits of 150,000 expatriates working in the es. What about the remaining $700m? es Government Budget 2014 and Exchange Rates The government budget for 2014, in the revised version of December 10th 2013, the total expenditure estimates to $1.1bn while the revenue stands at $0.98bn, hence a deficit of $120m. While proposing the revised budget the Finance Minister said the projected deficit stands at 2.2% of the GDP which comes to around $57m. It seems more of a tactic to blindfold the public. Going back to past years, it is evident that budgeted income cannot be achieved. Then again the expenditure would also get cut down in the last quarter. Black-market Exchange Rate: 17.00MVR per $1 Expenditure: $1100m Deficit: $120m New Dollar Exchange Rate: 18.87MVR per $1 As per budget, the government will spend 11% (120/1100*100) more than its income. How could you spend more than what you have? You can’t, it’s impossible. It’s impossible even for the government. So, the Central Bank prints money to cover up the gap. Now there will be around MVR18.87 Rufiyaa waiting to get exchanged for $1. Any significant change in budget deficit would directly impact the exchange rate. Almost all food, household goods, equipment, raw materials etc. are imported, all these are bought for dollars. Expatriates have nothing to do with dollar rates I have heard a lot of people talking about expatriates in regard to dollar rates and it is true that they are pumping a lot of dollars out of country. Lets have a look at it. 1. A barman working at resort earns a salary of $700 including service charge. His accommodation and food are provided by the resort for free. He buys some cosmetics and phone cards, and sends home $500 a month. You think the dollar rate would be affected by this? I dont think so. Guests pay to the resort who then pay to staff. Guests paid dollars and barman sent home dollars. At no point the money was exchanged for Rufiyaa. So, why would it affect exchange rate? It would not. But, the government would be quite pissed off at him. Because, if he got salary in Rufiyaa he would go to exchange to dollar. When he exchanges, he would have to pay MVR17 (actual value of dollar) and MVR1.87 of the government's budget deficit, for every dollar he buys. About 20,000 expatriates works in tourism industry and they pay for budget deficit. Now their portion of deficit will have to be paid by others, both fellow expatriates and locals who earn Rufiyaa as income. 2. Lets say the barman got Salary and Service Charge in Rufiyaa. He goes to bank or buys dollars from black market. Sends home $500 a month. This too would not affect exchange rate. Because the guests paid dollars which the resort exchanged in the bank. That dollar is still there in the economy and the barman goes to receive that dollar. If the resort exchanged their dollar in black market it would impact exchange, to the degree of variation in exchange rates. 3. An expatriate waiter working at a local restaurant earns MVR5000. He goes to black-market and gets $294. He sends $200 home and $94 for his personal expenses. Would this affect dollar exchange rate? I dont think so. Now, I takeover the same job as waiter in the same restaurant. I get MVR5000 of which I spend MVR1600 for my personal expenses. Balance MVR3400 I give to my family. My wife spends this money to buy food, pay rent, utility bills, school fees. The shopkeeper bought that food from India for dollar. Utility company spends dollar to buy diesel for generators. Landlord spend that money for his living which gets spent just like me. School use that money to pay bills and salaries which also gets converted to dollars at the end. Everything I spent, at some point, got exchanged for dollar. What is the difference? End of the month, I he spent all his money and I spent all mine. Both got exchanged to dollars and went out of the economy. He spent whole amount in 1 day. I spent gradually over the month. Please accept our apology for removing a recently published post. We have received criticism from countless curious readers and we would like you to know that we do respect safety, security and privacy of all, including high profile guests enjoying holiday in the es. We wish to publish the article once holiday is done, but again we cant guarantee this. Many thanks for visiting our website. If you share this news on facebook or your website, that would be an encouragement for us to keep on the move. 24 March 2014: Monday the Malaysian Airlines sent a text message to the families of passengers aboard missing jet MH370. The sms has sparked a new row of criticism on Malaysian Airlines and the government over mismanagement of the biggest search and rescue programmes of all times. Photo: Male' International Airport, es "Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume beyond any reasonable doubt that MH370 has been lost and that one of on board survived. As you will hear in the next hour from Malaysia's Prime Minister, we must now accept all evidence suggests the plane went down in the Southern Indian Ocean.", the message read. This leads to many serious questions. 1. While no debris or plane has been recovered, what proof you have it plunged into ocean? A satellite that was sending signals stopped at some point. We would not say its clear proof that plane ended up in ocean. If you cant yet figure out what made signal stop, it could serve as a probably cause but not certain beyond reasonable doubt, in our logic. 2. What proof you have that there is no survivor? While none of the of bodies have been recovered, it could be an irresponsible way to declare no survivors, or even assume so. Even the slightest atom of hope in such a tragedy has to be taken positively and with utmost priority, till every stone is turned. Its true that the choppy waters of the "Roaring Forties" give very limited room for survivors, but its not totally impossible. Assumptions could be the worst thing authorities could do at this time, especially when it is subjected to survivors. We had unpublished an earlier post about the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to the es, for privacy concerns. But now the news has spread across the globe and we are receiving requests to republish the previous post in which we shared lot of exciting detail. Instead of republishing it, we thought of sharing some interesting perspectives on medical care. In July 2001, Fahd Bin Salman the oldest son died of heart failure at the age of 47. Another son, Ahmed Bin Salman, died of a heart attack in July 2002 at the age of 43. Hence, medical care seems to be the second most important factor, after security. es is having a very fine weather in February. Seas are calm and gentle with a low breeze that hardly sways any palm tree. An extremely rare tropical storm could change conditions in an instant, especially in a climate like es. But the precautionary measures ensure medical assistance at any condition. If seas become rough and boats inoperable to reach sea-based facility, there is a chopper to airlift guest. If wind speed is not permitting that, there is facility on the island itself. Seconds and minutes matter on heart related medical conditions. But the arrangements done for prince and his family seem to be as perfect as it could get. Out of the 4 machines in the whole world Velaa Private Island managed to grab one to enhance their spa services. The machine is called Wolke 7 Cloud 9. Its looks more like cyberspace science fiction that brings back the dead alive or heal wounds instantly if not teleporting you to another world. Despite the look, it actually gives you a therapy with sound, lights and motion. What is so special about this system is its effectiveness to change your mood almost instantly. Invented by a Viennese researcher and artist, Sha, the Wolke 7 Cloud 9 gives therapy through stimulating the senses through light, mental acoustics , motion and 3D visuals. Production is limited to 111 units only and Velaa Private Island is currently having the 4th and the only one in es. A single units costs around US$10m and only the very top of the luxury hotels would have this enhancement. After different changes in plans Saudi Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz has finally arrived es and left to resort in the afternoon. Unusual military moves of the es Defence Force was noticed in the past 3 days. Petrol boats could be seen in the waters near the capital and airport which is on a separate island. Photo: President of es and Saudi Crown Prince at President's Office. President of es His Excellency Yameen Abdul Qayyoom and Crown Price of Saudi Arabia had an official meeting today. In a joint press release after the meeting they expressed the interests to work closely against religious extremism and all forms of terrorism. Both countries also agreed to cooperate against piracy and money laundering. The es president expressed his interests to broaden the investment and business opportunities in the es for Saudi Arabian companies. President also thanked the Saudi Arabian government for various grants and assistance given in the past. Photo: President of es welcomes Saudi Crown Prince at airport Photo: Prince Salman inspects a guard of honour Photo: Prince presents a gift to former president Maumoon 28 February 2014 esfinest team is excited to announce that we have selected Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel from Saudi Arabia as the most beautiful woman ever visited es. Princess Ameerah visited es in December 2009, with then husband the Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Al-Saud. Both the prince and princess were seen in a ceremony held at President's Palace Mulee Aage to confer the Order of Distinguished Rule of Izzuddeen to His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal. Photo: Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel during the wedding The extremely beautiful and desirable woman is now available. According to the website pagesix.com Princess Ameerah quietly divorced Prince Alwaleed in 2013. es has been a hotspot for celebrity holidays from around the world for decades. We at esfinest, are very much informed of the happenings with the es and had the chance to glimpse many famous figures, including the Miss France contestants in 2011. In our personal tastes and judgement, the beauty of Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel exceeds over all other celebrities. Photo: Princess Ameera at President's Palace, es Photo: Princess Ameerah and Prince Alwaleed Her full name is Princess Ameerah bint Aidan bin Nayef Al-Taweel Al-Otaibi while commonly called Princess Ameera. She was born on 6 November 1983 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her parents got separated at Ameerah's young age, mother and grandparents rised her in Riyadh. She met her ex-husband Prince Alwaleed when was just 18, got married 10 years later in 2008. Prince Alwaleed and Princess Ameerah lived together for 5 years before being divorced in 2013. Photo: Prince and Princess during the wedding Princess Ameerah is prettier than Miss France 2011 contestants Photo: Princess Ameerah in red Photo: close-up face shot Photo: Prince Charles and Princess Ameerah Photo: Another picture in red Photo: Princess is a women's rights leader Photo: Princess dressed up a little different Photo: The latest picture we have of the beautiful Arabian woman Photo: Princess Ameerah delivering a speech, venue unknown Photo: This dress was on sale and Ameerah was the model. There are beauty products associated with her. Photo: Believed to be captured in 2016. After separation from Prince Waleed she is hardly seen in public. Photo: Beautiful princess in Africa. She likes NGOs and humanity efforts Photo: Another picture of Arabian princess with make up on. Photo: It seems she loves horses. There few more pictures of Ameerah with horses. Photo: The princess looks gorgeous when she smiles There are multiple Instagram and other social media accounts on her name. We are occasionally adding up more pictures to this page to maintain a good collection of her photographs. We have few high definition ( hd ) pictures that we plan to upload soon. It would nice to use as wallpaper on your computer or smartphone. Ameerah Al Taweel 2018 updates ‹ › X Jaw dropping pictures of Arab princess. #arab #princess #ameerah #saudi #qatar #oman #kurwait #dubai #fashion 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 ian 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 es 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 es. 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 es. 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 es. Fuahmulah is one of the biggest islands in the es, 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 es and the island life. He studied ian 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 es. 59 year old Xavier is not just an explorer. He has had ian wives, have children and grandchildren. es 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 es 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 es Islanders, A Study if the Popular Culture of an Ancient Kingdom, Folk Tales of the es. Xavier left es in 1991 and visits es every now and then. He wishes to visit es more often. Prince William and Kate Middleton have visited es for holiday. They arrived this morning in a BA flight. Security was tightened in the airport. The royal couple came with their personal bodyguards. Upon landing a car took them to the airport VIP lounge. Their photography was not permitted during the arrival. It has been rumoured that they are staying at a resort in Noonu Atoll. The recently launched ultra-luxury resort Velaa Private Island is in that atoll and the resort had welcomed an Arab prince some weeks back. Tripadvisor reviews of Velaa Private Island shows nothing but extreme satisfaction. esfinest believes the royal couple is in Velaa. Prince William and Kate spend 8 years in relationship before getting married on April 29th, 2011. The grand royal ceremony was televised live on multiple channels and the whole world watched. Kate wore a white wedding dress and Williams was in Irish Guards Officer uniform. They got a son, George Alexander Louis, on July 22nd, 2013. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife had a es holiday in 2012. Blog: Drug addiction has been grave social problem in the es for over a decade. Under the governance of the new president there has been increased arrest of drug smugglers and dealers. es police raided a home last night and found drugs and 2 prohibited animals; an albino banded Californian king snake and a Mexican red knee tarantula. Another police raid about a week ago captured a python. Couple of months back it was a rare and protection animal called slow loris. Now the question is what is the connection between drug addicts and harmful or are animals? When questioned, the police said it was just for show off, addicts like being cool with keeping it on the shoulder or wound around the neck. Photo: Mexican red knee tarantula found in a drug raid These snakes are poisonous. How could they use these snakes like that? The social media showed some pictures of seemingly-addicts having snakes on their body. When you look at the picture you know that its native species which is non-venomous. The illegally smuggled snakes are venomous and could put a person to death. Photo: Albino banded Californian king snake found in the same house as the spider There are many drug dealers in the es. If you were a dealer you would obviously need to market your stuff. If you could smuggle in a prohibited snake or a protected animal how could you use that to market your business? Could you show it to your customers to prove that you are a direct agent? Not a sub-agent, wholesaler or retailer. For me it is more probable to believe that they are using these smuggled animals as marketing tool, not just to show off how cool you are. esfinest is mainly covering travel and holiday topics. These blogs are meant to address major problem in our country from our personal perspective. While the drug addicts are there and government tries to rehabilitate them, the tourism industry is not affected at all. You can still get the perfect holiday in paradise. On the 2nd day of plane disapperance we have concluded that the plane was hijacked or sabotaged and more clues indicated passengers were alive, and there was no disintegration or explosion. The authorities at first didnt believe this theory at all, but now they seem to have no other possible explanation. es Finest is based in the capital of es and reports are based on different information channels. Read es Map for country facts and travel information. DAY 11 LIVE UPDATES - Press F5 to refresh! LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Hijackers now have a rocket that appears friendly on military radar What hijackers now have is a rocket that can carry over 300 tons of payload and it appears friendly on some of the military radars. This should be terrifying for every government. But, it seems countries are taking this lightly. Aircraft Engineer onboard Malaysian authorities have said that they have identified an aircraft engineer on the plane and being an engineer does not necessarily mean he knows to fly or navigate the plane like a professional pilot. It is likely that the role of this engineer was not to hijack the plane, but "service" the plane after landing. Data that was sent by the plane's engine may not be sent again when the plane takes in to skies. It could then travel to any destination on a false ID. Military might shoot down wrong commercial jet There is high chance that one day the missing plane would be airborne again. Hence, the military of different countries would take no chance of any harm. They would now be looking at every Boeing 777 in the skies. But, when there is one with a false ID, the military could shoot down the wrong one. That chance seems to exist right now. But, we hope the military would at least send a jet up and check the aircraft before firing a missile. Landing in any airport is highly unlikely Our analysis show landing in an airport requires at least 19 key people and this is highly unlikely. Meanwhile our Google Earth search shows suitable desert areas and highways in remote areas the hijackers could use. If authorities fail to progress quickly the plane may never be found. Masterminds who managed to evade radars and land without crash would most likely have capacity to hide the plane, despite its huge size. The plane may then be kept hidden for years, before launching a 9/11 style attack of surprising magnitude. Landed in remote area in desert Our initial report on the 2nd day after MH370 disappearance we wrote the plane likely was hijacked and landed in a remote jungle area. Fresh information from authorities from satellite pings show one possibility towards the border of China and Kyrgyzstan. We have analysed this theory and found landing in desert more consistent than jungle, other parts remain unchanged. An autonomous part of China in the border area of Kyrgyzstan and China shows multiple locations suitable for landing, including some of the land areas and highways in the desert. This part of the highway is 8 metres wide and 2.5km long,both sides show relatively flat land. No vehicle is seen, means the road is rarely used. Near the lake is flat land that stretches upto 3.4km. Zoomed shot in the corner shows grass here. This highway is about 10 metres wide and stretches to 10km, this zoomed picture does not show full road. A big truck is the only vehicle spotted, this indicates how rarely people use this highway. Could block the it let airliner land right here. Photo www.mirror.co.uk : The desert locations are consistent with this map. A picture that may help unlock the mystery This is the actual picture of the flight simulator found in Captain Zaharie's home. This leads to lot of questions. The pilot, after 30 years of flying, was still obsessed with flying? Or he used this simulator to practice hijacking and landing maneuvers? Its a tough question to analyse without more detail. Climbing to 45,000 feet and suddenly dropping to 23,000 Now the authorities have almost concluded that the plane was hijacked. But, some do question why the plane climbed so high, even higher than the allowed limit for Boeing 777. According to some pilots it could cause passengers become unconscious. Hence, we conclude that its a justifiable theory. Also, a sudden descend, may have been necessary to make sure if passengers were really unconscious as a sudden descent would be terrifying for normal passengers. Killing everyone aboard was not the intended purpose Several evidence suggests the plane few for hours after being hijacked. This indicates killing everyone aboard aircraft was not the intended purpose of hijacking. If it was, the plane would have crashed moments after disappearance from radar. An intended purpose behind hijacking A series of clues tell that there was intended purpose of hijacking Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, and it was not killing everyone aboard. We have previously said the hijackers wanted the plane to be used for another purpose. Our theory is still the same. Someone who wanted this plane for an intended purpose would not crash it into the ocean. If satellite signals suggest it flew over the ocean, it doesnt mean the flight got crashed there. Meanwhile, we cant conclude the flight never got refueled. Good move: Malaysia Police questions family of the Captain We have learnt that Malaysian Police has questioned family of the captain Zaharie Ahmed Shah. Nothing suspicious turned out. This is a good approach. Pilot and first officer need to be studied, especially their movements before boarding the flight. Scanner images of pilots' baggage would be crucial information if those images are stored in the system. United States has suspected the plane could have steered to another location Many days back we have concluded that the clues show it has been hijacked and possibly landed in a remote location. After trying to locate debris from large areas of oceans the authorities now have come close to conclude that most likely scenario is hijacking. Now the focus has turned to Indian Ocean ( esfinest is based in Indian Ocean) Media reports indicate that the search for MH370 has taken initiative by the United States. Based on fresh clues they say the plane could be in Indian Ocean. We say "there is a British territory in the Indian Ocean which is used by the United States as a military base. Use the radars there and see what you find." The British India Ocean Territory is named Diego Garcia, it is very close to es from South Addu Atoll. A humble request to the authories, from esfinest Now the focus being shifted to Indian Ocean, please dont say the plane landed in one of the 1200 es islands. Its true that 800 islands are uninhabited, but the islands here are too small. Even the islands that are developed as airports needed a lot of reclamation. Handful of islands are little bigger and all of them are occupied, as resorts or for residential purpose. UPDATES ON ACTUAL STORY Updates from crowd-sourcing tool DigitalGlobe as released a crowed-sourcing tool to locate plane from fresh digital images. We are following the findings live. Click to view the findings Oil rig worker claims to have seen plane descending in flames We dont buy this story as the claim that passenger phones rang seems stronger and more valid. It's not impossible though. But, cell phones plunged in water would not ring, especially when tried multiple times by multiple families of the passengers. We are analyzing different clues from both authorities and individuals and updating live. Suspicion falls on pilots themselves An Australian woman has revealed to the media that the same co-pilot invited her to cockpit, chatted and smoked, in a previous flight years back. She also showed a picture of her with the pilots. This strongly suggests the pilot was bad-mannered. That kind of behaviour years back could have developed him to hijacking level over the years, especially if no disciplinary action was taken against him ever. Fresh clues suggest the actions were deliberate Plane's transponder stopped sending signal and flew 500km to opposite direction. If this was some technical fault there was at least 30 minutes (at top speed of Boeing 777) to call someone with passenger's mobile phone. Read below why passengers could not call. Most likely the passengers did not know plane turned back. We have concluded that there is no possibility for flight to be found in Straits of Melacca. Why would it disappear from radar again? First disappearance from tower's radar may have occurred when plane's transponder stopped sending signal back to tower. Malaysian military radar traced plane and found it went way off course til disappeared over the Straits of Melacca. Why would it disappear this time? Most likely the plane descended to a very low altitude. It might have landed some where close or just kept low altitude to evade radars and flew to the intended destination. Authorities discovered plane flew another direction after disappearance from radar Now the authorities have discovered that the plane turned at point of disappearance from radar and flew opposite direction towards Malaysia. It flew over Malaysia and disappeared in the Straits of Melacca. Authorities did not say that they knew plane's altitude, in that case the plane could be anywhere, not necessarily at Straits of Melacca. Cell phones connected but the call hung up Several media reports have said some families of the passengers could connect the call, it rings and no body answers. Another report said the call hung up. Either case, phones ring means it did not plunge into the water. Did not answer means the phones were not with the passengers. Looking for debris in ocean, not survivors in jungle A multinational search team involving 10 countries are looking for debris in the ocean. So far none of the authorities have indicated that they are searching jungles. A series of small clues indicates there still is hope, more than the fear. Why pilots could not radio it to the tower? Hijackers might have used jammers to block communication. The plane's fuselage is made of aluminium which could be used as antenna for transmitting the jamming signal. Media reports say pilot of another flight tried to relay communication to MH370 and he heard mumbling, jammers were likely been active at that time. It is possible that hijackers activated jammers as the first step, so no body aboard would be able to communicate. Malaysian authorities have said the radar data shows the plane turned back. If jammers were not used, the pilots would have talked tower before turning. Why it disappeared from radar? Terrorists might have wanted the world to think it got crashed into the ocean. Malaysian authorities have said that their radar data indicates the flight turned back before disappearing. May be the hijackers took control of the plane and flew nose down till it was very close to the sea level. Ordinary radars would not pick objects at that level. Been hijacked is better than being crashed While authorities have no strong clue about the whereabouts of the plane, based on present information we have it is more likely that plane is hijacked than being crashed. And plane or the debris not being able to found in ocean could be a hope for the families of the passengers. Everyone is looking in ocean. Nobody wants to search jungles More than 10 countries have now taken part in the search efforts. Authorities have not said anything about any search effort in the jungles of Vietnam and Cambodia. United States avoid relating with terrorism The case of missing flight MH370 so far has not been related with terrorism by the United States. The US has said that they have not concluded otherwise, but need evidence before relating with terrorism. Iranian bought tickets for stolen passports According to a Thai travel agent it was an Iranian who bought tickets for passenger traveled on stolen tickets. "Mr Ali" asked for cheapest tickets and paid cash. This indicates 2 things; it was just some people who wanted to enter Europe or some terrorists planned it really well. You could check the princes online and head to travel agent. If you didnt not want to seem suspicious you would ask for cheapest tickets. The staff would say Malaysian Airlines have the best offer and the terrorist would say "I wouldnt mind if its cheap". 12 MARCH 2014 Hijackers might have taken MH370 to a remote location and landed on grass strip A giant plane not being found with combined technology of 10 countries could mean its not there in the sea or their technology is surprisingly bogus. Focus has to be shifted to land areas as some of the families have report the passengers phone still ring. A phone plunged in water would not ring. A phone unreachable, would not get calls answered. A multinational search effort for the missing MH370 has turned unsuccessful for the fourth day. The only concrete clue the authories have is that 2 passengers traveled on stolen passports and that they bought tickets together for the same price. But, these 2 were travelling to two different destinations via Beijing. If the plane plunged into the ocean or was disintegrated mid-air, debris would almost certainly be found by now. Without any sign of the flight MH370 from the location it disappeared on the radar makes us relate this possible cause to terrorism. The passengers holding stolen passports might have taken control of the flight without giving pilots any chance to radio to the tower. After taking control they might have dramatized a crash scenario by turning back and flying nose down till it disappeared from radars. Then the plane may have been taken to a remote jungle location where they have a grass field which you cant spot in space telescopes. If this was really what happened, now the hijackers might be loading flight with explosives or just hiding the plane till the alarmed authorities from the around world lower security level to normal. We will post updates and finding of crowd-sourcing people from across the global. Meantime we are also searching the maps to see we come across anything. Now here is that we have found so far. THIS PAGE IS LIVE UPDATED! 6 Apr 2014 May be this is the closest we could get on Tomnod. The picture is very matching to the tail section of a Boeing 777 flipped upside down. 23 Mar 2014 Analysis of all clues gives by the authorities indicate flight MH370 is likely to be hijacked and not plunged in the water. Read how we answered all critical questions in our live-updated post. It looks like the body (fuselage) of aircraft. Nose is there but the middle section seems torn apart and tail probably broken apart. See below for other debris found near by. Looks like the same thing spotted by Chinese and Australians. We just found this on Tomnod, dont know exact location but its Indian Ocean map. PREVIOUS FINDINGS Not far from nose section is this one. Does it look like tail section? Found this cargo ship in the same area Looks like half-inflated rafts Spotted 2 orange objects in a close proximity. Boats dont come in orange colour and it looks like half-inflated rafts. Here goes the screenshots, we will be updating location and other info shortly. Tomnod URL: http://www.tomnod.com/nod/challenge/malaysiaairsar2014/map/658735 A boat or a raft? this raft dont have paddles Both objects found in a small area, and it seems there are even many rafts. I have ignored some thinking it was same picture. Paddles indicated its different and its not boats buts rafts. Tomnod URL of one: http://www.tomnod.com/nod/challenge/malaysiaairsar2014/map/65832 Multiple floating objects found in a small area Wondering what this object could be! Looks like flight debris Some objects on 2 pictures located. Dont know what they are. Does it look like dolphins to you? Tomnod URL: http://www.tomnod.com/nod/challenge/malaysiaairsar2014/map/64333 There has been media reports that a worker from an oil rig saw a plane in frame descending. I have located an oil rig from Tomnod. Here is the screenshot. Not sure this is right rig or not. Now looking around the rig. (Previous objects I tagged seem to be ships). Map: http://www.tomnod.com/nod/challenge/malaysiaairsar2014/map/8094 Here goes the nose section in water. But I am not sure about this one. It not really clear like the tail. This is another object found in the sea, the same map as above. Its similar to a door, more specifically the emergency escape door. Found near the nose section. There is an oil rig near by these 2 pieces, in case someone wants to check the location on Google Earth. 13 Mar 2014: A Swiss woman named Tanja Sharaan is looking for her 5 month baby in es. Baby's father, Ahmed Sharaan, is a ian and allegedly is hiding with the baby. es Family Court earlier ordered Ahmed Sharaan to hand over the baby girl to the mother. That was when father disappeared with the girl. es Police is now looking for the father. Meanwhile, mother is seeking help from social media to find him and get her daughter back. If you have any information about the whereabouts of Ahmed Sharaan please inform es Police on 3322111 or report to local police station.Please SHARE this on social media to help mother find her baby. Photo: Couple with their baby Nuria Shaaly Photo: Swiss mother carrying her baby at Angasana Ihuru es Never heard of es before? Check where is es on the world map. It looks like pop-star Courtney Love has found the missing #MH730. Picture from crowd-sourcing tool is not very clear but resembles shape of Boeing 777 plane. Screenshot resembles the plane sitting on the sea floor at a depth of 75 - 100 metres. The white objects flowing does not appear to be oil slick, but baggage and other cargo. Upon closer look it is convincing to believe objects are coming from the plane. Click here to download all tagged objects on Tomnod and view in Google Earth, Google Earth required. esfinest is reporting from es, read about es Map and Location of Islands and es visa if you are planing a holiday in paradise. http://www.tomnod.com/nod/challenge/malaysiaairsar2014/map/128148 Objects we found on Tomnod View our first post on missing MH370 with live updates Note: es is made up of over 1200 island and we fly low-flying seaplanes many times a month. When we spot something in the sea we know it. Our lives are sea-based. PREVIOUS POST Landing and hiding flight MH370 in an airport requires at least 19 key people We have been following the developments of missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 and updating live. Based on a series of clues from authorities, on 2nd day we concluded that plane was hijacked (or sabotaged). We further concluded that plane was not disintegrated in mid air, and passengers were alive after landing. Authorities kept looking for debris while we urged to search land areas for survivors. Read our initial story. Now the authorities have come to believe that plane kept flying after disappearance from radar and it could have landed somewhere. Still, the authorities have given a higher priority for searching seas. We condemn that and request again to look for survivors in the land areas, instead of debris in the ocean. Land and hide Many people question how could you hide a giant Boeing 777 plane? Our answer is very simple. Based on clues, some people have already taken control of the flight, handled the situation in a way to blindfold authorities to believe the plane was crashed somewhere into the deep blue oceans. This does not sound like ordinary people. It could be a master-plan. But, how could you hide the plane? We see many Malaysian Airline's flights landing and take off all the time. You just need to place "your person" in the right place and it could land right on the runway, safely, and move to hanger for maintenance or whatever it could be. Who knew it was the missing MH370? If you have right person in right place, we dont think its impossible and not even even too difficult. "Your person" in the airport would say its MH130, same card could be played to pass though the immigration. It sounds a little complicated only because we dont know every single detail. But, how about the passengers? Before landing the "captain" might have announced that the plane was having an emergency situation and landing in another country. Captain would arrange free hotel for overnight and "your hotel manager" is in charge from that point onwards, he would take care of his "customers". Just like flight, the airport could also have communication jammers activated, so no body would have be able to call or answer any incoming call, through out. From plane to hotel, no problem. Manpower needs Based on this theory the terrorists would not no need so much manpower. All the people inside cockpit likely have cooperated. Flight attendants might not be aware of what was going on before landing. So it becomes, 2 pilots, 2 staff on air traffic control tower, 4 staff in the immigration counters (who would replace MH370 with another MH flight code), 1 airport guy to receive them, about 6 drivers and 1 hotel manager. Its 16 members in the group till the passengers reach hotel. To hide the plane terrorists might have needed about 3 key staff, to put the plane in hanger and close it down with false flight number or close down the hanger completely stating its not in operable condition. Now, the flight could sit there for months. The Magic Circus of Samoa has arrived es and first two shows are planned for thusday at 16.00hrs and evening 20.30hrs. The organizers have said its a new kind of performance to the es and will be surprising, you won't get bored and it will be of great fun. You may wonder what kind of performance it will be. Here's a video from one of their previous performances. We have earlier reported that a Swiss woman was looking for her 5 month baby in es. The woman is actually a German national, living in Switzerland, we have learned. The German woman Tanja Sharaan got married to Ahmed Sharaan, a ian, and got a baby girl. The couple split up and each one is now claiming for their 5 month baby in the court. Read our previous post about this. The baby is currently in es, with father Ahmed Sharaam. Baby's mother filed a case in Family Court and last week the court ordered return baby to the mother. It was then the father disappeared with the baby. An appeal from father in High Court has cancelled Family Court's order. Now it is likely that the German woman will not get back her 5 month baby girl until she reaches 7 in age. Here's why. The couple has split up. Baby could only go to one side, either mother or father. The mother was a working woman, for a Swiss based oil company as an HR Director as per Haveeru Daily. Father claims he looked after the baby while baby's mother was working. Mother being a working woman, the baby was not getting breast-fed. Baby's father is spending full time to take care, with support from his family. In this situation the court may conclude father is more committed to take care of the baby. Some residents of Kudahuvadhoo Island in the es have claimed to have seen a large low-flying aircraft, around 6.15am ( es time: GMT+5hrs). Any international flight passing over that island would be highly unusual and domestic transport uses small aircrafts. Police has now started an investigation. See the Map of es Islands and understand the es visa process if you are planning a holiday. There 3 international airports in the es, the main one is Male' International Airport (also called as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport). Others in Gan, Addu Atoll, and Hanimaadhoo Island in Haa Alif Atoll. These two airports are on two tips of the country. Out of 1200 islands in es, 200 are residential islands, about 150 leased for resorts and more than 800 islands are uninhabited. For resort transfers es use seaplanes. In fact es is home to world's largest seaplane operation. Photo: Seaplane landed at the beach Photo: One of the resorts in es Photo: Male' International Airport (Ibrahim Nasir International Airport) 19 March 2014: So far there has been no credible sign of missing flight MH370 in es, said the Chief of Defence Force. He said there was a report that a low flying aircraft was spotted by some of residents in Kudahuvadhoo island, preliminary results show the claim not valid, said the chief. He said the case is being investigated further and he could not conclude otherwise at this time. When questioned, the chief said it was not clear why they claim to have sighted a low flying aircraft which fits the description of missing Malaysian Airlines flight. Such a flight path would need more than about 9 hours from fuel. Based on the findings by Malaysian Authorities and investigators of United States, it is highly unlikely that the plane claimed to have sighted in es was missing MH370. Australians satellites spotted a floating object in the sea on 19th March 2014. The authorities believe it could be a piece of debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The object is 24 metres long and relative wide and other smaller objects have been detected around. But, the problem is floating objects in the sea dont stay in same spot after hours. From our experience at seas, on average weather conditions a floating debris could travel upto 230km a day. Current, waves and wind determine direction. We have experienced, wind is stronger against other forces for objects like floating boats that merely sits on the water with most of the parts above surface. Looking at the object spotted by Australians the current and waves would definitely affect stronger than wind. If all the 3 forces are on one direction the speed of travel could go upto 5 times high, effects of weather conditions are even stronger. In some rare cases we have experienced the floating object stays in same area when 3 forces are balanced to each other, this also depends the type of object as it determines how much wind it could catch, but would not last for days as natural forces always change direction and strength. Hence, its virtually impossible to find a floating object in the sea after days, unless search cover a huge area. This map shows how long the spotted debris would likely travel within the 3 days, under normal weather conditions. It could be anywhere within the 1000 square kilometers. 21 March 2014: es Coat Guard has rescued people of cruise vessel Alderabaran which went missing earlier this week. es National Defence Force (MNDF) which operates Coat Guard said the sailors were in a small dinghy when found, all safe and sound. But the cruise vessel is still missing. It is unclear what caused the sailors to separate from vessel. Aldebaran went missing while travel from Gdh.Kaadedhoo to es and Coat Guard has been searching for this vessel for past 3 days. The Coast Guard is still searching for the vessel. Present focus is put on the area the vessel was said to have seen last. The operators of this safari vessel said 8 people were on board while it went missing. Among them were 5 ians, 2 Bangladeshis and an Italian. The vessel is 28 metres long and had white colour exterior. es Coat Guard requests to report if anyone is aware of its whereabouts or have any clues that could assist locating the boat. 22 March 2014: Last week some islanders from Kudahuvadhoo, es, reported sighting of a large low flying aircraft. The es Police and National Defence Force started an investigation and just after 2 days the authorities told press that the claim was believed to be false and further investigation was underway. This was again published on the local news and in the comments readers criticized people from Kudahuvadhoo for false report. That was when this furious person from Kudahuvadhoo stepped forward to respond the criticism. Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaalu Atoll, es "Dont go check that area, go Kazakhstan and search there. Ahhh yes, we were blamed just because we reported sighting a large low flying plane. That wasnt enough, military even flirted their radar could see everything in the world skies except what we reported. I swear if the international search team finds it in India Ocean you could only imagine what I would do for people who laughed at me. Next time I will not even report such thing. Then they would stay there forever searching oceans around Malaysia.", said Rashaad Adam. Meanwhile, many ians question which plane was that and why it flew so low. They say that has to be checked properly and where the plane went has to be checked, even if its not the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. Read Residents claim to have seen low-flying aircraft in es. 23 March 2014: es held parliamentary elections on Saturday and preliminary results show a clear majority for ruling party's coalition. The sole opposition party, ian Democratic Party, got 24 seats. From the remaining 61 seats the ruling Progressive Party of es got 34, Jumhooree Party 15 seats, es Development Alliance 6, Adhaalath Party got only 1 and individual candidates secured 5 seats. The individual candidates are believed to be supporting the ruling PPM, media reports say that some candidates will be joining PPM soon. The results show a clear victory for PPM coalition. Honourable Gasim Ibrahim, the leader of JP and prominent business tycoon, said some seats were lost due to internal issues with the coalition. Gasim was referring to the fact that some constituencies had multiple candidates from coalition and votes eventually got divided among the coalition candidates, making opposition candidate the winner. But, prior to election, Adhaalath Party tried to negotiate with JP to get a fair share from the coalition and JP ignored the requests, ultimately Adhaalath decided to contest freely as a single party. 25 Mar 2014: A suspicious object that is believed to be some kind of bomb has just got washed up on beach in es island. Police media officer said that the villagers of Baarah Island saw this object in the evening and reported immediately. Police went to inspect the suspicious object and now it has been reported to the military. Police further said they have no clue what his object is and it will be investigated by the es National Defence Force. Photo: Suspicious object on the beach in es island Major Hussain Ali the spokesperson of the es National Defence Force said an unknown object was been washed up on the beach of Baarah and MNDF is on the way to inspect the object. Eye witnesses say the object is likely to be a sea mine while other speculate it is some kind of bomb. This was spotted a week after an islander from Kudahuvadhoo reported sighting of a low flying plane which authorities said not credible. It is not yet known if this suspicious object has any connection to missing Malaysian Airlines fight MH370. The Malaysian authorities previously refused to publicize the plane's cargo manifest. This story on local newspaper (non-English): http://www.haveeru.com.mv/dhivehi/news/152109 On 25 March, a mysterious object, possibly a fire suppression bottle of an aircraft washed up ashore at Baarah, es. Islanders first thought of it as a bomb and reported to authorities. The es military has said its not an explosive device, but did not confirm if it was fire suppression bottle as people suspected or otherwise. Here are the updates over the past days. Check out this detailed Map of es showing airport,resorts, virgin islands etc. Understand the es visa policy before attempting to enter the country. 7 Apr 2014 A reader messaged us an interesting discussion about this bottle on pprune and to the person who claims to have replaced fire bottles of aircrafts we would like to highlight few points. Our first picture on the page and second picture are of the same object, the colours are different because the first one was taken at sunset and second one in broad day light. In case he did not notice, there is a circular dent around the bottle, if that could be a clue for another aircraft engineer. We have not gotten any updates from MNDF. 6 Apr 2014: A Satellite image looks very similar to tail section of a Boeing 777 flipped upside down 5 Apr 2014 We still have no updates on the object. We have written a possible hypothesis Why authorities keep shut over possible fire suppression bottle found in es 2 Apr 2014 We have not gotten any additional information about the possible fire suppression bottle found washed up on es beach. It is now rising questions why the authorities are not releasing updated information on this object. Are they simply trying to ignore the fact that an object possibly belonging to MH370 has been found? Or the authorities want the world to focus on the depths of massive oceans just to say, at last, the plane may never be found? We cant believe Boeing and the Malaysian authorities are not aware of this object. Why have not they said anything so far? Why are the major news networks not reporting this? May be they dont like reaching it to any conclusion. So that they can keep reporting "may be" or just the daily "search planes take off from Path" for as long as they can. We need your help We have tagged Boeing and Malaysia Airlines on the Tweet Button on top. Please click the button and tweet, let the message reach them from a global audience. 31 Mar 2014 We have contacted the spokesperson of the es National Defence Force, Major Hussain Ali, but we did not get any additional information about the object. When asked about pictures being sent to Boeing, the spokesperson said that he cant confirm that and he does not have any additional update of the investigation. We told him that we will be calling him tomorrow and we are very much in need of fresh information on the investigation of the object. Photo: unknown object on the beach Photo: Object close-up shot 29 Mar 2014: Unconfirmed reports say the es military has sent pictures of the object to Boeing. We are unable to independently confirm the report, but the report appears to be credible. We will be in touch with military probably tomorrow. Exclusive to esfinest 27 Mar 2014: The spokesperson of the es National Defence Force, Major Hussain Ali, has confirmed to esfinest that they are aware of the talk relating object with missing MH370. When asked if the MNDF is in touch with Malaysian Authorities or the Airline, the spokesperson declined to confirm but said they are in touch with the 'relevant authorities'. When requested to grant access to our staff to photograph the object, the officer declined to give that chance. But, its likely that the military would soon release an update. We are monitoring the developments and will update the story when there is new information available. P.S.: Authorities or international media who would like to verify authenticity of this news may contact esfinest and we shall provide the contact details of the es military. We will also tell you how to verify these contacts, so you know that you are speaking to es military, without a doubt. 26 Mar 2014 A mysterious object was found washed up on beach of Baarah island in the es yesterday. The villagers reported it to police who then handed over the case to es military. After investigation the es Defence Force has said its not a bomb or any kind of explosive device. Read full story published earlier. An aircraft engineer from es has now said the mysterious object is likely to be a Fire Suppression Bottle of an aircraft. The engineer could not say if it is the type used in Boeing 777 model as he did not personally inspect the object. Meanwhile, we have received multiple messages from readers saying that it looks like plane's fire extinguisher and requested to report to authorities. Photo: Object found on es beach Photo: A fire suppression bottle of an aircraft. Source: aircraftengineering.wordpress.com Location of Baarah in the es map. See where is es located on world map. This object got landed on es beach amid a multinational team looks for missing Malaysian Flight MH370 which is now believed to be gone down in the Indian Ocean. There has been countless satellite images of possible debris from the missing jet, but so far authorities have failed to find actual debris. If this fire suppression bottle belongs to the missing plane it would be the first piece of hard evidence. We have earlier reported that an islander from Kudahuvadhoo island claimed to have sighted a low-flying aircraft of the similar size as Boeing 777. es authorities investigated and said the claim not valid. Read full story - Residents claim to have seen low-flying aircraft in es The object is currently held in the Northern Command of the es National Defence Force. A key to unlock the mystery If this object turns out to be part of missing flight, it may suggest that the plane was smashed on touch down or blown to piece in midair. At present, we dont know if it was used one or still have gas. The bottle's connection to missing flight and amount of gas in it could be a key to unlock the mystery behind the plane's disappearance. This object was found washed up on es beach in 2014. @MAS did not comment on this. #MH370 We have not shared anything related to es tourism since the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines. So, here we have top 8 pictures from our facebook page. A lot Likes and Shared were received to these pictures. We will be adding some info to each picture later. 29 Mar 2014: Earth Hour preparations have begun in the es. The Ministry of Environment and Scouts Association is taking the lead for a blackout in many local islands and resorts. The authorities are encouraging public to drop energy consumption to the bare minimum. A number of activities have been planned for Earth Hour, from 20.30 to 21.30hrs tonight. In Male' the local bands will perform traditional drum music at the seaside. But the most special may be the fireworks over the ocean. Though authorities have not confirmed firework yet, it is almost certain that there will be fireworks night. Last year the es had presidential elections and record number of tourist arrivals. It was then celebrated on the New Year 2014, with fireworks over the ocean. Earth Hour has come just few days after a successful parliamentary election in which the ruling party's coalition made a great victory over the opposition. Hence, fireworks on this Earth Hour is almost certain. Every year since 2008, es celebrates Earth Hour. All resorts are likely to take part with various awareness campaigns, cleaning programmes etc. Most of the es islands are less than 1 metre above sea level and environmental concerns remain on the top. Resorts are adapting to environment friendly energy at a drastic speed. Ordinary light bulbs have been replaced by energy-efficient LED bulbs in many resorts. Hence, how much energy you could save by turning off lights is a questionable topic. But the Earth Hour is a magic to rise awareness on environmental concerns. Its a grave danger to the es in the long run, also to other parts of the world. Recent years had the craziest weather of the several decades and it is getting worse real quick. Zen Resort at Kuredhivaru es, once completed, will have 22 rooms underwater. A disc shaped underwater village will sit 6 metres below the surface of the sea. All rooms come with sea view, right from your bed. For people who are dreaming of being woken up in the morning by friendly sea creatures the reality is not too far. The resort is currently under development, by a Polish company called Deep Ocean Technologies. In the center of the disc there is a lift and stairs to take you up. Once reached above surface its another disc with all the supporting facilities and services to give you an ultra-luxury holiday experience in the es. If you like to enjoy an island experience, Kuredhivaru is surrounded by white soft beaches and gin-clear waters, its just few minutes to the island. es is home to the world's first underwater spa, at Huvafen Fushi, and underwater restaurant at Conrad es Rangali Island. World's largest tourist submarine is also operated in the es. The underwater living technology is already tested and proven safe, right in the es. The visionary behind world's first underwater spa, Tom McLoughlin, has opened Amilla Fushi es. Lady Gaga and Tom definitely understand the impact of being different. Tom is an Australian and this time he has brought something special from home. The celebrity chef Luke Mangan is in charge of culinary amazement at Amilla Fushi. Photo by Jul1406a Photo by Sjanaelise Photo by Michael_louis_ Photo by Jul1406a ‹ › X Prior to opening we have heard the story of having pet kangaroos but it later turned out to be plastic ones Tom brought from home. Working away from Australia for too long many have created an emotional syndrome that he may have wanted to refresh childhood memories. About kangaroos we have heard its a friendly creature easily adaptable as pet. Amilla Fushi, an island with greenish vegetation encircled with powdery white sand surrounded by gin-clear water, is located in widely popular UNESCO Biosphere reserve of Baa Atoll. The luxury island offers a collection of appealing accommodations including Ocean House, Lagoon House, Tree House and Beach House. Dining and wining outlets of equally matching class are headed by Luke Mangan, a celebrity chef from Australia. The resort has released its fact sheet, find link at the bottom and we do know that they have Ocean House, TreeHouse, Beach House, and private residences. For more information about rooms and facilities see Amilla Fushi map with labels and detail. Ocean House Pictures look amazing. The Ocean House faces the ocean, not the lagoon and that is a good thing. It is located at the reef drop off. We cant see from the pictures if there is any ladder or stairs to go down, but the current and waves look unsafe for normal guests without a lifeguard. Also, room's deck gives a better view of the reef. It could be a timeless scene to stare at fish, usually there is a lot in the reef drop off. Amilla Fushi being located in Baa Atoll, you have a great chance of spotting dolphins from your room. Lagoon House These villas keep distance from the reef and gives a mesmerizing view over the lagoon. The rooms come with private pool matched with same colour of the lagoon. Furnished elegantly with modern architectural designs, the rooms are sophisticated to luxury lifestyle of the 21st century. Located amid clear lagoon of Amilla Fushi, the Lagoon Houses are tastefully articulated for everyone who dream of an over-water retreat to indulge in the es. Tree House For those who want a unique experience on the island there is Tree House accommodation to choose. Again, the resort not having released official information we have to depend on analysis of the pictures we have. It seems the tree houses are about 6 - 8 metres above ground. If you have previously experienced over-water accommodation this could be your ideal choice. Tree-top view would make you feel that you are living in one of the trees, at the comfort of luxury villas. Keep your camera or phone handy, there could be native species of birds visiting you. But, ian birds are very shy, just like its people! Amilla Fushi Ocean House Guestroom Interior Tree House Aerial View Tree House Pool Tree House Entrace Download Amilla Fushi Fact Sheet in PDF format for further information and contact details of the resort. This is where Kate Winslet stayed and she said its her favourite. #KateWinslet # es In my 10 year old tourism career I came across many pregnant women enjoying holiday in the es. Not even one knew the absolute must-know health information and this could be first article ever written on the topic in regard to es holidays. The pregnant women tourists I met may have been lucky that as soon as I came to know I always briefed them and gave a special attention. Even then some guests forgot and I had to remind in the appropriate time. Every time I came across such guests I wished if they were aware of the risks and knew these crucial health tips before arriving to es, because of the grave danger it involved. But, I also felt lucky that in many cases I was able to explain before they fall into risks. Still, some tourists took it lightly and my uncomfortable feeling forced myself to take some proactive measures to prevent any possible tragedy. Did you know there is possibility of getting your baby aborted in your es holiday? Yes there is chance if you were not careful with it. With right information and attention it would be safe to enjoy a typical es holiday. Health tips for pregnant women on holiday 1. Your doctor mostly likely have told you to avoid shocks to the body. This involves avoiding bumpy driving which many seems to follow very well. But, when you come to es your trip most likely involves sea-based transfers. This is where most guests forget to prepare on advance and once on board you hesitate interrupt the crew. I recommend that you let resort know that you are pregnant, before arrival to the es. Also request your transfer to be arranged in the biggest speed boat possible, bigger boats are more stable on choppy waters. Take the very last seat in the boat, to do this you need to stay in the very front of the group so that you could be the first to get on board. Never take first row seats or even in the middle, it could be a grave danger. Even calm seas are often bumpy in speedboats, and sometimes you observe sea to be calm but after some travelling the open ocean becomes choppy. So, dont take unwanted risks. Go for the last seat in the boat. If that seat was occupied you could tell crews and request for that. Be polite, but dont accept any other seat. Transfers between the resort and airport are usually scheduled according to your international flight. You have to take the transfer arranged to you. What if the sea is rough when your flight lands? There is little you can do. You may be able to get transfer from a later scheduled boat only if available. For this reason, I recommend you book 1 night in Male' or Hulhumale' before going to resort. Then check weather conditions and plan accordingly. Dont forget to inform resort about your plans, so that they could reserve seats for you. If your chosen resort have transfers by seaplane this would not usually be a concern unless it also involves some travel by dhoani or speedboat. Some resorts do have a short distance of travel by dhoni after seaplane lands in lagoon which is not rough. Dhonis (wooden boats) are much more stable on the water. Still, you should take last row seats for your safety. 2. During your stay in the es you may take part in many excursions. It is highly advisable to check weather conditions. Sometimes you also visit desert islands or sandbanks. You may be asked to jump off the boat. Its not high for a normal person to jump off small boats. But, if you are pregnant don't do that. Ask your partner or crew to help or make another arrangement. You may also mention it while booking your excursions and inquire about the arrangements. 3. Dont consume alcohol if you are pregnant. I observed all guests follow this strictly but thought to mention just in case. 4. es islands are very tropical and exotic. All resorts have pest control measures in place. To prevent mosquito infestation the resorts do fogging, usually in the early morning around 3.00 - 6.00hrs and 16.00 - 18.00hrs in the afternoon. Dont breathe fogging smoke. It has a mixture of diesel and chemical(s). There are many chemical to use with diesel such as Pyrethrin, Piperonyl, Permethrin, Butoxide, MGK264, Baytex, Baygon. I dont know exactly which of these chemicals are harmful to breathe during pregnancy, so I would advice not to breathe fogging smoke at all. So far I know that different resorts use different chemicals. Many resorts have contracted pest control from third party companies who follow good safety standards. I had been breathing this smoke often at different resorts and have no health problems. So, for normal people I would say its not harmful but for pregnant women it is highly advisable to stay away. There is an approaching "boom" noise during fogging when the person walks with the machine and smoke follows the wind. You could get aside for a minute or go to rest room. If you are in the room close all doors and turn off the AC. If its early morning hours I wouldnt advice you wake up just to turn off AC, it would not affect much if the doors are closed. 5. Juices like lime juice or pineapple juice may not be taken strongly. Your doctor may have briefed better on these. 6. As a precaution I would advice you do a scan after landing at Male' International Airport, especially if you arrive within the first 3 months of pregnancy. There are companies that do mobile health care service here in es. I occasionally got this request from guests and arranged doctor to visit guests at airport. Airport also have a Health Post but I doubt there is any scanning machine. If you have time you could also visit hospitals in Male' or Hulhumale'. Hospitals in es are often packed with people. Hence, more advisable is to consult a home-visit doctor at airport. Some of the resorts also very good, but small scale, clinics. You could check about the scanning while planning your holiday. 7. If you are feeling nausea or vomitish, I would advice to drink young coconut juice. It is great energizer and probably the most recommended drink in the es hospitals. It is also an anti-aging super fruit. From my personal experience I would say its a magic fruit for the sick. Besides, it a fruit and tastes great. I would suggest you drink one daily even if you are not sick. It is available in many resorts. P.S.: Please note that I am neither a chemical expert of any kind, nor a doctor, just sharing what I have learnt from my experience at various resorts in the es. Grave health risks and tips for pregnant tourists in # es A Russian investor has purchased a small luxury resort in the es, esfinest has learnt. There were 6 islands on sale and the one that got sold out had the highest price tag of US$65m, resort was relatively new and had over 40 years in the lease period balance. Once lease period is over the island will be taken back to government or lease gets an extension. The deal has been sealed, but the official transition of ownership has not yet taken place. It is unclear if the new owner wishes to operate with his own management or keep with the existing company and receive profits for the investment. With this purchase the number of resorts currently on sale in es, as per our knowledge, has reduced to 5. Purchase of this resort came amid a clash between European Union and Russia over Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea and European Union imposed sanctions that discouraged Russian businessmen with investments in Europe. Having an own island in the es is a dream to many millionaires and Russia remained as one of the key markets of the es for the last 10 years. Jiri Smejc, a Czech billionaire took Fushivelavaru in Noon Atoll last year and developed as Velaa Private Island. Resorts never advertise themselves or announce officially when they go on sale. Only the key investors and brokers know it. Once the official transition of ownership is completed it then goes to news headlines. We know these deals through our connections with key people at resorts, and under terms of non-disclosure of resort’s identity. Sale of resorts is not new in es and it normally does not affect much to the guests. The new management usually takes over with all the bookings and staff members. Rebranding and enhancements come after a while. Other resorts sold out recently include Herathera in Addu Atoll, Manafaru in Haa Alif Atoll. 5 Apr 2014: Many days have passed without an update on possible fire suppression bottle. This is highly unusual for a media-friendly military like es National Defence Force. The object was initially thought as a bomb or a sea mine. es military started an investigation and next day they said it was not a bomb or any kind of explosive device. This indicates the normal reaction speed of es military is very fast, it took only 1 day to reach conclusion and release to media. In another case, some residents from Kudahuvadhoo claimed to have sighted a large low flying plane, after 2 days the military said claim not credible. The fast reaction of the es military is obvious, not just in these 2 incidents. Please read about es visa if you planning a trip to es and question the authorities by yourself. Object found washed up ashore in es. See es map for country location and maps The case of unknown object washed up ashore at Baarah was progressing fast, just like any other, till an aircraft engineer said it looked like fire suppression bottle of an aircraft. That was the turning point. Updates stopped and media-friendly military kept shut. But, why? On 24th March the Malaysian Airlines sent a text message to the families of passengers aboard missing jet MH370. The sms has sparked criticism on Malaysian Airlines and the government over alleged mishandling of the situation. Earlier the Malaysian authorities have said that the plane's movements were consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane, rising suspicion of terrorism as the cause of flight disappearance. If the authorities announced it was fire suppression bottle of the missing MH370 flight and bottle was empty, its a possible indication that crew fought a fire on board. Theories came up from Malaysia authorities would then be the opposite of facts. This would expose authorities to overwhelming criticism from families of the passengers and the rest of the world, and may be from Malaysia itself. Unbearable shame and criticism could possibly be avoided if ian authorities prolong the process till plane is found. Families of the passengers may then not seek answers as much as at present, and a new phase of investigation would begin. In the absence of comments from authorities this is the most likely hypothesis. Where can you earn $5000 a month as a beach cleaner? With accommodation, meals and entertainment all free? That happened at Velaa Private Island in February this year, every member of staff got more than that. With first month salary payment it went flashing on news headlines and CV's started "raining down"; more than a thousand candidates sent application, daily, while there was no job opening. This may be your lucky day. The resort is now seeking suitable candidates for 8 positions. That's just so many positions. But, your chance of winning one is thinner than lottery. The resort may still be receiving more than a thousand applications, daily, to each position. Jobs remain open for 16 days and will you believe the recruitment team could read 8000 emails a day? With your CV and important documents attached? Not very likely. Downloading shear 8000 emails alone would possibly take hours, with high-speed internet. In such as case the recruitment staff will most probably glance through the subject of the emails and pick some at random. If not an exact match to what the resort seeks your application could be ignored forever. This wont happen in lottery, once you are picked you don't lose your winning. Despite the slim chance, I am going to apply to one of the positions. I have over 8 years of hotel management experience and hold a Swiss degree in hotel and tourism management. But, when it comes to this lottery job, I dont consider my profile would have any better chance. If I did not write this post, I would certainly have higher chances of securing my luck as this post would certainly boost amount of applications. Before I sat down to write I thought of that factor and came to conclude that people who read this website deserves to be well informed. If I kept this off site just for higher chances for myself it also sounds like a bit of selfishness. So, here I am writing about the job lottery and I stand equal chance of winning as you. Among the jobs available I could perform well in couple of positions. But, applying to multiple positions could derive one of the two perspectives; lack of self-confidence or being multi-skilled to perform different jobs. To prevent recruiter from confusion I would, at last, select the most suitable position. I failed in some previous attempts to secure jobs at great resorts, mainly due to over-qualification as I believe. The recruiters seem to believe that I would, in such a case, stay in the job for a short period, or there is something they dont understand about me. When there is a pool of candidates available the resorts dont take unwanted risks. Otherwise, I would not mind to be a Beach Cleaner at Velaa Island and earn my well deserved $5000. With my Swiss degree and years of hotel management experience, I am confident that I would do more than just cleaning up the beaches. No kidding! World's best jobs at Velaa Private Island The resort is seeking candidates for the following jobs. • Chief Engineer • Assistant Director of Sales • Building Supervisor • Human Resources Coordinator • Sales & Marketing Coordinator • Cost Controller Cum Goods Receiving Officer • Payroll Officer • Shop Assistant (Guest Shop) Requirements: Minimum 3 years experience in similar role Previous experience 5 star resorts / hotels Strong academic background Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with good command of English Language Willingness to work for long hours and flexible with shift duties Computer literate Pleasant personality Only short listed candidates will be notified Send your application to employment@velaaisland.com Police raided a house in the es capital on suspected drug deals 2 months back and found a Slow Loris caged and kept in a hidden storage room. It is believed the non-native animal was smuggled into es. Police took the animal with them and is taken care at Dhoonidhoo, a jail island near the capital Male'. Slow Loris found smuggled into es es do not have a zoo or animal rescue centre. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is dealing with the endangered animal. The agency has tried to send this animal abroad but many countries, including European Union, have refused to accept smuggled animal, mainly due to legal issues. The Environment Protection Agency now says that failure to extradite the animal would leave them with no option but to kill under best international practices. Slow Loris is a human friendly species, easy to adapt as pet. We have heard this animal at Dhoonidhoo enjoys rice balls and many human food. 8 Apr 2014: Believe it or not, the average internet download speed in es is slower than Bangladesh and slowest in the region, speed test has revealed. There are many websites providing internet speed by country, I compared a bunch of sites and picked testmy.net for this test. Its results seem consistent with reliable media sources such as Forbes. These results are upto date as it is based on the most recent data from users who tested their speed. Country: es Average Download Speed: 645 Kbps Average Upload Speed: 285 Kbps Results based on last 500 downloads and 500 uploads tested Country: Bangladesh Average Download Speed: 939 Kbps Average Upload Speed: 271 Kbps Results based on last 1000 downloads and 1000 uploads tested Country: Srilanka Average Download Speed: 2 Mbps Average Upload Speed: 514 Kbps Results based on last 1000 downloads and 1000 uploads tested Country: India Average Download Speed: 702 Kbps Average Upload Speed: 561 Kbps Results based on last 500 downloads and 500 uploads tested Country: South Korea Average Download Speed: 16.1 Mbps Average Upload Speed: 4.7 Mbps Results based on last 1000 downloads and 1000 uploads tested Country: United States Average Download Speed: 12.6 Mbps Average Upload Speed: 3.8 Mbps Results based on last 1000 downloads and 1000 uploads tested Country: Japan Average Download Speed: 11.4 Mbps Average Upload Speed: 4.3 Mbps Results based on last 500 downloads and 500 uploads tested Noticed the number of samples are not same to each country? Some are 500 and others 1000. For es no more samples are available. As for Japan, there was a few with unusual speed of over 300 Mbps which is most likely an ISP. India also had few unusual tests. Samples do not include those obviously irregular and unusual results. A google search also showed average internet cost in Europe between $30 - $60, and that seems to match es but with slowpoke internet. Few days back I hard the es government is encouraging to build an IT industry and the person who said that seemed similar looking to our Communications Minister. Author: Anonymous 9 Mar 2014: Srilankan Airlines has put out a notice that says the fares will be renewed with effect from 15th April and requests to book your tickets before that to enjoy current prices. You could buy tickets at current prices even if your travel dates fall beyond 15th April. The airlines has not mentioned to which destinations the price and tax changes will affect, but it is likely that Male' - Colombo rates will have a change. Call +960 3333668 to reserve your ticket now. Srilankan Airlines has recently announced that they will join the "oneworld" alliance on 1 May 2014. "Bringing exciting new benefits to your Frequent Flyer Programme, Srilankan will be the first carrier from the Indian subcontinent to enter any global alliance and as part of this transition, FlySmiles will undergo a number of changes" said the company in a newsletter. Creation of new Tiers and the FlySmiles Club FlySmiles will create two new membership tiers - Platinum and Classic. Thereon, membership tiers will progress from Blue to Blue to Classic, Gold and our new top-level Platinum. In early Arpil, FlySmiles members will be informed of which tier they belong to once Srilankan Airlines is a full member of oneworld. The top tier frequent flyer categories of Platinum, Gold and Classic - the new FlySmiles Slub - will be matched with the corresponding oneworld tiers, Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby respectively. Holders of these top level cards will from 1 May receive benefits, privileges and recognition across the entire oneworld network, when they fly not just with Srilankan Airlines but also with any oneworld member airline. Srilankan Airlines Platinum co-branded credit card holders who hold Silver tier status cards who dont qualify for FlySmiles Gold or Classic status (dependent on previous travel activity on Srilankan Airlines) will retain their Silver status and current entitlements whenever they travel on Srilankan Airlines. Be one with oneworld oneworld is an alliance of the world's leading airlines coming together as one to provide customers with a seemless travel experience of the highest standards. These partner airlines include Airberlin, American Airlines (including US Airways), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, TAM Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and more than 30 affiliates. oneworld frequently flyer benefits As a member of the oneworld alliance, FlySmiles Club members will enjoy access to a network of almost 1000 destinations, and access for Emerald and Sapphire customers to more than 600 lounges across the world. special oneworld fare products and a range of benefits across all member airlines will now be yours as a FlySmiles member. Visit www.oneworld.com for details of the benefits and privileges to which you will be entitled. es is an independent country made up of over 1190 tiny coral islands scattered in the Indian Ocean. The country is among the world's oldest. It remains unknown exactly when es became populated, but is is believed the first settlers came around 300 BC, most probably fishermen from neighbouring Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka and later Arabs and Africans. Photo: first es bodybuilding championship was in the ancient history First settlers in the es It is not known exactly when settlers came to the es, but historical clues indicate es have been populated well over 2500 years. Earliest written history can be traced back to 500 BC when a Srilankan Prince named Vijaya and several other people set sail in ships, to travel from Srilanka to India or the other way around. They went adrift and arrived Mahiladvipika ( es). It is said that the people from Mahiladvipika ( es) used to travel to Srilankan even at that time. This indicates the people of es were well settled in 500 BC. Foreign relations in the early history Despite its smallness in land area and population the es not just maintained diplomatic relations with many countries but also exchanged gifts, sent delegations and followed a streamlined protocol of governance. Claudius Ptolemy, a Greco-Roman historian and astronomer refers to es in his book "Geography of Claudius Ptolemy" which was originally titled "Geographia" written in second century. Ammianus Marcellinus, a Roman soldier and historian mentions in his "A Fourth Century Notice" that a delegation from es visited Rome, bearing gifts to Emperor Julian in 362 AD. A historical Chinese document records that the King of the es sent gifts to the Chinese Emperor Kao-Tsung of Tang Dynasty in 658 and 662 AD. Ancient ian lifestyle A Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta visited 'Dhibat al Mahal' ( es), not long after 1342 and wrote: "The inhabitants of the es all Muslim, pious and upright, sound in belief and sincere in thought; their bodies are weak, they are unused to fighting and their armour is prayer. The Indian pirates do not raid or molest them as they have learned from experience that anyone who seizes anything from them speedily meets misfortune. In each island there are beautiful mosques, and most of the their buildings are made of wood. They are very clean and avoid filth; most of them bathe twice a day to cleanse themselves because of the extreme heat there and their profuse perspiration. They make plentiful use of perfumed oils, such as oil of sandalwood." Photo: ian women take part in a marathon A millennium of strong governance When es sent gifts to China in 658 and 662 AD the king was named Balaadeettiya. There were other rulers before and after him, but the periods are not known. King Mahaabarana Adeettiya (official royal name: Koimala Siri Mahaabarana Mahaa Radun) was the first to rule over whole es and Minicoy which is now a part of India, he ruled from 1117 to 1141. Photo: es military performing a drill, year unknown Hagubeykalun the first known reference to the ian defenders dates back prior to the reign of Sultan Al-Gazi Mohamed Thakurufaan who ruled between 1573 to 1585. There three bearers of high office designated as Maafaiy, Faamuladheyri, and Dhaharaadha were responsible for organising the security of the country. During Sultan Ibrahim Nooraddeen Iskandhar's brief reign, he enlisted selected youths and trained them with some marshal art tactics who then took part in royal ceremonies. On 21st April 1892 a royal degree was signed and new security force was established. The king was the Commander-In-Chief the new force was authorised to carry arms. That forced was continued under different names and now it is the es National Defence Force. The Military today spends an estimated budget of $45m per year. Photo: a bicycle riding permit issued in 1908 AD Historical evidence suggest the country was ruled with strict laws and regulations. It is widely known that wearing slippers or shoes was banned for ordinary citizens. Ownership of radios and riding bicycles were permitted under a license, bicycle lights were given a separate license, probably because riding bikes at night was banned for ordinary citizens. These licenses came with seal of government authority while the bike licenses even needed revenue stamp on it. Photo: a pocket radio license issued in 1963. It says only the people at licensed house are allowed to use this radio and it should not be taken to other houses or shops. Laws and rules got strict as dates folded back, and governance remained strong through out es history, except the times of foreign invasion. P.S: Many languages have its own word for es such as Dhivehi Raajje (in local language Dhivehi), , , , ene, Mahaldeebiyya (ancient Arabic), Mardaifu (pronounced by Chinese). In the ancient history the names were even more. Photo: a hand-designed note of 1 Rufiyaa ( ian currency) In 362AD es sent a delegation to Rome bearing gifts to Emperor. # es #history #culture #china Nasira is famous local figure in the es, a lady who is known to have guts to do anything if you are ready pay. It wont be hard to notice her, she seems to wear same dress everyday, but some say she keeps a set of similar dresses. Anyway, have you heard she went to India recently? A photo we received from one of the readers show a lady, looking quite like her, passing though Male' International Airport. We cant confirm this report, but below is the picture for you to decide who this may be. Dont forget to have a closer look at trolley orientation. If you cant judge yourself who this is, share on facebook or tweet and see what your friends say! If she really went to India it must have happened some days back or it may be a quick trip. At present she is in Male'. If you had ever visited es you would have noticed the islands were small and there was potentially no food grown in the islands, except a few fruit trees in the backyard of few homes. That's fine in today's lifestyle. But, how did ancestors survive in such small islands for over 2500 years? Photo: ian fishermen in 1981 ian people were, until recently, relying on sea for daily meals. Tuna was the most common of all. Every island, though small, got fishing boats and a large area of sea belonging to es had abundance of fish which the ancestors managed to maintain though eco-friendly fishing. Pole and line, is the major form of fishing practiced in the es even today. es also used to export dried and smoked fish for which they bought rice, spices and other basic goods. To go along with fish was home-grown coconut with very limited quantities of imported rice. Limited quantities of tuna and fish was the common meal for everyone, except the royals and extravagant class of people. Coconut tree is the national tree of es. Swaying palm trees could be seen plentiful in almost any residential island in the es. Coconut trees were used in many ways. Young coconut was a healthy fruit with tasty juice and flesh inside a shell. You could also eat older ones, though not as tasty as young ones. The fibre in the husk was used to make coir ropes. Wood of coconut tree was popular for boat building and making of roof frames in houses. Palm leaves were woven as thatch and used as roofing and walls. Young coconut was also used as an energizer for the sick, along with traditional herbal medicine. Every island had a mosque where people went to pray. A well was made beside the mosque to supply water to perform absolution before entering the mosques. That well also served as main source of drinking water. People also used to collect and store rain water for drinking. For bath, every house got its own well and water level was just couple of feet beneath ground. Looking for a great diving spot in es? Watch this HD video. Hundreds of colourful fish are everywhere. You may not want to watch mantas or sharks everyday. These small fish are also nice and very playful. If you are going to dive with your partner this would be an ideal spot to start with. In this reef you get a closer look at the fish as they are quite friendly and yet they keep distance. If they are coming too close your partner may get uncomfortable. In this reef things worked well. Enjoy the video. Did I say art? Yes, how the ian fishermen do pole-and-line is a unique art practiced from the ancient history. Fishermen are active people who wake up early morning, load the boat with bait fish and head to open ocean. Fishermen look for hungry schools. Once reached, bait is thrown and water sprayed over the bait fish. Fishermen line up on the edge and throw the catch over their heads, one by one. ian fishermen use a different type of hook, with right movement on pole fish gets unhooked automatically. It takes long time to collect bait fish and meet a hungry school. Once in it there is not turning back and a high spirit keep them on the go. It only takes a short while to fill the whole boat, depending on how hungry the fish were. It is unusual to spend hours in the catch-heat. Every turtle is not friendly to stay with you as you swim. It depends on how much threat you pose to them. If people chase or touch them they dont quite like it. This video shows a friendly turtle that is not afraid and you could swim with it. Notice the person tries not to get in contact with it even though he swam up close. That's how it has to be.Never touch a sea turtle or it wont let you swim with it. This is a screenshot captured from video to quick look of what you will see in this video. Enjoy the video below. Its a clear sunny day and visibility is perfect. This dive video shows just a normal dive till he cuddles a dangerous moray eel. I was kind of shocked that he actually touched it. You should never touch a moray eel, its a one of the most dangerous creatures you would come across while diving. May be not every time, if you are not highly professional there is a serious risk. Diver touches moray eel in es. See video below. Even for professional divers, if the animal was previously threatened, it could pose threat to your safety. Have respect to moray eels and other living beings so that they may be there for all divers to see up close and personal way you always wanted. No diver would want to see these awesome creatures from a distance. Click here to watch swim with turtles in es Diver touches #dangerous moray eel. See what happens next! # es 17 Apr 2014: A couple of dolphins got trapped in the shallow waters at Maavah, Laamu Atoll es. Locals believe the dolphins have entered that area last night when the tide was high. When it turned to low tide they got trapped and could not get out to open water. Trapped dolphins in Maavah Island, es Local police received a report of trapped dolphins this morning around 8.30. The high tide happens in the afternoon these days, it was planned to be rescued this afternoon. Locals gathered to rescue 6 feet long creatures While trapped in small area of shall waters the locals gathered to see the creatures. The dolphins were seen friendly and as if asking for help. 17 Apr 2014: Korea ferry carrying 459 passengers got capsized off South Korea and almost 300 people still remain unaccounted. Ferry was carrying mainly high school students. Search and rescue efforts started almost immediately but bad weather conditions affected the efforts. Korean authorities have so far not said anything about what cause ferry to capsize. A similar incident occurred in es in 2007 when a boat carrying 100 passengers got capsized and killed 17 people. Most were able to get out because the boat was small. ian authorities investigated one of the worst tragedies in the history and findings changed regulations forever. A group of about 100 people visited another island for a football tournament. The match turned to minor clashes between the teams and the group set sail back to their home island. Many of the passengers were sitting on the rooftop celebrating victory. The open ocean had relatively choppy waters. Boat was rolling to sides and because of the heavy weight on the rooftop the boat flipped upside down. People on rooftop survived with many others inside the cabin, 17 passengers were stuck in objects that fell on them while boat went to capsize. The boat was actually designed to carry both cargo and passengers. Cargo sits deep in the hull giving gravitation force to keep boat upright. In the tragic event, there was no cargo and rooftop was full with people. Looking at the video footage and pictures of Korea ferry, it appears the cause is the same as es incident. But, it is unclear what make the ferry to have its main load in the upper floors. For some reason it seems that large crowd of passengers gathered to one side of the ship, causing it to tilt. Once objects start dragging down it adds more weight and gravity causes the capsize. What may have caused so many people to go one side of the ship is yet to find out. Design of the ship's hull could also have played a roll. In es case, it did play a role and that changed boat building codes forever. This is a pet eel in a fish tank. A man cuddles a giant green moray eel and then goes on to put his fingers in its mouth. The eel keeps his mouth open and let him play with it. Again, this is a pet eel. The ones in the wild are different and reacts differently, if things turn out wrong it could get deadly. Even the professionals don't just go for it when you an eel out there. They train it for several days, step by step, before it gets friendly and allows you to put your fingers in his mouth. Again, don't try this, its serious risky. Screenshot from video This eel seem very much adapted to human cuddles. When you feed the fish it does not just eat it up as soon as it can. These eels have a second pair of jaws deep in the the mouth. When you put the fish in its mouth, what it does is just get second jaws to grab and pull in the fish, just to avoid a bite on his finger. Eels have very low vision and largely depends on sense of smell. Divers who play with eels always let them smell your hand to let them know that its no harm. In es we do have sting ray feeding in many resorts. At least one resort does shark feeding as well. But, who knows tomorrow it will be eel feeding? I think its very likely. It may be a better idea than importing a kangaroos just to show tourists something different. Here goes another video of playing moray eel in the sea At Robinson Club es the reef is very close and easily accessible. Just head to the jetty and jump off. The reef and relatively shallow drop-off gives a closer sight of the underwater marvels. The reef is rich in coral and fish are scattered to different spots. At Robinson Club es you get a high chance of seeing some of the rare species such as puffer fish, trumpetfish etc. Video screenshot: clownfish at Robinson Club es Mr.Em Jay, from our facebook page, says es is hell expensive and asks if there is any resort as good as top ones but at a fraction of costs. Its an interesting question I thought would bring to the website to give a complete answer. There are many high-end resorts in es and general price level may be higher, compared to other countries. Discounts on es resorts To get a discounted rate for these resorts you may want to try out discount programmes such as "Book one win one" where you buy a holiday package and stand a chance to win a free holiday. In this case you pay for one holiday and get two if you win, making average per holiday half price. Island Voyage es is a local agent currently giving offer and there is pretty good chance of winning. Book from local agent Look for a good es local agent and wait for June/July period. Rates for most of the resorts fall to the lowest in this period and often gives free nights, free upgrades, free transfer etc. Dont book on advance, just wait for the luck to find you. Prices at most of the resorts will definitely fall, but you cant guarantee by how much and what they will offer instead of price deduction. You may have to book in a short notice, in that case you cant freely cancel once booking is made. Give up luxury and go for a great es experience If you are visiting es for a great experience you may want to give-up luxury and take your holiday as an experience. If you like that kind of approach, you may consider staying at local guesthouses and take day trips to resorts. Hulhumale' is a local island near airport, you could get great offers. There are many restaurants you can enjoy local prices. You could definitely do diving, snorkeling, sandbank trips at a fraction of costs. Kuramathi Island with a value-conscious itinerary This could be your best bet. Request an itinerary from us for $1 and book Kuramathi Island Resort. Your itinerary will have options for your lunch and dinner along with other activities. Kuramathi is officially a 4 star resort, but it is as good as 5 star. Natural beauty of the island and amazement of the house reef is better than many resorts of top price line. Daily meals are 4 star quality, you will be satisfied if you are not expecting the high-end luxury class of meals. But if you do expect more there are many a-la-carte restaurants in the island that offer better meals and that is payable extra. Our itinerary, which costs $1, will have recommended restaurants for your lunch and dinner. We will also recommend some dishes on the menu that gives more value for money. If you are skipping your entitled meal in the main restaurant there is a discount you could get from your ala-carte bill. Our itinerary includes money back guarantee, if you felt not happy after your holiday we will refund your $1 (one US Dollar only) with no questions asked. The resort initially known as Kurumba Village was the first to open in es. It was 1972 and tourists were a group of Italians who had who liked spear fishing. es did not have tourist facilities, our food was also not suitable for Europeans. But, quickly it took shape to become country's biggest industry. Screenshot: Sand art at Kurumba es Rebranded to Kurumba es the resort is still a favourite of many. Located in mere minutes from Male' International Airport, its pristine beaches are as fine as it was 42 years ago. Its marine life, being under protection for decades, have dramatically increased baby sharks swimming in the lagoon. They could be spotted at any time of the day at any location of the lagoon. In 2012, the resort marked its 40th anniversary and this incredible story in sand art caught my attention at the first glimpse. Here goes the video. Kurumba es tells a story in sand art. #kurumba # es #sandart #art # # # 25 Apr 2014: es currently have 10 airports in operation and few more under development. On top of this the government has now announced 4 new airport development projects, namely at Huvahandhoo in Haa Alif Atoll, Mathiveli in Alif Alif Atoll, Magudhoo in Faafu Atoll and Muli in Meemu Atoll. The islands will be leased for 25 years and investors will get one or two islands to develop resorts. Materials imported for airport development will get a tax exception. The existing airport in Haa Alif Atoll is in Hanimaadhoo and the new development will take place just 35km away. Huvahandhoo Airport will collectively serve 6000 residents dispersed over 7 islands. One developed, these two will be the closest to each other, in es. Operating an airport for 6000 low-income residents is nowhere close to be feasible. A commercially viable airport requires at least 2000 tourist beds, or 10 resorts of 200 beds each. Currently there is only 1 resort with 142 beds (71 rooms). Airports could be built for political gain, but how about other basic facilities such as health care, education? All these have to be subsidized to provide up to an adequate level. Even then people would need job opportunities and other leisure facilities. Subsidizing everything does not look possible. The only other option is to develop consolidated populations of around 30,000 and make economy viable itself. To build the government may have to lease considerable islands to the investors. But, once done, it would fix the geo-economical problems forever. Black-tip reef sharks are very common in es. You could see them in the shallow waters of the lagoon and in reefs when your snorkel or dive there. Sharks are absolutely harmless and friendly species in the es. They do come close to people but also keeps distance. They love sardines. If there is a school of them in the lagoon you will probably find sharks roaming around. Having spent years observing their behaviour, while working at different resorts, very rarely they succeed catching sardines. If the sardines are very close to shore and then sharks approach in way that fish gets stranded in the shallows it turns out much luck for hungry sharks. While sharks swim around and through the school of sardines it is often grey herons that take advantage of the scene. They wait on the beach for right moment. Sharks do the work and herons get the fish. Here is a video that shows a school of sharks swim and attach sardines at the shore. Have you seen this? Its quite common in es but you may need watchful eyes to spot them. They sit on top of the corals and stay camouflaged to catch food. In protected reefs such as at resorts, they are quite friendly as long as you don't pose a threat to them. Resorts don't catch fish from their house reef. So, the fish are friendly with guests. When you stay with friendly octopuses they are often funny show off. They would makes short but swift moves, sits on the coral and blushes for you to see. It's ability to camouflage so well and so quickly is amazing. Its not only its colours, their skin can also make different shapes. Their skin is actually very smooth, but appears rough at times. Its just the appearance to match with the camouflage. 2 May 2014: Villa Air, a local company, has brought a brand new 7-seater seaplane last Monday. Even though the es is home to world's largest seaplane operation its only one model that is being used - the Twin Otter. Its great safety records may be the reason for being so popular in the es. Followed by the success in es the Srilankan Airlines now used Twin Otter for photo flights in Srilanka. Villa Air has not revealed model and make of the aircraft, but said it came from America and it was brand new. The chairman, Mr.Gasim Ibrahim, was present at airport to welcome his first seaplane and said it was mainly targeted for low-cost photo flights and excursions. This new model to the es is driven by a single propeller on the nose of the aircraft. It could land in water and land. The popular Twin Otters also had wheel when it first came to es. It may be for operational convenience that the company removed whose wheels. es is comprised of 99% sea and 1% land. The seaplanes are said to be able to land safely even if both engines fail all together, but that never happened in the past 21 years. Seaplane was first introduced by Lars Erik Neilsen, a Danish investor, in 1993. A decade later another company started with same type of aircrafts and operated competitively till Blackstone, a New York Stock Exchange listed investment company, bought both the companies last year. Seaplane business in es is now a monopoly. Many speculate the prices have gone credibly high and quality of service has plunged drastically. Amid this speculation, the government owned ian fleet is getting prepared to start its seaplane operations in a near future. Are you spending hours on the internet everyday? This video will probably make you feel regret for spending too much time online. Online social networks are not as same as real social networking. There is a real world you can live your dreams. Why do you spend so much time in a virtual world? Sitting home and starring a screen weakens your physical fitness. Over generations the human species could one day evolve to a shapeless figure. Think about this. The real world is more fun and meaningful to live. Is it worth wasting your life on a screen? Watch the video. Male’ (pronounced as Maale’) is the capital and biggest island in the central region of the es. It is home to approximately 150,000 residents in 6 square kilometers of land, making it among the most densely populated capitals of the world. The island of Male’ lies less than a meter above sea level and is the world’s smallest capital. Male’ International Airport (now known as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport) is just 10 minutes from Male’ by ferry which is operated 24 hours. There is a ferry going each way in every 10 minutes, except after 00.00hrs. The airport and Male’ are two separate islands and there is no road access. Government is planning to build a bridge between two islands in years to come. The country being dispersed over a large area of sea, every island has transfer to and from Male’ to obtain resources which are not available in small communities of other islands. Male’ is the central resource hub serving entire nation. That makes Male’ overcrowded with busy people moving up and down the streets. Having located close to the airport it may be a good experience to visit Male’ for sightseeing and shopping. Tourist attractions in Male’ es When you are travelling by ferry you could see a large flag waving in the skyline of Male’. Once you are in Male’ you just have to walk to your right, towards the flag. On the way you will see President’s Office and near the flag are tourist shops selling souvenirs. When you walk straight the same harbor-side road you will reach Fish Market and Local Market, it just takes couple of minutes. Once you are back to the flag, there is building with large golden dome, it is the Islamic Centre. Muslims go there to pray. There is a notice for non-muslims to cover their body from shoulder to ankle when entering Islamic Centre. Most tourists take pictures at the stairs and move on for other attractions. To the east of Islamic Centre, behind President’s Office, is an ancient mosque known as Old Friday Mosque. It is entirely made of coral stones and wood, with no cement or clay. It is one of the oldest buildings in Male’ and is still used to this day. Opposite to the Old Friday Mosque is President’s Palace. It served as President’s Palace for generations until it moved to Theemuge in the last decade. In 2008 the palace was once again declared as President’s Palace. The National Museum is also not far from Islamic Centre, its just a couple of minute walk down by the traffic lights. It is open week days from morning till 17.30hrs. Male' or Male ? On the internet you can often find the es capital written as Male which is wrong. The right way is actually Male' with the apostrophe. Websites that don't support special characters often write it wrong. If you are mailing a package to your friends in es make sure you write it correct. Located in its own atoll between Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Addu Atoll, the island of Fuvahmulah is the only one-island atoll in the es. It has many distinctive features that make Fuvahmulah different from rest of the islands in es. Fuvahmulah has a fish and a bird native to this island. That fish and bird are not found in any other part of the es. It is also one of the few islands that have fresh water lakes. Banging beach A pool of pebble-like sand forms a unique beach at Fuvahmulah. The reef drop off being so close to shore the beach often gets banged by huge waves. Children and youth find it an interesting adventure. Strong wave activity makes the beach even whiter and crushing waves produce white form that resembles a picture square moment to capture. Kattelhi Promethichthys Prometheus, locally called Kattelhi, is native to the waters around Fuvahmulah. This rare species is also found in some other countries, but not in other parts of the es. The atolls of Gaafu Dhaalu and Gaafu Alif, collectively called as Huvandhoo, is the closest atoll to Fuvahmulah and Kattelhi has never being found there. This rare catch lives below 200 meters. Kattelhi Rarudhiya is the locals’ favourite soup and they say anyone who tastes this soup will come back to Fuvahmulah. Valikukulhu Common Moorhen, locally called Valikukulhi, is the native bird to Fuvahmulah. It has black body with some white feathers in the lower back. Its beak shines red with yellowish tip, legs are yellowish with a red smear. Its bodily features are similar to that of water-hen which is commonly found throughout es. Locals love to keep Valikukulhu as pet bird. Equator Fuvahmulah is among the closest to the equator which runs across the seas between Fuvahmulah and Huvadhoo Atoll. The mid-point between North pole and South pole is known as equator and runs around the earth. Fruits and vegetation Fertile lands of Fuvahmulah grow a variety of fruits including mango, guava, pine apple, orange and pomegranate. Sweet potato grows naturally in the wet lands without any human effort. There are also some types of berries and unusual fruits in the wild. Visitors often like to explore the woods with friends. 17 May 2014: Editor's blog: A video of TIMES NOW's News Hour Debate caught my attention, mainly because of the people involved in the debate. The moderator had four highly significant political figures of India including former secretary of Ministry of External Affairs and former High Commissioner to Pakistan. It is surprising that all four agreed that India had done mistakes in 2008 when former president of es Mohamed Nasheed resigned as president to later claim he was forced at gun point and then to acknowledge that gun was not pointed because he refused to permit opening armory. Statements by Nasheed, not only here, often contradicts his previous statements on the same. In this video the former High Commissioner openly admits that India does interfere es political affairs. He says "the business of non-interference is theoretically fine and in practice it does not happen". This is very straight forward. India does, or tries to, or at least wants to, interfere es. As a ian I don't like it and I don't think the majority would even accept it. es had remained a sovereign country with neutrality towards intern-conflicting countries such as India-Chinese politics. I have been regularly following Times of India on issues relating to es. What I understood was that India has desires to control es. This is interference that we dislike. As a ian I don't wish my country to be controlled by another country. We are small, I admit that. But, we had been independent and sovereign just like any other country. Historically es had a sound diplomacy too; a delegation went to Rome in 362 AD bearing gifts to the Emperor, we also sent gifts to China in 658 and 662 AD. India news sources, on numerous occasions, had discussed the case of 1988 when es requested India's military assistance to ouster a group of Tamil terrorists who attacked the country in the dawn of 3rd November 1988. It is said that es contacted Unites States first, because of the great distance they advised to approach India. Anyway, India did help es and the citizens of es deeply appreciate that. Since this event the people seem thought of India as the best-friend of es. But, the Indian news sources suggest the general political view of the relatively high profile people is that India should have taken a strong-hold of es in 1988, as if they regret a lost opportunity. This is an alarm that es' best friend has evil desires, to get over es and to control es. India is dreaming of it. I am not saying this, its the Indian news that do. If India wants to remain as best friend to es it needs to get rid of the bad intentions and come clean, be a genuine best friend. In 2012 the Male' International Airport was leased to India's GMR Group for 25 years with a possible extension of addition 10 years. After regime change, in the same year, the new government saw many questionable issues in the contract, including some illegal activities, and terminated the airport deal. The India news sources once again suggested the golden opportunity got lost. I have to say this. The best friend must stay within the limits. Best friend cannot replace wife or husband. If best friend crossed the line it would soon be pushed back towards the rightful place. And if India did not give up their evil desires the neutral mindset of the es foreign policy may be forced to counter the threats by maneuvering to a safe harbour. Watch video of TIMES NOW's News Hour Debate The beauty of es is not just white beaches and clear water. The underwater fauna and marine lives means a lasting memory for every tourist, but only if you booked the right resort. The fact is many low-priced resorts have a far rich house reef than some of the luxury resorts. It is also a fact that many luxury resorts have an equally matching attractiveness in their house reef. Embudu Village is not just a resort that you book to enjoy its beach, dining options and picture-perfect locations. Most of its attraction lies underwater. It has a great house reef and its just few metres from the shoreline. You don't need a boat to go at the reef. Just go to jetty and take the plunge. But, make sure that you don't forget about safety and always go with a partner. Be it diving or snorkeling, Embudu Village is a great experience. The reef has been kept protected from harm over the years. Broken coral could be the hardest thing to find there. The management of the resort has paid utmost care to preserve their natural assets that bring tourists to Embudu Village. es could be said as a holiday destination, but its more like an experience. And this experience is largely from underwater. If you frequently go snorkeling or diving you would notice that its not the same thing everyday. Based on factors such as current, waves, season or weather the fish you see at the reef greatly varies. Having born and rised in the sea-based life of typical ian, 30 years is not enough to get board of the underwater marvels. How many times you saw jaw-dropping pictures of es and wanted to book it right away? It is a fact that most of the holidaymakers visiting es get a wonderful experience. But, people who book holidays online, without going through detail or consulting an expert, are increasing meeting regrettable situations. In the past 2 months I had more of such cases than the whole last year, and almost all made bookings on automated online websites. Here are the things you need to understand. Activities offered by the resort Holiday offer sites and resorts often show you a lot of pictures. Keep in mind that all the places or services on the pictures may not be available directly on the resort. It may not be intended to mislead you, but es being so different than the rest of the world many things don't work the way people assume. Some of the guests I met saw pictures of whale sharks on the hotel website and information said there was an excursion to swim with them. Some of the resort do offer this activity, but in this case the resort was very far from whale shark point and resort had it priced very high, because of the transfer costs. In the end the guests could not take part in the activity. Pictures show nice beach but no beach when you get there This happened to a group of who came for a guesthouse. While resorts are on its own islands, guesthouses situated on residential islands. The website shows nice beach but for this beach you have to buy an excursion and visit a near by uninhabited island. You get the beach you saw on the picture but its not convenient. If you knew this before you would not book that holiday. So, be careful all the pictures you see on the website may not directly available at hotel. Beautiful coral and plenty of fish Not all, but most resorts, have its own house reef. The fish or coral you see may not be from their house reef. Most of the resorts offer snorkeling excursions in which they take you to snorkeling spots, near the resort or at other islands. es is full of amazing snorkeling and dive spots. But, also keep in es the oceans are massive and some times you need a lot of travel. Not all resorts are surrounded by adorable marine lives. The pictures you saw may be the resort's house reef. Dining options You may have read reviews on Tripadvisor and people were satisfied about the food at the resort you are about to book. About 20% - 40% guests visiting es are repeater guests and most of them don't write reviews. Guests who visit es for the first time often write reviews. The food at the resort may not be bad, so the reviews would be positive. But, a good holiday consultant knows which resorts have the best dining options that are priced reasonably. Even with amazing natural beauty and luxury accommodation a poor dining experience could spoil your dream holiday of a lifetime. To avoid regrettable situations it is recommended that you consult an experienced es travel consultant or read through full detail, without personal assumptions based pictures on hotel website. Avoid travel agents and website that offer all the resorts and go for those who recommend you best suitable destinations based on your budget and requirements. Agents that sell a small collection of fine resorts are ideal than the large scale trader. Environment Protection Agency asks not to proceed development of airport at Farukolhu island in Shaviyani atoll es. A closer look at the island on Google Earth reveals a bizarre shape of a dinosaur. It's head goes to the right and tail to the left. The Director General of EPA has said that they have rejected the Environment Impact Assessment submitted for the project. The EPA further says if the project was allowed there could be irrecoverable losses to the environment. The developer would most likely submit an amended EIA report addressing the concerns rised by the EPA. Dredging and landscaping of islands can only be carried with permission from the EPA which requires an EIA report to be submitted to the agency. Damaging environment is considered a serious crime in the es. Having spent many years working at different resorts, an intriguing question still remains frequently asked by the tourists. Is es going to sink and disappear from the face of the world? In light of my experience at various islands in the es these are facts I can reveal. There has been many studies on the environmental impact of global warming. The global warming makes sea level to rise. This is alarming news for the low lying islands of es of which most of the islands are less than a metre above sea level. Photo: palm tree about to fall as soil beneath has been eroded away. The sea level actually changes every minute and completes a cycle every 24 hours, within the cycle there is a high-tide and a low-ride. Timing of high-tide and low-tide also keeps on changing over the months. In general, most of the islands at high-tide are just 1/2 metre above sea level. If the sea is rough and windy it often creates swell which makes the banging waves flow over the beach and reach inner land areas, sometimes damaging property. Capital Male' is often seen just mere inches above sea level, roads near IGM Hospital gets partly flooded by salt water gushing out between the road bricks. The geography and the environment of the es is highly sensitive. An inch of sea level rise means life threatening in the years to come. Beach erosion has been happening to many islands of the es, at least for the past 30 years. The sand gets eroded by the water, trees are fallen down from the root. The beach where I once played volley ball was deep lagoon after 15 years. This may be the best indication that sea level is rising and es is slowly sinking. Some argues the impact of beach erosion is the result of humans civilisation - people alter natural formation of land by making ports, jetties for access. That may be partly true as most of the inhabitant islands have recorded more soil erosion. But not completely, the uninhabited islands are also suffering from beach erosion in many parts of the es. Photo: Vili-Male' island captured on 20 February 2017 shows severe beach erosion making 70 year old banyan tree about to fall off. There has been theories that the islands are also growing as level rises. But, so far there has not been any concrete evidence to support this theory, especially in presence of widespread beach erosion across the es. Video: Sea level at shocking ground level in es capital. Captured on 08/10/2014 Is es really sinking? Will es disappear in 100 years? # es #climatechange #sealevelrise #sealevel Luke Mangan, Australian celebrity chef you saw on television is now in es. He is not on holiday this time. Tom Mclauling the Australian CEO of the company hired him to manage 8 restaurants in Amilla Fushi and one of the outlets is a special Fish & Chips shop. That's right, everyone's too familiar fish & chips. It's been ages since I heard of it being anyone's favourite. Has Tom gone nuts or simply ran out of new twists? May be neither of those. Then what??? Fresh approach is the way to go, to serve the best Fish & Chips in the es. Luke Mangan is going to do it this way. But, now I want to tell him how I would want it if he calls it the best Fish & Chips in the country. I want a menu with selection of fresh or live fish to choose from. I want to see Sea Bass, Red Snapper, Grouper and Wahoo on the menu. A selection of different crisps would be good too. Fresh potatoes should be cut to chips and immediately dipped to boiling olive oil for frying. Medium fried chips should be sprinkled with Luke's secret recipe ingredients. Both the fish and the chips should come out of the fryer at the same time and served to table burning-hot. Share on facebook and see how your friends like their fish & chips to be cooked! It has been a while since Ice Bucket Challenge became internet viral fever. I never was an addict to this kind of publicity stunts, but the people taking part in Ice Bucket Challenge forced watch a few videos. Most remarkable of the well known figures were Gill Gates, George W Bush, Richard Branson. These were not the finniest though, but really drew my attend. Recently the Ice Bucket Challenge came to es. We have videos from 2 resorts and a picture from the other. ASL Ice Bucket Challenge at Anantara Dhigu es ASL Ice Bucket Challenge at One&Only Reethi Rah es ASL Ice Bucket Challenge by Steve Rainville at Cocoa Island es President of China Xi Jinping is set to arrive es Sunday 14th September 2014. The Chinese President is arriving with about 200 delegates, esfinest has learnt. At this time it is unclear who these delegates are, but the government of es is expecting commencement of various development projects. Widely anticipated bridge construction, between Male' and airport, may be inaugurated by the President of China. At the Republic Square in the capital Male' there is a fenced area and inside is taking shape of a bridge. It is unclear where Chinese President would stay during this historical visit to es. But, Paradise Island Resort has relocated many rooms to other islands, esfinest has learnt. Unusually high number of room relocation coincides the visit of Chinese President. To go to es is a dream. Our dream came true this year for Valentines day. Vivanta By Taj is one of the best choices. Everything there was like a paradise. So many wonderful memories of this holiday that we will never forget. Snorkeling, diving, great experience as we swam with the turtles, dolphins, Manta Rays and other wildlife. One of the best thing was this place "Blue Lagune" somewhere in the middle of the ocean. The weather was lovely all the time, white sand, the water clear like a crystal and there was lots of coral reefs, beautiful underwater life to explore. We will never forget our holiday in es.From Lorenc & Luljeta Ymeraj. ian teenager Mohamed Saeed, 14, mysteriously vanished in 1954. The family had no clue about what happened to him and they never heard from him since his disappearance, till September this year. He has now reunited with the family 60 years after his disappearance. Mohamed Saeed, now 74 Few weeks back, an India chef came to work in es and handed over a note to one of Saeed's family members. It was an Indian address with a phone number. The chef told his family that Saeed was alive and wants to reunite. The family got their first clue after 60 years and that tracked him to a village in Hyderabad. But, Saeed has forgotten his mother tongue and could not communicate his family members in es. Two family members flew India and met their long missing family member. Surprising they could still recognise Saeed. His name was changed to Habeeb Ibrahim, got married and have 7 children to his Indian wife. He speaks India language of Urdu and does not remember his mother tongue. What caused his mysterious disappearance? He boarded a ship that sailed to Srilanka and later moved and settled in India's city of Hyderabad, 60 years ago. He wanted education, later got used to the village and decided to live there, may be with no intention of ever coming back to es. !-- --> Vanished teen returns 60 years later with mother tongue forgotten # es Ari Atoll is a large natural atoll in the es and North Ari Atoll or Alifu Alifu Atoll is one of the two administrative divisions of the atoll. North Ari Atoll is a popular tourism spot, especially among the divers. There are 23 well known dive sites including at least 1 ship wreck. The atoll consists of 13 resorts, 7 local residential islands, sandbanks and many uninhabited islands. See entire map of es for information on other atolls and islands. Map of North Ari Atoll es Resorts in North Ari Atoll W Retreat & Spa Resort Safari Island Resort (formerly known as Dhoni Migili) Kandolhu Island Resort (Kandholhudhoo) Ellaidhoo Constance Halaveli Bathala Island Resort Kuramathi Island Resort Veligandu Isalnd Resort Gangehi Island Resort Nika Island Madoogali Maayafushi Constance Halaveli Local Residential Islands in North Ari Atoll Rasdhoo (atoll capital) Ukulhas Bodufulhudhoo Mathiveli Feridhoo Maalhos Himendhoo # es map and location of islands closerightbar You want to make the life's most important events special. You have your savings for that. You can book a holiday in es. Once in a lifetime event can not be a trial. If you want to propose your dream girl you want to make it special and memorable for whole life. Here is a collection of spots in the es recommend to declare and propose your girlfriend. Propose your girlfriend on a sandbank I like sandbanks. I could say the sandbanks are the most beautiful places in the es. Stunning beauty of the nature makes you feel tuned and excited for that special event. You get a 360 degree view. You are sorrunded by soft white sand that is encircled by the clear waters fanding into blue. You see the horizon, other islands around and boats passing by. You feel openess. Its a private ceremony with only you, your partner and your photographer who captures the magic moments. A table for two with some cocktails and canapese would make it even perfect. Dressed up in light colours would look great in sunset. Say it underwater You can join a dive but how can you actually speak underwater? Ithaa underwater restaurant at Conrad es another special place to propose your girlfriend. Mantas flying over and different colours of fish witnesses the event. Its one of those rare spots on earth. Even if you are staying another resort you could book a lunch at Conrad and make your life's special event a great one. Take a sunset cruise Many resorts offer sunset cruise. A boat take you on a cruise in the Indian ocean and you are served with sparkling wine or a cocktail. Pre-order a bottle of champagne for your special event. You cold book a private sunset cruise if you wish. Some resorts have small sail boats for couple cruise which is perfect. Watch dolphins jumping up high or just following your boat. Toast your champagne, let the sun witness your affair. Tell your girlfriend how much she meals to you, tell your plans. Hear hear feelings about you. Propose with passion and love. Your memories will stay there forever. Romantic dinner by the beach on fullmoon night Table for two at an isolated spot on the beach would be great to propose your lover. Make sure the weather is perfect, not windy or rainy. Let the lanterns lighten up the beach. You hear nothing but gentle waves of the shore. Its your natural music. Bright full moon is up there to witness you. It would be a glorious setting to make your proposal. Perfect Spots In The # es For Marriage Proposal. #love #romance #propose #girlfriend #wedding #marry #marriage 21 Sep 2014 - Chinese tourist Jiatai Ju, 50, got injured in fatal road accident that took place at the parliament building in the es capital yesterday. Accidents of this scale are rare in Male', and this is the first known case involving a tourist. Reports say Mr Ju was taking pictures of the parliament building when he got hit by a speeding motor bike driven by 19 year old teenager Ibrahim Haffaf. The driver has been arrested and es Police is investigating the case. Photo by Haveeru News: a group of tourists enjoying a sightseeing tour in Male' Injured tourists was admitted in ADK Hospital. Ahmed Afal the Manging Director of the hospital said the tourist got 2 fractures on the skull and have internal bleeding in the head. Critically injured tourist has now been sent to Sri Lanka for further treatment. Tourists are very free and peaceful at resorts. But, the crowded capital of the es is a different atmosphere, crime rate is high among the spoiled youth. Vehicles speeding through narrow and crowded streets are not uncommon. Not realising this drastic change tourists often do not pay much attention during sightseeing tours. I used to take guests for sightseeing tours in Male'. The tourists do not pay much attention and I always took it as a personal responsibility to watch on them. It is not only the traffic that puts pedestrians at risk, there are also many buildings under construction and I used take guests away from those. When guests took photos I stood on the side watched the traffic. But, sometimes there are tourists without any Guide. It is a pity that they don't have anyone to ensure their safety. Hulhumale' is the only planned city in the es and people are flocking to the new dream island. Being close to the international airport there is no doubt that its a prime location. But, it also lacks many important features for the next generation, most import business opportunities. Currently there are more than 30 guesthouses on the island. But there is a problem. Most of the guests stay for overnight and to travel to the resort next day. People who arrive es at night cannot fly to resort as seaplane flies only in day time. Why is it not popular for long stays? It is a city and most tourists are coming from city to experience island feel. Hulhumale' has a nice public beach and most of the guesthouses are located at the beach road. But, resorts and guesthouses in other islands still attract more long stay tourists. Having about 800 still untouched in the es, the future generations would seek to utilize those unused resources as means of income sources for the citizens. The future residential islands will have guesthouses at the beach and locals would live in their accommodation units in the centre of the island. This way they could live, work and do business in the same island. There will be private beach areas for tourists to sun-bathe. Bigger islands would have space for agriculture while islands with bigger lagoon would come with aquaculture to feed the large tourism population. There will be lot of employment opportunities, ians would be leadership positions with many expatriate workers under them. Everyone wants to visit the world’s smallest capital city. It’s a different scene in paradise but city is different anyway. A sightseeing tour takes to tourist attractions and along the way you shop souvenirs. Best selling luxury souvenirs are stored in showcases with spot lights on. There is a high chance you will buy this hot product if you did not read this post. Photo: Bandos Island Resort es Red coral necklace and bracelets are favourites for many tourists and it is quite expensive. A necklace as in picture could cost you around USD200 after discounts. Most of these are fake products, in fact I have never seen an original red coral necklace in es. If you want to buy some souvenirs there are many good products you could choose, such as wooden souvenirs or handicraft items. Though many of these products are not originally made in es there are some local products such as wooden vase, dhoni, wooden cups, trays etc. If you like necklaces there are exotic style ceramic products at reasonable prices. A real good original product I found was pearl necklace, pearl bracelets are also there. It is expensive but truly original and of good quality. You can buy these from the same souvenir shops. Having the facts written here the souvenir shops may be calling us to remove this post. But, I am writing about this for a good purpose. So many people from around the world have felt in love with es and they deserve a good experience in es, not just in resorts but also in other residential islands. Tourists deserve a good shopping experience in the es and that will lead to happier guests and more business to souvenir shops. Selling fake good to tourists is a very common practice in many countries, I have experienced this culture many times. es is still not as bad as the worst places when it comes to fake souvenirs. But, that is not enough and it should become completely genuine as it is in other aspects of tourism in the es. If you find this post helpful please click the desired share button on top. That will help us reach more people and deliver the message. A single click might save a tourist from a poor shopping experience. If you have read this we have saved you, now its your turn to save someone else. Keep rolling and let the change happen! es gives free tourist visa on arrival at the airport, but you should have a valid passport (with at least 3 months before expiration), a confirmed hotel reservation and confirmed departure ticket. Even if you do not have a confirmed hotel reservation, in most of the cases but not always, you are allowed to enter the country. Department of Immigration and Emigration reserves the right to depart anyone tourist arriving without confirmed accommodation reservation. It is also advisable to keep some cash (US Dollar) in hand as the Immigration Department sometimes allow you enter if you have enough cash instead of confirmed hotel reservation. Some tourists keep the reservation voucher saved on mobile phone or email inbox, that is also not a good practice. At the airport you will keep representatives from different hotels and guesthouses. If you do not have a reservation you they do help you but the prices are unreasonably higher. Many tourists do not have any other option once arrived to es. But, it is regretful when you find out real price you could get if you made a booking on advance. es is a popular destination. Sometimes every hotel bed is occupied, every vessel full and tourists even pass the night up in the airport. If you do not wish to end like this you would need confirmed hotel reservation. Despite these drawbacks the fact is there are considerable numbers of tourists arriving es without hotel reservation. May be it was just their personal situation that did not allow them to book on advance or that they did not know how it end up. This is not the practice only in es, may it is worse in many other places. For those who did not know about this, hope this information helps. es gives free 30 day tourist visa to all nationalities. Tourist visa is given on arrival to the es, no prior visa is needed to enter es. To be eligible for tourist visa you must meet the following conditions. • Hold a valid passport, with at least 3 months before expiration. • Hold a confirmed hotel reservation. You may be asked to present hotel voucher at the Immigration counter in the airport. Please keep a copy of hotel voucher with you to present at Immigration counter if requested. • Have ticket to fly out of es at the end of your holiday. It is not necessary that you go back to your country. You do not need any photo, they will put a stamp (like above) on your passport. If you meet above conditions you will get your es visa as a tourist. Normally it is 30 day for tourist visa but the Department of Immigration and Emigration reserves the right to allow less than that. If you do not have a confirmed hotel reservation you, in most of the cases, you will get your visa. But, there has been cases of deportation due to lack of hotel reservation. Most of the cases the Immigration Department checks if you have enough cash (US Dollar 150 per night) in hand and allow your entry to the es. Again, it is an unwanted risk. If you need more than 30 days you can get an extension of further 60 days making the hotel stay 90 days. You can submit the filled application form at least 2 working days prior to expiration of your tourist visa. It is recommended that you submit about a week on advance. The Department of Immigration and Emigration reserves the right allow or deny the application, normally it gets approved without a problem. Visa extension is one by the head office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration at Huravee Building, 3rd Floor, Ameeru Ahmed Magu, Male'. There is a charge of MVR750 for an extension of 60 days. If you did not extend the visa and it got it expired while you are in es you may be deported from es. For more information please contact +960 3330444. Under tourist visa you are not allowed to work in the es. If found working, you may be departed. Your tourist visa may be revoked if involved in politics or unlawful activities. es is a 100% muslim country, while visiting airports and local residential islands you must cover from shoulder to knee. You can wear your bikini at resorts or uninhabited islands and do sun-bathing. Bikini is not permitted in local residential islands, even on the beach. Work Visa or Resident Visa If you are planning to work in es you need to apply a job and get it approved from a company based in es. If that company wants to employ you they will submit your documents to Department of Immigration and Emigration to get work permit. Once Employment Approval is given you can enter es and upon arrival you will get your Resident Visa. Pay attention not to enter under tourist visa, if do you it cannot be cancelled and tourist visa cannot be changed to Resident Visa, you will have to leave the country and re-enter. Business Visa If are planning to visit es on a business trip your local representative may submit your documents to the Department of Immigration and Emigration and obtain Business Visa under which you can stay in es for up to 90 days. The process usually takes 2 business days and costs MVR750. To be eligible you should hold at least a diploma qualification. If not you can present a letter from your overseas company or entity stating your competency in line with the purpose of visit along with certificates you may have. If you are arriving es on a valid purpose there is usually no objection from the Department of Immigration and Emigration. You cannot enter as a tourist and get Business Visa. If you did enter as a tourists you will have to make a re-entry. Trash may be the last thing to think of to promote tourism. But, that is what is happening in es. Thilafushi, an island entirely made of trash, has recently caught global attention. The island has been featured on Mail Online, BBC, Weather.com, Business Insider, Discovery Channel and Yahoo News. Despite being featured as dark side of paradise, it was found fascinating many readers. Alison Teal in es Trash Island. Video at the bottom. TexasRedNeck on Mail Online commented “They have to dump it somewhere, What do you want them to do, dump it in the ocean?--at least it is contained” and become the top comment with 951 Likes and 174 Dislikes. Thilafushi - the es trash island Another reader, Carl, said “Considering the es are 500 miles or so away from the nearest other country (Sri Lanka) which itself is also pretty small, I think they've done the best they can. Mind on the country is only 1% above sea level, where else can/ colud they put it that would be typhoon/ storm proof? Just because we bury ours out of site, because we can, it doens't make it any better does it”. While garbage is a global challenge many tourist find the trash island fascinating and ingenious. Thilafushi, the trash island of es, collects trash from many residential islands in Kaafu Atoll and resorts across the country. Trash is sorted and materials such as plastic and metal are recycled, house-hold waste is mostly incinerated. Construction waste is dumped to the sea to extend the land area. The land made out of trash is then leased to industrial projects. Thilafushi is an industrial hub that houses most of the factories in the country which otherwise would be a burden to the people of residential islands. Started as a trash dumping site, over the time Thilafushi has grown to become the central hub of industrial projects and now it is taking shape of a tourism product too. More tourists know of its existence and often like to know more about it. By Sofia.in.wanderland Photo by Mammmm_be Photo by Davidmuiz Photo by Barmiuder Photo by Hsiraj405 Photo by Fxlbngs ‹ › X Little known facts of the # es trash island Ever thought you could catch a 35kg jackfish right off the beach? That was what happened when a group of friends went to an uninhabited island in the es and one of them tried his luck with trolling fishing. To his surprise it was a massive 35kg jackfish on the line. He screamed out at his friends and it was a big excited on this picnic trip. The man who caught was shouting to prepare chili paste to get it on the grill without wasting any time. Photo: Jackfish caught from beach At first they thought the line was hooked up on the coral as it was too heavy to reel in. But then it was obvious of the huge catch. The friends were careful not pull in too fast, otherwise the line could get snapped. The trick is to make it tired and pull in slowly as they did. Watch the video below A tourist couple walks along the beach of Vilamendhoo in the es and finds two sharks teamed up and chasing a peacock grouper at the shore. One shark got her by the head but she escapes. The sharks did not give up. They chased her and got her stranded on the beach. She had no way to escape. The sharks did not waste any time, put their razor-sharp teeth in to action. That was the last moment of the peacock grouper. Screenshot - shark hunt Watch Video Below Coco Bodu Hithi es is giving away a FREE holiday of 5 nights in Escape Water Residence with Private Pool. This is a lucky draw ending on 15 December 2014. All you have to do is answer 10 multiple-choice questions. I have compiled all the answers to save your time. Just go to promotion page and start answering these 10 questions. Scroll down for the answers and the link. Escape Water Residence - Lucky Draw is giving away 5 nights in this room, breakfast and dinner included. Answers and Promotion Link Click here and start answering. Answers below. 1. Coco Collection was formed as a subsidiary of Sunland Hotels & Resorts. What year did the portfolio of Coco Collection emerge? • 2006 • 2007 ✓ • 2008 • 2009 2. Which brands make up the portfolio of Coco Collection? • Coco Privé, Coco Retreats, Coco Palm Resorts • Coco Island, Coco Resorts, Coco Palm • Coco Privé, Coco Resorts : Retreats, Coco Palm Resorts ✓ • Coco Privé, Coco Beach, Coco Palm Resorts 3. Coco Collection is united by a set of values referred to as SPIRIT. What does the ‘I’ in our brand values SPIRIT stand for? • Inspiring • Individual ✓ • Iconic • Impelling Sometimes they roll the letter here. In case they ask for another letter the SPIRIT stands for Surprise, Proactive, Individual, Responsible, Inspiring & Timeless. 4. Which resort in our portfolio is featured with an aerial photo on our Coco Resorts and Retreats page? • Coco Bodu Hithi ✓ • Coco Privé Kuda Hithi • Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu • Coco Palm Bodu Hithi 5. At Coco Bodu Hithi, in which villas can you enjoy the luxury of your very own private pool? • All the Villas ✓ • Escape Water Villas and Escape Water Residences • Island Villas and Water Villas • Only Escape Water Residences 6. Which restaurants are built over water at Coco Bodu Hithi? • TSUKI and AQUA • AIR and LATITUDE • TSUKI and LATITUDE • STARS and AQUA ✓ 7. What cuisine do we serve at CORNUS restaurant at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu? • ian, Sri-Lankan, Thai • ian, Thai, Indian ✓ • Mediterranean, Indian, ian • French, Mediterranean, ian 8. Which restaurant is pictured in the cover photo of Coco Collection's Facebook page? • AQUA • LATITUDE • STARS ✓ • WINE LOFT 9. What year did Coco Collection start tweeting? • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 ✓ 10. Coco Collection has been nominated for 2 major travel awards so far in the year. Which awards are they? • World Travel Awards & World Luxury Award • World Travel Awards & World Luxury Hotel Awards ✓ • TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and World Luxury Hotels Awards • World Luxury Spa Awards and World Travel Awards If you are looking for a dreamy type holiday in es, Kuramathi Island Resort Water Villa is what you need to book. It is of great value for money and delivers excellent satisfaction in all aspects of a es holiday. The island is one of the most beautiful in the Indian Ocean. Over 20 food and beverage outlets offer enough, if not too many, to choose from for your 2 weeks in heaven. Diving and snorkeling makes you forget how many days you actually spent there as you enjoy the dream holiday. Spa and boutique is needless to mention, but the amazing hospitality and quality of service is something that never gets unnoticed. Water Villa With Pool Photo: Water Villa With Pool - Aerial view This is the latest addition to Kuramathi villa collection and Water Villa With Pool is in the best location in terms of natural beach. One side is a clear lagoon that fades away into the dark blue at the reef, on the other is a mile long natural sandbank. The shape of sandbar changes seasonally throughout the year. In any season the beauty is never lost. This is one of the unique features of Kuramathi. Photo: Water Villa With Pool - Breath-taking view There are 2 snorkeling channels (as seen on the picture), use these channels to swim to the reef. Kuramathi has a wonderful house reef and different guests have mentioned different spots as the best. But, my person preference goes to this channel at the end of the villas. Photo: Water Villa With Pool - bedroom Key Features • Private Pool (18 sqm) • King-Sized Bed • Rainfall Shower • Free Standing Bath • Twin Vanities • Hot & Cold Water • Fan • Air Conditioning • Bath & Beach Towels • Bathrobes • Bathroom Amenities • Hair Dryer • Wine Chiller • Minibar • Espresso Machine • In-Room Safe • IDD Telephone • Flat Screen TV with Cable, and Lightning Dock • Wi-Fi Internet • Wooden Deck • Sun Loungers • Deck Chairs • Dining Table • Rechargeable Torch • Iron & Ironing Board • Bathroom Scale • Life Jackets Water Villa with Jacuzzi Water Villa with Jacuzzi Water Villa With Jacuzzi is 90 sqm in size. Water Villa (50 sqm) do not exist any more. It has been demolished and rebuild as Deluxe Water Villa which is massive 136 sqm in size. The 30 units of Deluxe Water Villa are located in the lagoon side of the island. The view is amazing. These are new rooms built recently. The rooms are spacious, fresh and very appealing. These villas are very close to Jetty B where the sting ray feeding happens every evening. It is also close to sandbank (but not closest) and the tropical vegetation of the island in this area is attractive. To use beach you can just have a few minutes walk to the sandbank and it is the best beach in the world. The reef is on the opposite side of the island. There is a ladder in the terrace to go down into the sea, but to reach reef you have to go the opposite side, hence ladder is useful if you want to swim in the lagoon. Water Villa with Jacuzzi is a better location if you are devoted to sea life and want to snorkel everyday. There is a huge veranda deck with umbrella and a pair of sun loungers. The view of the Indian Ocean is amazing. The stairs in the room lead you down to the water and you will be in the reef within minutes if not seconds. The coral are colourful and fish are plentiful at Kuramathi Island Resort. Pay attention not to damage the coral. Also watch out for the waves as you swim through the snorkeling channels. Do not approach swim over the reef or walk, it is harmful to environment and risky for you. The tiny channels are little deeper and allows easy access to the reef. There are signs on the beach pointing to snorkeling channels. Water Villa with Jaccuzzi Water Vill With Jacuzzi - Floor Plan Key Features: • Over Water • King-Sized Bed • Indoor Daybed • Semi-Open Air Bathroom • Rainfall Shower • Jacuzzi • Twin Vanities • Shaving/Make Up Mirror • Hot & Cold Water • Fan • Air Conditioning • Hair Dryer • Bath & Beach Towels • Bathrobes • Bathroom Amenities • Minibar • In-Room Safe • IDD Telephone • Espresso Machine • Flat Screen TV with Cable • DVD Player • iPod Docking Station • Wi-Fi Internet • Split-level decks • Sun Umbrella • Sun Loungers Photo Gallery Beach Pool Villa Deluxe Water Villa Deluxe Water Villa Deluxe Water Villa Deluxe Water Villa Deluxe Water Villa Deluxe Water Villa Deluxe Water Villa Pool Villa Pool Villa Pool Villa Pool Villa Pool Villa Pool Villa Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Jacuzzi Water Villa With Jacuzzi Water Villa With Jacuzzi Water Villa With Jacuzzi Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool Water Villa With Pool ‹ › X Kuramathi Island Resort Water Villa Pictures and Info. # es # # # # # ler # Apple grows in cold environments and tree withstands freezing winter temperatures. Yahya Yoosuf from Himmafushi Island of es obviously didn’t know that. He planted apple seeds behind his store that he was working to open. The seeds grew and in a week's time he could see small plants. That was it. It stopped growth at that point. Apple tree bear fruits in es Meantime he worked on his store and opened it for service. All of a sudden the apple plants started growing. He accidentally put the outflow of the store's air-conditioning unit at the plants and that helped it to grow. Yahya quickly extended the outflow pipe right over the plants. It was amazing, the apple trees started to grow. Four years later, Yahya enjoys his home-grown apple and says it's very sweet and tastes great. Thanks to waste water from his air-conditioning unit. November marks the end of Southwest monsoon and beginning of Northeast monsoon. It is a welcome to the dry season in the es. At the beginning there are some rain that clears off after few hours and affects some regions of the country, not the whole es. By second week of November the weather is more pleasant and sunny. The whole November have instances of cloud, few showers and drizzle that do not last long. That is the reason November is regarded as a month of good weather. Little rain makes atmosphere clear and fresh. Many weather forecasts are based to the capital Male'. The islands of es are formed as a string of pearls, narrow and stretched long from North to South. Our forecast are based to 3 different weather sectors of the country. es is a tropical country. Accuracy of forecasts are very much compromised when you narrow it down to a particular island. Then forecast shows rain for a particular region, you might see it raining to a near-by island and not the island you stay. It happens the other way around as well. Farmers start their fields in November. The land is cleared and crops are planted. Occasional rain is good for these crops. Sunny climate enables farmers to safety move through thick woods of the residential islands. The calm climate comes with a cooling breeze, it is never a struggle for farmers who erect fences around their farms. The steady breeze is great for tourists too. Enjoy sailing, catamaran and wind surfing. When you have a little breeze in the sunshine it is the perfect weather. November is the beginning of this pleasant season. es Weather Forecast For November 2014 The main international airport is at the capital of es and that is central region of the country. Tourist started here in the central atolls and developed further. Resorts are now found through out the country. There are many new resorts in the northern and southern atolls. Many repeaters visiting es every year have more to explore and try out new hotels. You want to go for the islands in south or north? One factor that might help you choose is the weather. Even though es is said to be sunny year around the tropical climate in the northern atolls of es have lesser annual rainfall than the south. North gets an average of 2,540 millimeters (100 in) of rainfall annually. As for the southern atolls it is 3,810 millimeters (150 in). That's a remarkable difference in weather. Even through northern islands have lesser rainfall it is quite difficult to pin-point sunny days and locations. The tropical climate is very much unpredictable. Weather forecast gives you a clue. The period of monsoon changes means rain and little sunshine. Other than that, the it is very much luck that gives you a complete sunny holiday and most of the tourists get exactly that. The year around temperature is between 32 degrees and 28 degrees. During rain it gets lower to 25 degrees. It is a warm climate through out the year, even during the rain. You will still need air-conditioning to stay in perfect comfort. Haa Alif Atoll is the most northern part of the es, followed by Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Shaviyani Atoll, Noou Atoll, Raa Atoll, Baa Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll. Capital Male' is located in Kaafu Atoll, just next to Lhaviyani. Kaafu is a big atoll and distance between Kaafu and Lhaviyani is huge. Resorts in Haa Alif Atoll include JA Manafaru, J Resort Alidhoo, Island Hideaway. Haa Dhaalu Atoll do not have any resort in operation, there are some under construction. Viceroy es is located in Shaviyani Atoll. Many new luxury resorts are located in Noonu, such as Chevalblanc Randheli, Velaa Private Island, Irufushi Beach & Spa Resort, Zitahli Kudafunafaru. Two popular resorts in Lhaviyani Atoll are Kanuhura es and Kuredu. 04 Nov 2014: Tourism Minister has today announced that the government plans to introduce Green Tax in 2015. The income has also been included in the proposed government budget. The minister did not say tell amount of tax and said he will discuss with industry partners before implementing the new tax. Immediate public reaction on the media appears negative. Green Tax will be paid only by tourists. Starting November 2014 the Goods & Services Tax (GST) is 12%, prior to this period it was at 8% with an additional USD8 per head as Bed Tax. With increased GST the Bed Tax is no longer collected. If Green Tax gets introduced tourists will have to pay 12% GST and additional Green Tax. Aim of this new tax is unclear at this point. Having it coincided with annual budget submission the main aim seems generating income to the government. At this point you may question what does it then have to do with "green" principles? Is it just a name or will it be for the benefit of environment? Perhaps to off set your carbons? With no confirmed information from the government we could only imagine the possibilities of this new tax. Couple of dollars per head per night may not be too much burden if that goes to a climate fund. Government could use this fund to plant to trees to offset carbon. Having many uninhabited islands in the es it could be of immense benefit for both the environment and tourism in the future. Many uninhabited islands do not have palm trees and are full of useless bush. That could be replace with palm trees and other useful plants for the nature. The trees will help offset carbon while helping the locals with economic return by selling coconut, flowers or other plants good for eco-system. Years later when the government needs these islands for resort development there would be many palm trees already grown. The Green Tax funds could also be utilized for protection of reefs. The fishermen throwing their anchor at the reef has a devastating effect over the generation. Every single time they break some corals and collectively from all fishermen the damage becomes grave. Permanent anchor lines need to place at every island and at different points, so that fisherman would not have to throw the anchor. The all too familiar celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has proposed to open a restaurant at Thumburi Island es, es Marketing & Public Relations Corporation - MMPRC - has said. Thumburi located in Laamu Atoll, is leasing 20 plots of land at the beach for guesthouse and city hotel development. Currently the island is uninhabited and once opened in 2016 it will have 20 small properties owned by different individuals and common facilities such as restaurants, utility, watersports, diving, spa will be operated by third party companies. It is expected that the government will invite bids for these services in January 2015. Gordon Ramsay is the presenter of widely popular cooking show Hell's Kitchen and Master Chef. His company, Gordon Ramsay Group, operates 24 restaurants in 6 countries, including United Kingdom, America, Italy, Hong Kong and Qatar. Gordon Ramsay also runs a cooking school. Thumburi Island (often spelled as Thunburi) offers opportunity for small and medium scale investors who are seeking opportunities in the tourism sector. It has been rumoured that proposals have already been submitted for 16 plots. It is believed that some of these proposals are backed by foreigners who want to live in es. Foreign investors often partner with locals and foreign partner gets registered as a company staff which gives him the visa to stay in es. Along with guesthouses the government is also leasing 3 plots of lagoon to develop over-water resorts with 100 Water Bungalows in each. Thumburi is reachable in about 35 minutes by domestic flight from Male' International Airport to Kadhdhoo Airport, followed by a 15 minute drive from airport and then reach the island by boat in 5 minutes. 4 Apr 2016: This was the first major algorithm update since the introduction of es Resort Ranking about 9 months ago. Despite being a major update the changes are slight, most of the resorts moved 1 or 2 positions. Cocoa Island had been maintaining #1 position for more than 3 months and update did not have any affect on Cocoa Island. Prior to update Mirihi was ranked #2 and now dropped to #3. Mirihi and Gili Lankanfushi are now competing very closely for #2. As you might have noticed this update has introduced some new resorts to the es Top 50. It is an indication the resort has succeeded a remarkable achievement in the past few months compared to previous years. The ranking algorithm do no differentiate a review of last year from this year. This algorithm change reflects how you rate an "Excellent" and a "Poor" or "Terrible". If you give 10 points for an "Average" the algorithm gives 20 points for an "Excellent. Likewise a "Terrible" would get -20 points. All in all the es Resort Ranking is now more relevant in terms of "Happiness". Gasfinolhu Island Resort in the es has shut down all its power generators. Thanks to 6000 square metres of solar panels that generate 1.6 megawatt of electricity daily. The solar panels are fixed in the roof that runs above the jetty in the lagoon and some of the pathways in the island. Power generating solar panels also mean the shade for people walking beneath. This is the first time a es resort is powered entirely by renewable energy. Champa Hussain Afeef the Chairman of Champa Hotels & Resorts expressed his enthusiasm for innovations in the tourist industry. He said it was a great satisfaction to shut down all generators and power up the island with only clean energy of the sun. Afeef further said that he spent 2 years on the project. The project that costs $6m will take about 7 years to recover the investment and the lifespan may go up to 20 years in total. In 2010 es announced the plan to become carbon neutral by 2020 and introduction of solar energy to the tourist industry of es is likely to become trend of the eco-friendly island destination in the Indian Ocean. 4 Dec 2014: The capital of es runs out of water after a fire accident at the water plant that serves 120,000 residents of the city. The government has now declared a disaster and military is now assisting the distribution of limited bottled water to households, primarily for drinking purposes. Fire burnt circuit boards in the generator room that powered the desalinations plants at es Water & Sewerage Company. That led to immediate shut down and water stored in tanks prior to incident may be used to serve the residents for 1 hour daily as per television announcement. The salty ground water in Male’ contains high level of faeces making it unsuitable even for shower. The all-purpose desalinated water produced the by MWSC was the primary water supply for drinking, cooking and shower. After the sudden shut of desalinated water people have rushed to stores to buy bottled water. That was available for few hours and stores ran dry. So far there has been no death due to the disaster. But, there are reports of casualties due to violence relating to water shut down. Cases involving theft of water has been reported and it is leading to a disaster in the es capital. The MWSC earlier said they would be able to repair the damaged circuit board and start the water service by this evening. The next announcement said water will be available only for 1 hour tomorrow. Hence, it is not certain as to when the residents will get water. A holiday of a life time in an exotic beach destination such as es may not be complete without a dolphin watching trip. Many resorts in the es offer dolphin watching trips and it is one of the most popular excursions among the tourists. But, there is a problem. Resorts can't guarantee that you will see dolphins. It is a matter of chance, it may also depend on weather conditions and seasons. In that case you may want to find out which resort gives the best chance of seeing dolphins. Photo of dolphins at Muli Channel in Meemu Atoll es Muli Channel in the Meemu Atoll is rarely known and talked about. But, it is definitely one of the best dolphin spots in the es. There are only two resorts in Meemu Atoll, Medhufushi Island Resort and Hakuraa Hura. Fewer resorts in this atoll may be the reason it is not widely known in the travel community. Photo of dolphins at Muli Channel, captured with Samsung Galaxy S3 Dolphin watching at Muli Channel gives a success rate of 85%, all year round. Better the weather is, better chance of seeing dolphins. In this point the dolphins are very friendly, usually follows the boat and perform high jumps if you clap and applause. Believe it or not, dolphins got a great sense of humour. They may not understand your language but they seem to understand you very well. Have you noticed the water colour here is more vivid than other dolphin photos you have seen? That is because this place is not so deep, it is about 10 - 30 meters. At some points you can see the sea floor. Because of the shallow water the blue colour is more bright and vivid, just perfect for watching dolphins. But, the reef is also very popular dive site. Geographical makeup of Meemu Atoll is very unique, there is an outer reef that protects all the islands inside the atoll. To visit most islands in Meemu Atoll ships have to pass through this channel. There is strong current flowing in and out, at all times. That brings in clear water and make visibility in the water crystal clear. Photo of dolphins at Muli Channel, captured with Samsung Galaxy S3 Best times to see dolphins are between 9.00hrs and 10.30hrs in morning, and from 15.30hrs till 17.00hrs in the afternoon. There is more chance in afternoon than morning and the amount of dolphins are much more. In the morning you often see few and they go down when boat goes close. But, in the afternoon they follow the boat and reacts friendly. Photo of dolphins at Muli Channel, captured with Samsung Galaxy S3 You don't have to feed or do anything to watch dolphins, the boat needs to slow down and they would follow the boat. Giving applause is a great way to get them perform really good. If you are thinking of snorkeling or diving with dolphins I did diving here in Muli Channel and did not see any dolphin, just heard them making noises at a distance. I did not try snorkeling as it was not offered by any resort, some people suggested it could even be unsafe if there is a baby dolphin as mothers attempt to protect babies. Diving was amazing. Absolute clarity in water makes you literally forget you are in water. This may be the best dolphin spot in es. #dolphin #dolphins # es # # #samsung # NOT #galaxys7 OR #galaxys8 At first you may think what a cute little fish! You dont actually recall having seen this fish ever? But the head section seems similar to a common species found in the es? This is when it starts getting interesting. The cute little fish swims slowly in the shallow waters. Angle camera rotates revealing the secret in this cute little fish. It got no body, it is just the head of the fish gutted off and it swims away. The whole body of the fish is missing and yet it alive and swims. It seems the fisherman gutted the fish alive and threw the head into sea. Immediately the fish swims away. It is able to swim but there is not control as tail fin is missing. This fish will definitely not survive, there is no belly and food it eats would go out. Probably it will live for few minutes. Even then it is really incredible that the fish is still alive and swims. Fish makes miracle in the es. # es #miracle #magic #fish #sea #marine #scuba #diving Dreaming of a es holiday but could not afford one? No experience, no problem. Yes, no experience is required for this amazing opportunity. Just pack your bags for 1 year long stay in es. Buy a snorkeling gear, wet suite and sun cream and you are ready to go. Before that you have to be lucky on this rare opportunity in one of the most popular exotic destinations in the world. The resorts arranges visa for you, without a charge from you. But you have to invest for your international flight ticket to es. Resort also takes care of your medical checkups upon arrival. These opportunities are offered by some of the 4 star resorts. These resorts get guests who do not speak English and candidates on working holidays help resort provide customer care to these guests. Resort gets benefits from candidates this way and in return the candidates get experience and holiday enjoyment during the off duty hours. Working time is also fun. In many cases you have to accompany guests on excursions, snorkeling, watersports etc. Resort provides you free accommodation of good quality, few people sharing the room. Meals are served in the main restaurant, same as guests. You are entitled to bar and other guest outlets, difference between you and guests is that you get a very reasonable discounted rate on beverages. You can keep yourself fit as guest gym is also allowed on your working holiday. You don’t get any salary while on working holidays. But, most resorts provide you with an allowance so that you can manage your personal expenses. Upon completion of 1 year, you may get a job or you can seek jobs in other resorts, and get paid for enjoying the beauty of es. The best approach to get a working holiday opportunity may be through your friends if anyone is working in es. Very few resorts offer this opportunity and they announce on job sites when they have a slot vacant. If you can speak German, Russia, French, Italian, Chinese or Arabic you have a high chance of success. Locals speak English as a second language, but native English speakers may also get hired, though the chances of success are not as good as other European languages. Currently we have this opportunity for 4 candidates, you may forward your resume with a recent photograph. Candidates must be native speakers of one of the aforementioned languages. Only successful applicants may be notified and we will keep the remaining candidates for future opportunities. A friend of mine arrived es for holiday and boarded a seaplane flight off to Meemu Atoll. Seaplane was no strange experience for him. That was why he was quick to notice the unusual noise on one of the two propeller engines. Despite the noise the plane kept flying and it seemed in total control. Minutes passed as tourists enjoyed the breath taking scenery of the Indian ocean islands from bird's eye view while the seaplane kept flying. My friend too enjoyed the views and kept taking photos despite having this experience many times before. He knew the Twin Otter seaplanes were one of the safest in the world, should anything happens it could land safely on water in most of the cases. But, weather was not so good, that was his main concern. A rough whether means the seas would be rough and seaplane would have difficulty landing in open ocean. Having many islands in the view it could obviously land safely in the lagoon. So, the strange noise was not that much of a concern. After some 40 minutes the seaplane landed at the resort and off went the guests, as if there was nothing wrong with the plane. It was an overnight flight, the flight had to stay at the floating platform and it would fly the early morning departures back to the airport next day. My friend was a morning person, woke up at 6.00 am and discovered the resort before taking his first breakfast. Nice sunny day was good to wander around and talk people. It was afternoon when he walked up to jetty and found the seaplane was getting repaired. In fact it was not just a repair, rather a replacement of engine. A group of engineers brought a new engine and got the faulty one replaced while the plane was sitting at the fixed platform. It was an astonishing sight that these clever engineers worked right on the platform and got the plane fixed. Otherwise one could only imagine how difficult would it be to tow the aircraft to its base in Hulhule'. That was a good job well done, all thanks to the clever engineers of the Trans ian. what they do when seaplane engine fails in es. # es # #seaplane #flight # #trip The island nation 370 miles north of India is home to some 350,000 residents of a low lying country called es. Vivid colours of the lagoons, corals and milk-white beaches makes it a luxury travel destination that is popular across the globe. Be it honeymoon, family vacations, surfing or diving the es is an unforgettable destination of its own kind. But, how will these beautiful islands live? Accordingly to Intercontinental Panel on Climate Change, sea level rise claims 0.12 inch of gain every year and at that speed the islands with only 1 metre above sea level would be wiped off the map. To prevent es from sinking the architect and photographer Mayank Tamalla from New Zealand comes up with an incredible concept. The city is a massive oil rig kind of platform suspected several metres above the sea level, far from being endangered by sea level rise. There are houses, play grounds, cinemas, shops and other facilities of a small city island. Residents can go down by lifts installed at different locations. The architect believes the es will no longer be the heaven on earth but the harmony and beauty will suffice for today's living styles. es is a 100% muslim country and observes Ramazan (also called Ramadan) in all residential islands and resorts. Set to start on 26 May 2017 Ramazan is fast approaching, the exact date varies from country to country and depends on lunar calendar. The holly month lasts for about a month, again the exact duration depends on the moon sighting as per lunar calendar. es is also a tourism dependent country. This means tourism takes place flawlessly throughout the year. Despite the fact, there may be tourists who are concerned if Ramazan may affect their holiday. So, I decided to write about this explain to shed some insight on this subject. Then you will know what to expect before you book. It is true that fasting is observed in resorts too, but this does not affect tourists. Muslim staff observes fasting but fully attend duties and responsibilities of the job. We are used it. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are cooked and served the same way as any other month, some resorts do change timing slightly. If no body told about Ramazan you would not actually know it, that is how smooth it goes in the es. Some resorts change meal times slightly, like closing 30 minutes early, but that never become a concern to guests as resorts keep things well informed to guests. If you are planning to visit residential islands or staying at a local guest house you may need to read this part very carefully. There is a big change in local lifestyle in the es during the month of Ramazan. The restaurants are all closed during the day time and opens at sunset which is the time the muslims break their fasting. If you don’t have alternative plans you could be stranded in the city without food. Good things is the restaurants located in hotels still serve the tourists, so you should always check on this option if you are visiting es in holly season. Tuck shops and markets are also open, you can buy food and drinks. But, be careful not to eat or drink in the public. Even if you do it is less likely that there could be any problem but it is always advisable to respect the local culture and traditions, not just in es but where you visit. It is a golden rule of the thumb. The capital Male’ becomes very busy during Ramazan, especially in the afternoon hours at the market. Fish market and local market attracts huge crowds and you barely can move. But, tourists still go there to explore busy lifestyle of the locals in the market. Not just during Ramazan, while visiting local islands the tourists should dress up modestly covering from shoulder to knees. A T-shirt and short (not mini short please) or skirt would do fine. Top and long trousers or jeans would be a great fit. What to expect in es during Ramazan # es #Ramazan #Ramadan #Holiday #Blog #News I am a local born and bred in the es. Once I was searching online for the information of local culture in the es and was not satisfied with the existing articles. The topic is very general but today I decided start writing about the ian culture. I am not intending to complete this article in one go, rather to divide it into components and update the post as I get time. Currently I am on a very busy schedule at office but I am curious enough to spare some time to kick off this topic. Tuna Fishing Being a sea based country the people of es are heavily dependent on fish and tuna is their favourite. Skipper of the fishing boat wakes up early morning and visits fellow crew members waking them up. Every fisherman would bring a tortilla prepared by the housewife, either sweet or spicy. Fishing boat would first travel to a reef to catch live bait fish with a net and before sunrise they would sail to the open waters looking for hungry schools of tuna. People would stare at horizon to spot sea birds which indicate presence of fish. In the ancient days the boats were powered only by sail, so it took hours to reach a good spot but fisherman never gave up in any climate. Their bodies were tough and strong. Photo: Cooking tuna outside the house - Photo by Dhiraagu Every fish is caught by pole and line, the environmentally friendly fishing which is still the practice in es. After spending the whole morning and the fisherman would return to the island in late afternoon. The islanders would gather at the beach to welcome fishing boats and people enjoy seeing the catch. The fisherman would clean the fish at beach, take them to their houses and cut for the dish. Once that is done the part of fisherman is over and rest is taken care by the housewife who cooks and serves a hot meal to the husband and children. After dinner the fisherman would pray and take rest, visit friends before going to bed to start the next day at fishing. The holy month of Ramazan es is a sunni muslim country and holy month of Ramazan is observed every year. It is now a few weeks before the Ramazan this year. I can see in many islands the locals are getting ready to welcome the season. Middle income level people are renewing the home furniture. Less fortunate people would deep clean the house, kitchen and furniture. In the ancient days the kitchens had wooden racks to smoke tuna which turns black with smoke. Every year this rack gets a deep cleaning and that happens for Ramazan. In this season people are also buying new kitchen and tableware. The Ramazan culture also varies at different islands. Some islands would prepare the spices way on advance, the women would gather at one place and perform like a show. Photo: women at Maalhos island in Alif Alif atoll prepare spices for Ramazan In Ramazan the people would take their dinner few hours before dusk and fasts till sunset. There is no meal in between. After tolerating hours without food or drinks the breakfast becomes a happy time. There are many varieties and tasteful dishes as much as people can afford. There would be at least one type of fresh juice, the most common is water melon. Demand for water melon goes several folds in this season. The island of Thoddoo is known to make good business during this season, they mass produce water melons and distributes all over the country. Along with water melon there would be curries and snacks that varies at different days. At the time of breakfast the men gets priority on the feast, ladies do the cooking and they join the feast after men. Usually houses are small and dinner table doesn’t have enough space for all households. People breaks fasting with date fruit followed by fresh juice. Not all would have a full breakfast right away. The more religious ones take dates and juice then go mosque for prayers. Upon return from prayers they would have the joy of a full meal. Traditional Education System Photo: Children gets home tuition by mother - Photo by Dhiraagu The traditional education system was mostly about literacy and religious study. In 1980s there were schools in es, prior to that was the culture of teaching at home. Kids would attend houses of educated people and they would give lessons free of charge. At home the mother usually gave home tuition. A thin wooden box filled with sand was used to draw in letters of alphabet to practice at home, both local language Dhivehi and Arabic. It was not the age of pen and paper. The students used wooden board kept on the lap to write down. Finding New Friends And Welcoming Strangers In the ancient times there were no hotels and lodging for visitors coming from other islands. People would stay with friends while on another island. But not all would have friends in each of the several islands. Bad weather conditions sometimes force fishermen and other travelers to anchor at other islands. That is when you need help. If you don’t have any then you would wait at the beach side or on the boat. Locals would notice the unfamiliar boat, notice movements of the people. If the residents realize that the boat got no one from who have local friends, someone would eventually go and check on their conditions. They befriend each other and offer stay and provide other means of help. That was how people from different islands got to know each other and made friends in the ancient culture of the es. But, the modern lifestyle is now different. There are hotels and guesthouses in most of the islands, or at least rooms for rent. You pay and obtain whatever service you may want and you leave. Next day you would not know each other. Today you meet strangers and befriend on facebook. Life and culture has changed much. es Culture And Lifestyle. # es # # as Normally you see travel information that helps you enjoy holiday. The idea of this post is not to spoil your es holiday, but to make you aware and prevent from a bad experience. es is a heaven on earth. Even in heaven you have to follow some sort of safety precautions. Otherwise it could be an unforgettably bad experience. Swimming Almost all islands of es have beautiful lagoons, at first sight you feel like you want to jump in straight away. So colours are so inviting. If you are not a swimmer or don’t know to stay afloat it gets you in real danger. Sometimes you drown or even happen to die. Resorts provide safety information to tourists, but sea is sometimes too attractive that makes you forget about your own safety. Lagoons often start with shallow depths and gets deeper as you go far. Sometimes it is not a gradual slope and there could be deep spots and you fall in with notice. So, it is always advisable to never swim alone and always wear lifejacket if you are not confident. Do not take unwanted risks. es is a dreamy holiday destination and you are not coming here to have a disaster. Snorkeling May be you are good swimmer, you have confidence. But, the underwater marine lives in the waters of es are diverse. Not all are friendly and it is not their fault if you get in trouble because of your mistake. You have to know what you are doing. Species such as lion fish, string ray or moray eel are not aggressive, but they are dangerous if approached too close. The golden rule in underwater is that you are safe with fish as long as you don’t pose a threat to them. They use their weapon to protect themselves from harm, not intending to proactively attack you. Always keep considerable distance between you and the fish, I would recommend to keep about 10 feet. Don’t touch fish or coral, no matter how beautiful they look. If you don’t mind about your own safety it could end your dream holiday in a real bad way. Protests in the es capital Political situation in the es is not always smooth and there are protests and riots taking place mostly in the capital Male’. Most of the time these functions are peaceful, but not always. At times there were police crackdowns and violence among protestors thought not to a high level. Being a tourist you would not want to get hurt, get caught in tear gas or even get arrested. Male’ is mostly safe for visitors even during political instability. But if you are in the crowd of protestors that is when things turn bad, your holiday could get spoiled. So, it is advisable to avoid any attempt to go through such crowds if you happen to see them, take alternative routes and do not bother politics. Warm climate Temperate of the es is usually between 25 and 32 degrees, all year round. If you go in sun without a good sun cream your skin could have problems. Once your health conditions are not good, you can’t enjoy a holiday. So, it is advisable to select a cream of good UV factor. If you are going to sea the cream is a must, otherwise you might have to regret. A heat wave has been hit on Mumbai of India and temperatures have gone abnormally high causing deaths and interrupting daily lives of the inhabitants. Amid the disaster Bollywood stars Said Ali Khan and Kareena Kapur have arrived es on a 5 day holiday. Other celebrities came with them include film star Soha Ali khan and her husband Kunal Khemu and Saif’s younger son Ibrahim. The family has not revealed where they are staying but posted pictures on social media. It is believed that Saif and Ibrahim took scuba diving lessons in India prior to visit es. Many other Indian celebrities are believed to be making holiday in es. It has been noticed that many high profile tourists visit es, complete the stay and go back without making headlines on the news. Even this time it was the pictures that revealed whereabouts of the celebrity family. Bollywood stars flee to es to escape heat wave. # es # # # # # ler # #Bollywood #India #Hollywood #Celebrity #Superstar #Actor #Actress Robinson Club has announced on Twitter about their second property in es – the Robinson Club Noonu at Orivaru island. Acquisition cost of the new island was not announced, but former lease holder was advertising to sell at USD14.4 as per media reports. The new island in Robinson family will open in 2016 with 60 Water Villas, 50 Beach Villas and 40 Semi-detached Beach Villas. Noonu will be under ROBINSON FeelGood® clubs along other two. FeelGood® is known as adult oriented romantic setting for couples especially honeymooners. It is very much likely to be a child-free resort. Robinson currently operates 23 properties across the globe and Robinson Club es at Funamadua is the only resort in operation in the es. The five star Funamadua was opened in 2009 and renovated in 2013. Additional 20 Water Villas are under construction at the resort and is expected to open in this November. Noonu atoll is home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the es. First resort opened in Noonu was Zitahli Kudafunafaru followed by Sun Siyam Irufushi. Other resorts in operation in Noonu atoll include Chevalblanc Randheli and Velaa Private Island. Dhigurah in Noonu atoll is also under development by Sun Siyam Hotels and is planned to make history as biggest resort in es with 600 rooms of 14 different categories. Ahmed Siyam, the chairman and managing director of the company, said the resort will have 13 restaurants including one underwater. Timing is everything. Beauty is not something that lasts forever. You have to capture at perfect timing and keep the pictures to refresh your wonderful moments. Sometimes its about crazy things you do, sometimes it is natural beauty. Timing can change your perspective on different things. Below are some of the perfectly timed pictures from es. Jumping high in the air gives a great pose but you really have to try many times over to meet that perfect moment. Not all can jump this high and that is why this picture is so special. The white sandy beach with a backdrop of blue sea and sky makes it a great shot. But the shallow looks a little weird with not creepy. Anyway this is a great perfectly-timed picture. After mermaid dolphins may be the most loved creature in the sea, including both real and cartoon fiction. Dolphins are very common in the waters of es, many resorts offer dolphin watching excursion. Turn out ration varies from location to location and also depends on weather conditions. If you saw dolphins you would have noticed they often swim pretty fast and jumps take just slit seconds. It is very hard to capture a picture like this. A picture that is perfect in timing. Surfing is fun and requires balancing if you are standing on the board. These girls not only stand on board but also give a pose for the photographer who was able to capture the shot in perfect precision timing. May be the wave to too small, but the pose deserves some compliments I guess. Sandbanks in the es are wonders of nature. The nature is so beautiful, most sandbanks don’t require any cleaning and nature does it in its own way. Black and white turns enjoying the peace at these sandbanks make it even more breath-taking. So many birds flying in flocks will not be easy to capture as it would fly away very fast. Thanks to the photographer, beauty is now captured on this picture but you would need to physically visit here to make this experience. Words can’t express everything. Ibrahim Nasir International airport, formerly known as Male’ International Airport, is just few miles away from a popular surf spot in the capital of es. Here is a great wave and surfer is about to get up while the Emirates flight is about to take off. The wave looks good and surf board is almost in the air. It is a critical moment to both, the surfer and flight. Another picture of the Emirates flight seeming shows landing on a fishing boat. Perfect timing sometimes makes you confused. But the idea is great and photographer got it captured at perfect split second. Both the flight and boat are moving to opposite directions and a shot like this will not be easy. Timing is just perfect. 5 Jun 2015: Cocoa Island has remained as number 1 in the es for several months. Hotel ranking given by the esFinest is based on the happiness of guests and is computed from reviews from trusted sources. We feed list of resorts to our ranking engine, computation of happiness score and ranking is a fully automated process. Resorts with excellent feedback always rank high. The 33 room resort offers 5 different room types to suite every guest who seeks to indulge in luxury by the nature. The smallest room type Dhoni Suite (75sq m) comes with either kind-size bed or twin with a spacious living area. There is a sun deck with two chaise lounges and a dining table. Bathroom has separate bath stall and WC. If you love clear water of the lagoon the stairs on the deck leads directly down. Dhoni Loft Suite (110sq m) is the second room category, comes with a larger living area with a great view of the lagoon through full length glass windows on three sides. Bed room is in the upstairs, living area and bathroom in lower level. These rooms come with double vanity, separate shower and WC. Just like Dhoni Suite, these rooms also give direct access to lagoon. Loft Villas (123sq m) are even bigger but similar to Dhoni Loft Suites. There is an additional outdoor shower. One Bedroom Villas (125sq m) come with a private entrance which gives more privacy. These rooms are very ideal for honeymooners and regular couples alike. On simple elegance concept the living area, bath room and king-size bed are at same level. These rooms have double vanity, private sun deck and steps into the sea. Como Villas (300sq m) have two bedrooms, one with a king-size bed and another with twin. Bathroom is ensuite with double vanity. There is a separate walk-in shower and outdoor shower. Sun desk is private and for dining there is a private bale which is connected by a walkway. The rooms are very ideal for families. Ufaa is the main restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dishes are mainly European with a twist of Asian and local ian sea food dishes. Faru is the main bar located adjacent to the pool. There is also a spa and gymnasium on the island. Cocoa Island has a rich house reef and guests often see turtles. The magical element of the out standing level of happiness could be the out forming staff who are always friendly and attentive to all your needs. The island itself is true paradise, gifted by nature, with all enrichment and beauty. The location is perfect too, not so close to airport and not too far. All in all, it deserves the honour of best resort in es, based guest reviews. What are the essentials you want to bring with you when you are going to the es? This is not just one of the frequently asked questions but also one of the most important. Because if you miss something it may not be easy for you to get it during the stay or it would be quite expensive as es is an upmarket destination where almost everything is imported from other countries. Anyhow below is the list essentials I would recommend to bring with you. Sun cream – sun is strong in es, without creams your skin could get sun burnt and if it happens it could spoil your entire holiday. After paying a lot of money you would not want this for sure. It is true that many resorts have guest shops selling these creams but I would recommend to bring this item with you to make sure, just in case. I would recommend factor 50. You may not feel sun is so powerful, especially if there is a cooling breeze like in many cases in the es islands. Do not take unwanted risks, just apply the cream and enjoy your holiday with ease of mind. Underwater camera – Most beautiful part of the es lies underwater. Be sure to take an underwater camera to capture your once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Colourful corals and fish of different sizes and species are attractive and worth investing on a good camera. I would highly recommend GoPro. Chargers – If you forgot this item you would regret a lot, so be sure to double check. It would be almost impossible to buy chargers from resort. In case it happened the only workable way to throw a good tip to one of the staff and ask to get one. Still it often takes days as staff buys it from capital Male’. Charger for phone, camera and whatever electronic you are carrying are essential to bring with you. Adapters for your electronics – es uses UK type sockets. If your electronic devices use any other type you would need an adapter, some people call it electronic plug or multi-plug. In case you missed, many resorts provide this in room, free of charge. If not you can always request at the reception or ask your room attendant. This is not a big problem but it is always advisable to bring yours. A travel adapter would be perfect. Kindle loaded with books – Many people still enjoy reading books at the poolside. If you are to carry paper books it would occupy too much space in your luggage. Solution is to go for a Kindle. Salty snacks and chocolates – Most of the resorts provide mini-bar in the room with snacks, but the prices are often high. If you are the type of person who eat lot of snacks then it is better to bring along some snacks. Snorkeling gears – You can rent snorkeling gears from resort. If you are staying like 3 weeks or more it would be cheaper to have your own gears. Also you can pick and choose different brands and quality to fit to you perfectly if you buying from retail outlets. I would not recommend to buy this online as mask should fit to your face, otherwise water will slip in and it will be very annoying to empty every few minutes. Toiletries – Tooth brush, tooth paste, shaving kit, location and perfume are essentials to bring. All resorts provide free shower gel and shampoo, but you may want to have your favourite brands. Guesthouses also provide free toiletries such as shampoo and shower gel. Mosquito repellent – Most of the time this is not a problem. Tropical islands are fogged to control mosquitoes but sometimes there some around. It is good to bring a small bottle of repellent or few mosquito bands. If you are staying at resort this is generally nothing to worry about. If you are staying in a local island then this is a must. Some guesthouses do provide a free bottle. Medicines – If you are taking prescribed medication you can bring it with you. Many European medicines are not available in es and there is also quality difference. Flip flops - On beaches you can walk barefoot in most resorts. For walkways and other sandy place or jetties a flip flop is more comfortable than barefoot. If you brought a high heel you can't walk easily in it on the sand or wooden jetties. Tip money – Small denominations of US dollar for tips will help you get a great service at the resort. This is not a requirement but it is the norm of many guests. Tourism was introduced to es in 1972 when a group of Italians led by George Corbin and some local pioneers visited the es, mainly for relaxation and spear fishing. First group of tourists arrived es and stayed in Male’ for some days. At first their meals were served at Queen-of-the-night, a local restaurant which no longer exists. ian food was too spicy for the Italians, it was then the local pioneers, Mr Afeef and MU Manik, decided to cook by themselves. It worked and after few days the Italians went to stay at the first tourist resort in es, the Kuruma Village. The bungalows were very basic and lacked the most basic facilities such as fresh water, electricity etc. Natural beauty of the island and amazing spear fishing experience was greatly satisfying. First batch of tourists was a success. During the introductory stage the Island of Kuramathi in North Ari Atoll was used a picnic island. This was one of the very first tourism bungalows built in the es. It is said the bungalows in Kurumba were very much alike. Sadly we do not have any photo to show you. But, here is a picture from Kuramathi, back in 1972. You can see the bungalow was very basic, even the palm leaves are not nicely done. It looks like a shaky hut which you can make in just a few hours. You would not need much labour or materials, it was just too simple. Nevertheless, the trip was so success that it led to the country’s biggest industry today. # es tourist bungalow in 1972 This free diver seems really crazy. If not, do you think he would jump in a school of massive stingrays? They look hungry and just waiting for the pontoon to give them some food. Then this diver jumps in and amazingly the stingrays go to him and enjoy swimming just over this body. The diver is not scared at all, he enjoys the great show. Photo: screenshot of the video selfie shows close encounter with stingrays I do not know the exact location this video was shot, but it is definitely es. Feeding strays is quite common at es resorts. In some resorts they just throw the food in water and stingrays take their meal. In most of the resorts they feed by hand, the stingrays come near beach and pontoon feeds them at shore. Some resorts even allow guests to feed them. Stingrays are actually deadly creature, there is a sting on the tail as you can see on this video. If there comes a threat it would pierce your body with this sting and most of the time it would attack critical organs. But, these creatures are awesome when they are friendly. It’s just that they use their weapon for self defence, they don’t go after you to harm you. When I see this kind of videos I think of the famous Australian Steve Irwin who died of stingray attack at Great Barrier Reef. He was swimming with a large stingray and his colleague was filming it for National Geographic. We don’t know what happened but suddenly he got stung into the chest and when he was brought to surface he was too badly injured. He couldn’t make it and passed away. Accordingly to his family, he died while doing what he loved most, being close not only to stingrays but any kind of animal. He loved animals so much and the way he interacted with animals was amazing. He made lot of fans from around the world, like me. I admire his devotion to the fascinating world of wildlife. 11 June 2015: Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and many other top celebrities are arriving es, not for holiday but to entertain a client on holiday in es. A high profile Saudi prince has booked Velaa Private Island for a private party. Most of the celebrities set to perform on this event still remain unknown. It has been rumoured that prince spent $8m to book entire resort and more for the performance. Photo: Pitbull in es At a time there is this extravagant party on Velaa Private Island the neighboring Chevalblanc Randheli is also welcoming some of the celebrities. Many locals are sarcastic as it could be part of the party on Velaa Private Island. But the question is, are the 43 villas on Velaa already occupied? In that case, yes, some of the celebrities and support services personnel may have to be based in another close location. But, this is no ordinary party. South Korean rapper Psy who is most famous for his blockbuster song “gangnam style” and Pitbull have already arrived es. Shakira is expected arrive within a couple of days with her husband PK and son Milan. Last year, then Prince Saud Bin Abdulaziz, now King of Saudi Arabia, booked entire 3 resorts for his holiday in es. That was not all, there were many security personnel, private yacht and a floating medical facility with some of the world’s top specialists. Photo: Trans ian staff leads Pitbull to seaplane while Mr.Shiyan (in white) the Airport Representative of Chevalblanc Randheli follows him behind Saudi prince visiting es for his $8m private party. # es # #KSA #Saudi #Kingdom # # ler # 14 Jun 2015: A reliable source confirms to es Finest that Pitbull has departed from es yesterday. He was staying at Chevalblanc Randheli to perform on a private party of a Saudi prince, so far we have failed to identify the member of royal family. Many top celebrities were planned to visit es for this party and we know very little. Jennifer Lopez is believed to be in Velaa Private Island which is exclusively booked by the prince and departure of Pitbull gives a clue that different celebrities are performing individually rather than a combined show. We don’t know for how long the prince is staying at resort, based on celebrity count it is likely to be about a week for the pay. The holiday could either end after party or continue with relaxation, scuba diving and other heavenly activities. Photo: Pitbull going to board seaplane at the Trans ian Airways There is a rumour within the local community that Jennifer Lopez travelled to resort in a yacht, probably to stay out of media focus. es Finest cannot confirm this but a reliable source who wishes to stay anonymous confirmed that she was planned to perform at the party. Rihanna was also planned to visit Velaa Private Island, according to our source. So far we have no concrete proof that she arrived es and most of the local community does not know movements of high profile people, they would come and go without even noticing. 16 Jun 2015: Tiny coral island in a sparkling lagoon reachable by a 20 minute boat ride is more than just another es resort. Tripadvisor says Gili Lankanfushi is the best hotel in the world in 2015. Wow! That is a big title for such a small resort. It is small enough to be perfect in size and big enough to meet your expectations. The island is surrounded by grains of soft white sand that makes up the beach, swaying palm trees are part of the natural vegetation, marine lives are rich for both snorkeling and scuba diving. Gili Lankanfushi offers 45 villas of 5 different room types Villa Suites (210sq m) – 29 rooms with capacity of 2 adults + 1 child or 3 adults • Large open-air living room with daybeds and dining area • Rooftop terrace with daybed and dining table • Overwater sundeck with the sun loungers • King size bed • Semi open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area • One villa in this category includes a spa suite • Latest audio visual offering and Wi-Fi Residence (250sq m) – 08 rooms with capacity of 2 adults + 2 children or 4 adults • Large air-conditioned living room with two large daybeds and dining table (convertible to additional bedroom) • Rooftop terrace with daybed and dining table • Overwater sundeck with sun loungers • Mini wine cellar • King sized bed and some with two single beds • Semi open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area • One villa in this category includes a spa suite • Latest audio visual offering and Wi-Fi Crusoe Residence (250sq m) – 07 rooms with capacity of 2 adults + 2 children or 4 adults • Crusoe Residences stand alone in the Indian Ocean, secluded for great privacy • Your own private Motorized Boat or Resort Pontoon to the island • Private overwater hammock • Large air conditioned living room with two large daybeds and dining table (convertible to additional bedroom) • Rooftop terrace with daybed and dining facilities • Overwater sundeck with sun loungers • Mini wine cellar • King sized bed • Semi open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area • Latest audio visual offering and Wi-Fi Private Reserve (1400sq m) – 01 room with capacity of 6 adults + 4 children or 10 adults • Luxuriously appointed living space in the middle of a turquoise blue lagoon • Uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean • 2 master suites, each with ceiling to floor-to ceiling windows on 3 sides • Private indoor and outdoor relaxation areas and sundecks • 1 guest room with en-suite bathroom • All bedrooms, spa, master suite and indoor relaxation areas are air-conditioned • A large central open plan living area with sea garden, natural coral pool, surrounding viewing/sun decks, dining area, writing desks and daybeds • 2 Unique open-air 100 sqm private bathroom with separate glass shower enclosure • Each master suite has a relaxing 2-person bathtub built over coral gardens • Private couple’s spa with sauna, steam room, indoor and outdoor treatment pavilion. An air conditioned gym on the second floor • Private cinema • Mr. and Ms. Friday (Personal Butlers) on call 24 hours. On request, they can be housed in the Reserve • Residents will be invited to design their own wine cellar selection from our list of 400 labels • A water slide installed from the top deck leads into the private lagoon swimming area • 2 Roof top terraces with daybeds and two outdoor dining pavilions • Sea level sundecks with sun loungers offering direct access into crystal clear coral gardens and amazing marine life • Your own kitchen • Personal, easy-to-use motorised transfer boats exclusive to guests. Alternatively Mr. Friday will captain and transport residents • The welcome room doubles up as a business lounge equipped with a laptop and printer for working purposes • Latest audio visual offering and Wi-Fi • Luxury yacht for arrivals and departures Spa Suite • Available with one Villa and one Residence • Couples treatment room with air-conditioning, two treatment beds and CD Hi-Fi stereo system with surround sound speakers • Bathroom with blitz shower • Steam room and Gymnasium with air-conditioning, equipment and refrigerator • Wooden jet bath on the upstairs terrace overlooking the lagoon • Relaxation area with daybed for couples • Latest audio visual offering and Wi-Fi 16 Jun 2015: Shakira has visited es today to perform at the private party of the Saudi prince which is taking place at Velaa Private Island. On arrival the airport officials put her in a van and took to the VIP lounge, we could not trace her from there onwards. It is believed that she escaped to the resort quickly. We don’t know whether she is staying at Velaa Private Island or Chevalbanc Randheli. Velaa is exclusively booked by the prince and Randheli is basically used for side support. In fact it was evident that some of the celebrities actually stayed at Randheli. The prince may have wanted privacy or there was not enough room. Both are top luxury resorts that previously hosted royal family members, one was from England and another from an Arabic country. Photo: Shakira at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, es We already know that Pitbull performed at the party and already departed. The article who got fame from “gangnam style”, Psy from South Korea also performed, we don’t know if he is still in es or left along back. It seems the celebrities are performing individually instead of one collective show. The party has been going on for some days now and we don’t know exactly how long it would last. Photo: Shakira gets in the van, in es airport Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna is also planned to arrive es to entertain prince. So far we have no report suggesting their arrival. We are eagerly waiting to capture them, possibly at the airport or seaplane terminal. We got unconfirmed reports that private yachts are also involved in the operation, perhaps to discretely escort the artists and evade media focus. It is quite common in es that celebrities visit and depart without trace. Velaa Private Island hosted a Saudi Prince right after its opening last year. And now it is another prince from the same country. Shakira visits es for the private party of Saudi prince. # es # #Shakira #Music #Celebrities # # ler # Ever heard of this place in es? The world’s best hotel, according to Tripadvisor, is home to the only chocolate cave in the es. It’s not all chocolate that is available in the cave. A huge collection of 600 varieties of wines from 30 regions are greatly enjoyed by the tourists. Cheese lovers would love this place too -- some of the finest cheeses from Swiss to Holland or New Zealand are ready to go with your favourite wine. All the chocolates in the cave are home-made. You can’t get this elsewhere -- this may be one good reason to visit Gili Lankanfushi in the es. Regular wine tasting and wine dinners take place in the cave, accompanied by the resort’s sommelier. Enriching your wine knowledge and wine selection techniques are great to learn from the sommelier. If you are visiting Gili Lankanfushi don’t forget this “chocolate, cheese and wine cave”. The underground cave is a pleasing atmosphere to try new tastes. The architecture and interior design is simple but elegant and luxurious. Fineness and careful detail in everything gives you a great experience, perfect memories to take home. The chocolate cave of # es Dining below the surface of the sea has been a fantasy of many tourists. That may be one of the reasons so many tourists prefer Conrad es Rangali Island for their es holiday. Conrad es is home to first undersea restaurant in es. Since its launch the uniquely designed outlet became world famous, not only because it sits undersea but also of the magnificence of rich marine species living around the restaurant. Photo: View of Ithaa, the undersea restaurant in es Ithaa sits 5 metres below sea level and is open for lunch and dinner. Immense number of guests wanting to experience this outstanding attraction makes pre-booking essential. If you are dreaming of an underwater culinary experience and just booked Conrad es make sure you book the lunch or dinner as soon as you arrive the resort, or email to resort and pre-book. If you don’t get chance to stay at Conrad but still want to dine at Ithaa, the reservation can be made on advance, you can process it directly with the resort or get help through your travel agent. In-house guests of Conrad es gets first priority, any remaining seats are given to visitors from other resorts. Being a world famous icon the princes at Ithaa are high for ordinary traveller, but for luxury holidaymakers of Conrad class it may be reasonable. On top of the set menu price visitors from other resorts pay for their transfers. Even then, there are guests coming in seaplane to have a meal at this undersea restaurant. They say the ultimate dining experience is worth the money spent. A dinner at Ithaa may be very romantic, perfect for an anniversary or birthday celebration with your loved one and no others as a group. Lunch is better if you want to make pictures with marine species that fly over your, day time means better brightness and clarity. Ithaa’s unique design gives you 180 degree view and marine lives such as manta ray, sharks, peacock grouper, red spanners are all at your sight. While comforting your taste buds with a menu of finest dishes you will be lost in your own dream world, magical moments and memories are made with perfection, at Ithaa restaurant in the es. Download lunch menu Download dinner menu 22 Jun 2015 - Press Release: In line with the continuous effort to safeguard the biodiversity and resilience of coral reefs throughout the South Ari Atoll, LUX* es is happy to announce that its Marine Biologist Center will start implementing a coral reef monitoring project. This new conservation project aims to preserve and protect the marine ecosystems around Dhidhoofinolhu island and increase the guest’s awareness about the importance to adopt sustainable environmental practices in order to protect coral reefs, the most diverse and vulnerable ecosystem in the ocean. Our marine Biologist Chiara Mascetti, has therefore conducted a workshop regarding coral reefs and climate changes in the es with the participation of Gabriel Grimsditch, Senior Project Officer at IUCN, the world’s largest environment network. She has been trained on how to recognize coral bleaching and how to collect relevant information and data in order to “help scientists and managers at a national level, to have a better understanding and general trends of health of coral reefs and to identify which parts of the reef are healthy, recovering or damaged”, explains Gabriel Grimsditch. “Monitoring and understanding what is happening on the reef and developing Marine Managed Areas is crucial to implement effective environmental management strategies and decide where to focus our efforts” adds Chiara Mascetti, the Marine Biologist. LUX* es has also received recently the Green Fins certification which rewards diving-centers for their environmentally friendly tourism activities. Through the implementation of the Green Fins Code of Conduct, LUX* es world-class PADI Diving Center Euro-Divers will ensure to promote and encourage responsible diving behaviors towards all its guests. “LUX* es has always been highly dedicated to the principles of responsible tourism to lead the way for a brighter future. We are particularly proud to strengthen our support to local institutions and national research programmes to preserve, sustain and restore our reefs, which are home to an incredible array of wildlife”, says Shaun Dünhofen, General Manager of the resort. LUX* es’ Marine Biology Center also organizes all sorts of research programs and activities for guests of all ages to raise awareness about marine conservation in the South Ari Atoll of the es. About REGENERATE Project - IUCN The project REGENERATE, a partnership project between IUCN, USAID and the Government of the es, aims at developing a Resilience-Based Management (RBM) framework to improve the ability of policy-makers and stakeholders in the es to understand and address the risks from global, regional and local-scale pressures on their environment. About Green Fins Initiative The Green Fins initiative has been initiated by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) under the Regional Seas programme as part of the effort to increase public awareness and management practices that will benefit the conservation of coral reefs and reduce unsustainable tourism practices. It is overseen by the Coral Reef Unit of UNEP based in Bangkok in collaboration with Reef-World. Green Fins is a comprehensive approach that encourages dive centers and snorkel operators, local communities and governments to work together to reduce their environmental impacts. 22 Jun 2015: LUX Resorts & Hotels has announced that two of its resorts have been granted the prestigious World Travel Awards™ at the official award ceremony which took place in the Seychelles last night. While LUX* es is this year’s Indian Ocean's Leading Beach Resort, LUX* Ile de la Réunion has been voted Reunion Island's Leading Hotel. Shaun Dünhofen, General Manager of LUX* es proudly mentions: “It is a great honour to once again win this prestigious award and I would like to dedicate it to all of our team members and guests to thank them for their continuous support.” Stephane Baras, General Manager of LUX* Ile de la Reunion, added: “We are very happy to be considered as the best hotel in Reunion Island by World Travel Awards™. It is with pride that we will use the winners’ shield that will show our guests our constant desire to improve our products and services.” World Travel Awards™ is voted for by travel and tourism professionals worldwide and this accolade recognises the commitment to excellence in this sector in the last twelve months. Architecture is an influential aspect of the es resorts. Be it food, rooms or shape of island, in this day in age nothing goes well without a pinch of art. Subconscious minds of the people are consistently engaged in receiving signals from the products of art and people happen to fall in love with things that are artistically creative. When you love something and you say there is no reason for it, you are wrong. Believe it or not, very often it is actually the results of signals you received into your subconscious mind. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa es is not a new property, most probably you would have seen pictures of this outstanding hotel. But, did you notice the g-string? The layout of water villas together with the island seems to be a massive g-string. There is nothing wrong, it’s just being creative and a long of tourists actually wear g-strong on this island. That may be a little bit of a coincidence. I am not sure if architects ran out of creative ideas of g-sting concept looks too attractive. I leave that part for you to judge as a reader of this website. Not only Taj Exotica es, but everyday objects are kind of a trend, in es and other countries too. Now, here is a picture of Robinson Club es. What do you see? There are two main objects tailored into the wonderful architecture, a Christmas tree and a champagne flute. The whole water villa layout depicts the Christmas tree, inside the jetty leading to these villas have the shape of champagne flute turned upside down. Robinson Club es is well known for its diverse variety of food and beverage. Again, this may be a coincidence as the actual developer of the resort was another company which leased the resort to Robinson. Nevertheless, this architecture is very suitable for a brand like Robinson. After initial success, Robinson Club is now on the way to open its second resort in the es. That’s on architect’s mind this time may be a bottle of Dom Perignon? You never know. Underwater coral gardens and marine lives are one of the main tourist attractions in the es. Most of the tourists are none divers, they discover beauty of the underwater world by snorkeling. What they don’t know is not every fish in the sea are free from harm. In fact some are deadly. You should know which fish are aggressive and how to stay safe while snorkeling. Even the aggressive fish are beautiful and with proper caution you can explore their beauty without putting yourself at risk. Unlike snorkelers, divers are generally well aware of marine lives as they go through tests during certification. Species of fish found in different parts of the world always vary, conditions at different destinations vary too. A fish that is friendly in es could be otherwise in Thailand or Egypt. Aggressive species of fish listed below are for the environment of es. Lionfish This is one of the most beautiful fish you can see in the es. Lionfish are very rare to spot, but they are deadly if got bitten by its poisonous sting and medical care is not obtained fast. They live in the lagoon and reef as well. The fish that is about 3 – 4 inches in size, likes to protect its territory. If you come too close it would fly to you and inject its venom in your body. If you pose a threat it would protect itself. The golden rule of thumb is to keep at least 8 feet distance from the fish and be calm. They don’t proactively chase and attack people (they are not human beings). Moray Eel This sea creature is very common in the es and there are different types of moray eels. Their teeth are razor sharp and they would only attack if you pose a threat to them or thinking you are food. Their vision is so bad that you can consider them colour blind. They live inside corals and often keep their heads out looking for something to eat. At tourist resorts they are usually friendly, tourists would go as close 4 feet. But, don’t take unwanted risks. Keep 8 feet distance and you are safe and sound. Stingray Stingrays are also very common in the es, especially at the resorts. They have a deadly weapon on the tail. But they would sting only on self-defense and when they do they would often go for critical parts of the body such as chest or neck. It is an amazing creature to snorkel with, just keep 8 feet distance and enjoy. You can actually go even closer but to do that you need to understand it, you should know if it is feeling safe from you. Stingrays are commonly found in the lagoon. They dig the ground and stay on shallow holes with sand on its back so that is looks camouflaged. But, you can still see its tail. If you mistakenly step on it that is dangerous. If you are walking in lagoon always look for the tail. If there is a tail there is a stingray and they can never hide tail. Unlike moray eels stingrays have a very good vision. If you see them they would see you. Sharks Black tip reef shark and white tip reef shark are commonly found in lagoon and at the reef. Hammerheads and nurse shark are also found in the waters of es. None of these are actually aggressive if you do not touch them. But, one thing to keep in mind is that sharks have a very bad vision and their sense of smell is extremely strong. Do not carry fish bait or blood while snorkeling; sharks could mistakenly go for you. Some of the resorts feed fish once a day, usually in the evening. Do not swim or snorkel during this time. It is dangerous. The bad vision of sharks could easily spot you as their dinner. Sea Urchin Don’t ever step on a Sea Urchin. Their pikes are razor sharp, even a gentle touch on a spike would pierce your skin and goes deep before splitting off. The spike is a very weak substance, it is very difficult to take out as it splits into pieces. It is a painful experience. Sea urchin is living creature that moves very slowly, you don’t actually see it moving but you would notice it does not necessarily stay same spot every day. Sea urchins come in a variety with attractive colours and look beautiful. Enjoy the look and take pictures, never touch in any case. Corals Many types of corals of difference colours are found in the reefs. The edges are often sharp. Do not touch corals as it might cut your skin. Touching corals also harm them from growth which is very slow process. To protect coral reefs and to stay safe do not touch corals and any other marine lives, see the beauty and take pictures. In an unlikely case you ended up injured by coral, do not be careless to ignore. Any cut could easily get infected. Apply a disinfectant as soon as possible. Vinegar is a great natural disinfectant. Dive boats always carry a bottle vinegar to treat unlikely accidents. Triggerfish Triggerfish is usually not aggressive to snorkelers and divers. But this Titan Trigger fish on picture has eggs laid to its nest as you see like pale orange foam. During breeding period the triggerfish guards the nest and anything that comes too close will be warded off, divers and snorkelers are no exception. This picture was shot on 11 December 2017 off Veligandu Island Resort. I saw the triggerfish facing down towards her eggs and I knew it would attack me if I got too close. But, I wanted to take some pictures to update this post and my camera was the only object I had to use to defend myself. I swam above it on the surface and triggerfish did not bother, depth was about 3 metres. I dived in and swam close to about 2 metres and that was when it turned to me with an aggressive look. She made a few turns to both sides and suddenly flew towards me. I almost smacked it with my camera for protection and only then it turned back. If I did not react quickly it would have bitten me and its teeth were bigger than mine. If I had nothing for protection I would have used my fist to give a blow. Hitting the mouth would probably hurt me but I can't think of a better way to escape. Of cause, if you see the nest in a distance and triggerfish is not coming to bite you then you can always avoid a confrontation. In my case I had some previous experience with triggerfish and I was confident to get a little closer. I suggest to keep at least 3 metres from any trigger fish on its nest. If you see a triggerfish facing down like this you should be cautious. Most of the time you may not see eggs or not notice its nest. But, this posture is the most obvious clue for you. In normal circumstances triggerfish swims around and would not even stay still for you to get close, it would swim away. Conclusion For your safety follow the golden rule of keeping 8 feet from any fish in the sea. Do not touch coral or any marine lives. See the beauty and capture it with your camera, not with your fingers. Do not swim or snorkel alone, always accompany with a partner as current and waves could change in an instant. Do not take unwanted risks, wear life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer. Aggressive species of fish to RUN FOR YOUR LIFE. Never get close to any of these! # es # # # # # # ler 9 Jul 2015: es Whale Shark Research Programme [MWSRP] is collaborating with ian Artists to celebrate the whale shark in the es third annual Whale Shark Festival. Hosted on the beautiful local island of Dhidhoo, this year’s Festival will be the culmination of months of creative workshops and collaboration in which community members work together to create incredible art work representing their island culture and celebrating the marine diversity of South Ari atoll and it’s Marine Protected Area (the S.A.MPA). This unique Festival, driven by national and international collaborations between dynamic ian artists, marine biologists, and scientific researchers, places island communities at the forefront of creative decision making. Promoting intergenerational exchange, the Festival provides vital opportunities to celebrate both the rich cultural heritage of the atoll and it's internationally renowned marine environment. Building on the success of last year’s festival, this year the festival will be bigger and bolder than ever before. The Festival will take advantage of its new position in the es national calendar on the weekend of International Whale Shark Day, beginning with a ‘ScienceFEST’ mini-conference on Friday 28th August for teachers, community leaders and marine biologists before the whole community travels to the Dhidhoo for the main event on Saturday 29th August. Dhidhoo, a small island with a big personality will host the 2015 event in style, festooned with vibrant costumes, banners, flags and puppets, it will host hundreds of school children and community members from across the atoll. Festival Co-Director Kareen Adam and Story-Telling artist Fazail Lutfi will be working again with each participating island to share and celebrate the unique stories of each island's community, weaving traditional ian dance and music with contemporary art work to entertain and inform a diverse audience of Island residents, ian creatives, scientists, and international visitors. Under the guidance of professional artists like Nadee Rachey each participating island will create a large scale kinetic whale shark sculpture from recycled materials for the procession to be accompanied by endangered reef fish inspired art work and costumes. From the Peacock mantis shrimp to the noduled sea star (Fas Ingili), this is an opportunity for artists and marine biologists to design a dynamic learning opportunity, full of independent investigation and discovery, ensuring that conservation and awareness underpin the whole of the Festival Programme. For the young ian artists involved, this event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase and share their skills, Ms Rachey said of last year; ”It is hard to explain it in words how much fun I had working on the festival last year. Working with the local community and collaborating with so many different artists was a really inspiring and rewarding experience”. Festival Co-Directors Kareen Adam and Chloe Osborne, are designing a series of multidisciplinary art workshops for participating islands. Ms Osborne enthused that 'the workshops and Festival will build on the incredible collaborations and partnership work that we witnessed in the build up to last years festival. The creative ideas and technical skills on every island we worked with far surpassed our expectations - we have had to work hard to raise the bar for this year's festival!' Co-director Ms Adam added, ‘I’m feeling excited to see the children and adults from seven islands come together with colourful props and costumes to celebrate their unique environment and whale sharks”. The event hopes to attract festival goers from across the atoll, Male and beyond as a yearly opportunity to celebrate the craftsmanship and creativity of the island communities and to celebrate the area’s unique role in International whale shark ecology. The 2015 festival has been created with support from Artist Sponsor LUX* es, Festival Partners Allied Insurance, Visit es, Mirihi Resort, Carpe Diem and Flyme, Hydration Partner 100Plus, Print Partner Novelty Print, Online Partner es.com, Design Partner Emau Saleem and Audio-Visual partner DOAV, along with the support of Festival Friends; Friend of the Sea, Voyages es, We Care es, LaMER and Cyprea Pvt Ltd. MWSRP programme coordinator Ibrahim Shameel concluded, “for me the Festival has proved it can bring people together from all walks of life to celebrate and take creative inspiration from the whale shark and our marine environment. Last year it was made spectacularly clear how much this opportunity meant to the community of South Ari, and the MWSRP are hugely excited to see the scale and reach of this event grow year on year”. If you would like to follow the festival please find more information online: http:// eswhalesharkresearch.org https://www.facebook.com/ eswhalesharkfestival https://www.facebook.com/MWSRP Festival Background Developed by MWSRP and IUCN es in 2013, the festival exists to provide the island communites of South Ari Atoll with the opportunity to celebrate the whale shark and the marine diversity of their atoll whilst promoting environmental sustainability and conservation at a grass roots level. Seeding the idea of an international collaboration between marine biologists and artists and promoting the use of community art as a tool for social and environmental engagement, the project seeks to boost local and national awareness and tourism to support future generations. es Whale Shark Research Programme The es Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) is a charity that carries out whale shark research and fosters community focused conservation initiatives in the es. What initially began as a scientific expedition in 2006, the MWSRP has grown to become the only long- term organisation dedicated to study the iconic, yet vulnerable whale shark species in the es. Our goal is simple: we seek to advance the field of whale shark knowledge and to advocate for sound conservation policy in the es. By encouraging and valuing community and industry stakeholder participation, we are able to leverage the scientific research to safeguard the rich biodiversity and fragile marine ecosystems that are the basis for not only whale sharks, but also life, livelihood and culture in the es. Community mobilisation is one of our core values. Participation from the local residents of South Ari Atoll and throughout es is very important to the work of MWSRP. Many people seem to claim the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and S6 are the best camera phones currently in the market. es being a colourful destination, I thought of putting a Galaxy S6 Edge to the test. Without any further discussion let’s get to the result. Keep in mind that no effect has been used and all pictures are resized equally and little bit cropped to focus on the object. This is a bunch of Red Ixora Flower captured in the mid-day sun, the temperature was 29 degrees. You can see the red colour looks awesome; it is bright and kind of vivid. But the edges are not very much visible. Sun light did not reach equally to all areas of the picture, the inner flowers being a little too dull and the ones shining out of sun light seems too bright. Hence, Samsung Galaxy S6 seems to fail when it gets to balance a bright object next to a darker one. I am not saying the phone’s camera is not good. It is definitely better than most or all of the camera phones currently in the market, but Samsung needs to address this issue to make it perfect. This pomegranate flower looks great. This could be the best picture taken with a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge so far. Again, the red looks so nice and bright. Unlike the Red Ixora you can see sharper edges of the leave and the flower. The background is blue which means the camera is totally focusing on the primary object. The back part of the flower is also little blur. It seems the best condition for a great picture for Galaxy S6 is when all areas of the primary object has equal distance between the object and phone, that means flat surfaces. Anyway, I am very impressed with this picture. I think it is great and good enough for a camera phone. Otherwise, which other can capture the shot like this? I guess none. I was flying by the seaplane and tried to capture this amazing view. You can see the whole picture is lacks sharpness. A good DSLR camera would make a big difference. From my experience Samsung Galaxy S6 camera is good for shooting in short range. Scenery pictures like this really tell it is not good enough. I don’t know if that is a problem with the camera’s ability to capture lights or just the lens. Despite being so negative about this picture, compared other phones (my personal experience) I think Samsung Galaxy S6 does a great job. Here goes a mosquito test on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. The picture has been cropped to point on the mosquito, there is no other editing of any sort. The white fabric is actually my shirt. Comparing the shirt and mosquito gives you an idea of how close-up the shot was taken. Based on all the pictures I would say the Galaxy S6 is not just a great camera phone but the best in market today. I am particularly pleased with its ability to shoot great pictures in short range. A too close-up picture, such the mosquito, is not the best performance of this great camera phone. I think, objects between 5 - 10 feet would be ideal. Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge camera test in the es #Samsung #SamsungGS6 #GalaxyS6 #GalaxyS7 7 Aug 2015: A piece of debris that looks like a part of a flight wing section has been washed ashore on Banyan Tree es at Vabbinfaru. On pictures it looks like part of a plane wing or horizontal stabilizer in the tail section. Signs of having it in the sea for a long time are visible. Pictures of the possible aircraft debris found on es Flight MH370 disappeared more about an year ago and few days back a wing part was found on the Reunion Island. It was tested in the laboratory and now proven to be part of the missing flight. Following the discovery of MH370 debris on Reunion, the pictures of debris found on Vabbinfaru es emerged to social media. It was then the management of resort came to know this was found a month back and it was disposed to Thilafushi, the garbage island. The beach cleaners had no thought that it would be part of the MH370 and just disposed like any other washed-up garbage. Who took the pictures still remain unknown. Despite trashing the debris, a small piece of about 5 - 7 inches, probably torn off from main part, was found at Banyan Tree es Vabbinfaru. es Police came to the island around 15:15hrs as part of the investigation and have confiscated the small piece. It is believed that this will be sent to France for investigation in the laboratory to check if it was part of the missing flight MH370. Mr Naseem, the General Manager of the resort, said that he came to know about this from social media. It was not reported to the management and disposed like any other debris. Mysterious objects such as different type of buoys, beacons and locators occasionally get washed up on the islands. Broken objects or faulty things of no value being landed on islands, especially at the time monsoon changes, are quite common and people just dispose them off. On rare occasions people found objects that looked like explosives and was reported to police and national military who always investigate to later find out the objects were not harmful. Garbage taken to Thilafushi are segregated into different types and common waste is incinerated. Plastic bottles are crushed for export, so are metal and other materials of commercial value. 8 Aug 2015: Following discovery of possible plane debris from Banyan Tree es Vabbinfaru yesterday another 3 islands have found pieces of debris that may be from a flight. A source in Fehendhoo island in Baa Atoll says debris have been found, on picture it is unclear which part of the aircraft this could be but there is a serial number on it. A reliable source from Island Council said it is about 8 feet long and 2 feet wide. [This is a LIVE post. We will update as more debris gets found or when we have new info.] Banyan Tree es is in Male’ Atoll, Fehendhoo and Fulhadhoo are close together in Baa Atoll, both the atolls are in central region of the country. It is unclear which is the fourth island where debris is found but it seems the island is located in Noonu Atoll. 1 Sep 2015: The report published by NASA on Friday says the global sea level has risen by over 9 inches in some locations and about 3 inches in global average. The measurements were based on satellite data. NASA says an intensive research is underway but warns the sea level rise of several feet is unavoidable. This is terrifying news for the residents of low lying islands such as the es. While scientists are certain that this would happen at some point in future, they are questioning how much time they have to take action and possibly evacuate people and resources as much as possible. They estimate the sea level rise would cost $1 trillion by 2050. The effects of sea level rise are not only for low lying es, but many countries including United States have large coastal areas. Things such as buildings cannot be simply moved away to higher ground. Steve Nerem from University of Colorado said “given what we know now about how the ocean expands as it warms and how ice sheets and glaciers are adding water to the seas, it's pretty certain we are locked into at least 3 feet [0.9 meter] of sea level rise, and probably more”. But, scientists so far don’t know exactly how long it would take. es is an archipelago made up of over 1190 low lying coral islands of which most are less 3 feet above sea level. Some areas of the capital Male’ are just inches from sea level. Thanks to the concrete sea wall and tetra-pod barrier that stops all in coming waves from the ocean. Even if it is just inches the residents can live there for now. But not all islands have that protection, the government cannot afford it. Hence, es is largely unprotected even from waves if it gets any severe, may be as a result of global warming. The effects of sea level rise is noticeable in many islands, soil erosion is the symptom. As years go by more and more islands need to erect man-made barriers for protection. A large proportion of government spending every year goes into just that. es is widely popular holiday destination, especially for luxury honeymoon holidays. Any threat to the existence of the beautiful islands would mean loss of a heavenly dream for which lot of people put aside savings for years before being able to afford es. There are few islands with a little higher ground level. The people might be forced to relocate at some point in time but again movement of buildings and infrastructure will not be possible. Whichever way there is a huge cost for the citizens of es and generation that meets that transitional age would have to deal with a lot of inconvenience and suffering. But before that, it might be helpful for the people if government plans for this in advance and start relocating people today it could handle the disaster. A newly reclaimed island, called Hulhumale’, is about 2 meters above sea level. The is already a population of some 60,000. The island just got an extension that has doubled the land area, after infrastructure the population would surpass 100,000. Then in a few years’ time about 1/3 of the country’s population would be safe from rising level. But, they too would suffer as economy would be chaos without tourism dollar. It’s not actually a bird nest but a platform for birds to make several nests. Sea Explorers Associate Pvt Ltd, a private company in the es, build this platform with grant from United Nation’s GEF programme and gave it to Dhaandhoo school to maintain and monitor. The platform is anchored at Dhaandhoo island. It’s not the sea level rise that is endangering the sea bird species yet, but their habitats are increasingly taken over by humans for industrial purposes and the birds have no land to breed. Thanks to the Sea Explorers and UN’s GEF program who came up with this ingenious solution. But the question is, can the birds read the name board and know it was made for them? We will have to wait and see, anyway the terns breed seasonally, so we will have to wait for the season to come. Sea Explorers say the idea is not only to provide birds a nesting ground but also to rise awareness among the public that conservation is important and without it the lovely black and white terns would simply be not able to maintain its population. Terns are a common sea bird species found across es, they usually live on uninhabited islands and sandbanks. They don’t find local residential islands safe enough to live or may be it is not very enjoyable for them. The attractive and beautiful birds were popular among locals as pet bird but it is not a protect species and it is illegal to catch them. White terns like to have a lot of privacy and freedom, they don’t like people visit their habitat. If you go too close they would often fly to you and circle over you as if telling you to go away. It is said that if you go close to their nests they would actually come and bite your hair. White terns are known to be very romantic. When it was not protected, people would rise babies and when they grow to maturity each bird would have its partner. If you release one from cage the bird would not leave and fly away and very often the partner bird would go out to hunt and bring catch for the other. Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and husband Raj Kundra have been spotted at Taj Exotica Resort es. It is not known when they came or for how long they are staying, but we have confirmed reports that the couple celebrated Raj Kundra’s birthday yesterday. Photo: Shilpa Shetty walking on the beach at Taj Exotica Resort es Taj Exotica Resort & Spa es is a 5 star deluxe property reachable in 15 minutes by speedboat. The 64 luxurious room resort has won many international awards for its outstanding standards. The island is situated in one of the largest natural lagoons in the es. During the stay Taj Exotica the couple went for fishing, pictures reveal she was lucky to catch at least 2 fish. The couple also experienced parasailing for the very first time and their son Viaan was them. It seems the Bollywood star is greatly enjoying her family holiday. Shilpa and Raj first met in 2007 while Shilpa was taking part in reality series “Celebrity Big Brother” and got married in 2009. Raj Kundra is a multi-millionaire of Indian origin born and rised in United Kingdom. Raj left school at the age of 18 and involved in many businesses over the years and he is currently the CEO of Essential General Trading LLC which is based in Dubai. The company deals in metal, construction and some other sectors. es Finest wishes Mr Raj Kundra and very happy birthday. Sometime back Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty visited # es. See these pics. #ShilpaShetty #Bollywood Dusit Thani es blends Thai hospitality with the beauty of es. Located in one of the prime spots in the es, the island 35 minutes by seaplane from Male' International Airport and 10 minutes by speedboat from Dharavandhoo domestic airport. Magnificient of the e is buried underwater and it takes just 10 minutes to reach UNESCO bio-sphere reserve locally known as Hanifaru Bay. Photo: Aerial view of Dusit Thani es Photo: Ocean Villa with Pool Photo: Water Villa interior Photo: Water Villa bedroom Photo: private deck of the Water Villa with Pool Photo: Ocean Villa with Pool Photo: Beach Residence - lower floor Photo: Borderless Dining at Dusit Thani es Photo: Beach Villa With Pool overlooks the beach and crystal lagoon Photo: Private dining on secluded beach locations are truly romantic and unforgettable Photo: Bars and restaurants are made for timeless comfort, the view is amazing Photo: Ceremonial wedding functions are so memorable and done to the perfection Dusit Thani es In 12 Stunning Pictures #DusitThani # es 12 Sep 2015: Some Israeli tourists have beaten up a ian yesterday, es Finest has learnt. This happened at Thanburudhoo surf point, about 20 minutes by speedboat from Male'. The local who got beaten was working as a Surf Guide. The incident was reported to K.Himmafushi Police and attackers were taken to police custody. The police has not released any information to the public so far. Photo: Surfers at Thanburudhoo The information we have suggests the incident took place in sea and 3 Israeli tourists were involved. The local Surf Guide asked them to follow surfing etiquette and respect other surfers around. The exact cause that triggered the incident remains unknown. Thanburudhoo is a public surf point close to capital Male' and airport. Guests going there are mainly from liveboards and guesthouses. es Finest urges the government to thoroughly investigate the case and proceed to court of law for prosecution in order to establish justice, otherwise future cases could lead to revenge and escalate situation. Rule of law is important to keep es peaceful for the tourists and people at work. 15 Sep 2015: An object that looks like part of an airplane wing has been found washed ashore at Gili Lankanfushi es. The object was discovered this morning. The resort has reported it to es National Defence Force - MNDF, and did not comment further saying the case is under investigation by the MNDF. Photo: Object found at Gili Lankanfushi es Photos appear to be similar wing parts of fighter jets. Few months back, an object looking like part of wing was found at Banyan Tree es Vabbinfaru and case was under investigation by the police. Upon discovery of that object more were found in other islands which later found was nothing related to aircraft. But, the piece from Vabbinfaru island had physical features of aircraft part and authorities have so far not conclusively said anything on that. Photo: Closer look at the object washed up on es beach Disappearance of Malaysian Airlines MH370 is said to be the most mysterious in the industry. After more than an year, the only confirmed piece of debris from MH370 is the flaperon found washed up on Reunion Island. 15 Sep 2015: Sun Morning boat departed from Male' last with 80 passengers, among them were men, women and children. Boat was heavily loaded with cargo and people visiting other islands for Eid celebrations. After travelling for over 30km the sea became too rough and wind picked up. The captain decided to anchor at a reef and wait for weather to permit travel. Around 5:00am the boat continued rest of the journey. But, half an hour later wave lapped over the boat and it started sinking. In few minutes everyone wore life jacket and jumped into the sea. Among them were 6 month baby, wearing a life jacket, parents tried to keep her above water but it was not helping much against merciless waves of the deep ocean. Light of the dawn was already present, you could see each other while in the water. Women and children were screaming for life. Some swam to the reef, but most stayed in the open water, may be to allow rescue boat to come and pick up quickly. After an hour of horrific moments, a boat from near-by resort came for rescue, a moments later Coat Guard arrived at the scene and everyone was rescued alive. Thanks to Adaaran Club Rannalhi for being the first to arrive and rescuing the people battling for life in the water. Thank you es Coast Guard for your assistance. Editor's Note: Local transfers are different from tourist arrangements. Boats used in local transportation are often loaded with bulky cargoes of all kinds including building materials, fuel, food etc, that is in addition to passengers and their luggage. Tourist transfers are much safer, the speedboats usually travel with passengers and luggage only, leaving plenty of capacity unutilized. You are visiting es for what? Whatever it may be, Vitamin Sea and Vitamin Beach are essentials you must take. Pristine natural beaches that are second to none and the clear lagoons that stretch out endless are undoubted essentials. If you are not taking a good dose of these vitamins I would suggest you to go somewhere else, not to the es. And there are variety of qualities to choose from, starting from great and goes beyond excellence. Good thing about Vitamin Sea and Vitamin Beach is that you never get overdosed, the more you take the better you become and the more you actually want, that makes you even better. Photo: Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort If you are still wondering which quality to choose, here I have some pictures to show you. Remember, these vitamins are powerful, a glance on a picture could have already given you a small dose. You just have to wonder how much it would give you if you physically take it. Photo: Sheraton es Full Moon Resort. Conveniently located 10 minutes from Male' by speedboat. Specially recommendable for guests on low 'patience', no compromise on quality and satisfaction. Photo: Lonuboa Island, belongs to Maafushivaru. It's a stunning drop of pure paradise. Photo by Andrew. Experience relaxing on hammock, go for Anantara resorts. Photo by Marina Ankudinova. Relax in style and just unwind your thoughts. Paradise is to spoil yourself. 21 Sep 2015: Amid bad weather across es a seaplane from Trans ian has got half sunk into the water. There were no passengers on board at the time of incident. After yesterday’s operation the aircraft was moored at Kanifushi Island Resort for overnight shutdown. The staff of Kanifushi woke up this morning to the plane half sunk. The security officers at night shift apparently did not notice, usually its pitch black in the dark and you don’t a thing. Trans ian, the world’s largest seaplane operator, has sent a team to save the plane. Photo: Trans ian seaplane half sank at Kanifushi Island Resort, es It seems one of the floaters sank, the other one is still afloat keeping most of the part still above water. The reason for the floater to sink is not known as yet, but bad weather may be to blame. Some people said the waves lapped over the floater and leaked into the compartments through the cap. If so, why not the other floater? The floaters are segmented to multiple compartments to prevent sinking if one got water in, so why many, if not all, got flooded all together? It is a series of questions rising at this point, we have to wait for the company to shed more light, if it would, to understand the cause of incident. 26 Sep 2015: Authorities have issued weather alert in the es today. A message sent by the Ministry of Tourism states the possibility of sea level rise up to 8 inches over the next 4 days. The rare supermoon or ‘blood moon’ is to happen on 28th in the es and moon becoming closer to earth is expected to cause changes in tide level. The message sent to resorts by Ministry of Tourism said “A rise of sea level 6-8 inches, average wave height of 3-6 feet is forecasted from Sep 27th to 30th 2015 as a result of super moon, increasing the possibility of high tidal waves. We advise measure to protect infrastructure, equipments and machinery. We also recommend to keep guests informed.” es Meteorological Service said the high tide occurs between 11:30hrs and 15:50hrs in the day time and 00:00hrs till 03:30hrs at night. The national weather agency asks people to be cautious. This is first time moon becoming so close to earth in the last 30 years, this is causing weather worse at already present bad weather. As a tourist what should you do? es Finest suggest the following 1. Do not privately snorkel during the high tide hours. Resorts may organize snorkeling trips to take you to safer and calm areas of the sea, so join such trips should you really want to go sea during these hours. 2. Do not keep your baggage on the floor, keep it on luggage rack in case it gets flooded. 3. Do not panic, there is no immediate threat to life, just follow safety precautions. What do we suggest to resorts? 1. Keep guests informed. 2. Monitor conditions at the beach. 3. Brief security officers and emergency personnel. 4. Keep a boat ready for emergency assistance if required. 5. Check first-aid boxes and keep proper stock. 6. Keep some sand bags ready to protect vital area such as power house. 7. Monitor boats on anchor or at dock. 8. Do not panic or over-react, it is not a tsunami. At last but not the least, the es Finest wishes safety and wellbeing to all guests, staff and residents. One last remark, usually there are some hours of sunshine even during the days of bad weather. So, make use of it to get some tan if you are seeking just that. Hit a SHARE button and let others know! A baby fruit bat was discovered abandoned on a low branch of a tree. Its eyes were covered with sand, as if it was fallen off mother’s belly. When mother bat flies it usually carries baby bat under its belly. Accidents can happen, but for fruit bats it does not happen often. Even the smallest babies are clever in their natural survival skills. Baby falling off flying mother is very rare. Photo: Anastasia with her baby fruit bat Freddie But, the little baby bat did not end up so unlucky. It was spotted by a keen animal lover on holiday. Anastasia not only picked it up but also devoted much of her holiday time taking care of the little Freddie. Anastasia is an animal lover, keeps four Siamese oriental cats at her London apartment. She lives in United Kingdom. Anastasia was excited to meet cute little Freddie, for her it was like an unusual surprise. Fruit Bats commonly eat fruits, it is their favourite food. You could often spot them on fruit bearing trees, especially banyan trees. Instead of perching on trees bats grasp branches and stay hang down. Photo: Freddie hangs down her arm The little Freddie did not have to struggle to get food, a collection of fresh fruits were always beside. After few weeks Anastasia ended her holiday at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa es. But, before that she handed over her little Freddie to the resort marine biologist who promised to take care till it could fly away, to meet her mother and say “mom, I am back. I met a kind human being who took care of everything”. Freddie was weak and helpless when she was spotted Freddie recovered and enjoyed time with her caretaker Anastasia had a very memorable holiday in the es To see more pictures follow Anastasia on Instagram. Animal lover from UK spends her es holiday with a fruit bat. # es #pet #animal # # Below is a list of hotels and guest houses in Hulhumale' and airport. Hulhumale' is a 10 minute drive from airport. There are many small hotels or guest houses in Hulhumale', most of them operates shuttle between airport and hotel. The airport also operates public bus which is not very frequent. For your convenient it is advisable to arrange prior transfer from your hotel or guest house. Elysium White Willow Hulhumale', Ranauraa Magu Tel: +960 7776213, 3356669 Email: nabbe04@yahoo.com City Beach Lot No.1007, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7778851, 3355854, 3355855 Eve Beach House Lot No.10082, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3330945, 3317653 Email: info@eve es.mv Crystal Beach Inn Lot No. 11100, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7777600, 3350700 Email: hsnime@gmail.com Elite Inn Lot No. 10835, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7917871, 3357007 Email: hotel_elite@live.com Iberry Inn Lot No. 10362, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7952782, 3356866 Email: iberryinn@gmail.com Fern Boquete Inn Lot No. 10402, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7772089, 3336728 Email: admin@maziya.com Velaa Beach Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7978008 Email: amjad.thaufeeg@gmail.com Fuana Inn Lot No. 10107, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3350610, 3350611 Email: fuanainn@gmail.com HolidayMakers Inn lot No. 10818, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7782340 holidaymaker es@gmail.com Hulhumale' Inn Lot No. 10487, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3321079, 3325397 Le Vieux Nice Inn Lot No. 10056, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7737867 Email: haseedhm@gmail.com Loona Hotel Lot No. 10106, Hulhumale' Te: +960 3312790, 7772053 Palm View Dhigga Magu, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3355670, 3355671 habeeb@fasfinntravel.com Ripple Beach Inn Lot No. 10117, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3352012, 7784856 sales@ripplebeachinn.com Transit Beach View Lot No. 10065, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7774222, 3328777 sales@transitbeachview.com Transit Inn Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7935807 Email: v2 es@gmail.com Travel Lodge es Eash Villa, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7422422, 3350353 Email: travellodgemv@gmail.com UI Inn Lot No. 11063, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 9762668, 7792522 Email: info@uihotels.com Velima Inn Lot No. 10530, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3350015 Visit Beach Inn Lot No. 10345, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7789311 Email: ashraph@hotmail.com Yellow Shine Inn Lot Now. 10572, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3003678, 3003678 Email: admin@shine es.com Royal Relax Holiday Lot No. 10595, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3356650, 3356650 info@royalrelaxholidays.com New town Inn Lot No. 10488, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 9948696, 3358697 Email: sales@newetown inn.com Star View Inn Lot No. 10543, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 9792222, 3355066 Email: info@starviewinn.com Royal Relax Beach Blue Water, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3356606, 3356606 info@royalrelaxbeach.com Fenda Lot No. 10103, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7778634, 3011511 Email: accounts@bureauxinc.com DeMal Orchid Lot No. 10134, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3353678 Email: zaid@demaltravel.com Globus Beach Inn Lot No. 10809, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3353844, 7773844 Email: ali@globus es.com Coral Queen Inn Lot No. 10132, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3350041, 7887630 Email: abd_zahir@hotmail.com Airport Beach Hotel Lot No. 10969, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7787085, 3359949 Email: info@thehawks.biz Relax Beach Inn Lot No. 10365, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7976383, 3355707 Email: sales@relaxbeachinn.com Koamas Lodge Vaarey, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3350885, 3350885 Email: info@koamaslodge.com Crown Reef Lot No.10112, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7989890, 3356551 Email: mahjabyn3@gmail.com Ocean Grand Lot No. 10717, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3355044, 3350211 sales@oceangrand es.com Maakanaa Lodge Lot No. 10026, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3355560, 7785560 Email: info@maakanaalodge.com City Grand Lot No. 10440, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7778851, 3355955 Email: info@citygrand.net The Sand Gate Inn Lot No. 10820, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 7777969, 3350616 Email: info@sandgate es.com TLM Retreat Lot No. 10413, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3351011, 3351011 info@travellink es.com Seaside Lodge Lot No. 10431, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3356697, 3356696 marketingsales@seaside es.com Wonder Retreat Lot No. 10435, Hulhumale' Tel: +960 3350096, 7799383 Email: wonder@apquo.com Tourist attractions and things to do Most of the visitors staying in Hulhumale are transit tourists who stay overnight before visiting resort next day or before taking international flight back to your destination of origin. Low hotel rates attract many budget travelers who enjoy local rates at restaurants in this new town. There are over 40 hotels (guest houses) on the second most populous island in the es. Entire Island reclaimed in the sea, Hulhumale’ is the first and only planned city which aims to ease overcrowding problems in the capital Male’. Currently is it home to over 40,000 residents, businesses and economic activities are vibrant and fast growing. Public beach near airport A mile long white sandy beach is a popular attraction among locals and tourists. es being tiny islands Hulhumale' beach is one of the largest in the country and of cause closest beach to airport. es is a Muslim country, bikini and swim suit is not permitted on Hulhumale beach. Tourists normally wear T-shirt with short or T-shirt with tight, to swim in Hulhumale Lagoon. If you want to wear your bikini then head to one of the resorts where everyone around on the beach wears it. Many hotels and guesthouses in Hulhumale' offers day trips to near by resorts, in case you do not want to stay for a night. Hulhumale beach is definitely not the best in es but it is beautiful even take pictures. Find road named “Dhiggaa Magu”, that is the beach road. It is the closes public beach to the airport. Public bus and airport taxi makes it easy to access for both tourists and locals. There is boat ferry between Male’ and Hulhumale’. Between airport and Hulhumale’ access is only by road. Barbecue on the beach Ask a taxi driver to take you to barbecue spot, everyone knows this place. It is an area of the beach allocated for barbecues but it is not very clean. The nearest shops sell all what you need for barbecue, from stove to charcoal to meat, sausage, disposable plates etc. Remember, the chili paste sold in these convenient stores are very strong, use minimal if you are not used to spicy food. This is a public place, you do not have to pay rental to use this area, just buy what you need for your barbecue and enjoy. Remember to trash everything and clean up the place for the others to come and enjoy. This Do-It-Yourself barbecue is for groups only, not for couples. Bad groups and crowds often roam around this area, generally it is safety but I would not recommend for couples. Do not take unwanted risks, if you are couple there are many hotels that organize private barbecue on the hotel terrace, do not take unwanted risk of saving few bucks, it is not worth it. Night fishing This is one of the most popular activities among tourists. Most of the hotels offer night fishing, the activity is often organized by third party, they would combine guests from different hotels and arrange the trip. Prices vary from hotel to hotel. Few but good hotels give last minute discount on already arranged trip as adding a few more people would not cost much. Watersports Things are not cheap in es as living expenses are generally high in the country. All the resorts offer water sports but prices are high as there are higher taxes and operating costs involved. Cheapest place for watersports is Hulhumale’. Walk along the road “Dhigga Magu” and you will find watersports service providers. Snorkeling, windsurfing, jetskii are among the most popular activities. Scuba diving There are two or three dive centres in Hulhumale’ and “Into Scuba Dive Centre” is my favourite. Head to beach road Dhigga Magu and it will not take long to find one. Into Scuba is a convenient location close to many hotels and restaurants. Before attempting to dive remember this is not for you if you are just staying in Hulhumale’ for 1 night. Diving requires to have 1 day after and before your international flight. So, if you staying overnight try other activities. Sandbank trip Sandbanks are one of the most fascinating treasure of nature you could experience in es. Spending some time on a sandbank is highly recommended in your es trip. Most of the resorts offer this activity directly from the resort, but not all resorts are close to one of these magical spots. There are two sandbanks easily accessible from Hulhumale’, one is called “Sexy Beach” which is near Maafushi island, about 45 minutes by speedboat. Other one is close, near Koddipparu island and Baros. Both are public places, you do not need any permit to visit. Just hire the speedboat and off you go. Again, the activity is offered in most of the Hulhumale hotels who takes of trip arrangement with some drinks and snacks to enjoy. Remember you are visiting a sand spot in the middle of ocean, there are not trees or shades. You may want to take your umbrella or ask the hotel for a beach umbrella which they may provide for extra charge. Apart from taking lot of amazing pictures there is nothing much to do on the sandbank as it is hot in the mid-day sun. On a fine day it would be nice to snorkel around, but remember not to attempt this alone, I would highly recommend to have a snorkeling guide with you as current is usually strong and unpredictable in this area. Whale submarine experience es is home to one of the biggest tourist submarines in the world. It is the safest way to explore beauty of the underwater world. It is often referred as diving without getting wet. The company schedules few trips daily, you can book directly from Whale Submarine through phone or from your hotel in Hulhumale. If booked through your hotel they would often arrange your taxi while fare for submarine remains same, so take advantage of the convenience. A helicopter has been spotted in the customs and when questioned the authorities said it was to film a Hollywood blockbuster. Title of the movie, director and company remains unknown as yet. Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer said the helicopter was brought by the company producing the movie for shooting purposes and not for domestic use. He said the company obtained necessary licenses to import this helicopter to the es. Photo: Helicopter in Customs About 200 film crews and stars are currently in the es. Most of the scenes are to be taken in Laamu Atoll. Reports say there are two islands assigned for the shooting, one is Baresdhoo. The Ministry of Tourism believes Hollywood blockbuster will promote country’s tourism and attract more visitors in the years to come. Baresdhoo in Laamu Atoll was previously planned to allocate for guest house development. The ministry would lease land plots to different individuals and companies instead of entire island to one party. This was to involve more people of the community in tourism sector boosting small businesses. Photo: Baresdhoo - Laamu Atoll, es Baresdhoo as yet is a virgin island with its natural beauty and splendor of exotic atmosphere. You may wonder what kind of Hollywood movie this could be, if it is another “Blue Lagoon” or some kind of survival movie. So far there is no certain clue about the script. Hence it could be the next James Bond or a romantic fairytale. Widely popular breakfast across the country known as Disc Mashuni (pronounced as Disc Mas-huni) is simple to make and heavenly in taste. True authentic ian breakfast contains just two items; naan and tuna salad. But, the ingredients and preparation are not like the ordinary dishes are you are too familiar. The naan that is called Disc is made with flour and grated coconut. It is neither soft nor hard and served hot from flat pan on the stove. Photo: ian breakfast 'Disc Mashuni' The tuna salad known as Mashuni is a mix of grated coconut, tuna, chili, onion, curry leaf and salt. Best tuna for this dish is dried tuna or smoked tuna. The canned tuna is easy to get and more common, but not as tasty as others. You do not have to cook Mashuni, just chop everything and mix. Some may call this Roshi Mashuni as well. But, Roshi is thinner than Disc and you may not have coconut in the naan itself. Roshi Mashuni is also considered a good breakfast but not as good as Disc Mashuni. If you are staying in capital Male’ and want to try this breakfast the best place to go is west harbour area now known as Raaveribe Maizaan. There are many small restaurants on a line and any of those would serve you Disc Mashuni if you go before noon. The authentic ian breakfast is available only at breakfast time and it costs just $3 per person. If you are a tourist make sure you ask price before ordering, always follow the golden rule when you are abroad. Photo: Mashuni (pronounced as Mas-huni) Best drink to go with Disc Mashuni is the usual black tea. Fresh juices and other drinks are available but not recommended at all. Foot outlets at Raaveribe Maizaan are not high class restaurants. The service quality is usually very low. The technique is to call the waiter for anything you need, if you wait for waiter to come and ask you may have to wait for a few hours if not whole day. There are plenty of customers at any given time. These are busy and less expensive places popular among locals. But, Disc Mashuni is something recommendable for tourists as well. Locals know this meal too well, you just have to mention and it is favourite of many. To my surprise, there are lot of tourists actually asking small hotels and guesthouses to make Disc Mashuni for them. Repeater guests know this too well, especially the ones staying in small hotels or guesthouses. It’s just perfect breakfast for anyone. But, Disc must really be sizzling hot. Now you may be wondering how to eat this naan and salad. This meal is eaten usually by hand. Just tear apart a bite size piece from Disc and place it on top of Mashuni, tighten your fingers from the edges to grab some Mashuni and eat piece by piece. If you do not like touching food with bare hand cutleries can do the job without hassle. Meganthias Filiferus is an extremely rare fish of which only 2 were reportedly caught across the world. But on November 4th ian fisherman Abdulla Moosa made history by catching 3rd fish off Gaafaru island in Kaafu Atoll. Abdulla said he caught it 200 metres below surface. Finding this fish on his line was a surprising moment for the fisherman who spent over 40 years as a fisherman. He said such a fish was never seen before. Photo: Meganthias Filiferus caught in es. Photo by Sun.mv Abdulla first took this rare Meganthias Filiferus to the resort Huvafen Fushi along with another fresh catch. Later he brought it to Male’ fish market where it got pictured and news reached officials of es Marine Research Centre who quickly bought it for preservation and research. The first Meganthias Filiferus was caught in Thailand. Then last year a fisherman from India caught another in Andaman Sea. Now the third one in the es. The fish is believed to be living in depths of 150 – 200 metres. It is vivid pink in colour with some yellow patches on the head. The fish seems more like a cartoon character. It could have been an amazing sight if you saw it while diving. Snorkelers would not see it because it lives too deep. UPDATE: Known as Kandima es the resort welcomed its first guests in last February. Guest reviews are going so far so good. The resort was originally planned for 274 rooms. After a minor change during the construction phase the resort is now finishing up the interior works of unfinished villas. Once completed Kandima will have its grand opening on 21 April 2017 and all 272 villas will become available, according to sources close to es Finest. Photo: Kandima es Currently there are 66 villas open (under soft opening) and this includes Beach Villa, Ocean Pool Villa, Beach Studio and Sky Studio. Food and beverage facilities in operation include Flavours restaurant, Deli cafe and Breeze bar. The island is managed by an experienced local chain called Universal Resorts which also manages Kuramathi, Kurumba, Baros, Maafushivaru, Kandolhu, Velassaru, and recently opened Milaidhoo. First tourist hotel in the es was opened by Universal Resorts. Since then the chain enjoy high reputation both locally and internationally. Universal has partnership with some of the world's finest resort chains while holding stake in an emerging brand has resorts in es and abroad. The hospitality group is headed by Mr M.U Manik who's favourite food is roasted whole lamb and rice pudding. Kandima is offering discounted prices during the soft opening to compromise on going developments in the resort. Reviews going good means not much of risks but it is definitely not as good as a resort in full operation. The choice is yours. If you want cheaper rates now is the time. If you expect person in everything get ready for its official grand opening. 6 DECEMBER 2015 A new playful concept resort affordable for mid-income tourists is now taking shape in Dhaalu Atoll. It is called Kandima es. The richness of lush tropical vegetation and natural beauty of its lagoon blended with contemporary design philosophy is believed to make Kandima one of the finest in 2016. Transfer between the airport and resort takes just 30 minutes by domestic flight to Kudahuvadhoo followed by a boat ride of 20 minutes. Affordable transfer sets a lot of things straight in the first place. Kandima es is constructing 274 rooms in the initial stage, more rooms are planned to be added in another phase but that will be after some years in operation. It is a huge resort in es concept, the island itself is 3 km long. The main pool of the resort will be as big as 100 metres. The resort is targeting all kinds of tourists; honeymooners, families, couples, solo travelers, young adventurous tourists, divers, relaxation and wellness seeking guests etc. Accoommodation 20 Beach Pool Villa - Room size: 55 sqm internal, 70 sqm external 30 Beach Jacuzzi Villa - Room size: 55 sqm internal, 42 sqm external 20 Aqua Pool Villa - Room size: 60 sqm internal, 30 sqm external 132 Beach & Sky Studio - Room size: 40 sqm internal, 15 sqm balcony 30 Aqua Villa - Room size: 48 sqm internal, 25 sqm external 30 Aqua Jacuzzi Villa - Room size: 48 sqm internal, 25 sqm external Restaurants & Bars Flavour & Zest - Market style food hall with live cooking. Azure - Offers Mediterranean cuisine. Casual dining by the day and fine dining by night. Breeze - Cocktail bar to chill out with DJ or just relax. Sea Dragon & Forbidden Bar - Offers Chinese cuisine and Far Eastern atmosphere to chill out. Deli - Food boutique offers gourmet dishes. Beach Club - Hand out spot offers fresh juices, mocktails with DJ as night. Smoked - Grill restaurant offers BBQ steaks and Teppanyaki styke cooking. Aroma - Relaxing atmosphere by the pool serves freshly squeezed juices, coffees and baked delicacies. Photo: Breeze Photo: Delica Photo: Flavour Photo: Sea Dragon & Forbidden Bar Photo: Aroma Photo: Azure Photo: Beach Club Photo: Beach & Sky Studio Photo: Aqua Jacuzzi Villa Kandima Photo Gallery ‹ › X # es #Kandima # #Holiday # # # # #Honeymoon #Asia #Island Vakarufalhi Island Resort, a part of MLHG, is a tiny island in the heart of South Ari Atoll reachable by seaplane in 25 minutes. The location is one of the most popular spots for sighting whale sharks and manta rays. Other islands in the vicinity includes J Resort Kuda Rah, Centara Grand es, Lux es, Sun Island, Vilamendhoo Island Resort, Lily Beach Resort, Angaga Island Resort. Among the many resorts Vakarufalhi stands out in two aspects; great food and value for money. But who is the man in charge of its kitchen? Chef Riccardo on the right, with chefs of Vakarufalhi Riccardo Rizzoli the Executive Chef of the resort since 2010, is originally from northern part of Italy, Novara city in Piedmont, a place usually known for its gastronomic delights. At the age of 12 chef Riccardo first started cooking in his family restaurants during the summer seasons. Since then it became his culinary passion along with music and others experiences. He gained years of experience in Italy and traveled around the globe to gain international experience. He met many different cultures and traditions, he is familiar with ingredients and secret talents used in different parts of the world. In Vakarufalhi chef Riccardo leads a multi awarded team of 20 chefs from Sri Lanka. Riccardo ensures that only freshest ingredients make the cut on his kitchen tables. A variety of home-made ice creams, breads, desserts and an array of live cooking such as pasta are superb to mention a few. The resort has its own garden where he grow basil with original ligurian seeds, lemongrass, baby rocket, hot chilies and various other salad leaves. Chef Riccardo’s main satisfaction is having a multi-ethnic cuisine; all guests can enjoy a fine a selection of dishes from Europe, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, of course with some traditional ian dishes for guests who like to try out the local cuisine. Tossed linguine with caviar black truffle in saffron sour cream The latest and most popular foods at Vakarufalhi includes Wasabi & Martini Risotto Creamy With Mascarpone Cheese, Saffron & Ginger Poached Prawns, Hazelnut and Thyme pan fried Fish Fillet, Roasted cumin tartlet with orange & coconut cream, of course the homemade pastas with a huge selection of sauces and the original pesto sauce made out with original ingredients imported and grown on island (Riccardo is also a member of Pesto Association of Genoa). Riccardo’s home-made ice cream flavours include blueberry & ginger ice cream, white chocolate & pistachio, papaya and amaretto sorbet, and campari and pomegranade sorbet. To conclude, Riccardo says “passion and team work are the first things required in a kitchen of success”. Culinary delights of #Vakarufalhi # es es Finest has covered some of the unspoken or rarely known topics along with general posts. Below is a collection of suggest posts that es Finest recommends to our readers. This page will be updated in due course as we come across new hot topics. Do not forget to share this on social media or have your ideas and comments in es Finest Forum. .popularbox { width: 200px; height: 160px; border: solid 0px silver; padding: 8px; text-align: left; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; float: left; line-height:20px; margin:0px; } Is es really sinking? Will es disappear in 100 years? Tourist spends holiday with a fruit bat Common but aggressive fish found in es The chocolate cave of es es Trash Island - the little known facts Saudi King's Private Yacht Diver touches dangerous moray eel. See what happens next! Amazing Water Villas With Glass Floor For 2017 Grave health risks and tips for pregnant tourists in es Other popular posts: Airports in es Visa to es Bamboo chicken biryani Hanifaru bay es weather Underwater hotel es culture Hulhumale hotels Marriage proposal es es hospitals Soneva Jani Noonu Atoll Hondaafushi Hurawalhi Kuramathi Water Villa Velaa Private Island Kihaa es Thoddoo This simple picture of water gushing out a fountain in es capital Male' is the best picture I shot in 2015. You may have alternate judgement and I do not blame you. But, let me explain why I have chosen this picture as Picture-of-the-year. Photo: es Finest Picture Of The Year 2015 Before I go for the reasons, let me tell you that there is no effect applied other than adding some contrast to reveal more detail in the picture. Now the reasons. The only light on the picture is actually sun light, no artificial light of any sort was present. But, the picture reveals a variety of colours and all colours are mixed up. If there was any artificial light, such as fountain lights, the colour of water would vary at different locations. Among the variety of colours on this picture I could notice white, different shades of blue, pink, green, orange, red, purple, black, grey. While some of these colours may have come from background the others seen in the water particles seem to resemble colours of rainbow. It has been quite a few months since I believed water is not something so simple as I thought, it has mirraculous features. My understanding about water, at this point of time, is that it has amazing ability to change colours of its particles or atoms. Mirraculous aspect is not just this ability, but the intelligent fashion in portaying its colours are more amazing. It may be possible that a particle of water could have different colours from different angles. In case of this fountain the water sprinkles and picture might have captured particles from different angles. Seems to be a convincing theory, right? When you see a rainbow at the horizon can you imagine how massive the actual rainbow could be? You see colours from several miles away and rainbow extends up into the sky. Something of that magnitude would be huge when you see up close. Despite its gigantic size the colours in rainbow are all layered nicely. How does each water particle know which colour to wear? The particle on top layer of the rainbow would be very distant from one in the below. But, they seem not making any mistake. Another way I see rainbow is while travelling by speedboat. The boat travels at high speed and front section of the hull cuts a line in the sea causing water particles to fly sideways. Not every time but often I see these high velocity water particles form rainbow. Boat travels, so does the water particles, but the rainbow stays with the boat. In every millisecond the water particles inside rainbow gets replaced with new ones as boat travels at high speed. That means every particle changes its colour within a fraction of a millisecond. When the particle reaches the bottom layer of rain it turns violet, to indigo and to blue and so forth, layer by layer. The high speed of boat seems no match to water when it changes its colour. They are much faster, of cause smarter. P.S: This is just my personal observation, not a scientific discovery. What is your observation on this? Tell me in the forum Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (also known as Male International Airport) is the main gateway to the es. Almost all international flights operating to es use this airport. Before going for the list of all flights here is short introduction of the airport. The airport is located on the island of Hulhule', just 10 minutes from the capital city by boat. Airport being a completely separate island there is 24 hour ferry operated between airport and capital Male'. The only accessible island by road is Hulhumale' which is 10 minutes by Airport Express taxi or bus, just inquire at airport information counter to hire one. Check out es flights with route information and fares if you want to book with local agent based in es. table.tableizer-table { border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } Monday AIRLINEA/C TYPEROUTEFLT. NO.STASTDEFFECTIVE SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025001.02.16-21.03.16 IANA320CKG-DMK-MLEQ2 3530620-26.10.15-21.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-MLE-CMB-DXBFZ5590700081526.10.15-21.03.16 FITS AVIATIONAN12,IL18,MD82CMB-MLE-CMBEXV127-80725085026.10.15-21.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY383-40730092026.10.15-21.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA320DOH-MLE-DOHQR672-30735090026.10.15-21.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK656-70750091526.10.15-21.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL101-20815092526.10.15-21.03.16 NEOS SPAB767MXP-FCO-MLE-MXP-FCONO710-10820100026.10.15-14.12.15 NEOS SPAB767MXP-FCO-MLE-MXP-FCONO710-10820095521.12.15-26.03.16 AEROFLOTA330SVO-MLE-SVOSU320-10935111528.12.15-11.01.16 BRITISH AIRWAYSB772LGW-MLE-LGWBA2043-20940113526.10.15-21.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK658-90945111026.10.15-21.03.16 AIR INDIAA320MAA-TRV-MLE-TRV-MAAAI263-41005112526.10.15-21.03.16 TIGERAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINTR2502-31105115526.10.15-18.01.16 SILKAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINMI482-11140125502.11.15-01.02.16 SILKAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINMI482-11140125515.02.16-21.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ462-11140125508.02.16 BANGKOK AIRWAYSA319BKK-MLE-BKKPG711-21145124026.10.15-21.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 PEK-MLELV1891145-26.10.15-21.03.16 REGENT AIRWAYSB737-700DAC-MLE-DACRX739-401200131028.12.15-21.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330IST-MLE-CMBTK7301205132026.10.15-21.03.16 AIR INDIAA319BLR-MLE-BLRAI265-61245133526.10.15-21.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 HKG-MLELV1371340-26.10.15-21.03.16 SPICEJETDHC8COK-MLE-COKSG91-21355144526.10.15-21.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA330DOH-MLE-DOHQR674-51425193026.10.15-21.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL115-61425152526.10.15-21.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-CMBEK6521455162026.10.15-21.03.16 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91455192026.10.15-21.03.16 MEGA ESB757KUL-MLELV3011705-07.12.15-04.01.16 MEGA ESB737 KUL-MLELV3011705-11.01.16-21.03.16 MEGA ESB757BKK-MLELV1691700-07.12.15-21.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-JEDLV201-172507.12.15-04.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-JEDLV201-172511.01.16-25.03.16 IANA321MLE-TRV-MLEQ2 701-01730140026.10.15-21.03.16 SICHUAN AIRLINESA330CTU-MLE-CTU3U8989-901900203026.10.15-21.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL103-41955210526.10.15-21.03.16 CHINA EASTERN AIRLINESB737/A330KGM-CMB-MLE-CMB-KGMMU713-42005211526.10.15-21.03.16 TIGERAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINTR2508-92050215025.01.15-21.03.16 EMIRATESB777CMB-MLE-DXBEK6532135225526.10.15-21.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,A330,A340CMB-MLE-CMBUL109-102120223023.11.15-25.01.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ452-12210232526.10.15-21.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235234026.10.15-25.01.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235235001.02.16-21.03.16 IANA321MLE-DMK-NKGQ2 390-213026.10.15-21.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-PVGLV198-175526.10.15-21.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-PEKLV188-190526.10.15-21.03.16 Sichuan Airlines cancelled from 13th November 2015 to 22nd Jan 2016 Mega es LV136-7 cancelled on 22,23,27 & 28th Nov/6,7,11,12,20,21,25, & 26th Dec.2015 ian Q2352-3 cancelled on 12,13,19,20,26 & 27th Dec.15/ 02,03,09 & 10th Jan 2016 ian Q2390-1 cancelled on 14,15,21,22,28 & 29th Dec.15/ 04,05,11 & 12th Jan 2016 China Eastern Airlines cancelled from 02 December 2015 to 9th January 2016. Tuesday AIRLINEA/C TYPEROUTEFLT. NO.STASTDEFFECTIVE SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025002.02.16-22.03.16 KOREAN AIRA330ICN-CMB-MLE-CMB-ICNKE473-40640154027.10.15-22.03.16 MEGA ESB757JED-MLELV2000710-08.12.15-05.01.16 MEGA ESB737 JED-MLELV2000710-12.01.16-22.03.16 FITS AVIATIONAN12,IL18,MD82CMB-MLE-CMBEXV127-80725085027.10.15-22.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA320DOH-MLE-DOHQR672-30735090027.10.15-22.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK656-70750091527.10.15-22.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL101-20815092527.10.15-22.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK658-90945111027.10.15-22.03.16 AIR INDIAA320TRV-MLE-TRVAI263-41005112527.10.15-22.03.16 CONDORB767FRA-MLE-FRADE2320-11005113503.11.15-22.03.16 NEOS SPAB767FCO-MXP-MLE-FCO-MXPNO110-1411120130522.12.15-22.03.16 SILKAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINMI482-11140125527.10.15-02.02.16 SILKAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINMI482-11140125516.02.16-22.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ462-11140125509.02.16 BANGKOK AIRWAYSA319BKK-MLE-BKKPG711-21145124027.10.15-22.03.16 REGENT AIRWAYSB737-700DAC-MLE-DACRX739-401200131029.12.15-22.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 PVG-MLELV1991205-27.10.15-22.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330IST-MLE-CMBTK7301205132027.10.15-22.03.16 BEIJING CAPITAL AIRLINESA330PEK-MLE-PEKJD455-61225135012.01.16-22.03.16 AIR INDIAA319BLR-MLE-BLRAI265-61245133527.10.15-22.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-CCJ-MLELV307-61315085008.12.15-06.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-CCJ-MLELV307-61315085012.01.16-22.03.16 SPICEJETDHC8COK-MLE-COKSG91-21355144527.10.15-22.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA330DOH-MLE-DOHQR674-51425193027.10.15-22.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL115-61425152527.10.15-22.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY385-61435161501.12.15-05.01.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY385-61450161512.01.16-22.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-CMBEK6521455162027.10.15-22.03.16 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91455192027.10.15-15.12.15 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91455192029.12.15-22.03.16 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91555192022.12.15 MIHIN LANKAA320,321CMB-MLE-CMBMJ117-81725182517.11.15-22.03.16 CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINESA330CAN-MLE-CANCZ3083-41950211505.01.16-22.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL103-41955210527.10.15-22.03.16 AIR ASIAA320KUL-MLE-KULAK72-32010205527.10.15-22.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-MLE-CMB-DXBFZ5552120222027.10.15-26.01.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,A330,A340CMB-MLE-CMBUL109-102120223024.11.15-22.03.16 EMIRATESB777CMB-MLE-DXBEK6532135225527.10.15-22.03.16 IANA320/321MLE-MAA-DAC-MAA-MLEQ2 551-02200093027.10.15-22.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ452-12210232527.10.15-22.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235234027.10.15-26.01.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235235002.02.16-22.03.16 IANDH8MLE-TRV-MLEQ2 701-02240185027.10.15-22.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-CMB-MLE-DXBFZ5672340010502.02.16-22.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-JEDLV201-141008.12.15-05.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-JEDLV201-141012.01.16-22.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-BKKLV168-170508.12.15-22.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-PVGLV198-175527.10.15-26.01.16 Beijing Capital cancelled from 11th November 2015 to 11th January 2016 China Southern Airlines cancelled on Tuesdays for December 2015. Wednesday AIRLINEA/C TYPEROUTEFLT. NO.STASTDEFFECTIVE SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025003.02.16-23.03.16 MEGA ESB757JED-MLELV2000600-02.12.15-06.01.16 MEGA ESB737 JED-MLELV2000600-13.01.16-23.03.16 IANA321NKG-DMK-MLEQ2 3910610-25.10.15-26.03.16 FITS AVIATIONAN12,IL18,MD82CMB-MLE-CMBEXV127-80725085028.10.15-23.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY383-40730092028.10.15-23.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA320DOH-MLE-DOHQR672-30735090028.10.15-23.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK656-70750091528.10.15-23.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-KUL-MLELV301-01705080002.12.15-06.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-KUL-MLELV301-01705080013.01.16-23.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL101-20815092528.10.15-23.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK658-90945111028.10.15-23.03.16 AIR INDIAA320MAA-TRV-MLE-TRV-MAAAI263-41005112528.10.15-23.03.16 TIGERAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINTR2502-31105115528.10.15-13.01.16 MEGA ESB757/767 PEK-MLELV1891115-28.10.15-23.03.16 SILKAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINMI482-11140125528.10.15-03.02.16 SILKAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINMI482-11140125517.02.16-22.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ462-11140125510.02.16 BANGKOK AIRWAYSA319BKK-MLE-BKKPG711-21145124028.10.15-23.03.16 AIR INDIAA319BLR-MLE-BLRAI265-61245133528.10.15-23.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MFM-MLELV1391330-28.10.15-23.03.16 SPICEJETDHC8COK-MLE-COKSG91-21355144528.10.15-23.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330IST-MLE-CMBTK7321355152028.10.15-23.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA330DOH-MLE-DOHQR674-51425193028.10.15-23.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-DXBUL115-61425152528.10.15-23.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-CMB-MCTWY385-61435155001.12.15-23.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-CMBEK6521455162028.10.15-23.03.16 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91455192028.10.15-23.03.16 IANA321MLE-TRV-MLEQ2 701-01730140025.10.15-26.03.16 SHANGHAI AIRLINEB767PVG-MLE-PVGFM843-41740184028.10.15-23.03.16 SICHUAN AIRLINESA330CTU-MLE-CTU3U8989-901900203028.10.15-23.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL103-41955210528.10.15-23.03.16 CHINA EASTERN AIRLINESB737/A330KGM-CMB-MLE-CMB-KGMMU713-42005211528.10.15-23.03.16 TIGERAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINTR2508-92050215020.01.16-20.03.16 IANA320MLE-MAA-DAC-MAA-MLEQ2 551-02100083025.10.15-26.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,A330,A340CMB-MLE-CMBUL109-102120223003.02.16-22.03.16 CATHAY PACIFICA330HKG-MLE-HKGCX601-22130230528.10.15-23.03.16 EMIRATESB777CMB-MLE-DXBEK6532135225528.10.15-23.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ452-12210232528.10.15-23.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235234028.10.15-27.01.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235235003.02.16-23.03.16 IANA320MLE-DMK-HHAQ2 376-212528.10.15-23.03.16 IANA320MLE-DMK-WUHQ2 364-214528.10.15-23.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-JEDLV201-172502.12.15-06.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-JEDLV201-172513.01.16-23.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-PEKLV188-174528.10.15-23.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-MFMLV138-214528.10.15-23.03.16 Shanghai Airlines cancelled  from 09th Dec. 2015 to 13th Jan. 2016 Sichuan Airlines cancelled from 13th November 2015 to 22nd Jan 2016 Mega es LV139-8 cancelled cancelled on 18th Nov/ 02,16, & 30th Dec.2015 ian Q2376-7 cancelled on 16,17,23,24,30 & 31st Dec.15/ 06,07,13 & 14th Jan 2016 ian Q2390-1 cancelled on 14,15,21,22,28 & 29th Dec.15/ 04,05,11 & 12th Jan 2016 China Eastern Airlines cancelled from 02 December 2015 to 9thJanuary 2016. Thursday AIRLINEA/C TYPEROUTEFLT. NO.STASTDEFFECTIVE SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025004.02.16-24.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025010.12.15-31.12.15 MEGA ESB757/767 PVG-MLELV1990635-29.10.15-24.03.16 KOREAN AIRA330ICN-CMB-MLE-CMB-ICNKE473-40640154029.10.15-24.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-MLE-CMB-DXBFZ5590700081529.10.15-24.03.16 MEGA ESB757JED-MLELV2000710-03.12.15-07.01.16 MEGA ESB737 JED-MLELV2000710-14.01.16-24.03.16 FITS AVIATIONAN12,IL18,MD82CMB-MLE-CMBEXV127-80725085029.10.15-24.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA320DOH-MLE-DOHQR672-30735090029.10.15-24.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK656-70750091529.10.15-24.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL101-20815092529.10.15-24.03.16 LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINESA340FRA-MLE-FRALH704-50905103510.12.15-25.03.16 AUSTRIAN AIRLINESB777VIE-MLE-VIEOS045-60930110029.10.15-24.03.16 AEROFLOTA330SVO-MLE-SVOSU320-10935111529.10.15-24.03.16 BRITISH AIRWAYSB772LGW-MLE-LGWBA2043-20940113529.10.15-24.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK658-90945111029.10.15-24.03.16 AIR INDIAA320MAA-TRV-MLE-TRV-MAAAI263-41005112529.10.15-24.03.16 CONDORB767FRA-MLE-FRADE2320-11005115524.12.15-24.03.16 SILKAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINMI482-11140125529.10.15-04.02.16 SILKAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINMI482-11140125518.02.16-22.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ462-11140125511.02.16 BANGKOK AIRWAYSA319BKK-MLE-BKKPG711-21145124029.10.15-24.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 PEK-MLELV1891145-29.10.15-24.03.16 REGENT AIRWAYSB737-700DAC-MLE-DACRX739-401200131031.12.15-24.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330IST-MLE-CMBTK7301205132029.10.15-24.03.16 BEIJING CAPITAL AIRLINESA330PEK-MLE-PEKJD455-61225135014.01.16-24.03.16 AIR INDIAA319BLR-MLE-BLRAI265-61245133529.10.15-24.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-CCJ-MLELV307-61315085003.12.15-07.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-CCJ-MLELV307-61315085014.01.16-24.03.16 SPICEJETDHC8COK-MLE-COKSG91-21355144529.10.15-24.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA330DOH-MLE-DOHQR674-51425193029.10.15-24.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL115-61425152529.10.15-24.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-CMBEK6521455162029.10.15-24.03.16 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91455192029.10.15-24.03.16 MEGA ESB757BKK-MLELV1691700-10.12.15-24.03.16 MIHIN LANKAA320,321CMB-MLE-CMBMJ117-81725182512.11.15-24.03.16 CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINESA330CAN-MLE-CANCZ3083-41950211529.10.15-24.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL103-41955210529.10.15-24.03.16 AIR ASIAA320KUL-MLE-KULAK72-32010205529.10.15-24.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-MLE-CMB-DXBFZ5552120222029.10.15-28.01.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,A330,A340CMB-MLE-CMBUL109-102120223026.11.15-24.03.16 CATHAY PACIFICA330HKG-MLE-HKGCX601-22130230529.10.15-24.03.16 EMIRATESB777CMB-MLE-DXBEK6532135225529.10.15-24.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ452-12210232529.10.15-24.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235234029.10.15-28.01.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235235004.02.16-24.03.16 IANDH8MLE-TRV-MLEQ2 701-02240185029.10.15-24.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-CMB-MLE-DXBFZ5672340010504.02.16-24.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-JEDLV201-141003.12.15-07.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-JEDLV201-141014.01.16-24.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-PVGLV198-175529.10.15-24.03.16 Beijing Capital cancelled from 11th November 2015 to 11th January 2016 Friday AIRLINEA/C TYPEROUTEFLT. NO.STASTDEFFECTIVE SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025005.02.16-25.03.16 IANA321HHA-DMK-MLEQ2 3770515-05.02.16-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757JED-MLELV2000600-04.12.15-08.01.16 MEGA ESB737 JED-MLELV2000600-15.01.16-25.03.16 IANA321HHA-DMK-MLEQ2 3770610-25.10.15-29.01.16 IANA320WUH-DMK-MLEQ2 3650650-30.10.15-25.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY383-40730092030.10.15-19.02.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-CMB-MLE-MCTWY3710850095026.02.15-25.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA320DOH-MLE-DOHQR672-30735090030.10.15-25.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK656-70750091530.10.15-25.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-KUL-MLELV301-01705080004.12.15-08.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-KUL-MLELV301-01705080015.01.16-25.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL101-20815092530.10.15-25.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK658-90945111030.10.15-25.03.16 AIR INDIAA320MAA-TRV-MLE-TRV-MAAAI263-41005112530.10.15-25.03.16 TIGERAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINTR2502-31105115530.10.15-15.01.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ462-11140125530.10.15-25.03.16 BANGKOK AIRWAYSA319BKK-MLE-BKKPG711-21145124030.10.15-25.03.16 REGENT AIRWAYSB737-700DAC-MLE-DACRX739-401200131001.01.16-25.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 PVG-MLELV1991205-30.10.15-25.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330IST-MLE-CMBTK7301205132030.10.15-25.03.16 AIR INDIAA319BLR-MLE-BLRAI265-61245133530.10.15-25.03.16 SPICEJETDHC8COK-MLE-COKSG91-21355144530.10.15-25.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA330DOH-MLE-DOHQR674-51425193030.10.15-25.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL115-61425152530.10.15-25.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY385-61435161504.12.15-25.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-CMBEK6521455162030.10.15-25.03.16 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91455192030.10.15-25.03.16 IANA321MLE-TRV-MLEQ2 701-01730140030.10.15-25.03.16 SHANGHAI AIRLINEB767PVG-MLE-PVGFM843-41740184030.10.15-25.03.16 SICHUAN AIRLINESA330CTU-MLE-CTU3U8989-901900203030.10.15-25.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL103-41955210530.10.15-25.03.16 TIGERAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINTR2508-92050215022.01.16-20.03.16 IANA320MLE-MAA-DAC-MAA-MLEQ2 551-02100083030.10.15-25.03.16 EMIRATESB777CMB-MLE-DXBEK6532135225530.10.15-25.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ452-12210232530.10.15-25.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,A330,A340CMB-MLE-CMBUL109-102120223005.02.16-25.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235234030.10.15-29.01.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235235005.02.16-24.03.16 IANA320MLE-DMK-XIYQ2 388-213030.10.15-25.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-JEDLV201-172504.12.15-08.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-JEDLV201-172515.01.16-25.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-PEKLV188-174530.10.15-25.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-HKGLV136-224530.10.15-25.03.16 Sichuan Airlines cancelled from 13th November 2015 to 22nd Jan 2016 Shanghai Airlines cancelled  from 09th Dec. 2015 to 13th Jan. 2016 Mega es LV136-7 cancelled on 22,23,27 & 28th Nov/6,7,11,12,20,21,25, & 26th Dec.2015 ian Q2376-7 cancelled on 16,17,23,24,30 & 31st Dec.15/ 06,07,13 & 14th Jan 2016 Saturday AIRLINEA/C TYPEROUTEFLT. NO.STASTDEFFECTIVE SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025006.02.16-26.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025012.12.15-02.01.16 FITS AVIATIONAN12,IL18,MD82CMB-MLE-CMBEXV127-80615074531.10.15-26.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-MLE-CMB-DXBFZ5590700081531.10.15-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757JED-MLELV2000710-05.12.15-09.01.16 MEGA ESB737 JED-MLELV2000710-16.01.16-26.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY383-40730092031.10.15-26.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA320DOH-MLE-DOHQR672-30735090031.10.15-26.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK656-70750091531.10.15-26.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL101-20815092531.10.15-26.03.16 AUSTRIAN AIRLINESB777VIE-MLE-VIEOS045-60930110019.12.15-27.02.16 AEROFLOTA330SVO-MLE-SVOSU320-10935111531.10.15-26.03.16 BRITISH AIRWAYSB772LGW-MLE-LGWBA2043-20940113531.10.15-19.12.15 BRITISH AIRWAYSB772LGW-MLE-LGWBA2043-20940113502.01.16-26.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK658-90945111031.10.15-26.03.16 AIR INDIAA320MAA-TRV-MLE-TRV-MAAAI263-41005112531.10.15-26.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ462-11140125531.10.15-26.03.16 BANGKOK AIRWAYSA319BKK-MLE-BKKPG711-21145124031.10.15-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 PEK-MLELV1891145-31.10.15-26.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330IST-MLE-CMBTK7301205132031.10.15-26.03.16 BEIJING CAPITAL AIRLINESA330PEK-MLE-PEKJD455-61225135016.01.16-26.03.16 AIR INDIAA319BLR-MLE-BLRAI265-61245133531.10.15-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-CCJ-MLELV307-61315085005.12.15-09.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-CCJ-MLELV307-61315085016.01.16-26.03.16 SPICEJETDHC8COK-MLE-COKSG91-21355144531.10.15-26.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA330DOH-MLE-DOHQR674-51425193031.10.15-26.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL115-61425152531.10.15-26.03.16 FITS AVIATIONAN12,IL18,MD82CMB-MLE-CMBEXV127A-8A1430170031.10.15-26.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY385-61435161505.12.15-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 HKG-MLELV1371440-31.10.15-26.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-CMBEK6521455162031.10.15-26.03.16 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91455192031.10.15-26.03.16 MIHIN LANKAA320,321CMB-MLE-CMBMJ117-81725182514.11.15-26.03.16 IANA321MLE-TRV-MLEQ2 701-01730140031.10.15-26.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL103-41955210531.10.15-26.03.16 CHINA EASTERN AIRLINESB737/A330KGM-CMB-MLE-CMB-KGMMU713-42005211531.10.15-26.03.16 AIR ASIAA320KUL-MLE-KULAK72-32010205531.10.15-26.03.16 IANA320MLE-MAA-DAC-MAA-MLEQ2 551-02100083031.10.15-26.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-MLE-CMB-DXBFZ5552120222031.10.15-30.01.16 CATHAY PACIFICA330HKG-MLE-HKGCX601-22130230531.10.15-26.03.16 EMIRATESB777CMB-MLE-DXBEK6532135225531.10.15-26.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ452-12210232531.10.15-26.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235234031.10.15-30.01.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235235006.02.16-24.03.16 FLYDUBAIB737DXB-CMB-MLE-DXBFZ5672340010506.02.16-26.03.16 IANA320MLE-DMK-CKGQ2 352-203531.10.15-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-JEDLV201-141005.12.15-02.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-JEDLV201-141009.01.16-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-BKKLV168-170505.12.15-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-PVGLV198-175531.10.15-26.03.16 Beijing Capital cancelled from 11th November 2015 to 11th January 2016 Mega es LV136-7 cancelled on 22,23,27 & 28th Nov/6,7,11,12,20,21,25, & 26th Dec 2015 ian Q2352-3 cancelled on 12,13,19,20,26 & 27th Dec.15/ 02,03,09 & 10th Jan 2016 China Eastern Airlines cancelled from 02 December 2015 to 9th January 2016 Sunday AIRLINEA/C TYPE FLT. NO.STASTDEFFECTIVE SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025007.02.16-20.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320CMB-MLE-CMBUL105-60140025013.12.15-03.01.16 IANA320XIY-DMK-MLEQ2 3890545-07.02.16-26.03.16 MEGA ESB757JED-MLELV2000600-06.12.15-03.01.16 MEGA ESB737 JED-MLELV2000600-10.01.16-20.03.16 KOREAN AIRA330ICN-CMB-MLE-CMB-ICNKE473-40640154002.11.15-20.03.16 IANA320XIY-DMK-MLEQ2 3890700-25.10.15-31.01.16 FITS AVIATIONAN12,IL18,MD82CMB-MLE-CMBEXV127-80725085025.10.15-20.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY383-40730092025.10.15-14.02.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-CMB-MLE-MCTWY3710850095021.02.15-20.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA320DOH-MLE-DOHQR672-30735090025.10.15-20.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK656-70750091525.10.15-20.03.16 MEGA ESB757MLE-KULLV300-080006.12.15-03.01.16 MEGA ESB737 MLE-KULLV300-080010.01.16-20.03.16 EDELWEISS AIRA330ZRH-MLE-ZRHWK066-70810095501.11.15-20.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL101-20815092525.10.15-20.03.16 LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINESA340FRA-MLE-FRALH704-50905103513.12.15-20.03.16 AEROFLOTA330SVO-MLE-SVOSU320-10935111502.11.15-20.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-DXBEK658-90945111025.10.15-20.03.16 AIR INDIAA320MAA-TRV-MLE-TRV-MAAAI263-41005112525.10.15-20.03.16 CONDORB767FRA-MLE-FRADE2320-11005113508.11.15-20.03.16 TIGERAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINTR2502-31105115525.10.15-17.01.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ462-11140125525.10.15-20.03.16 BANGKOK AIRWAYSA319BKK-MLE-BKKPG711-21145124025.10.15-20.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 PVG-MLELV1991200-25.10.15-20.03.16 REGENT AIRWAYSB737-700DAC-MLE-DACRX739-401200131003.01.16-20.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330IST-MLE-CMBTK7301205132025.10.15-20.03.16 AIR INDIAA319BLR-MLE-BLRAI265-61245133525.10.15-20.03.16 MERIDIANA FLYA330MXP-MLE-MXPIG3114-51245141520.12.15-20.03.16 SPICEJETDHC8COK-MLE-COKSG91-21355144525.10.15-20.03.16 QATAR AIRWAYSA330DOH-MLE-DOHQR674-51425193025.10.15-20.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL115-61425152525.10.15-20.03.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-MLE-MCTWY385-61435161506.15.15-14.02.16 OMAN AIR B737MCT-CMB-MLE-MCTWY3731410151021.02.15-20.03.16 EMIRATESB777DXB-MLE-CMBEK6521455162025.10.15-20.03.16 ETIHAD AIRWAYSA320,321,330AUH-MLE-AUHEY 278-91455192025.10.15-20.03.16 SHANGHAI AIRLINEB767PVG-MLE-PVGFM843-41740184025.10.15-20.03.16 CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINESA330CAN-MLE-CANCZ3083-41950211525.10.15-20.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,321,330,340CMB-MLE-CMBUL103-41955210525.10.15-20.03.16 TIGERAIRA320SIN-MLE-SINTR2508-92050215024.01.16-20.03.16 SRILANKAN AIRLINESA320,A330,A340CMB-MLE-CMBUL109-102120223022.11.15-31.01.16 CATHAY PACIFICA330HKG-MLE-HKGCX601-22130230525.10.15-20.03.16 EMIRATESB777CMB-MLE-DXBEK6532135225525.10.15-20.03.16 IANA320/321MLE-MAA-DAC-MAA-MLEQ2 551-02200093025.10.15-20.03.16 SINGAPORE AIRLINESB772SIN-MLE-SINSQ452-12210232525.10.15-20.03.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235234025.10.15-31.01.16 TURKISH AIRLINESA330CMB-MLE-ISTTK7312235235007.02.16-24.03.16 IANDH8MLE-TRV-MLEQ2 701-02240185025.10.15-20.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-PEKLV188-174525.10.15-20.03.16 MEGA ESB757/767 MLE-HKGLV136-224525.10.15-26.03.16 Shanghai Airlines cancelled  from 09th Dec. 2015 to 13th Jan. 2016 Mega es LV136-7 cancelled on 22,23,27 & 28th Nov/6,7,11,12,20,21,25, & 26th Dec.2015 Updated: 3 Janurary 2016 In es we have really amazing pools that look like natural lagoons fading into the deep blue ocean. A piece of furniture that matches the same concept has now been invented by a company in Caribbean island of Saint Martin. LA TABLE uses the concept that combines marble with resin that gives a beautiful finish with amazing colours. The marble in the table top depicts a slice of drift wood with holes insides and uneven edges that gets filled by matching colour of resin producing a glowing smooth surface. The blue resign combined with rustic natural marble is called Lagoon Table. No doubt, there is no better name for this! This could be the best surface for a pool side table, especially when you already have a pool that fades away the blue like a natural lagoon. If you have been to Velassaru es you can't possible forget the swimming pool. It is one of the best and most popular photo spots in the island. The missing piece is this Lagoon Table. Let's see some pictures of both. This Lagoon Table deserves honour in es. # es #furniture #design #architecture #art #resort #fashion About 90 kilometres southwest of es capital lies a tiny patch of sand with few trees and bushes. This secret paradise has only 30 villas of which 10 are on the beach and other 20 over water. The land area is mere 10,000 square metres and can be easily accessible by a 35 minutes seaplane journey from Male' or a 35 minute domestic transfer from Male' International Airport to Maamigili doestic airport followed by another 30 minute speedboat ride. Opened on 24th December 2015, all villas of Dift Thelu Veliga come with palm thatched roof and drift-wood style furniture complimented with beautifully printed fabrics. Water Villas offer a semi-outdoor shower, bath tub and direct access to sun deck. A matching range of in-room amenities include tea and coffee making facilities, mini bar, hair dryer and a selection of natural beauty products in the bathroom. This is a re-creation of traditional ian environment for modern day luxury tourists who seek peace and nature side by side. There is an open air restaurant that can serve upto 64 guests at the same time. Locally inspired dishes are made with freshest ingredients that come from many different countries of the world. Beachfront bar and lounge is a good place to cool down in the after and enjoy lagoon view. If you want to pick and choose your favourite foods the dining menu is served all day. Spa is located over the water and uses both natural and organic products. Full-fledged dive centre on the island is the place for beginners to do certification as well experienced divers. The house reef is just 150 metres from the shoreline. No matter how small the island is, it comes with full facilities and services, no compromise or corner cutting. Dive spots near Dift Thelu Veliga • Theluveligau Giri - 10 Minutes • Miaru Thila - 25 Minutes • Lilly Beach Thila - 25 Minutes • Vilamendhoo Thila - 30 Minutes • Kuda Thila - 30 Minutes • Noogiri - 30 Minutes • Dhangethi Thila - 40 Minutes • Orimasfaru Thila - 40 Minutes • Ranveli Rock - 40 Minutes • Dhangethi Beyru - 50 minutes • Hudhuthila - 50 Minutes • Broken Rock - 1 Hour & 15 minutes • Macchafushi Rock - 1 Hour & 20 Minutes Excursions • Sunset Fishing • Sunrise Breakfast Cruise • Dhoni Snorkelling Trip • Snorkelling & Picnic on Desert Island • Local Village Discovery Additional Services & Amenities • In-Villa dining available from 8 am to 10 pm • Babysitting services arranged on request • Wi Fi available in common areas • Laundry service • Wedding & blessing ceremonies Weekly Activities • ian Night • Seafood BBQ on the Beach • Cinema under the Stars The Smaller Things • Voltage will be 220V, 50Hz • European 3 pin plugs used • Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, Amex • Currency: ian Rufiyaa, US Dollars Download Drift Thelu Veliga Fact Sheet in PDF format for additional information. Drift Thelu Veliga # es has only 30 rooms. Perfect for #honeymoon This is not the Star Wars episode recently filmed in the es, not even James Bond series. This new underwater scooter is real and available in es. Best part of the scooter is that you don't have to be a diver to explore beauty of the underwater world. Your head is in a large pocket of air supplied by the oxygen tank attached to scooter. The motor pushes the vehicle and you can steer to sides, up and down. This could be a solution for people who don't feel comfortable breathing through regulator. This could be very special for people who wear glasses, now you can wear comfortably while diving. There are 3 important components in this machine. The oxygen tanks supplies air, helmet keeps that air like an upside down bucket into which you can break easily, the electric motor propels the scooter. It dives 5 meters and instructors are accompanied to ensure your safety. It stays underwater for 30 minutes at a time. This new scuba diving scooter is currently available from Hulhumale Dive Centre operated by Dive Club es. Dive Club es Tel: +960 3320344 Hotline: +960 7785165 Email: info [at] diveclub es.com Website: www.diveclub es.com 9 Jan 2016: Richard Branson’s nephew Ned Rocknroll and Titanic star Kate Winslet have not just spent a holiday in es but also wrote about her experience on Conde Nast Traveller. Don’t get too excited, there was no Titanic moment on the review and we don’t know if Ned Rocknroll is good at pencil sketching. Picture shows Kate lying on a day bed outside her villa, it was not a couch like that of Titanic. Photo: Snapshot of Titanic. Kate Winslet spent holiday in es this year. The couple stayed at Amilla Fushi in Baa Atoll. Diving is great there but es Finest cannot confirm if they tried it. Ned Rocknroll is Kate’s husband number three and the only who is not a film director. For the mother of three it seems film directors just didn’t work. #KateWinslet said this is her favourite island # es Everyone loves barbecue, if not you are probably vegetarian. If you are visiting es and have to stay overnight near airport choose Hulhumale’. It is just 10 minute drive from airport, by bus or aiport taxi. There many small hotels, more commonly called guesthouse. The prices are very reasonable and you get small but clean and trendy hotels. There are cafes and restaurants in walking distance. If you want to opt for high class meals the prices are reasonable and service is good. Otherwise there are cheap places for great value of money, service not terrible either. So, if you want to enjoy a super cheap bbq dinner in Hulhumale’ take a look at the picture here. You can grab a piece of quarter chicken, 4 chapatti, small bottle of water and a black tea for $3. If you don’t like chicken there is fish but it is belly part of yellow find tuna which I don’t find good tasty. So, I recommend bbq chicken. Additional dishes are available on the buffet if you want but then it won’t be a $3 dinner. Still it is super cheap. You could enjoy a nice dinner for a fraction of cost. The ambiance looks very ordinary and hygiene is at acceptable level, actually better than other similar class restaurants in town. It may be hard to find this place to you. There is no name. The shop next door is “Hulhumale Souvenirs”. This is the only way to locate if you are not familiar with the neighborhood. If you can want the location on map here goes just that. Photo: Location of restaurant on the map Photo: Barbecued reef fish - this is really good Photo: Here is a closer look of the barbecued fish Located in Dhigga Magu the beach road, Oview Restaurant is a high class venue recommended for locals and tourists who prefer luxury ambience with attentive staff, and of cause delicious food. The chairs are comfortable and interior is a pleasing atmosphere that is quiet and tranquil. The staff are highly attentive as it must be in such a place. A rich menu offers fine dining options as well light simple dishes. Photo: Oview Restaurant exterior view I took a couple of pictures outside and as I went in the waiter greeted and helped me choose a good location. There was no other customer at that time. The went and came back with a menu. I flipped the pages and he helped me find my favourite brunch dish Spaghetti Aglio Olio. I ordered a Coke and a small bottle of chilled water. Photo: Oview Restaurant offers a great relaxing ambiance I enjoyed checking facebook and reading online news as I waited for the food. In a few minutes there was another customer, this time a European, walked in and the staff attended as usual. Photo: I had this Spaghetti Aglio Olio It didn’t take long, my food came to the table and I was impressed with presentation at first sight. I do not like over presented food nor extra big portion. It was just perfect for me. The pasta didn’t look overcooked, the same dish I used to get overcooked in some other places. But, here it didn’t look so at all and I was actually little concerned the pasta might not be properly cooked. I took a few pictures for this blog before starting my meal. Photo: I asked Johnlee to pose for a picture My spaghetti was cooked to perfection. I like spicy food and was surprised the chef balanced it so well to my tastes. Few minutes later waiter John Lee came up to ask if I liked and ensured it was not too spicy. It didn’t take long to finish my brunch. I enjoyed it and headed home. Photo: Location of Oview Restaurant on Hulhumale Map 14 Jan 2016: Among the many Hollywood stars celebrated new year in es was Carolina Parsons. The Chilean born actress arrived es few days before the new year and spent at least a week in es, exact duration of stay remains unknown. Known for her role in Blood Sugar Baby, the actress seems to really enjoyed the holiday. She stayed in Amilla Fushi, the place where Kate Winslet and her husband stayed. During the stay Carolina Parsons posted many pictures on her Instagram and some on twitter as well. These pictures indicate she stayed in one of the villas on the beach and had a private pool. 15 Jan 2016: Gaadhoo in Laamu Atoll is home to some 500 citizens. Most of them have moved to other islands over time and now Gaadhoo is left with only 170 people. The small remaining population is set to move to Fonadhoo. The island that remained inhabited for centuries is now getting abandoned all together. Do you wonder why are they doing this? Providing facilities such as healthcare, education and infrastructure to such a small population was a challenge to every government. Prosperity of the citizens remained low while administering an island incurs high overheads. Can you imagine running a school for just 20 students? Yes, that was the case. Photo: Gaadhoo in Laamu Atoll, es. Photo - Haveeru News The government sponsored 85 housing units in Fonadhoo Island and 38 of them were given away in a previous round of population relocation. The remaining houses are set to be given tomorrow but not all residents will get free house. Some will get a plot of land and about US$25000. Photo: Map of Gaadhoo shows Olhuveli as the closest resort. See map of all islands The residents are happy to move and start a new life. Fonadhoo has electricity around the clock, more residents means more commercial activities. In Gaadhoo the people were collecting coconuts to make a living. In Fonadhoo people can get jobs in shops, fishing boats, construction companies. The public school is bigger and have more facilities, teacher with higher qualifications means better education. The relocated population can even fly easier, Kadhdhoo Airport is just a few miles by taxi. This is a historic moment for the people of Gaadhoo. It is time to abandon the home of their ancestors. But, they are strong in their belief. This decision is good for them and for future generations to come. The government has so far not announced any plan for Gaadhoo other than ending the island administration. In future it may be an industrial island, a resort or agricultural island. It could as well be abandoned for decades or centuries, like many virgin islands that are preserved for future generations. I saw one of these pictures circulating on the social media. I thought it was photoshoped. Stingray feeding is real and happens in many resorts but huge jackfish inches away from the beach is rare and astonishing. That was the reason I thought it would probably be a creation of Photoshop. Then, to my surprise, came across Sergey Dolya on Livejournal. Not only he got many pictures of this event but there was a video too. I had to believe it is real. These fish feeding photos and video were shot at Jumeirah Vittaveli es. I wrote immediately to Sergey and he was kind enough to allow me share these wonderful pictures on es Finest. To see more pictures visit Sergeydolya on Livejournal. After Kaafu Atoll, Ari is the second most popular atoll in the es. Before exploration of Baa Atoll and other new areas Ari remained as the most popular atoll among scuba divers. Now it is difficult to say which is the best, there are equally matching areas and personal preference varies. The naturally formed Ari Atoll is divided into two; • North Ari Atoll - also known as Alifu Alifu Atoll • South Ari Atoll - also known as Alifu Dhaalu Atoll Photo: Map of Ari Atoll This map shows many resorts congested on a particular area in South Ari. That is scuba diving paradise. Between Lily Beach and local island Mahinbadhoo is one of the most popular manta point. You may not see them year around but in most months the mantas are there. Local Island Dhigurah is the whale shark point that is known nationwide. During the year the whale sharks spend some months near Dhigurah and in other months near Sun Island or Maamingili. If you stay in one of the resorts in South Ari Atoll you are not far from these amazing creatures. All of the resort in this region offers excursions to see them, both snorkeling and diving. Countless spots on the map are islands and reefs. Even though they are usual dive sites in es standard, in reality they are amazing and each is unique with different types of coral and varying species of fish. Divers usually monitor current and weather condition to plan which dive site they want to go. There are 11 airports operating in the es of which 2 are international. The main gateway to e is Velana International Airport or more commonly known as Male' International Airport which is situated in Hulhule' island, a 10 minute boat ride from capital Male'. The second one is Gan International Airport in Gan island of Addu Atoll. If you are planning holiday with a domestic flight transfer you can see which islands are close by each airport. You can also locate airports on the map Photo: the main airport of es Velana International Airport This is the main gateway to the es. It was opened in 1960s as Male' International Airport. In 2008 it was rebranded as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. On 1st January 2017 the airport was again rebranded to what we now call Velana International International Airport. It is situated in Hulhule’ island off capital Male’. This gateway is connected to Hulhumale’ by road, airport operates taxi and shuttle bus throughout the day and early hours of night. Capital Male’ is accessible by ferry boats that have frequent trips each way. Male’ Atoll, also known as Kaafu Atoll, is home to most of the resorts. Resort islands that are close to airport offers speedboat transfer day and night, further islands offer seaplane transfer that operates only at day time. A good place to stay overnight would be Hulhumale’ or city hotels in Male’. If you prefer the closes to airport, it is Hulhule’ Island Hotel which is few minutes by bus or van. Hanimaadhoo Airport In Haa Alifu Atoll, Hanimaadhoo is on the upper north of the country. The domestic airport of Hanimaadhoo is 178 miles from Male' International Airport. The closest resorts include: • J Resort Alidhoo - 7 miles from airport • Hideaway Beach & Spa Resort - 10 miles from airport • JA Manafaru - 23 miles from airport Ifuru Airport The airport is located in Raa Atoll, next to the Atoll capital Ungoofaaru. It is 110 miles from Male' International Airport. The closest resorts include: • Irufushi in Noonu Atoll - 20 miles from airport • Zitahli Kudafunafaru in Noonu Atoll - 27 miles from airport • Randheli in Noonu Atoll - 21 miles from airport • Velaa Private Island in Noonu Atoll - 15 miles from airport Dharavandhoo Airport In Baa Atoll, Dharavandhoo is Maalhos and Dhonfanu island. The atoll capital Eydhafushi is third closes local island. Dharavandhoo is 72 miles from Male' International Airport in Hulhule' island. The closest resort include: • Kihaad es - 4 miles from airport • Dusit Thani - 5 miles from airport • Amilla Fushi - 5 miles from airport • Reethi Beach - 7 miles from airport • Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru - 9 miles from airport • Royal Island - 5 miles from airport • Soneva Fushi - 5 miles from airport • Coco Dhunikolhu - 19 miles from airport Maamigili Airport Located in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, more commonly known as South Ari Atoll, Maamigili is next to local island of Dhidhdhoo. Unlike other atolls the island capital Mahibadhoo is quite far from airport. Closest resorts include: • Holiday Island - half mile from airport • Sun Island - 2 miles from airport • Lux es - 4 miles from airport • Kudarah Island Resort - 8 miles from airport • Vakarufalhi - 8 miles from airport • Ranveli Village - 13 miles from airport • Centra Grand - 9 miles from airport • Vilamendhoo - 14 miles from airport • LiLy Beach - 15 miles from airport • Angaga - 12 miles from airport • Thulhaagiri - 12 miles from airport • Mirihi - 11 miles from airport • Conrad - 13 miles from airport Thimarafushi Airport Located in Thaa Atoll, Thimarafushi is local island with a domestic airport. The island is 140 miles from Male' International Airport. Closes local islands are Gaadhiffushi, Kibidhoo, Omadhoo and Hirilandhoo. Other islands in the atoll are little far. There is only one resort in the atoll which is: • Maalifushi by COMO - 12 miles from airport Kadhdhoo Airport Located in Laamu Atoll next to Thaa Atoll, Kadhdhoo is close to atoll capital Fonadhoo, Gan and Gaadhoo. There are many other local islands spread across the atoll. The Kadhdhoo airport is 160 miles from Male' International Airport. The only resort in the atoll is: • Six Senses Laamu - 8 miles from airport Kooddoo Airport Located in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Kooddoo is next to atoll capital Vilingili and local island Maamendhoo. Kooddoo is 240 miles from Male' International Airport. There are 4 luxury resorts in this atoll. • The Residence at Falhumaafushi - 4 miles from airport • Robinson Club es Funamadua - 22 4 miles from airport • Park Hyatt es Hadahaa - 16 4 miles from airport • Jumeirah Dhevenafushi - 26 4 miles from airport Kaadedhdhoo Airport This airport island is located in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The capital Thinadhoo, Madaveli and Hoadedhdhoo are closest local islands. The resorts in this atoll include: • Outtigger Konotta - 11 miles from airport • Ayada es at Maguhdhuvaa - 30 miles from airport Fuvahmulah Airport This is the only single island atoll in the es, it has its own domestic airport. Some guesthouses and small hotels exist in the island, there is no resort. Fuvahmulah airport is 308 miles from Male' International Airport. Gan International Airport Addu is the southern end of the es and the international airport is located in the island of Gan. It is 336 miles from Male' Internatoinal Airport. Closes local islands are Feydhoo and Maradhoo which connects many other islands by a course way called Link Road. Equator Village is a city hotel in Gan. There are 2 resorts in this atoll. • Shangri-la es Vilingili - 1 mile from airport • Canareef at Herathera - 6 miles from airport 23 Jan 2016: Abdul Gafoor, more commonly known as Gabbe, is a fanatic watersports addict and now he has taken up the challenge to sail around es for the very first time. The journey will put him on a catamaran for 23 days, at mercy of winds and waves. There will be 21 stops and Gabbe will capture beauty of nature and lifestyle at different islands. His catamaran is set to sail on 28th this month. Gabbe on his catamaran - Photo by Atoll Sailor Gabbe has studied weather records of the past 10 years and expects a pleasant weather over the weeks to come. But weather in es is very unpredictable, a peaceful day could get interrupted in matter of minutes. Although that is the fact, the usual weather in late January and February is stable, sailing and windsurfing gets more active during this period. Gabbe is a watersports addict since childhood. Photo by JP Australia. The event is organised by Atoll Sailor in association with Alia Investment, Haveeru News, GI Drone and other sponsors. There is a support team to ensure his safety during the trip. The Ministry Of Tourism has endorsed the event and will help Atoll Sailor to get necessary permits. The Ministry of Tourism takes part in the event to celebrate Visit es Year 2016 and to promote tourism awareness among locals, especially the youth community. For pictures and updates please visit Atoll Sailor facebook page https://web.facebook.com/atollsailor. es Finest wishes a safe journey to Gabbe. Take a 40 minute scenic seaplane flight to Per Aquum Niyama, then a 5 minute speedboat ride to a pavilion in the middle of nowhere. It is Subsix, the underwater restaurant and playground in the es. The over-water pavilion leads you to a staircase that takes you 20 feet below sea level. It is your world of ultimate dining experiences, disco and playground that lets you indulge like never before. Full length floor to ceiling glass panels reveal a treasure of marine lives including corals of different colours, eels, sharks, butterfly fish, sweetlips, clown fish, surgeon fish and many more. Don’t forget to take a seat and make yourself comfortable before staring at glass walls. If you stand it could take a lot more time before you realize you sent too long standing. The fish won’t go away, they are living there, and reef is their home. Do not hold your breath, the chairs are not crown of thorns starfish and glimmering scales hanging to ceiling are not a reef. Subsix is a subaquatic atmosphere where fish and people enjoy side by side. You look at fish and they show off to you what you can’t do to them. Subsix is not just an underwater restaurant or playground. It’s interiors are the closest you could go that resembles underwater life. This is an experience of a lifetime that needs to be part of your es dream holiday. Precious moments of life are the ones that take place in special venues and the fairy tale often lasts a lifetime that unfolds into bedtime stories. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, nature lives in es. # es underwater restaurant makes you feel you are fish There is an awesome resort taking shape in Noonu Atoll and it is named Soneva Jani. All too familiar ultra-luxury brand that began in 1995 with Soneva Fushi in Baa Atoll has been a leading brand reputed for bringing new concepts and breaking norms. Soneva Jani is situated in a locally known nature reserve that was home to countless seabirds, stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, turtles etc. The resort is actually comprised of 5 natural islands in the same lagoon. Why did I say 'natural' islands? Cheval Blanc Randheli is in the same atoll and it has many islands of which only the main island is natural, others were reclaimed. There may be guests who do not care much about the natural factor, but thought to mention it. Either case it looks beautiful but my person preference goes to natural islands. I was there 15 years ago. Then, I was actually a frequent visitor to these islands. Once when I went it was breeding season. There were more than 10 turtle nests with eggs in it. But I was more interested in playing with baby birds. They looked so cute but behaved aggressive if you got too close. Soneva Jani es Sonu Shivdasani, the founder and CEO of the company, is the real pioneer behind the wealth of innovations that only keep adding up. Some of his concepts include; dininig in tree-top, observatory, partying in pool pod, organic dishes fresh from the tree, trash to treasure and the recently introduced glass furnace chamber in Soneva family resorts. Soneva Jani photographed by Marco Fugazzola Opened on 1st October 2017, Soneva Jani is another step closer to nature. The villas come in pebble design and the wooden jetty that connects water villas (actually water residences) runs like a wave. The jetty is shaded with solar panels angled in wave concept. It seems Sonu has admired achitectual beauty in waves. Couple enjoys a movies in Soneva Jani Cinema Soneva Jani comes with 24 water villas of different sizes and one beach villa. All villas are double storey individual buildings with pool. Sonu's personal taste of water slide is fitted to every water villa. Photo: One bedroom water villa Photo: Three bedrooms water villa Photo: Two bedroom water villa Photo: Two bedroom water villa Transfer to this awesome resort takes 40 minutes by seaplane from Male’ International Airport, 60 minute speedboat ride from sister resort Soneva Fushi. You could also take a half day leisurely cruise aboard Soneva In Aqua. The near by domestic airport is under construction, once completed you could arrive by private jet as Soneva Jani is just 10 minutes from this domestic airport. Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll takes luxury to next level. # es # # # # # ler # #Soneva #SonevaJani Constance Moofushi is one of the TOP 10 resorts on es Finest Ranking and the water villa comes with little more but essential features for honeymoon. There are three types of accommodation and two are water villas; the Water Villa and Senior Water Villa. Water Villa is 66 square metres in size and Senior Water Villa is bigger with 94 square metres. There is a wooden jetty at each end of the island that connects all villas overwater. The best accommodation for a honeymoon holiday at Constance Moofushi would be Senior Water Villa. There is a small pathway jetty for each villa of this type, the regular Water Villa shares one for every two. The privacy fence is a must when you are on honeymoon. Constance Moofushi has done it to perfection. You need not worry when you sunbathe on the out-door deck. Wooden staircase leads you down into the water, directly from your room. Half way down on the steps is fresh water shower – exactly what you want when you are on the way up into the room. A narrow pathway on the deck takes you direct to bathroom, thus helps you keep your bedroom dry and comfortable at all times. There is also an outdoor bathtub with a privacy fence around it – another honeymoon essential. Best part of Constance Mooshi is its All Inclusive Package named Crystal Package. Everything you see here is part of all inclusive. Here is the All Inclusive espresso which is of high quality. This generously stocked minibar is also part of Crystal All Inclusive Crystal Package includes: • Large variety of Super Premium branded spirits and International Beers. The Main Bar remaining open until late. • Large selection of fresh juices, soft drinks, mineral water including our own produced mineral water. • Unlimited access to Cocktails & Constance signature drinks menu. • International wine list including wines from around the world including France, Italy, and the new world. Many wines directly imported from small wineries. • Selected menu of sparkling wines. • Mini-bar with wine, beers, soft drinks, mineral water and confectionary refilled on a daily basis. • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in our Manta restaurant with daily themed buffet menus. • One à la carte dinner per stay in Alizée our beach Grill Restaurant. • Afternoon tea and pancakes (at the Beach Bar) served by the pool. • Special occasion celebration cake (when known in advance). • Daily supply of 1 bottle of mineral water per person in all villas. • Cigarettes available from each bar. Served individually direct from our Humidor. • Snorkeling equipment for all guests. • One Dhoni boat excursion (around 1h30mins) during stay. • Off shore group snorkeling excursions. • Complimentary Wi-Fi access in all villas plus direct complimentary access to Internet through our in-room TV. • Complimentary on demand movies available on our Mac mini system. • Playstation 3 available on request for children. • Ipod docking stations in Villas played through the television system. • State of art gymnasium, all indoor games, all non-motorized water-sports (excluding lessons). • Entertainment every day in our main bar. • “Bodu Meru” ian evening once per week in main bar or on adjacent beach. • Personal greetings for all guests and escorted transfer to Constance Hotels Experience seaplane private lounge with outside relaxation area. Transport is by our private limousine bus. • Complimentary snacks / Internet access available whilst waiting for your Sea Plane. • Villa check-in at the Lounge prior to arriving at the resort. Crystal Package does not include: • Spa de Constance treatment and boutique • Diving at “Blue Tribe” • Alizée Beach Grill Restaurant (Beverages inclusive of Cristal Plan) • Boutiques • Dive boutique • Big Game fishing on request • Any other extra excursions not included in the package • Laundry • Any water sports lessons • Premium wine and Champagne selection • Return Seaplane transfer Cristal package will start at lunch time on day of arrival and finish after breakfast on day of departure. For more information download Constance Moofushi Fact Sheet PDF Constance Moofushi Beach Spa view Windsurfing Housereef Constance Moofushi Senior Water Villa Photo by Saman_sa ‹ › X Water Villa With All-Inclusive That You Can't Resist. # es # #Honeymoon # Once it was hotel room you looked for, that became villas and now it is history, at least when it comes to Amilla Fushi. Welcome to house age! At Amilla Fushi you can only find houses and beyond. No more staying, this island is about living, at your island home. A jetty at one end of the island leads you to Ocean Reef House on one side and Ocean Lagoon House on the other. Pick a house to your personal taste. Ocean Lagoon Houses are 230 sqm in space and comes with a cozy living area equipped with a large day bed which is full of cushions, the 42 inch TV is on the side. Living room amenities include espresso, chips, water and other drinks. Proceeding to bathroom, it is huge! Double vanity station is mid-section of the bathroom, on the left is bath tub and shower. There are some seating facilities in the bathroom itself. The two white soap-like objects are Amilla's way of asking you not to stand too long. Next vanity section is your luggage table, dressing table and sofa with another TV. There is a large 7 feet bed, bath section is located behind this bed. Two separate sets of doors lead you to an open air deck that houses the private pool and day bed, both facing the lagoon. The shining object in the middle is stairs to go down into the water. Now you know this is not a room, but a house, made for living. To reach your island home it takes only 30 minutes by seaplane from Male’ International Airport. Another way to reach is by 15 minute domestic flight followed by 10 minute speedboat ride that explores beauty of Baa Atoll. Do not forget this is the only UNESCO biosphere reserve in the es. Whale sharks and mantas are very common at Hanifaru Bay and Amilla Fushi is in mere minutes. Gili Lankanfushi is a es TOP-10 resort known for its eco-friendly concept. This ultra-luxury resort is just 20 minutes by speedboat from Male’ International Airport. Some of the villas on water are entirely disconnected from the island, offering you maximum privacy in your own world amid crystal clear lagoon. Your personal butler attends literary to every desire while you indulge. Here we have 5 pictures to show you Gili Lankanfushi. The white sandy beaches and tall palm trees make this a piece of paradise. Nature inspired villas are private and luxurious. No meal is complete without a perfect dessert. Chefs at Gili Lankanfushi knows how to make it right. Photo by Steven Phillips A beautiful setting is complemented by dining options you hardly see elsewhere. Photo by Steven Phillips Special dinner on the beach is virtually limitless in size, how far you want to go is where it gets and these 2000 candles prove it. Photo by Steven Phillips Read more on chocolate cave of Gili Lankanfushi Tripadvisor has announced world's best 25 hotels and that includes 2 resorts from es. This is no surprise to es Finest, we have our Hotel Ranking that lists top 50 resorts in the es and the resort that stayed at the top for longest duration is now chosen by Tripadvisor. That is Mirihi Island which is world’s 7th best hotel of 2016. The other es resort honoured among world’s best 25 by Tripadvisor is Gili Lankanfushi on 11th. Congratulations to both the resorts for the out standing performance and achievement. Photo: Gili Lankanfushi es es Finest ranking for Mirihi Island: #1 es Finest ranking for Gili Lankanfushi: #4 es Finest ranking is updated daily and is based on computation of trusted reviews. es is a low lying island country in the Indian Ocean, it is 717 km from Sri Lanka and 430 km from India. There are 1192 islands which are dispersed over an area of 90000 square kilometers southwest of Sri Lanka. Every island is individual and separate from other islands, there is a lagoon or sea in between the islands. Islands of es are beautiful with white sandy beaches and clear water seas that fade away into the deep ocean blue. These are coral islands, in many islands the sand are soft and fine, in some other islands they are rocky and difficult to walk barefoot. Almost all islands have at least a part of the beach that has fine sand. Resorts are mainly developed in islands that have good quality beach and rich sea life. Atolls The word atoll is believed to be derived from local ian word atholhu which means group of islands. There are 26 natural atolls which are officially recognized as 20 for administrative purposes. Not all atolls are of same size or hold same number of islands, it is based on geographical grouping. Some atolls are huge with hundreds of islands and the atoll of Gnaviyani is based on only 1 island. See es atolls map with list of all 20 atolls. Archipelago es is an archipelago of islands. Archipelago means chain of atolls. The es archipelago is made up of 26 natural atolls stretched over 90000 square kilometer in the sea which is filled with hundreds of tiny coral islands, reefs and marine lives. Reef Tiny coral islands of the es are protected by two major types of reefs; house reef and outer reef. There are islands that have lagoon fading into the blue ocean without any barrier in between. Other islands have house reef where lagoon meets deep sea. The house reef protects lagoon and the beach of the island from waves and ocean current. In some parts this natural protection comes to the atoll as whole, providing a coral boundary that protects all islands within it. Such an example is Meemu Atoll. Waves are an important part of geological formation of the islands. Bigger the waves the higher the ground level of the islands. That is the reason the atolls with outer reef many have islands just a feet or two above sea level. Atolls that have no such protection causes bigger waves to reach the shore and thus pushing the sand atop. In es the ground level of islands vary from 0.5 meter to 1.4 meter. Volcanoes and Earthquakes It is believed that the atolls are actually super volcanoes. The circular pattern in formation of atoll is the rim of the volcano. Don’t worry, these volcanoes are inactive and that enables colourful corals to grow and flourish atop. Despite millions of years old volcanoes the es is not prone to earthquakes. Meteorological Department at times reported some earthquakes in the es region but it was too minor for people to feel anything. Hanifaru Bay is a sanctuary for people who love snorkeling with manta rays and whale sharks. This UNESCO biosphere reserve in the es is legally designated as a Marine Protected Area. There are strict regulations are in place to protect and preserve this amazing wonder. The reef at Hanifaru Bay is like a funnel that is about 1300 meters, the inner narrow part of the funnel is about 600 meters and that is where whale sharks and mantas are found more common. The whale shark season is from May to December. In this period, planktons gets trapped in the funnel-like reef and concentration of planktons attracts whale sharks and schools of manta rays. At any time there could be over a hundred mantas and several whale sharks feeding off the coral reef. This is the world’s largest feeding station known to exist. Hanifaru Bay video Hanifaru Bay is in Baa Atoll, about 115 km from Male’ International Airport. If you want to fly seaplane it takes about 25 minutes. Otherwise, Dharavandhoo (see Dharavandhoo on map) domestic airport is just 2 km from Hanifaru Bay. Resorts near Hanifaru Bay: • Kihaad – 4 km • Royal Island – 9 km • Soneva Fushi – 10 km • Dusit Thani es – 6 km • Four Seasons Landaagiraavaru – less than 20 km If you want to visit Hanifaru Bay you have to go Hanifaru Visitor Centre in Dharavandhoo island. This centre is managed by Baa Atoll Conservation Fund - BACF. There you can buy visitor tokens and a taxi vessel takes you to Hanifaru Bay. You can only enjoy for 45 minutes per token and should be accompanied by approved snorkeling guides. Resorts and liveboards are allowed to sell visitor tokens to tourists but you will have to go Dharavandhoo and wait for the taxi vessel to take you to the site. A taxi vessel departs every hour, direct visit in your private vessel is not permitted. At Hanifaru Bay you can do snorkeling, diving is not permitted any more. During your snorkeling you must keep proper distance from whale sharks and manta rays, a radius of 3 meters from head section of whale shark and 4 meters at its tail is minimum distance you must maintain. You should not approach the creature from front or cross its path, stay at sides and swim with whale sharks. It is allowed to take pictures but without flash, you cannot use scooter or motorized devices to tow yourself. Touching, stroking or even getting that close is prohibited and there are trained rangers monitoring your moves. Prior to implementing these regulations the place was overcrowded with boats and tourists. At some point whale sharks and manta population in Hanifaru Bay went to a drastic drop. The creatures might have been disturbed by human intervention. Hence, the regulations are important to keep this amazing wonder preserved. The little island next marine protected area is Hanifaru, the island itself is preserved. It is not permitted to get on the island without written permission from Environment Protection Agency - EPA. The lagoon and sea around Hanifaru is protected too, it is not permitted for boats (other than taxi vessel) to go there or do fishing or any other activity. Any boat permitted to enter the area must maintain speed limits in order to ensure whale sharks and mantas do not get disturbed in any way. There are Rangers from EPA monitoring the feeding station and surrounding areas. World's best whale shark and manta point? # es #diving #manta #whaleshark This is the official map of Amilla Fushi es. On this map the island is facing North East. Arrival jetty is at the bottom with a block of lagoon which is a harbour for the boats, Sunset Bar is the tip of same jetty and parallel to that there is another jetty which leads to the Dive Butler. Upper side of the map shows Spa Pavilion in green, Beach House are on the left. Ocean Reef House are located on the North West of the island facing the reef, the opposite side of the same jetty is the location of Ocean Lagoon House. There are 10 Lagoon House on the western tip of the island. Between the arrival jetty and Lagoon Houses are several food and beverage outlets.Next to diving jetty there are 5 large residences of different sizes from 4 to 8 bedrooms. Photo: Map of Baa Atoll with location of Amilla Fushi and other islands around The map shows 5 Treehouse between the Lagoon House and Beach House. There are plenty of unoccupied space on the island and middle of the island is designated for staff accommodation and administrative buildings, next on the right the isolated square is Tanis Courts. Looking at the house reef, map shows both tips marked with strong current, but there is plenty of space for snorkeling and house reef is quite large at Amilla Fushi. Photo: Amilla Fushi map with all rooms and facilities labelled. es is regarded as an upmarket destination and resorts in general are expensive compared to cheap mass tourism countries such as Thailand or Indonesia. Most tourists book holiday through travel agents and tour operators. Others come direct without booking and end up overpaying the already expensive holiday. These guests are often the budget travelers and yet spend the extra penny uselessly and most of the time without even knowing it beforehand. If you arrive es without a hotel reservation the Department of Immigration has the right to refuse your entry into the es, this happens but not frequent. If you are lucky enough to get in, you will be greeted by freelance airport representatives who sell accommodation with an unimaginably high markup from which they make a living. The reps know you don’t have much options as you step in a whole new country. You might think that you can bargain, but that does not usually work as all freelancers understand each other among themselves. You might not even want to spend a lot of time for that, it is the perfect opportunity to over sellers. A guest house that costs US$75 could be sold to you for US$130. At this point you may think the es is not a very good destination and people are not ethical. Trust me, I have been to at least 10 countries and the practice was the same in every country. The freelance tour guides at airports are not people you should trust when it comes to booking your holiday. In my experience at es airport, most of the freelance guides are friendly and service oriented. They really arrange your transfers and ensure your holiday goes smoothly, but overcharging is a usual practice if you do not book your holiday prior to arrival. In many cases guests come to know about overcharging only when it is too late. The reason I am sharing this information with you is that I do not wish tourists like you get a regrettable experience in the es. Despite being the usual practice in every country I went, I believe it would be better for the people of es if we could change this practice. If you are happy you will like to come back, if you keep coming back that is good for everyone. We need to make es a perfect experience for everyone, for every single guest in every aspect of the holiday in es. Are you an ice cream addict? I am, and I love brands such as Movenpick, Haagen Dazs or Baskin-Robbins. These are all amazing brands, I like them very much. But their ice creams are all mixed up flavours of different fruits and nuts. The best ice cream comes from a fruit they don't know yet and it grows in the es. This ice cream is made with the usual dairy ingredients mixed with screwpine fruit (also spelled as screw pine with space) which is indigenous to es. There are only two places to get this. Baros es (picture on top), a es Finest Top Ten resort and Kuramathi. If you happen to visit Baros the screwpine ice cream is a must to try. Screwpine fruit is widely known in the local community but extremely rare to find. A type of mangrove tree bears this fruit. Fruit on the tree is usually surrounded by thorny leaves, making it difficult to be plucked. The trunk of the tree too have thorns but not sharp like the leaves. People can climb but getting the fruit is no easy job. The tree is usually tall with a weak trunk. If you climb all the way up the branch would split with you and fall down. You could go few meters to it, not higher than that. I lived on an island that had an area of thick wood with many mangroves. That was several years ago and now you can hardly find a tree, let alone any fruit. If I saw any ripe fruit I would climb the tree with a knife attached to a stick, with that I would cut down the screwpine bunch. That is only when you see a ripe screwpine bunch. Every tree bears few bunches over the year. Ripe screwpines produce a strong aroma that you can smell yards away. Usually that is how you know the fruit is up there. The baby ones are green in colour. When the inner gaps turn red it is ripe and ready to be cut down. The flesh of the screwpine is hard. Locals would cut it into thin slices and that is one of my favourites. I can't reject any bit of this. It is heavenly and distinct in taste. There is nothing similar to compare this amazing taste. There are at least 3 types of screwpine found in the es and only one is used as a fruit. The bunch pictured on the top is real screwpine fruit which has the fantastic flavour. The too common one is the picture below, you can find this in most of the resorts but it does not taste good. Photo: Screwpine ice cream at Kuramathi. Picture by Richard Hull Hello #Baskinrobins you should try #screwpine flavour in this # es resort Velaa Private Island of es has been listed as one of the top luxury destination to visit by Travel Plus Leisure magazine recently. Velaa has already been a destination for lots of panjandrums including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as Saudi Princes. Therefore, a quick sneak peak to this luxurious island is a must now to know how inimitable the whole place is paralleled to others. Velaaa is located in northern area of es at Noonu Atoll and they give utmost priority to the privacy of their tourists as well as to spectacle the distinguished beauty of es and its coeval culture. The name “Velaa” symbolizes the circular island’s history of being a haven for hatch and nests their eggs for years. Even the spectacular designs and the magnificent Villas are influenced by the patterns of turtle shells. Velaaa has its exquisite Villas which offer a belonging nous with outdoor space as well. For all the Villa categories Velaa offers private pools which enhances the tourists’ seclusion at all levels. Moreover, in some Villas, the amenities could be customized based upon the needs of the tourists such as including private gyms, library or splendid high ceiling. Velaaa has been hailed for its supreme customer services by its tourists as taking “zero-waiting” time, displaying utmost professionalism as well as being remarkably approachable. The island is also a good diving point and offers a private Semi-Submarine to sightsee the beautiful underwater gardens of Velaa Private Island. It also offers 6-hole golf courses as a superfluous activity which would be suited for the luxury holidays the tourists are anticipating to spend at the island. They even offer tennis court, squash court as well as volley ball courts. Apart from that, the Yoga Pavilion at the island promises the tourists’ inner peace with personal trainers at a raised-tree meditating platform. For a "perfect holiday" to be whole, Velaaa offers the best local and international dishes to content their visitors which the majority of the visitors considers to be world-class. Tavaru Tower, the centerpiece of the island in ivory-white structures a Teppiyanki housing is the favorite of the visitors. It has a 30 page wine listing for the wine lovers as well as the live cooking which combined gives a quintessential experience for the visitors. It also offers In-Villa dining for those who wants solitude at their relaxing Villas. The accosted about the In-Villa dining is, not having to stick to the menu. Moreover, the Destination Dining offers the visitors the pleasure to dine at different places on and off the island with the menu and entertainment of their own choice. Therefore, it is not a wonder that this exquisite place on the heavenly es is considered as a “must-visit-place” by the Travel plus Leisure Magazine. The sumptuousness Velaaa provides is indeed is enjoyable and congenial. Music plays a gigantic role in the every culture. es despite of being a small, isolated country, it too has energetic music involved in its traditions. The most popular and the most extensively known form of music from ian tradition is called as “boduberu”. It is presumed that boduberu took part in the ian culture in the eleventh century through African regions. Boduberu actually means Big (bodu) Drums (beru). The drum is made of coconut wood which is similar to the island drums across the globe. The drum heads were traditionally made of rays and manta Ray skin. However, now it is made of goat skin. Either way the skin is tightened to produce good beat and to enhance the quality of the sound. Boduberu actually is a dance song, which starts with a slow beat and in due course would lead to a hyperactive, frenetic and tumultuous beat. It is performed in large groups of 15 to 20 people which would include drummers, singers. There is no specific age group for the participants for this enthusiastic folk music. However, it is usually performed by men. The song could be of any chosen type such as romantic, patriotic or satire. When the beat upsurges and the song reaches a crescendo, the dancers from the group makes wild, frantic movements. The traditional costume of Boduberu is a sarong and a white shirt. However, the contemporary costume changes depending upon the occasion usually. Though Boduberu was a kind of tribal dance played in festive seasons such as Eid, now it is widespread in occasions such as fashion shows, resort events, etc. Boduberu (sometimes spelled as Bodu Beru) indeed is a very energetic form of entertainment where everyone is invited to dance and clap when the song is going on. During the tourist visits, boduberu actually acts as a form of “ice breaker” which helps to bring people closer while enjoying immensely. The tiny unspoiled island of Milaidhoo in Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is taking shape of a contemporary but culture obsessed resort that has 51 luxury villas with private pool. The overwater Signature Restaurant & Lounge resembles ancient sailboats with coconut palm on cabin roof. It comes with mast and sail as if ready to depart. Despite the look it is a fixed structure, it would be a little silly if you approach to hire one for a day trip. Resorts in Baa Atoll enjoys easy access to Hanifaru Bay which is regarded as world's best spot for whale sharks and manta rays. The season starts in May and last through November. Hanifaru Bay is one of the few sites filmed by National Geographic Channel in the es. Getting to Milaidhoo Island takes 30 minutes by scenic seaplane flight from Male' International Airport. Dharavadhoo domestic airport is in close proximity of 15 minutes from Male' airport and another 15 minutes by speedboat from Dharavadhoo to Milaidhoo. Nearest local island is Kamadhoo which is home to about 420 residents. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is the closest resort. The island has a rich house reef within 50 metres and you could easily excess from the beach. The watersports and dive centre will come fully equipped to let you discover underwater beauty of Baa Atoll. Snorkeling is also a good exercise but you often don't notice it as you are captivated by amazing sea life. One you are back on the island it would be perfect to try out a spa treatment. Otherwise head to one of the three restaurants, opt for your favourite dishes or try out new a gourmet dish. If you wake up for the sunrise it is a good time to kick off your day with something for your physical fitness. The spa has a yoga and meditation pavilion if you like desire. Barefoot informality is your dress code whilst indulging in heaven. Everywhere on the island you could see nature's bliss. Milaidhoo is the ultimate destination that blends creative architecture with natural elements of heavenly es. Hospitality that is heart felt in such a setting creates moments of intense romance. This is a no-infant island that only welcomes 9 years and above. Owned and managed by Universal Resorts, the largest local chain, is set to open on November 2016. Other resorts operated by Universal includes Baros, Kuramathi, Kurumba, Kandolhu and Velassaru. Beach Pool Villa Water Pool Villa Photo Gallery AERIAL VIEW BEACH PALM TREE ON BEACH BA'THELI RESTAURANT WATER POOL VILLA BA'THELI DINING SPA RESTAURANT RESTAURANT AERIAL VIEW POOL VIEW RELAXATION GRILL DINNER COMPASS POOL BAR COMPASS POOL BAR DINING ‹ › X Milaidhoo the island of private heavens. # es #Milaidhoo #Luxury #LuxuryHoliday #Honeymoon Many people have heard about es and its divine white beaches and magnificent underwater reefs. These are the top reasons why es on the majority people’s top destination wish list. Some of the resorts are famous for its greatness in providing the tourists with the best marine experience as possible. One such resort is Gili Lankanfushi, a fiver star resort located in North Male’ Atoll with a 20 minute transfer from the Airport by Speedboat. Gili Lankanfushi is well known for its fabulous Dolphin Cruise. It is common to witness the sighting of amazing Spinner Dolphins at Gili Lankanfushi. However, in rare occasions, the tourists are also able to witness the pods of Pilot Whales. These subspecies is known to migrate Eastwood through the archipelago of es between November and April. Whales are protected by international law now though they once were uncompromisingly hunted. The estimated population of the subspecies of whales which migrates through es is currently unknown. However, it is estimated roughly to be around 1500 and the sightings in es are therefore really rare. Nevertheless, at Gili Lankanfushi, you have an opportunity to witness such a rare encounter. Gili Lankanfushi provides the opportunity for group excursions as well as private excursions. Another marine adventure you could definitely go for while you are in es is diving at Gili Lankanfushi. Gili Lankanfushi is situated in a diving area known for its shipwrecks. The “Manta Point” and “Thilas” are the top diving points in es as well. Other great diving spots nearby includes “Rasfari”, “Himmafushi Corner” and “bodo Hithi” as well. For those who are anxious about their first dive, the good news is that Gili Lankanfushi offers great diving instructors who are multilingual as well. Gili Lankan fushi has the first fully certified Eco Dive Center in the country. The diver center is also a well-equipped place with latest diving equipment. The diving is scheduled twice a day with a variety of over 20 spots. It does not end here; Gili Lankanfushi also has one of the biggest, prevalent lagoon in es. This provides the tourists with the perfect snorkeling sites which mean that various great snorkeling sites are positioned away from the island shores. The snorkeling experience gets better mainly because the tourists could reach the shallow waters directly from the water villas. Advanced swimmers and snorkelers who are curious to explore further the unique and extraordinary magnificence of the ian underwater gardens, a swim of 15 minutes would help to reach to some great spots. Further spots could be discovered from the west side of the Water villas. When you ever wonder visiting es to explore the wonders of its underwater, Gili Lankanfushi actually is a perfect choice to begin with! 19 Feb 2016: Hollywood superstar Paris Hilton has visited es last Wednesday and celebrated her 35th birthday in es resort. Birthday celebrations started on the private jet itself while flying to es. Her holiday pictures are spreading on internet like wildfire but she has so far not disclose her whereabouts. es Finest believes she came with her boyfriend and millionaire Thomas Gross. Dailymail has covered this story and mentioned she is staying at a secret destination. This secret destination is no secret to es Finest. But, es Finest will only reveal her location after departure from es, just a little birthday treat from us! es Finest can confirm that is she is staying in a high privacy residence that comes with private pool, jacuzzi and private beach with two palm trees facing the Indian Ocean, all suspended over the water. In this environment there is no need to have your clothes on, unless you want to snap some pictures. Being a celebrity many people will notice you but they can’t come and knock your door. The residence is a standalone structure in the lagoon, there is no jetty that connects the residence with island. Instead, it is a shuttle boat dedicated to transfer guests and it takes only couple of minutes each way. Send her birthday wishes by clicking the TWEET button below. She is tagged on the button. This is the resort where #ParisHilton recently spent her birthday # es Male’ is the capital city of es known for its dense population, skyscrapers and paved roads. For someone willing to experience the tranquility of the tropical island life, Male’ might not be the best choice. The streets are busy and noisy. There are no beaches. There are rare signs of plant life to be honest. However, Male’ has lots of historical monuments and various attention-grabbing places that some tourists would be interested to pay a visit. Hukuru Miskiy Hukuru Miskiyy or Friday Mosque is the country’s hoariest mosque which dates back to 1656 during the reign of Ibrahim Iskander I. It shows an ancient structure built with coral boulders which has sophisticated carvings of the inscriptions of the Holy Quran on it. It even has amazing lacquer work and wood carving as well. This mosque was the island’s main mosque to worship till 1984 till the grand mosque replaced it. The non-muslims should get the permission to enter to the Mosque from the country’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs. The Grand Friday Mosque and Islamic Centre Built in 1984 with the aid from Pakistan, Brunei and Malaysia, its golden dome is eye-catching from a distance. Compared to the Old Hukuru Miskiyy, it is prominent for its simplicity. This is at the moment, the largest mosque in the country. The main prayer hall alone can accommodate up to 5000 people. It has a custom made carpet and stunning chandeliers. The tourist visiting hours are between 9am to 5pm. National Museum The museum, of course has a huge collection of artifacts of historical value which ranges from the fragments of royal antiquities and relics from the Buddhist Era and Islamic Monarchs as well. The New building located in Sultan Park was opened in 2010. Some items sadly were destroyed on a political unrest in 2012. As a result, there are now few pre-islamic items on display. There are other places as well such as Rasfannu (Artificial Beach), Sultan Park and National Arts Gallery as well. Though the experiences are way different from the experiences anyone visiting es is expecting, it is a worthy experience. Unforgettable seaplane ride of 30 minutes from the Male’ International Airport takes you to Anantara Kihavah Villas at Huravalhi island. The journey gives you aerial views of the amazing islands of es within the blue sea of Indian Ocean. Upon arrival to the island, everywhere it is a magnificence that you see. Anantara Kihavah Villas is located in Baa Atoll, it is perfect place to see the exclusiveness of the eminent underwater natural beauty of the es. The resort has 79 beach and overwater pool villas which are just breathtaking. The water villas are spacious with ocean-ogling beds and pearly-mosaic tiled pools. The Beach Pool villas are opened to their own milky white sand beaches. For the guests who would wish to enjoy their own cherished moments by staying-in their magnificent villas, the good news is the in-villa dining menus would be available. These menus include great, effervescent and a modicum of dishes from each of the restaurants. The resort even offers a wide range of watersports such as wind-surfing, canoeing, catamaran, sailing as well as snorkeling. It also has an award-winning underwater restaurant with a great wine cellar. It is worthy to point out that the reef on which the resort is situated is one of the most treasured reefs within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The island is also surrounded by some islands which are used by the sea turtles to lay and hatch its eggs. The resort also offer other interesting activities that enhance your holiday experience at Anantara Kihavah. For those who want sporty side to be included even in their holiday trip the good news is that at Anantara Kihavah comes with fitness centre, tennis courts, volleyball, badminton, billiards as well as resort bicycling. It also provides yoga and meditation classes to ensure the thrill and the adventure you are exposing yourself into are soothed. This Resort In Baa Atoll Is Amazing. # es #Anantara #kihavah #AnantaraKihavah #Luxury #PrivateIsland #Heaven Taking a speedboat ride of 15 minutes from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport you can reach to an island which is the true definition of sumptuousness, welcome to Taj Exotica Resort and Spa. The resort is operated by Taj Group, one of the prominent hotel chains of the world. The Emboodhoo Finollhu Island where the resort is located shows a blissful primeval beach surrounded by a soul soothing, tranquil and clear blue water. The resort is designed in a way which impeccably encompasses the Emboodhoo Finolhu Island’s mystical, transcendent natural beauty. > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < The villas of the resort are designed in a manner which gives extreme seclusion for any group of the tourists including families as well as the honeymooners. The Villas of the resort are decorated using wooden furnishing and beautiful colours in the interior. The rooms come with private sun deck for people who want to sun bathe. It would also be amazing to experience the hammocks hanging in the middle of the blue water while you are in the resort. Sand bank dining and the tree top dining offered by the resort will give you a memorable experience Taj Exotica es. Privacy is an important element of the resort and management ensures sense of private atmosphere for guest to enjoy though out the stay. Taj Exotica es is one of the most awarded resorts in the country. In 2015 it achieved Condé Nast Johansens Best for Couples 2015, Top Hotels for Romance – Asia and es awarded by Conde Nast Traveler. The same year Tripadvisor awarded Top Luxury Hotels – es and Traveller’s Choice Award to Taj Exotica. The food offered in this resort is world class. You could experience the Japanese restaurant which is famous for its delicious sushi which is an open kitchen and an overwater restaurant. There are two additional restaurants; 24 degrees all day dining and The deep end fine dining. The former provides a variety of well-known dishes of several countries all day whilst the later provides and a sophisticated, graceful environment for fine dining. The former was awarded the “2015 Award of Excellence” by the Wine Spectator. Also, it was awarded the “Leading Food & Beverage Resort” by MATATO in November 2014 es Travel Awards. Taj Exotica has achieved various awards over many years for its outstanding services from a number of organizations. This indeed shows that this resort is worthy to be visited during your vacation and it also shows that the vacation would definitely be one which has lots of good memories to take home with you. Baros es is a mere 25 minute boat ride from Male’ the capital of es or Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. The island is known for its serene and tranquil atmosphere, both in land and in sea. Hailed for its excellent service by many local staff Baros is profound as one of the best places where anyone, including the locals would want to spend their holidays. Villas in Baros es are famous for its exquisiteness and daintiness. The resort offers 7 different villas types for the visitors to choose from. • 01 Baros Residence • 15 Water Pool Villas • 02 Baros Premium Pool Villa • 08 Baros Pool Villa • 15 Water Villa • 10 Baros Villa • 24 Deluxe Villa The home to 75 villas is amazing resort to relax and enjoy, especially when you have a fine collection of villas to pick one to your tastes, every villa category has something special to offer. It would be nice for the visitors to experience more than one type of villa while you stay at Baros es. Each of the villa types, however comes with all the necessary amenities and services which anyone would require at their ideal holiday which includes espresso machines with complimentary premium coffee, complimentary wireless high-speed internet access, generous wardrobe space, surround sound system as well as yoga mats. Yoga sessions are also available which is led by a resident Yogi and is conducted for groups in the air-conditioned Spa Pavilion. However, all the guests are allowed and is welcomed to occupy themselves with some soul soothing yoga sessions at anywhere on the beach including on the beach whilst enjoying the breath-taking sunrise or sunset. The mesmerizing experience one can experience by snorkeling at Baros es is a absolutely worthwhile for first time guests visiting es as well as repeater guests. The beautiful house reef of the island is just 15 meters from white sandy beach. Snorkeling at Baros Island es is available in day and night. Apart from snorkeling there are many activities you can do during the stay at Baros. There is a glass-bottom boat and canoes if you want to spend some time enjoy the in the sea. The see-through canoe is one of the latest additions that enrich your es experience. Grab it and paddle over the reef and you will pass your time unnoticed as many colourful fish and their movements keep you attracted at all times. More thrilling sea sports are be available at the Water Sports Centre. Windsurfing and waterskiing are truly exhilarating. Baros enjoys great reputation of being a es Finest Top 10 resort. See es Hotel Ranking to for the top 50 resorts. Almost 10 years ago, the world’s first all-glass underwater restaurant was opened in es by Conrad es Rangali Resort. Ithaa Underwater restaurant was stunningly descended five meters into the breathtaking waters of the beautiful es. Ithaa in ian Dhivehi language means a pearl. As the name indicates, this inimitable, unique restaurant is like a pearl beneath the waves of the Indian Ocean. Ithaa Underwater Restaurant is enclosed in a curved acrylic wall which provides the capacity of 14 people visitors with a 180-degree panoramic view. This gives the visitors the pleasure to enjoy a spectacular view of the beautiful lagoon’s underwater while relishing the contemporary European cuisine in a six-course set menu dinner. This is the first of its kind restaurant in the world where the visitors get the propitious opportunity to gaze into the clear lagoon and all the magnificent, colourful coral gardens, tropical fish and reef fish in it. As a result, Ithaa restaurant is being counted as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. This however has made the restaurant to be amongst the most expensive restaurants where you can dine in since this is one of the most high-class, elite places one can visit after all. It has already been appraised as “the most beautiful restaurant” by the New York Daily News in 2014. Conrad es Rangali has so far made various trends in the resort dining by providing the visitors with something exclusive such as offering fascinating surroundings. Being the first resort to open an underwater restaurant in the world, Conrad es Rangali was also the first to build an underground wine cellar and the first to establish a cheese bar. It was also the first resort to invite world-class chefs and winemakers to its island. It is regarded as to offer the region’s largest wine list with around 20,000 bottles of approximately 1400 labels in the wine cellar. The resort has proved that the isolated location would not prevent a determined, luxurious resort from achieving continuous fineness or from setting the bar higher for other competitors. Conrad es Rangali also has 11 other restaurants and bars with distinctive and separate menus which also include the recently opened Ufaa by Jereme Leung, one of the most creative Asian pioneer of Modern Chinese Cuisines as well. All the restaurants in the resort could be rated among the finest restaurants in the world for its miscellany of cuisine and exceptional scenery. Opening Hours Daily 11:00 - 00:00hrs Dress Code Smart Child Policy Only welcome at Lunch Menu Lunch Dinner Lily Beach Resort & Spa is a luxury resort famous around the world for its immaculate shorelines, opulently stifling flora and its eccentric reef. The island is located close to many amazing dive spots that are world famous. The divers therefore get the chance to explore the oceans for the colorful fish, interesting marine creatures and the flamboyant reef. There are 125 villas of which some are over the water and others in land. The 69 Beach Villas, 36 Deluxe Water Villas, 16 Lagoon Villas and 4 Sunset Water provide the visitors with the perfect opportunity to enjoy lavishness and flamboyance. Every villa is designed to ensure that the visitors get privacy to make their own moments. The water villas offer free Wi-Fi, flat screens, daybeds and mini bars. Upgraded villas add canopy beds, glass floors and plunge pools whilst the suites offer the butler service and designer toiletries. The level of luxuriousness and elegance achieved through enjoying the arrangement of the wood and stone amicably fusions with the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. To further pander you in a carefree, hassle-free, value-for-money holiday, Lily Beach Resort & Spa joyfully provides the visitors with its Platinum Plan. The Platinum Plan is available to all Villa categories and it is the only meal plan offered by the resort. The first five-star all-inclusive Platinum Plan resort in the es divulges a world of reasonable extravagance and agile enjoyment. This all-inclusive plan offers a fanciful selection of quality services, such as fine dining experiences, dreamy expeditions, sporting activities, complimentary access to internet to all the Villas and high-quality products which includes 80 premium wines from across the globe, four brands of cigarettes available in all bars. Those of you who are on a quest of impeccable convalescence will discover their own personal utopia at the Lily Beach Resort & Spa. The days you spend at this paradise would fly by. As such the days you spend at lily Beach Resort and Spa would be comforting. Other than dedicating yourself at the bliss of the clement Indian Ocean you could also treat yourself at Tamara Spa. Lily Beach Resort & Spa offers you the perfect getaway from your busy schedule or to celebrate your love at es in an affordable 5 star resort. The video shows someone in a shallow lagoon trying to lure baby sharks and feeding them. Sharks have very bad vision and it mainly depends on their sense of smell for hunting. If you throw some food over the shark you would see it making quick turns trying to locate the food. If sharks it would not have to look every side. Because of the bad vision sharks cannot instantly pin pint food that is inches away. To compliment bad vision sharks have incredible ability to sniff their food, it is said it would smell blood 3 miles away. There are many resorts in es that do shark feeding. Unlike stingray feeding the pontoon stays out of water when it is shark feeding. The most common types of sharks in es are Black Tip Reef Shark, White Tip Reef Shark, Nurse Shark and Hammer Head. None of these species directly attack human. If they bite you for any reason it would be your fault that you made them confused. If you throw some food that they love, such as fish cuts, on your feet don’t expect them to bite only the food. This is what happens in the video. Sharks found in waters of es are not aggressive. But they have sharp teeth and this animal needs to be respected while you enjoy watching them. # es Baby Sharks Are Friendly. This Attack Shows They Have Teeth. #SharkAttack #Shark #Scuba #Diving Lion Fish are commonly found across es. It is one of the most aggressive species that usually protects its territory and faces aggressively to anyone who attempts to get too close. Lion Fish are calm in nature and do not swim fast like Jack fish or sharks. The Lion Fish are more relaxed and enjoys swimming gently in and around coral. Once aggressive it could fly to you and sting in no time. In the waters of es there are few fish that are poisonous and lion fish are one of them. They are small in size, about 6 inches long when fully grown. There is no particular island or atoll to spot this beautiful but deadly fish. It likes to live near coral and usually in places that are not too deep. You could sometimes see them on the surface but that is not very common. Usually lion fish lives between 1 – 5 meters of depth, in clear lagoon. Lion fish do not like human being getting too close. If found disrespectful to this mighty of tiny fish it would deliver its deadly secret weapon, a poisonous sting that is painful and life threatening in absence of rapid medical care. Despite being aggressive, lion fish do not prey on humans. They are not interested in stinging you. It only goes to you when it feels you are too close to its territory. In a rare case you might be able to befriend lion fish if you are very talented but it involves extreme risk. When things turn bad you will not have time to swim away and it would be too late. In a slit second it could fly to you and sting on your vital organs. Lived in the es for 20 years and saw whale sharks, manta rays, hammer heads and more but not a guitar shark. I am sure it is not only me, there must be thousands of divers who love es but never seen this beautiful shark. The lucky ones were the group of tourists diving off Ayada es last year. Not only they saw guitar shark but it was swimming around slowly. It was a close encounter with this rare and beautiful creature. Now you can see how a guitar shark looks like. If you see one of them I guess you can recognize it. The fish is very distinctive and resembles nothing similar. But the head looks little bit like a sting ray and spots on the body like whale sharks. It would be a mix of all shark species. At your first look you might have noticed it got many fins, two on each side and two up on the back and two tail fins. The front fins are almost part of the head section. If you see guitar shark approaching you the head section would look like a small stingray, having fins up on the back tells you it is not stingray. There is no particular reef to spot this rare shark. North Male’ Atoll and Ari Atoll as well as other areas have been reported for spotting this beautiful creature. They live in the reef just like other shark species. There are special reefs if you want to spot hammer heads. Black tip reef shark and white tip reef shark are the most common in the ian waters. Baby sharks are most often spotted in the shallow areas of the lagoon. As sharks grow up they get to deeper part of the sea, ultimately ending up on the reef and then to the deep sea. Sharks are well known to have bad vision but strong sense of smell. They are not aggressive but any presence of blood could confuse them to think you are prey. Otherwise they do not even come close to you. Photo: Baby Guitar Shark accidentally caught by fisherman in Noonu Atoll, es These images of the baby guitar shark was first surfaced on the social media. Fisherman accidentally caught the fish and never recalled of having seen one in his entire life, neither did the people who saw these pictures, except one man. He said it was a baby guitar shark and I when I compared with adult guitar shark the resemblance is unmistakable. If you are seeing a baby guitar shark for the first time do click the share button below. Rare guitar shark spotted off Ayada es. # es # # # # # ler es, a country which is formed on 1190 low-lying islands, has always been famous for its beaches and coral gardens. The country’s islands are distributed into 26 atolls and all these are blessed with the beaches and the underwater beauty beneath it. As a result, the tourism industry is the most successful industry in the country. A number of low-lying islands made to beautiful resorts where tourists from all over the world can come and experience the stunning beauty and its serenity. The islands have beautiful, blue and shallow lagoon water which even has deep passages between the atolls. The main islands lie on the edge of the atolls. Tourists could also visit sandbars and dive underwater caves. The first tourist resort opened in es was Kurumba es, then called Kurumba Village. It was opened in February 1972 with a capacity of 280 beds in the island. Facilities were not that great at that time. However, the tourism industry has achieved developments within the industry. The country has even attracted some major multinational investors within the industry. So the competition has ensured that the best services are provided in almost all the resorts. One of the major turning-point for the tourism industry was the opening of the first underwater restaurant in es. It was opened in 2005 as Ithaa by Conrad es Ranagli Island. This has attracted many of the visitors across the globe due to the exclusiveness of this luxury and unique ambiance as well as due to the magnificence they get to witness while enjoying finest seafood dishes. Today, another great development took place in the history of es. The world’s largest underwater restaurant has been brought to es by a specialist ship from New Zealand. It was brought by Champalars Holdings for their Huravalhi Island Resort which is located in Lhaviyani Atoll. This resort is expected to be opened in August 2016. The 410-tonne restaurant which measures 22.5 meters in length was built within 10 months by Fitzroy Engineering of New Zealand. The work to lower the restaurant into place and solidify t in the beautiful, divine blue waters of Huravalhi has already begun. It has a spiral staircase from the hut above water into the restaurant which would accommodate 24 guests. On special occasions the restaurant could be customized to hold wedding receptions or converted to an underwater honeymoon suite. Wish to witness untouched perfection of pure paradise? Head to one of the many sandbanks across es. These are timeless moments in the bliss of nature. A sandbar that is spotlessly glowing amid turquoise lagoon is wonder of nature in many ways. The inhabitants of these little patches of sand in the middle of nowhere are the sea birds, most commonly the black and white terns. Watch this amazing video in 4k When you observe these birds you will only end up believing they are on honeymoon. They are possibly more romantic that you. White Terns get in to relationships before they become adults. If you happen to catch one of a pair the remaining would not fly away. That is because these terns are ready to sacrifice life to their partners. They often hunt fish and bring the catch to feed the partner. Sandbank are magical. Most of these spots submerge in the high tide and reforms in low tide. That is a natural process to cleanse the sand. Waves and sea currents help wash and polish every grain of sand before rolling to the right position which once complete looks amazing. This process usually takes place once a day and it is not just the surface that gets cleansing, the seasonal erosion functions like a biannual maintenance of the amazing ecosystem. The hermit crabs and breach crabs have their own responsibilities while living on virgin sandbanks. Tiny particles floated off the reefs gets washed up on the white soft beaches and they are picked up and eaten by the inhabitant crabs. They are actually waiting such things to reach the island. Human beings can’t do the job as efficient as these little creatures. Next time you visit a sandbank, do take a picture of a crab and share with your friends, or share this story with your friends. Appreciate beautiful things in life and let beauty be part of your life! These birds living on sandbank knows true love. You don't. # es #Romance #Romantic #ValentinesDay #Love es has undoubtedly been recognized as a top destination by many people. It is famous for its tropical climate combined with blue lagoons and milky white beaches. Almost all the islands have beautiful underwater sightings which gives a compulsion for those who enjoy snorkeling. The islands are also perfect to enjoy fishing and surfing as well. A glimpse of this paradise on earth is a dream for many. Others make their way to es every year and witness the sunny side of life. Among them are often well known celebrities as well as the usual traveler from every corner of the world. But, who are the celebrity couple that visited es? Christiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk Christiano Ronaldo visited es in 2011 with his then girlfriend Irina Shayk and his son Christiano Junior. Christiano Ronaldo, the famous Portuguese professional football player plays for Spanish club Real Madrid and Portugal National Football team. He has achieved wide recognition for his excellence in the football field. He has been often ranked as the best player in the world and has been officially named as the best Portuguese Football Player of all time by Portuguese Fottball Federation. He has even achieved the FIFA’s Balloon d’Or for 2008, 2013 and 2014. Irina Shayk, a Russian Model and an actress who received her fame for the appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue between 2007 and 2015. She has also done modelling for famous brands such as Victoria’s Secret and Guess as well. They spent their holiday at the prestigious Anantara Kihavah Villas in UNESCO Biosphere reserve of Baa Atoll. If your fascination is about Mantas or whale sharks Hanifaru Bay is in close proximity to this beauty jewel in the Indian Ocean. David and Victoria Beckham The famous former English football player David Beckham and his popular former Spice Girls wife Victoria Beckham spent their holiday in es with their four children – Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper in 2013 and 2016. They stayed at One & Only Reethi Rah. David Beckham has played for clubs such as Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, Milan, LA Galaxy during his football career. He started his career with Manchester United and made his first-team debut in 1992 when he was 17 years old. He even played for England’s national football team and made his debut in international football in 1996. He was the captain for six years during his time there, He still is one of the most marketable athletes and has been ranked as one of the highest earners in football. He married to Victoria Beckham since 1999. Victoria Beckham, an English businesswoman, a fashion designer, a model and a singer. She became famous while performing at the famous all-girls band Spice Girls. She has also appeared in official documentaries and reality shows about her such as Being Victoria beckham, Victoria’s Secret, etc. Kate Moss and Jamie Hince Kate Moss and her husband Jamie spent their holiday at Per Aquum Huvafenfushi es before they got married. Kate Moss is an English model and rose to fame during the 1990s. She has received 2013 British Fashion Awards to recognize her contribution to fashion over 25 years. She has also been named as the 100 most influential people by TIME magazine in 2007. Jamie Hince is an English guitarist, songwriter and a guitarist and is best known for his Co-founded band The Kills. He has also performed in musical bands including Fiji and Scarfo. Other celebrity couples who spent their holidays in blissful islands of es include Beyonce and Jay-Z, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes as well as the Royal couple Prince William and Kate Middleton. es has become the official partner country for world’s biggest travel fare ITB that takes place every year in Berlin. It was announced by David Ruetz, Head of Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) Berlin whilst representing ITB in DRV Conference at Abu Dhabi. es started its tourism industry in 1972 and has been participating in ITB Berlin since 1984. ITB is the world’s largest travel trade show which this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The agreement to host the ITB was signed between es, the partner country in Indian Ocean and ITB in this March in Berlin. es Marketing and Public Relations Corporations (MMPRC) announced that a team which comprises of government officials and staff of MMPRC would depart in March to take part in the fare. Being the official partner country the es would held opening ceremony of the ITB 2016. It was held on 8th March 2016. The opening ceremony was breathtakingly tremendous with celebrities, Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller and Iris Gleicke, CEO of Messe Berlin Dr. Christian, President of the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry Dr. Michael Frenzel and ian Tourism Minister His Excellency Moosa Zameer. During the ceremony, a film was presented which includes the highlights and acmes from 50 years of ITB Berlin. Around 60 artists from es performed during the ceremony. Culinary delights from es were offered during the ceremony. It was a golden opportunity to experience the unique culture and fathom the beauty of es which would be opened from 9 to 13 March 2016. es main tourism promoting body announced that 96 companies and 281 officials would take part in this year’s show. The fare showed ian traditional performances such as boduberu, bandiya, dhandi, maafathi and fathigandu. Earlier in January, es participated in the Board Fare at Dusseldorf, Germany. This fare specialises in diving and water sports. The ian stall attracted a lot of visitors and some of the visitors even made reservation to visit es. es is one of the top out bound travel destinations among Germans and European countries as whole. In 2015 alone 93,598 Germans visited the es. Set on Giraavaru Island the Centara Fas Fushi Resort & Spa is a mere 15 minute speedboat ride from Male' International Airport. The 4 star premium resort is one of the smallest in the atoll, it takes only 5 minute walk around the island. Despite small land area a relatively large lagoon stretches out from both tips of the island. Resort's water villas are located in those lagoons and much of it comes with coral where the small fish makes their habitat. Larger fish lives in and around the coral in house reef drop off and deep waters but you could often see them in snorkeling. The lagoon area between two sections of water villa serves for water sports and just swimming the shallows. There are numerous dive sites such as Giraabaru Cave, Kiki Reef, Kuda Huraa, Shark Point, Lion's Head etc. These sites in close proximity, it takes about 10 - 20 minutes by ian dhoni. For 5 star resorts you have to pay 5 star price. Four star premium gives great value for money and stands just a step back, not too far from posh and luxury resorts. In four star resorts seem to be more active in terms of daily happenings, activities are more affordable. Five star islands are usually smaller and many activities are targeted for small groups or organised private. Centara Ras Fushi es is home to 140 villas of which 30 are in land and 110 built over the water. There are 6 room categories. In terms of food and beverage Ras Fushi is not a small resort. There are 4 restaurants on the island. Located in the center of the island, Oceans is the main restaurant and serves international and Asian themed buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the island garden the Al Khaimah offers Arabic and Middle-Eastern style prime cuts of meat, it serves only dinner. La Brezza is located near pool and offers Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Thai restaurant Suan Bua is near pool and opens for both lunch and dinner. In an unlikely case that you find all restaurants closed and don't want to wait there is 24 hour in-villa dining service that you can order from room or any of the outlet. There are three bars offering an array fantastic cocktails and mocktails to keep you chilled day and night. On arrival at reception you see Giraaaru Lobby Bar which opens from 10:00 till 23:00hrs. If you are staying in a water villa and do not want to take many step to reach a refreshing drink there is Viu Bar which is over water, next to water villas. Viu Bar opens daily from 10:00 till 24:00, it is the ideal place for evening chill out too. But the best location to indulge in day time is by the pool facing beautiful lagoon, Waves Pool Bar is located right there, you need not move to order a drink. Pool Bar is open from 10:00 till 18:00. Nature inspired ultra-luxury resort known as Six Senses Laamu is about 35 minutes from Male' International Airport to Kadhdhoo domestic airport followed by a 15 minute speedboat ride. If you love wooden interior and furnishing the Six Senses Laamu uses mainly uses balau and fine wood. The resort's main pool is surrounded by exotic vegetation and some palm tree. Pool pods are well stocked with cushions but loungers may be better to lay down and just close your eyes or read a novel. The island is stunning and encircled around and colours of blue fading into the deep Indian Ocean. There are 10 different accommodation categories to choose from, a total of 97 villas make up the entire resort. Here goes all villa types. Photo: Lagoon Beach Villa - gives great privacy with vegetation on the sides Photo: Lagoon Beach Villa With Pool Photo: Ocean Beach Villa - similar to Lagoon Beach Villa but located on sunset side of the island Photo: Ocean Beach Villa With Pool Photo: Lagoon Water Villa Photo: Ocean Water Villa Photo: Ocean Water Villa With Pool Photo: Laamu Water Villa Photo: Laamu Water Villa with Pool Photo: Family Villa with Pool Photo: Two-bedroom Lagoon Beach Villa With Pool Photo: Two-bedroom Ocean Beach Villa With Pool - this is on the sunset side of the island There are two restaurants of which one is on the island and other over water. Leaf sits atop an organic garden. Longitude located over water is the main restaurant which offers a twist of Asian and international cuisine on different themes. Altitude is a glass tower equipped with a wine cellar and tasting tables. Chill Lounge & Bar over the water is your place for vibes and magical sunsets. Water sports offered at Six Senses Laamu includes water skiing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding etc. The dive centre offers early morning dives, full day excursions and night dives. Other activities offered at the resort includes trips to explore Hithadhoo island, barbecue dinner on the sandbank, island hopping and private picnic on dessert island. Highly experienced and trained therapists in the spa ensure that you are never too tired after any activity. Taking a daily dose at spa is highly recommended while you indulge in the sunny of life. If you are travelling with your family Six Senses Laamu is a children friendly island that operates a professionally managed children’s club called The Den. You can request babysitting services and literally forget about them and enjoy a private escape with you and your partner. Luxury villas inspired by nature Telecom operators have introduced Number Portability earlier this month. The long anticipated service is now available and customers can switch operator without changing the mobile number. Dhiraagu customers can move to Ooredoo network and use the same number, likewise existing Ooredoo customers can move to Dhiraagu without having to change contact. This service is particularly important because people often travel to other islands and sometimes 3G is offered by other operator. In this case you have to buy not only sim card but also another phone because you may not want to switch off your existing number. Introduction of number portability has put both on a head to head competition. Dhiraagu is running campaigns calling the public to “upgrade” to largest network while Ooredoo es sparks public engagement in form of selfies and discussions. Ooredoo has also mobilized help desks in prime locations to assist customers who want to join them. How many would approach them to move out to Dhiraagu is a question yet to be answered. How many would update to Dhiraagu remains uncertain too. We will have to wait, but none of the operators, mostly likely, reveal their true stranding. Competition is good for customers. Let both collide in the market and we the customers can milk both cows. To port number you have to pay RF200 for the service. After switch, you can only switch back after 90 days. Still one could say this is a kind of intimidation. If you are a traveler you can’t keep hopping the operator as you visit different islands. Now let’s check out which operator offers cheapest data plans. Let's say an average person would spend around MVR300 per month. So, the closest package in Ooredoo is 4GB for MVR299.Ooredoo es: Per GB is 299/4 = MVR74.75 It seems both the operators have agreed to differentiate packages to confuse customers, may be avoid comparisons. Because packets are fashioned evenly. For this test we will combine both packages and calculate proportionate data for MVR299. Dhiraagu Power3GB + Power5GB: 5GB + 3GB = 8GB MVR349 + MVR249 = MVR598 Dhiraagu: Per GB is 598/8 = MVR74.75 So what does this suggest? Is this just a coincidence? To the exact Laari? I guess not. Needless to say the mobile services in the es is a duopoly. Hit SHARE to encourage licensing a third service provider. Or just ignore the fact. Decision is yours, but a simple act could make all the difference. Published: 12 March 2016 Serving breakfast in bed is quite common in luxury resorts. But one resort has now gone a bit further. Floating breakfast is now available to order and it is served to your private pool. This luxury resort consists of 84 villas and suites that come with private pool, that means every guest could order and experience the new way of starting your day in paradise. Floating breakfast in the pool is offered by JA Manafaru in northern Haa Alifu Atoll. This is more of an experience than a new style of breakfast. Especially when you are in bikini and sunk in the water, watching sunrise or enjoying breath-taking view of the Indian Ocean. Since all this is happening in the privacy of your villa and some may even go beyond bikini. Prior to new concept you may have been indulging the luxury resorts with breakfast in bed, by the pool or at a secluded location of the breach. Floating breakfast in pool surpasses all this. This is a new chapter in luxury lifestyle and hotel concepts. It takes about 75 minutes by direct seaplane to JA Manafaru. A combination of 45 minute domestic flight followed by 40 minute speedboat transfer makes it USD500 per person for return transfer. The lounge in seaplane terminal offers complimentary snacks while you watch television or browse internet from your phone or tablet. Once arrived in the resort there lot of facilities to enjoy. Seven different restaurants ensure you get variety of different but fine cuisines dine. There two additional private islands enable you plan your own fairy tale and surprise your partner. Diving centre and spa should never be forgotten. Breakfast comes floating in # es #luxury resort About a million people visit es every year. That is 3 times the size of es population. The question is what are the things that attract so many tourists to es? Here are some of the top 15 attractions in the tiny Indian Ocean country. Overwater hammock at Anantara Dhigu: Shows exotic environment that makes people dream relaxing in this iconic facility. Coral reefs of es: Colourful corals inhabited with fish attracts thousands of scuba divers every year. Others just enjoy these reefs by snorkeling. Dolphins: These are amazing creatures and tourists love them so much. They follow boat and tourists get to enjoy up close maneuvers. UI Floating Water Villa: There is only one floating villa in es and it is based in Hulhumale' lagoon. The villa is operated by UI Inn which is a guesthouse in Hulhumale'. Day trips are offered at very reasonable prices. Dinners and celebrations are also held on this unique facility. Chocolate cave at Gili Lankanfushi: This is the only one of this kind in the es. This underground facility offers a variety of chocolates including a collection that is home-made. A fine selection of beverages are available to go with the flow. Sharks: Another fish that attracts so many visitors. Black Tip Reef Sharks are the most common. On this picture it is a rare Hammer Head shark. Nurse Shark and White Tip Reef Shark are also attractive and found in the waters of es. Ithaa underwater restaurant: Located in Conrad es Rangali Island this is known as the world's first underwater restaurant. It gives a breath-taking 180 degree view. Usually a plenty of fish accompanies you while you dine at Ithaa. Sperm Whale skeleton at Kuramathi: It is 11 meters long and is one of the largest skeletons accessible for tourists. There is no other resort known to have such an attraction. Manta Rays: Another fish people love to see and snorkel with. Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll is the most popular spot in the country. At Hanifaru Bay mantas are almost guaranteed in the right season. Pool at One&Only Reethi Rah: This pool is so unique that it contains a bed in the middle where you can lie down and relax. Sandbanks: Beaches are one of the main attractions of es and best beaches are found in sandbanks. They are so natural, clean and spotless. The inhabitation of sea birds makes this even more amazing. Observatory at Soneva Fushi: The only observatory in the country is available for tourists at Soneva Fushi. A beautiful dome rised above tree tops is the place. Star gazing up close with several times of magnification makes you feel this universe more amazing than you thought. Turtles: One of the common creatures found in the es is loved by everyone visiting es. Friendly turtles would stay inches away from you and let you take pictures, others just swim away from several yards. If you treat it with respect and do not touch but take pictures and enjoy watching it will eventually get friendly with you. Whale sharks: Huge fish but it is not dangerous. They eat tiny plankton and swims very close to human beings. Pay attention to not touch their skin, if it gets infected it might end up dead and you would never know it. Whale Submarine: This is a tourist submarine based near capital Male'. You may also book it from your resort or direct from airport counter. The largest tourist submarine in the world has served in the es for more than 10 years. If you are not scuba diver this could be a great way to experience depths of the ocean. The coral gardens in the deep are amazing at night. Top 15 attractions in the # es 17 Mar 2016: es is currently going through highest temperatures of the decade. The island chain known as the sunny side of life is turning to get too much sun. The highest temperature usually remains at 32 degrees Celsius and going beyond that is extremely rare. If it did reach that high it would not last long. In February 2016 es recorded its highest temperature at 35 degrees Celsius. That was all time high for the last 18 years. How many days the temperature rose to record high remains uncertain. Followed by the highest recorded temperature of nearly two decades the month of March is also going through a hotter period. Some days temperatures are reaching 33 degrees Celsius. The sunny side of life usually have a highest of 31 degrees that occasionally fall to 32. The current highest of 33 is unusually high and people are feeling the hot dry season of the Northeast monsoon. An announcement issued by es Meteorological Service said the recent high temperatures were caused by global warming, toxic fumes and sea level rise that strengthen an El Nino. Meteorological department warns temperature on the month of April will be higher than usual but dismisses that there will not be any catastrophic condition. Back in 1998 es recorded the highest temperature till date at 30.4 degrees Celsius. In 2016 30 - 31 degrees in the mid-day sun is normal. Renee Somerfield is currently spending holiday in the es, esfinest has learnt. She has over 1.3 million followers of her Instagram account. Other social media accounts are also followed by many people around the world and this is her first visit to es. Picture reveal she is enjoying the holiday in the sunny side of life. The famous model is staying at Shangri-la es Vilingili Resort. She has posted multiple photos on her Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Date of her arrival and duration of the holiday is uncertain. The young model grew up in southern Sydney is modeling since her early teenage years and now she is in early twenties. If you have not seen her before she is often ends up of cover of several magazines and supermarket ads. She is also associated with some high end cosmetic brands and weight loss products. Renee Somerfield is a strict vegetarian, she avoid all meat items but her daily diet includes a bizarre smoothie made from pea protein. She once tweeted "been loving my daily pea protein smoothies". She once claimed her skinny body is the genetic inheritance. She did not notice or did not want to mention her favourite daily pea protein smoothie is widely used in weight loss supplements. Powered by Amazon.com, these are the items we recommend you to buy and bring along with you. Many resorts do have a boutique but you often up not finding what you want. So, it is always advisable to make a shopping list and prepare for your holiday. Below is a hand picked collection we prepared after hours of price comparison. If you find exactly same product twice it is to provide you more information or pictures. For example see the first two pictures, when you see the girl on the Pegasus it is easier to understand the size. Lux South Ari Atoll has announced the return of the Underwater Festival in partnership with Euro-Divers es from 3rd to 9th of April, 2016. Euro-Divers has been operating on a global scale and is currently one of the leading diving centres in es. This is the fourth year of this festival and the previously organised festivals were hailed by the visitors as well. Lux* es has also announced a special offer for those who book the Lux* es Signature Pool Villa during the festival day. They would stand a chance to be the one person who would be getting the complimentary PADI Basic Free Diver Course. Photo: Hinifaru Bay in Baa Atoll It was also announced by Lux* South Ari Atoll es that Christian Redl, the famous Australian diver would be taking part in the 2016 Lux* South Ari Atoll Underwater Festival. Christian Redl, who is also a world record-holder, would be hosting apnea courses during the festival. Christian Redl would also be sharing his life experiences. He started diving in 1996 and attended the World Championship in the same year as well. Today, Christian Redl is considered as one of the most successful athletes in the field of free diving. He holds world records such as distance diving under ice for 100 meters. Apart from that, he inspires and trains his students to chase their own goals with desire and to overcome barriers. What adds thrill to the weeklong event more is the participation of the well-experienced photographer from Germany, Marc Hilleshiem. The festival offers training and workshops on underwater photography, free diving photo sessions, directed photography dives as well as GoPro photography and filming tutorial. The festival organisers have decided to host an instagram contest for guests sharing their underwater photos and tagging the hash tags #LUXUNDERWATER #LUXONEBREATH and #NOGRAVITY ES. The winders of this contest would get prizes as well. Overall, Lux* es remarks that this festival is “a great way to get up-close and personal with the resident whale sharks and manta rays in their natural habitat”. This resort is also the winner of 2015 Traveller Choice Award and the Leading Family Resort which is awarded by TripAdvisor. The resort has a beautiful turquoise water and underwater garden which would fascinate any diver. The area has butterflyfish, Oriental Sweetlips, turtrles, dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks and more. The resort even offers the opportunity to swim personally with the whale sharks. Since the resort is located in one of the country’s prime spot for whale sharks, the probabilities of spotting them are quite high. The good news is that they even offer a money back guarantee scheme – if a tourist is not fortunate enough to spot a whale shark, they give the money back. About 3 kilometers from Kurumba es is a tiny coral island that looks just like any other. This is Aarah, the retreat island of the President of es. Few knows how the interior looks in this top secret facility. The island is believed to be heavily guarded by the military even when the president is not around. President's luxury yacht is right there in the lagoon. One of the three small boats could be his fishing vessel. Pictures show many buildings on the island. The ones with red roof may be the main complex. There is one single building near the thick trees, this may be a private villa. Another private bungalow seems to be located on the right side beach. In the middle of island there is a field with grass with an area shaded, it resembles a mini football. In some occasions the former president said he played tanis on this island. But, you don't actually see a tannis court. Named "Arumaazu" this is the old yacht of the president. The big one in the lagoon resembles Arumaazu yacht. The president bought a brand new luxury yacht last year (2015) which is smaller than Arumaazu. It does not seem to be at the retreat island. Pictures were taken on 25th March 2016 while flying with Trans ian seaplane. Secret retreat island of the # es president 5 April 2016: The tiny coral island in the North Ari Atoll known as Kandolhu is now the second best resort in es. Computation of over 73,000 guest reviews on 130 different resorts indicates guests staying at Kandolhu receives hardly anything less than excellence. es Finest ranking is based entirely on credible guest reviews and often go in line with Tripadvisor and other major review websites. In 2015, Gili Lankanfushi es was award the "best resort in the world" by Tripadvisor. Let’s take a look at some statistics of Tripadvisor for both Gili Lankanfushi and Kandolhu. Tripadvisor reviews (as on 5th April 2016) to Gili Lankanfushi and Kandolhu, shows a higher percentage of Excellent reviews to Kandolhu. The es Top 10 itself being highly competitive, becoming #2 in es is absolutely incredible achievement. To witness this success, we decided to send one of our associates to the resort. A scenic seaplane flight kept me busy looking out through the window and snapping pictures for 25 minutes. A speed boat was waiting when we landed and a short ride took me to beautiful paradise. Before I could set foot on the island I could already see amazing landscape and beautiful villas. As soon I got on the island I was welcomed by the Resort Manager Marc LeBlanc and reception staff. A young ian girl with a beautiful smile handed over a cold towel. There was no waiting, I walked cross the jetty and another girl served me a refreshing mango juice, the glass got a fresh orchid on it. The girl asked for pre-filled registration card which I did in the waiting lounge at seaplane terminal. I quickly handed over and was asked to follow her to my villa. As I tried to finish off welcome drink the Resort Manager suggested I could take it with me. Chilled mango juice was way too nice to sip while walking in the midday sun. While enjoying the drink I followed the girl through the narrow pathway which is green and shady with tall palm trees swaying over. In a few minute we reached my Ocean Villa and girl explained all facilities before wishing me a pleasant stay. The king size bed was very comfortable with high quality linen. There is a couch, dressing table, and a coffee table for two. When you open the curtains the sliding door leads you to open air terrace with sun loungers, day bed, and private dining area. Ocean Villas and Ocean Pool Villas are positioned on the sunset side of the island. If you are on All Inclusive there is a huge collection of wines and snacks in the minibar which is part of the package. Take out the glasses in the next drawer and enjoy the sunset in the privacy of your villa. Kandolhu Island is still very new, it has only been about 2 years after re-opening as a 5 star luxury island. The cozy little island has long been regarded as the home to one of the best house reefs in es. The turtles at Kandolhu are friendly, they are not scared of you and normally don't swim away. You could stay inches away and enjoy movements of this amazing creature. You are good as long as you don't touch or stand on marine lives including coral. You need to keep little distance for dangerous species of fish commonly found in the es. I relaxed the whole afternoon and went out for dinner. The main restaurant serves a la carte menu. I flipped the pages and ordered a ian Reef Fish. You could choose the type of marination, style of cooking and sauce you like. As I was enjoying my dinner, I could oversee the Teppanyaki restaurant. There were 8 - 10 guests occupying all seats. The chef was cooking and serving to the plates. All guests were staring at chef who demonstrated many magics while cooking the food. I enjoyed my whole fish grouper which is my favourite and went back to villa. Next day morning I woke up early and snapped some pictures before going for breakfast which too is a la carte. There was a mini buffet with pastries, fruits and some drinks. I picked a few and ordered ian Traditional Breakfast and an omelet. I wanted to see all the different room types and Laura was kind enough arrange that for me. After breakfast I went to reception and went to see the rooms with her. Right after it was my departure. Photo: Marc, Resort Manager, Kandolhu Island es I truly enjoyed my time at Kandolhu. Thanks to Marc, Laura and rest of the team. Absolute #paradise that takes just 5 minutes to walk around. #honeymoon # es Rice and chicken mixed in spices stuffed into a piece of raw bamboo log that goes on natural fire till outer later becomes charcoal, is Bamboo Chicken Biryani as made by the tribes of India. The wood of bamboo is an extremely hard material with a hollow inside that has segmented air pockets of which each serves for a single portion. The bamboo pipe is enclosed with green leaves making the steam blocked while food gets cooked. Result is the rich flavour of bamboo extracted by the circulating steam while aroma of food itself remains largely contained. The richness of flavour makes this tribal dish one of my favourites. Today you can buy this dish from street food stalls in many parts of India. There are many ian resorts that have Indian restaurant but Bamboo Chicken Biryani is yet to make it to the es. There is Swarna at Jumeirah Vittaveli, Tandoor Mahal at Kuramathi or Baaraabaru at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa to name a few Indian restaurants in the es. But, which of these will be the first to serve the centuries old Indian tribal dish that you probably never tasted? ian resorts import most of the products from overseas, including charcoal. Raw bamboo is no difficult to source if you really want to introduce a new experience to your guests. There is still room to grow and bring innovation in simple things. But, which resort will be the first? Click a SHARE button to encourage resorts to introduce Bamboo Chicken Biryani. Bamboo Chicken Biryani from the tribes of India. #food #dinner #india #tribes #gourmet #streetfood Deluxe Water Villa at Conrad es Rangali Island is 115 sqm in size. On top of the regular facilities an outdoor whirlpool makes this villa fantastic for couples. But there is a problem. The best offer we could find for the month of April comes to USD2265 per night with breakfast. Certainly a lot of guests are happy with this, that is why the island is quite much occupied throughout the year. Deluxe Water Villa at Conrad es Rangali If you want to save, this is the lowest offer we could find. Still you insist some discounts? Fine! But, you need to think out of the box. What is Conrad? International brands carry reputation and trust in their branding. That is one reason they are often more expensive. The more established and well recognised the hotel is the higher the prices. Yes, you are literally paying for reputation when you pay for room. This is where you can save! Pick a similar room in an individual resort that is not part of a global brand. But then it won't be Conrad es? Most likely it will be equally good or better but if you know how to choose the right island. This is where es Hotel Ranking helps you. The ranking is based on bulk of credible guest reviews which you can verify by comparing reviews on major review websites such as Tripadvisor. Ocean Pool Villa, Kandolhu Island Resort To compare with Conrad es Deluxe Water Villa we picked the Ocean Pool Villa at Kandolhu Island. Deluxe Water Villa at Conrad es Rangali Island Room Size: 115 sqm Comes with whirlpool Ocean Pool Villa at Kandolhu Island Room Size: 90 sqm Comes with private pool In Conrad es the room is bigger. At Kandolhu the room comes with a more attractive outdoor setting. All in all, it seems to compensate each other. Coming down to price, the best offer for Ocean Pool Villa comes USD1440 per night for two with breakfast. This is 36% cheaper than Conrad. On 13th April 2016, Conrad es was ranked 36th in the es whilst Kandolhu proudly shines at #2. You trust more on brands or what people say about those brands? To save is to think out of the box! Choose an island where people go and come back happy. How to save 36% on #Conrad # es If you know es it is needless to mention the amazing experience of snorkeling on the reef. What you do not know may be a few species of fish that are dangerous and commonly found in the es. Incidents are rare, because even the dangerous fish becomes a thread to you only when you pose a threat them. Otherwise you are safe and they are happy. Photo by Hila Gvir I always advice my guests to keep 6 feet from any sea creature. I have heard in some resorts they advise tourists to keep two arms distance, which comes to around 6 feet for an average person. Previously I have written about the dangerous species of fish commonly found in the es and this post is not going to cover all the fish. Now you know that you should keep distance from fish and coral. Also, do not touch or stand on coral. Because coral growth takes years or decades to grow and when you stand it dies. That is one reason. The other is your personal safety. You may think you would see every fish, especially the ones that are big enough to be dangerous. It is often not the size that matters when it comes to safety. The little ones sometimes are poisonous and big ones are not. Out of all fish, there is one that you hardly can see. While you snorkel you may not even notice is there. Not because it is small in size, but its colours make you think it is coral. I am talking about stone fish. It stays camouflaged in the coral. When you step on it there are poisonous thorns on the back of fish that pierces into your foot. I have had this happened to me once during a night snorkeling. It was in the lagoon with small pieces of dead coral. When you walk you feel it is not soft sand on the sea floor. I was walking towards the island and I stepped on a stone fish. I did not know what it was, but I felt something sharp that went in my foot. I got back on the island and checked my feet, I could not find anything but it was painful. I suspected it was stone fish and doctor gave me an injection into the swollen part of the feet. I went to bed and when I woke up next morning I was fine. So, do be careful while you enjoy in paradise. Deadly #fish almost impossible to spot # es 18 Arp 2016: We were keeping an eye on Amilla Fushi literally from conception to completion but there was little we could see. Under the leadership of Tom McLaughlin, aka WTF (What The Fushi), the resort started taking shape of a new beast that breaks every norm. The “home” concept of architecture made us feel like the rooms were made to live rather than to stay, that was very exciting. Days later, Luke Mangan, the Australian celebrity chef, joined the team of Amilla Fushi to portray his culinary skillset. These two combined, we thought the resort would outperform competitors. After more than an year in operation, today the resort is ranked 21st in the es on es Hotel Ranking. Thanks to Tom, the conceptualist, for bringing together all fantastic elements. Being part of the es Top 50 is an incredible achievement, but the position of 21 sounds not quite the rightful spot for such a fantastic resort. We took time to dig in and find out what could be improved to make the already fantastic island even better, so that it could possibly reach Top 50 on the ranking. It seems to be just one thing to realign! Make butlers (katheebs) more consistent in service delivery. That is what people say in reviews. es Finest Ranking is based on bulk of credible reviews and is updated daily. Hence, the rank of 21st in the es itself is a great achievement. Congratulations Amilla! See you in Top 10, hopefully soon! Pictures show a middle aged white woman with a small fluffy dog running on the beach. On another picture she carried the puppy in her arms while talking to some of the local boys. On social media many speculates if this in fact is es. es Finest has investigated the report and believes this happened in southern Addu City. Dogs are prohibited animal in the es, except for law enforcement purposes. The es Police have sniffer dogs to identify illegal items at customs and sometimes use on special operations. The public reaction on the matter puts finger on es Customs Service. But, es Finest believes the dog came in a small private yacht which anchored in Addu Atoll on its way to another country. The yacht has already departed and authorities seem to have no report about the incident. It is quite common to have pet dogs in small yachts but tourists do not bring it to the island. Last week I visited a local café in Hulhumale with a friend. I prefer seaside places to enjoy drinks and Hulhumale’ happens to have many small restaurants and cafés by the beach. We walked in to one and ordered cappuccino, walked across the road to the beach where sat down comfortably. Photo: The coffee we had in Hulhumale In a few minutes waiter came with drinks. It looked awesome. The coffee art was simply mind blowing. I had seen this on the pictures but was not expecting it to be available in a local island or city. In luxury resorts I would expect this but not in a local coffee shop. I noticed taste was slightly lighter than the usual Lavazza beans which are common in es. From latte to espresso there were many items on the menu. Next time I will try out a latte. If you want to try this out it is available at The Family Room, Dhigga Magu, Hulhumale. Despite its name it is actually a coffee shop, not a guesthouse. Note: Pictures are copyright reserved by es Finest. There is a great opportunity to add exciting culinary cruising experiences to that holiday of a lifetime at Baros es. The award-winning resort’s programme of special cruises by dhoni or motor yacht has recently been enhanced with the addition of breakfast, lunch and sunset cocktail on-board cruising options. Serenity, the resort’s luxury Princess 54 motor yacht, is now available for private charter by couples on a daily basis for a “Lunch for Epicures” cruise and also for a “Champagne and Canapés” cruise as the sun sets. The Serenity Epicurean Lunch Cruise features a menu of several delicious courses served by the onboard butler, while during the 90-minute Sunset Cruise for two, champagne and canapés are served on deck creating a romantic interlude as the sun slips below the horizon. Another innovation for cruising is the new Nooma Breakfast Sailing. Nooma is a traditional woodenhulled sail dhoni (with auxiliary inboard motor) with a sun deck in the bow and an air-conditioned cabin with lounge, bedroom and bathroom. A breakfast fit for connoisseurs is served to couples by the onboard butler in the exclusive privacy of the dhoni as she sails in the tranquil waters off Baros es. These three new cruises complement the existing options of lunch, sunset sailing and secret reef diving by Nooma as well as the day-long and sunset Dolphin Watching cruises by Serenity. Baros es is a privately-owned ian resort just 25 minutes by luxury speedboat from the es International Airport with 75 secluded villas, both overwater and by the beach, and three gourmet class restaurants, two bars, and a thriving house reef perfect for snorkellers and divers. I have heard some tourists say es was getting expensive and they no longer could afford holiday every year. Apart from recently developed guesthouse holidays there comes low season to es tourism industry. June, July and August is a period that offers exceptionally low prices on es resorts and liveboards. I have just gone through rates for different resorts on es Finest Top 50 and noticed majority of resorts have remarkably dropped their prices during the low season. To be more specific, a discount of 25% upto 35% have been observed. But this is not all. On top of the special offers there resorts that give free night offers. For instance you book 5 nights to get 1 extra night for Free. For the free night you still have to pay government taxes, but nothing more, most of the resorts even give the same meal plan without a charge. To be eligible for free night offers you need to stay minimum 5 nights, preferably 7 nights, depending on the resort this duration varies. But, if you do plan for a minimum of 7 nights you are most likely to get 1 additional night FREE OF CHARGE. If you want more additional nights, a minimum of 10 nights upto 14 is required. Do note that not all resorts give free night offers. There are resorts that only gives discounted rates, but not free nights. Others do not discount, instead provide the free night. Some gives both. Now you may be feeling “wow” in your heart, but I am not finished yet. Free room upgrades, meal plan upgrades and free activities such as water sports are common elements of low season special offers. If you are coming in groups, there is more. You should get more, ask your tour operator for free goodies. How to get the low season special offers Big international tour operators often offer flights and hotel together as a package. You need to check the contents to see what is included and what is not. Most of these operators automatically include the free nights, discounts and free upgrades. Being big, it takes time for these tour operators to go through all channels and process the latest discounts before it reaches customers. Smaller but well established agents, especially local agents, in this case provides latest discounts and free offers. Local agents usually do not sell flights. So you need to book your flight on your own. Important thing here is that you check availability of your flight, book the hotel with your agent and then book the flight. The agent who sell hotel or resort should provide you transfer costs based on the type of transportation practiced by the resort. Resorts close to airports usually offer transfer by speedboat, other by seaplane which flies only in day time. See this map to locate resorts close to airports. Based on type of transfer you may be required to stay overnight in city hotel or guesthouse, there are many such hotels in Hulhumale and some in Male’ City as well. Recommended is to stay in Hulhumale’ which is connected to airport by roadway, just a 10 minute drive which makes everything more convenient. For your return, if your international flight is at night the resort would arrange seaplane in the day time, usually late after but not always, as it depends on seaplane schedule. The key to take advantage of the special offers and last minute discounts in the low season is to communicate with the agent before you book. Published rates on websites sometimes do not include the discount part. Because there are so many resorts and hotels, with several room categories. To calculate and update it takes time. So to simply ask an agent with other question you may have is the best approach. These days many agents have live chat, Whatsapp or Viber. List of resorts that give free nights and discounts I was initially thinking to come up with a list of resorts to make things easy for tourists to book and take advantage of the season special offers. But, I noticed the offers slightly vary from agent to agent and duration of special offers are relatively short. For sample example Agent A gives you free non-motorized water sports during the stay, but Agent B may give free meal update or room upgrade to next category depending on availability. Despite the fact that low season run through June, July, August, a relatively long period, the special offers often do not last long, especially the kind of offers that gives really good value. So, stick to the best approach of kindly asking an agent for special offers and free nights along with other questions you may have. If you don't have specific resort that you want to stay, new resorts often give great value for money. Read reviews on Tripadvisor and when you are confident just go for it. Are you looking for a memorable dining experience on your next foreign trip? Then all that you have to do is to head to the Hurawalhi Island Resort in the es. The resort has introduced the largest underwater restaurant in the world. As you can imagine, the view will be a feast to your eyes. Even though there are underwater restaurants all over the world, those restaurants can accommodate only 10 diners at a time. At Hurawalhi the restaurant can accommodate up to 30 diners at a time. The resort is opening on 1 December 2016. Let's take a look see pictures of resort and facilities. Dolphins Sandbank Hurawalhi Island Dining Snorkeling Stunning Beaches Amazing Views Diving Indian Ocean Lounging & Sipping Ecofriendly Scenic Seaplane ‹ › X About the restaurant, take a look at the design itself. It is basically a steel structure. Around it is a transparent acrylic dome. You will be able to view the marine life through the transparent dome. The restaurant will sit in the lagoon surrounded by countless coral species and fish. Jumbo, the shipping Company is in charge of the installation, and they plan to install it without disrupting the surrounding environment and marine life. They are planning to minimize the impact as much as possible. The famous Auckland architectural MJ Murphy is behind this project. They are experienced in similar underwater projects. Also, they are the ones who designed the Conrad es Rangali Island resort underwater restaurant. But that was a small restaurant in comparison. Fitzroy Engineering is behind the actual construction. It has 74 feet length and 410 tons weight. It took more than 10 months for them to complete the construction. How would the diners enter the restaurant? You can enter the restaurant via the hut built above the water. A spiral staircase (43 foot long) will lead you to the restaurant. Since they have only limited space inside the restaurant, there is no kitchen and the food is cooked and delivered fresh. There is a dumbwaiter to deliver food to the depth of the lagoon. This place can be used for wedding receptions as well. The restaurant was built in New Zealand and shipped to es via a cargo ship. Without any doubt, it is going to be a unique experience for the traveler. If you are looking for an exciting experience like this, then you should head to this island as soon as you could. After all, there are only a handful of undersea restaurants in the world! If you want an unforgettable experience then this has to the place you want to be. Watching the marine life from close proximity is always going to be a wonderful experience. Hurawalhi Island Resort attractions and underwater restaurant # es #Hurawalhi Without thinking twice, Finolhu is a dream beach destination. This beautiful island in the es is paradise on earth. This island has so much beauty in and around it. You will have a great time at the resort, as they have provided everything for a memorable and comfortable stay. The resort is a good mix of glamour and old world charm. If you are in the classic travel, then this has to be the perfect place for you. Baa Atoll in es is really a popular destination. It is blessed with numerous islands with rich waters and pristine lagoons. Finolhu is one such island that attracts hundreds of tourists. If you spend a few days in the island resort, you will realize that it has a retro feel attached to it despite all the modern amenities provided there. If you are planning a weekend getaway with your friends or partner, this resort is an ideal choice. Baa Atoll is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve which is an administrative division of the es. It has over 75 islands of which 13 are inhabited. It has a total population of 11,000 people. Several of those uninhabited islands are being converted into resorts and Finolhu is one such island. Wondering how to get there? You can reach the island by a seaplane as well from the Male International airport. It will take you only 30 minute seaplane ride to reach there. Otherwise, you can go the local Baa Atoll airport named Dharavandhoo Airport and then reach the island by a speedboat as the speedboat ride won’t take more than 20 minutes. You will reach Baa Atoll after a 30 minute speedboat ride from Amilla Fushi, a sister resort. This island is perfect for family gatherings, family vacation, honeymoon etc. Lagoon Villa We are referring to a 145sqm villa here. Here you will get direct access to the sea. You will be impressed by the furniture in these villas. Who wouldn’t like crystal chandeliers? There is also a private mini bar where you can watch TV on the big screen. Outdoor showers and outdoor sundeck are other things which you will find hard to resist. They also provide bathrooms that give you the view of the ocean. Ocean Pool Villa We are referring to an 180sqm villa. You will be delighted with the fact that you get direct access to the sea. It also comes with a freshwater pool. The villa boasts of really beautiful furniture. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the private sundeck or the outdoor daybed? They also have provided large screen TV. This is one of the most impressive villas I have ever seen. BAA BAA Beach club This is the place to enjoy world class cuisines. You can savor the local cuisine as well. You can enjoy the food while watching the ocean. You can also view the live cooking stations. You should also enjoy cocktails provided by experienced mixologists. At night, you can have a good time at the Beach Club Bar. Finolhu is the place you want to be for memorable holiday. The unique feature of Finolhu includes a sandbar which is one kilometer long. I would suggest you to take a Dhoni ride so that you can have a perfect afternoon. Who wouldn’t want to play on the white sand? Overall, Finolhu gives you all the beauty in es with a twist of luxury and comfort of contemporary lifestyle. ‹ › X We share lot of pictures on our facebook page. They are wonderful. But these 5 pictures as different. Because they are truly epic, not necessarily beautiful. You might or might not have seen a picture like this before. Even if did, it is not common. So, enjoy the pictures. Picture by Irafaan There are bigger species of fish in the ocean. But, have you seen a humongous jack fish like this in real life? This is not uncommon in es but pulling it in on a line is no easy thing. Jack Fish is known is well known among fishing addicts as one of the strongest in the sea. Its narrow body and strong fins enable it to maneuver quickly. Picture by Apnea es Everybody loves seafood. But, in the waters of es you could only find lobster, crab, cuttlefish and octopus. A lobster of this size is not uncommon but rare. By the way, sooner or later it is probable that someone will come up with this as a new backpack design. Picture by Apnea es This lobster is even bigger. It weighs 5.8kg. Can you believe it? It is just one lobster that is enough for 6 people. The local style of cooking lobster is just grilling it on natural charcoal. Picture by Apnea es In the ancient Egypt people used camels to ride on it. Later it was horses, nowadays its cars and bikes. Under the water this man just utilized a sailfish. Can you believe it? Even if the fish was not alive the pose is not bad, right? Picture by Wow Locations Love takes people closer. The more you love the closer you want to be with your wife or girlfriend. This man seems to have loved a little too much that he wants to swallow her in whole. How is the pose? I guess you will try this on your next trip to es. Click a share button below and see that your friends say! World's leading video game company Electronic Arts (EA) and Dice are working on a game that is based on island setting of es, es Finest has learnt. It is a first-person shooter action game with latest 3D graphics. On the game es is a paradise planet with islands and beaches. Then the galactic warfare takes palace with advanced weaponry and spaceships on both sides. There will be multiple islands and spaceships. Young game players are already too keen to fly one and explore different islands, but it is yet too early to know what exactly will be used to travel among islands. Named "Star Wars Battlefront : Rogue One Scarif" the game is planned to be released this December, a date has not been officially fixed but December 20th is most likely. There has been many series of "Star Wars Battlefront" and the new release coming this December will be "Rogue One Scarif". The island planet of es is actually called Scarif on the game. The video game will be followed by its movie "Star Wars Rogue One" which was partly filmed in the es earlier this year. The film will be released on 16th December. Some of the ian soldiers actually played the role of Storm Troopers. Many ians are already impatient for the release of movie. Now there is a game too. Wow! That will be fantastic. Just a little more wait. Emirates flight EK653 has made an emergency landing at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) in es. The flight reportedly took off around 23.00hrs from INIA and was enroute to Dubai. After about 10 minutes into the flight it changed course and made emergency landing back at INIA. Emirates EK653 after emergency landing at INIA - Picture by passenger There were 362 passengers on board and no casualties were reported. There was no damage to the flight that could be seen outside when the passengers got off the plane. When the plane landed the airport was on high alert with fire vehicles and ambulances lined up ready for action. Flight EK653 at INIA after emergency landing - Picture by passenger An official at the airport told reporters the pilots were suspicious of fire in cargo area but nothing of that nature was found upon inspection. The flight was undergoing further inspection as we reported this incident. #BREAKING: #Emirates flight EK653 makes emergency landing shortly after take offhttp://goo.gl/xRki2U Take something sweet on your breakfast to stay sweet. Waffles are great try out if you are already not an addict already. Honey topping or the chocolate bread spread is not the only choices at Velaa Private Island. Besides the taste it looks irresistibly good on your table. What an awesome way to start your morning! Luxury yachts are everywhere. If like to sail a more authentic way this yacht named Anna is the perfect choice. See how beautiful this beast is? Though not exactly the same it does resemble a bit like Pirates Of The Caribbean. But this is actually an ancient ian design. Anyway, if you like fresh sushi do check out if the skipper have some fishing lines on board. Few resorts have this design of yachts, guests told me the best thing on board they had was fresh sushi. But, what makes it so special? The fish is still alive when the chef slices out the meat. That much freshness is something you can hardly get, no matter how much you pay for it. I am not sure what to call this. A swing or hanging lounger? The later sounds a better fit. Either way, this is a perfect spot to spend sometimes and snap pictures. I could still recall the picture of Paris Hilton reclining on the lounger right there. That was last December. Golf courses are definitely not common in es but Velaa is not the only island that comes with it. This 9-hole par-3 immaculate golf course occupies a large part of the small luxury island. When you fly the seaplane over Velaa this is a breath taking view you can resist snapping a picture. This beautiful golf course is a barefoot place, leave your shoes outside. The island itself is actually on barefoot concept, you do not see many people in slippers during the day time. More common are guests with flippers who love to snorkel around the house reef. This looks like an ordinary Jacuzzi right? Well, it is not a Jacuzzi at all. It is a whirlpool. What is the difference? Jacuzzi pumps in air that make bubbles in the water. Whirlpool does the same but with water instead. That makes it kind of massage to your body, you feel the pressure more deeper into your body. In Jacuzzi the air bubbles are shot at high speed, as soon as it touches the bubble bursts, so it gives all its force to the outer layer of your skin. Whirlpool shoots water that gives massage to your body. In pictures the look is similar in both but not same, practically both are different but used for the same purpose. Five unique features of #VelaaPrivateIsland # es Haa Alifu Atoll (Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi) is the northern most atoll of the es. There are 15 local residential islands, 18 uninhabited islands and 3 resorts in the atoll. Dhidhdhoo is the capital island of Haa Alifu Atoll. Closest airport is Hanimadhoo International airport in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Scroll down to the bottom for map of Haa Alifu Atoll or click map of es to see all islands and atolls on one map. Local islands • Dhidhdhoo • Thakandhoo • Filladhoo • Hoarafushi • Baarah • Ihavandhoo • Kelaa • Maarandhoo • Ihavandhoo • Mulhadhoo • Muraidhoo • Hoarafushi • Uligamu • Vashafaru • Utheemu Resorts: • JA Manafaru • J Resort Alidhoo • Hideaway Beach & Spa Uninhabited islands: • Innafinolhu • Matheerah • Hathifushi • Umarefinolhu • Maafinolhu • Kudafinolhu • Unguli Finolhu • Huvahandhoo • Gallandhoo • Dhigufaruhuraa • Beenaafushi • Kandaalifinolhu • Dhapparuhuraa • Alidhuffaru Finolhu • Gaafushi • Mulidhoo • Maarandhoo Farufinolhu • Maafahi Note: Will be updated with more info later. New Bride is a clean and minimalist Wordpress wedding theme. The pink colour with shades of grey and white background gives the simplicity while keep the theme elegant. There is a romantic font style that gives a very appealing look. The theme has been submitted to Themeforest. Once approved you can purchase this premium theme for your high quality content. We will put a link here once approved. If you have comments or suggestion use the forum to create a thread and discuss. In the next few weeks we will probably release another wedding theme that is similar but not same as New Bride. Different people like different colour schemes, so we will throw some good colours together with design changes. Some people also like 3 column themes, New Bride is just 2 column. Below is the actual screenshot of the them. Screenshot of the homepage Screenshot of a blog post Tourists are coming in to es from all over the world have no idea about hospitals and healthcare facilities in the country. An island country comprising 200 local residential islands and over 130 resorts which are located on its own island it is important to have a handy list of hospitals with contact details. Every island belongs to an atoll which is a group of islands in the natural formation. To make it easy to locate hospital the list is categorized atoll-wise. If you don't know your which atoll is your island then see the map of es. Haa Alifu Atoll Haa Alif Atoll Hospital Shareeul Ameen Magu H. A. Dhidhdhoo Contact: +960 6500053 Haa Dhaalu Atoll Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital Bandaara Magu, Dhekunu Avah, H. Dh. Kulhudhuffushi Contact: +960 6528864 Shaviyani Atoll Shaviynai Atoll Hospital Nooraanee Magu Sh. Funadhoo Contact: +960 6540061 Noonu Atoll Noonu Atoll Hospital Roashanee Magu, N. Manadhoo Contact: +960 6560036 Raa Atoll Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital Dhandehelu Hingun, R. Ungoofaaru Contact: +960 6580029 Baa Atoll Baa Atoll Hospital Roashanee Magu, B. Eydhafushi Contact: +960 6608309 Lhaviyani Atoll Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital Ifthithaahee Magu, LH, Naifaru Contact: +960 6620048 Kaafu Atoll (also known as Male’ Atoll) ADK Hospital H. Sosun Magu, K. Male' Contact: +960 3313553 Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital - IGMH M, Kanbaa Aisa Rani Hingun, K. Male' Contact: +960 3335335 Hulhumale’ Hospital Huvandhumaahigun, Hulhumale’ Contact: +960 3350037, 3350038, 3350592, 960 3350593 Alifu Alifu Atoll (also known as North Ari Atoll) Alif Alif Atoll Hospital Saharaa Magu, A. A. Rasdhoo Contact: +960 6660645 Alifu Dhaalu Atoll (also known as South Ari Atoll) Alif Dhaalu Atoll Hospital Ameenee Magu, A. Dh. Mahibadhoo Contact: +960 6680529 Vaavu Atoll Vaavu Atoll Hospital Nooraanee Magu, V. Fulidhoo Contact: +960 6700691 Meemu Atoll Mulee Regional Hospital Rankokaa Magu, M. Muli Contact: +960 6720605 Faafu Atoll Faafu Atoll Hospital Kudagan'duvaru Magu, F. Nilandhoo Contact: +960 6740086 Dhaalu Atoll Dhaalu Atoll Hospital Ameenee Magu, Dh. Kudahuvadhoo Contact: +960 6760622 Thaa Atoll Thaa Atoll Hospital Haveeree Hingun, Th. Veymandoo Contact: +960 6780057 Laamu Atoll Gan Regional Hospital Causeway, L. Gan Contact: +960 6800026 Gaafu Alifu Atoll Gaafu Alifu Atoll Hospital Ameenee Magu, GA, Vilingili Contact: +960 6820034 Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Thinadhoo Regional Hospital Orchid Magu, GDH, Thinadhoo Contact: +960 6841990 Gnaviyani Atoll Gnaviyani Atoll Hospital Dhuvahfan'di Magu, Gn. Fuahmulah Contact: +960 6861860 Addu Atoll (also known as Seenu Atoll) Gan Regional Hospital Bodu Magu, Mathimaradhoo, L. Gan Contact: +960 6800096 Hithadhoo Regional Hospital Rahdhebai Magu S. Hithadhoo Contact: +960 6885045 Biggest hospitals in es IGM Hospital (more commonly known as IGMH) is the biggest government hospital located in capital Male'. If you are going there for any treatment do expect long queues and waiting. Since it is government managed the prices are lowest in the country. Most of the locals go to hospital. The second biggest is the ADK Hospital which too is in Male'. This is a private hospital is widely popular among middle class citizens and tourists. This hospital is also full of people but not as many as IGMH. Both the hospitals offer emergency services. If you are going abroad to any country the first thing you want to know is the FAQ and here is that of es. Previously we had this section combined with Map of es. To allow for more answers now this is a separate topic. Time to time the post will be updated. How can I get visa to es? If you have confirmed hotel reservation you can get free 30-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport, no matter which country you are from. You do not require prior visa to visit es. But you must hold hotel voucher to prove that you have confirmed reservation. Which currency should I bring? The local currency used in es is called Rufiyaa or MVR. Usage of US Dollar is very common in es. You do not need to exchange US Dollar to any other currency, you can pay by USD. Other currencies accepted at resorts include Euro, English Pound, Chinese Renminbi. Local shops only accept Rufiyaa and US Dollar, so if you have any other currency you could exchange on arrival at the airport. There is a currency exchange booth just before the exit. Banks in the capital Male' have long queues, hence its not convenient for travelers. What is the country code of es? Where can I buy sim card with internet? +960 is the country code for international direct dialing. There are two telecommunication service providers, Dhiraagu and Ooredoo es. Outlets of both companies could be found on the right side when you exit INIA airport. You can buy sim card with internet package. Don't forget to ask at the shop if 3G network is available in the resort. At least one service provider is there in every resort that gives 3G network, speed is about 4mbps in average. Resort wifi is often quite expensive. Some resorts do give free internet but if you want good speed the sim card is worth to spend a few dollars. If you are staying at least 5 nights it is definitely more cost effective to buy a sim card with an internet package. What credit cards are accepted in the es? All the resorts accept credit cards, but not all credit cards. Widely accepted credit cards are Visa, Master, American Express. Some resorts accept Maestro, Diners Club and other cards too. If you are planning to use cards in local islands it is advisable to use cash instead. What to wear when visiting local residential islands? es is a muslim country. To visit local residential islands and airports you should dress modestly. Your body should be covered from shoulder to knee. You could wear top with jeans or skirt. How to go Male' from airport? Male' is just 10 minutes from airport by boat. There is 24-hour ferry operated between Male' and airport. When you exit the airport terminal you would see many small boats moored to the jetty. There is a small booth selling ferry tickets. If you are planning to visit Male' on your departure from es, you could deposit your baggage at airport information counter, there is a charge of USD5 per baggage per day. What are the tourist attractions in Male' city? Male' is the world's smallest capital and one of the overcrowded cities. If you are visiting Male' you would see a large flag waving over the skyline. Take note of its location. Once arrived, head to the flag you saw while arriving and on the way you will see President's Office. If you walk straight, few minutes past the flag, you can find Fish Market and Local market. Then you can come back near the flag, around are souvenir shops. The mosque with large golden dome is called the Islamic Centre. There is a board with notice for tourists who wish to enter. Next the Islamic Centre is the headquarters of the es National Defence Force. Taking pictures of MNDF is not permitted. Just ask a friendly local and you will find the national museum, old Friday Mosque and Presidential Palace in walking distance. There are many restaurants around if you need a snack or refreshment. Dhaalu Atoll is relatively new but trending location for tourism. Sun Aqua Vilu Reef was the first resort opened in the atoll. Years later came Angsana Velavaru and few years back the Per Aquum Niyama which is next to Kudahuvadhoo. Photo: Kandima es Kandima es, the new playful contemporary resort, has announced opening in December 2016. Once opened this will be the 4th and largest resort in Dhaalu Atoll with 274 rooms. Per Aquum Niyam is currently (as of 17th Sept 2016) ranked Top 13th in the es on es Resort Ranking. This is a good indication that Dhaalu Atoll offers a good setting for a resort that wants to succeed. Kandima es being a four star resort that is relatively large in es size but the largest, it is strategically located close to the domestic airport of Kudahuvadhoo. The speedboat ride takes just 20 minutes from domestic airport which just a moment of exploration of Dhaalu Atoll by sea. Photo: Map of es shows Dhaalu Atoll. Kandima is the long island between Vaanee and Gemendhoo. Domestic airport transfer has its own advantages. The foremost is being cost effective. Seaplane transfer is a good experience but a costly expense on the other hand. For guests who wants to save on transfers and spend that budget on good accommodation or dining Kandima offers 6 different room categories and several restaurants and bars. You could also spend that budget on excursions such as dolphin watching or big game fishing. If you are a diver there are many reefs that were never explored as locals do not practice deep dive, the fishermen only snorkle to catch bait fish. No one actually knows that is deep down there. From the success story of Niyama we know the marine lives are beautiful in Dhaalu Atoll but there must be a lot to be discovered. Recent discovery of manta (manta rays) and hammerheads in Dhaalu Atoll only adds up the positive aspects in largely undiscovered paradise atoll. Manta Ray season starts in December and lasts through April. Tourists have reported seeing hammerhead sharks too. Through out the year there are plenty of fish and colourful corals to enjoy every dives. Photo: Map of Kandima es shows large lagoon with rooms on the beach front and over water There are 1190 islands and unaccounted number of sandbanks in the es. Travel by sea is an unavoidable part of the island nation, unless you fly and stay in a hotel room the entire stay. Scuba diving is kind of an addiction once start seeing the beautiful underwater world. Otherwise there are also Dolphin Watching, Fishing and many other sea based activities for you to do in es. While 200 of the 1190 islands are occupied by local residents, about 170 are resorts with some still under construction. About 800 islands are still uninhabited even though some are leased for industrial projects, resorts or airport development. All residential islands and resorts get cell phone network coverage, most of the desert islands also do and the coverage even reaches many areas of sea within the atoll. In an unlikely situation of engine failure there is a high chance you of receiving cell phone signal, if not the boats have UHF / VHF communication systems to radio for help. Let’s assume everything failed and you ended up on a desert island. How would you survive with absolutely nothing? Not even water or food. Here’s how! Before starting the survival tactics, I must admit that I am a great fan of Bear Grylls seen on Ultimate Survival series on NATGEO. But in this survival guide you won’t have to think of Bear Grylls’ taboo foods such as raw crabs and bugs. First thing you want is to find water. Get inside a thick bush that has dark soil and dig up the sand, you will find water within a metre or two below. Let the dust settle and clear up the water. Find an empty bottle on the beach to collect water. Add some charcoal to purity water or you can even make a filer with some cloth. You can find charcoal on the beach, if not light up a fire and burn some dry wood. To start a fire you can use the old fashioned friction method. If it is a sunny day the easiest way is to find some clear plastic bag to add water and use its magnification to concentrate sunshine into a pinpoint where it catches fire. Desert islands often have empty lighters and many useful stuff washed ashore. You can also find pieces of ropes and make a shelter on the beach. Almost all islands in es have palm trees. Climb up and get the coconuts for food, it also has tasty and nutritious water. Get a stick and make a spear for fishing, you will need fish. Cut a big plastic water bottle in half and use it to see through in the water. If you don’t have any spear fishing experience it would take time to learn. In the low tide if you see coral reaching water surface, there might be fish trapped in a small puddle. Use the spear and there is no easier way to catch fish. Sometimes there are large schools of parrot fish trapped. You might just be lucky. Most uninhabited islands are good places to find bird nests too, even birds if you can catch them. Put a trap on the beach and lure the bird into the trap. Don’t forget to fully explore the island. Many islands have good foods such as banana, screw pine. I have seen makeshift shelters in some desert islands, sometimes locals stay on these islands to collect coconuts and firewood. If you are stranded on an island there will be people looking for you. Keep an eye on the ocean for any passing boat, make a fire and throw raw leaves to create smoke. Draw some cross or SOS signs on the beach at different areas of the island, there might be seaplane rescue teams looking for you. What if you got stranded on a es desert island?. # es # # #Trip # #Holiday If you are visiting es with a briefcase full of American dollar bills what are you going to do? Head to a beautiful resort and just relax? That's what Cleant and Crystal have done, but that's not all. Relaxing was just the start of it. Their chosen destination for this trip was Anantara Kihavah in biosphere reserve of Baa Atoll. This was a es Top 10 resort according to our ranking at the time of writing this post. From the time of arrival they started to enjoy the island. Toasting champagne, lunching at the underwater restaurant, sand castle dinner on the beach like king and queen, are the highlights of their holiday. That's not all. They also had an awesome lunch in the sea, spa treatments and watersports. Cleant, 37, is an American businessman, originally from St.Lucia currently living in New York. They traveled half the globe to visit es. Picture on Cleant Instagrm show tremendous joy in absolute paradise. See more pictures and videos of Cleant and Crystal's es holiday on Instagram. Don't forget to watch the videos, there is one that got viral. It also shows the underwater restaurant. Anantara operates several resorts in es, including Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli, Naladhu. Niyama and Huvafenfushi are also operated by Ananatara, these 2 resorts are under Per Aquum brand. A man travels half the globe for this # es #honeymoon #American This luxury resort has 86 rooms of which 64 comes with private pool. While most es resorts occupy an entire island this resort comprises of two that are located side by side. This is Per Aquum Niyama, one of the few that has an underwater restaurant. See ranking of this resort in the es TOP 50. Despite it's luxury status the resort uses a very simple way for its weather report and there is no slightest bit of doubt about its accuracy. If you like this weather checker you can also build one at home, all you need a coconut and a small string. What you have to do is tie one end of the string to the coconut and other end to a tree to keep coconut hanging. Your DIY weather checker is done. It is that simple. But, do not forget to keep it out door, weather report will not accurate indoors. How do you read weather? It's very simple. 1. Coconut moving -> Windy 2. Coconut still -> Calm 3. Coconut wet -> Rainy 4. Coconut dry -> Sunny 5. Coconut white -> Snow 6. Coconut invisible -> Fog 7. Coconut Gone -> Hurricane You can also display a weather station board next to it so everyone can read current weather, like below! Coconut weather station at Per Aquum Niyama Niyama es: Beach near Watersports Centre Niyama es: Villa on both sides of the beach Niyama is located in Dhaalu Atoll, it takes 40 minutes to get there by seaplane which flies only in day time. There are 5 restaurants and 2 bars in the resort. Other available facilities include spa, diving centre, watersports centre. It's a coconut that tells current weather # es After 34 years, es has today decided to leave Commonwealth. Earlier on September 23, the es was included on the official agenda of Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group – CMAG’s meeting scheduled to be held in March 2017. Photo by Mihaaru : Foreign Minister and Attorney General at press conference today The decision to leave Commonwealth comes a week after President Yameen returned from an official visit to Saudi Arabia. In his visit President Yameen met with King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and many of his cabinet ministers. The kingdom gave es 300 scholarships and a loan of USD 150m. In the recent years there has been financial grants given by Saudi kingdom but not of significant amounts that exceeds $50m. Non-financial but significant was a grants earlier given to build a grand mosque in the outskirts of capital Male’. Photo: President Yameen with King Salman Bin Abdul Azim of Saudi Arabia The political instability of the es in recent years have bothered Commonwealth and proposed corrective measure to the government, failing which Commonwealth would consider suspending the country from 53 state organization established in 1949. Comprised mostly of former British colonies, es joined Commonwealth in 1982. After long 34 years es is now leaving Commonwealth. In a press conference the Minister Of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim said the decision was difficult to make. The minister stated that the es government was working with Commonwealth but they neither recognised the government’s effort towards democracy nor assisted. The minister also said Commonwealth was trying to influence internal matters of the country. Despite the decision to leave Commonwealth, the es will work with other international organisations that recognise es as an independent country, said the foreign minister. In the press conference Attorney General Mohamed Anil said the Commonwealth Charter states of working with countries without influencing internal affairs of the member states. Anil also suspected the Commonwealth of trying to influence es judiciary to obtain freedom to some of the criminals who the Commonwealth believes as political motivated. Despite unusual political maneuvers in both internal and international politics the tourism is happening as usual. Tourism being the major economic contributor to the es neither of political players want any harm to the industry. On the other hand the international airport and resorts are on its own islands while politics take pace mainly in capital Male’ which too remains peaceful in day-to-day lives. Following return of president from #SaudiArabia the # es decides to leave #Commonwealth Zanzibar is a part of Tanzania off the East Africa coat. es is in the South Asia. Despite being in two different continents both are in massive Indian Ocean. Zanzibar is as big as 950 square miles, whereas the entire es is just 115 square miles when land area of all 1192 islands are combined. The islands of es are dispersed over an area of 35,000 square miles. Konokono Beach Resort, Zanzibar The land areas of es is less than 1% of the country. Zanzibar is mainly one big island with few tiny islands in close proximity. Despite different geographical makeup some of Zanzibar pictures look very similar to es. White sandy beaches, amber sunsets and warm climate looks similar but not the same. Clear water of Zanzibar resorts are beautiful, may be not as clear as es. Google maps show Zanzibar beach resorts are not actually stretched entirely on the beach, few rooms are often beach-front while most remains behind each other in a way that only first set of rooms face the beach. The es beach villa concept is different, rooms face the beach and you get direct view of the beach or through thin vegetation. Apart from beach villas there are garden villas in es resorts and they don’t come with beach view. The map also shows the lagoons of Zanzibar are not as clear as es. Being a big island it seems sea grass has invaded beauty of this island. In es also there are some islands affected by sea grass but it is rare in general. The few resorts where natural beauty is comprised by sea grass there are so many spotless uninhabited islands you can visit on day trip or stay overnight with a tent on the beach. Fishing is some of the popular excursions in Zanzibar, it too is in the es. Both destinations offer scuba diving and snorkeling too. In es almost all resorts have house reef that makes snorkeling possible whenever you are in mood to jump off. Where as in Zanzibar this is not the case, you have to take part in excursion and travel in groups to reach a reef. If you want a good quality beach you can go Nakupenda Beach in Zanzibar. Wildlife is a great attraction in Zanzibar, a place called Cheetah's Rock is the most popular. Tourists often see cheetahs, zebras, tortoises, monkeys, peacocks, lemurs, white lion etc. es do not have wildlife. es water villas are widely popular among tourists. In Zanzibar it is rare to find one, if found the villas are very much extended above the water as if to prevent from big waves. In es water villas not do extend that high, usually it is less than 2 meters from sea level. In many es resorts you could find staircase leading down to the water right from your villa, in Zanzibar this is not the case and it looks unsafe to do so. Aerial view of Kuramathi, es In terms of costs, Villa with Garden View at Konokono Beach Resort costs about USD400 - 500 per night with breakfast in January. In es a similar villa but in beach front costs 3 times high for the same period. In es it is rare to find luxury villas with garden view. The verdict: Zanzibar offers beach holidays at very affordable prices. es offers finest beaches, crystal clear waters and luxury for those who can afford. #Zanzibar or # es ? Zanzibar or es? See these pictures before you decide! Blog: We had many good and bad experiences at VPS.Net in the last 5 years. Before I start with the review let me tell the reason I decided to write this review. There are many hosting review websites but I decided to write this review here for a reason. Also I would like to request you to read this fully before making assumptions because I had many good and bad experiences throughout. While I am writing this review we are still hosted on VPS.Net but moved to a different plan within VPS.Net. This week we had many problems with our Cloud Sites server at VPS.Net and we were looking for a similar range managed VPS or Cloud. When you google “web hosting” or “vps hosting” or “web hosting reviews” you get so many appealing results. Out of about 200 websites I checked 50 sites in detail. I did not see a single review that I felt as genuine, the majority of them came with affiliate links and looked like you were getting some benefits for writing review. So, I wanted to write a genuine review hoping this would save time for people looking for VPS.Net alternatives and people who would like to join VPS. I spent more than 24 hours in reading reviews and testing webhosting providers. I felt I wasted a lot of unwanted time due to lack of genuine reviews. Several years back we started at VPS.Net with a small Cloud Server. After sometime moved to Cloud Sites as it was found faster. Cloud Server is an unmanaged VPS with root access, it is scalable accordingly to VPS.Net but I never had to use that feature. Managing virtual private server was no easy for us because we are not Linux experts. Cloud Sites is a shared premium hosting, we paid $20 monthly and speed was incredibly good. We were very satisfied with that and spent few years. Every few months the server got down and we had to open ticket to which the replies were quick (less than 20 minutes) but actual rectification of problem usually took like an hour or two in most cases. In the past month the accumulated traffic from all our websites went remarkably high and we started facing a strange problem with our shared server at VPS.Net. We had problems with email. Email client software generates authentication frequently every single day for like a week. At times emails work flawlessly with the same configuration, so it was not a configuration problem. We created ticket to VPS support and verified that configuration was correct, despite that our emails were getting on and off. Most of time problem came in smtp while trying to send email. Some emails that was sent successfully were not reached to recipient when we physically checked from receiver end. VPS said there was nothing wrong with server emails. So, we are confused of what was going on. After few days our local IP address got blocked by server. I created a ticket and was quickly added to whitelist. Next day the same happened, my IP got blocked twice in two days. I was furious that VPS.Net refused of any problem with their server and yet it was blacklisting my IP which was dynamic. At the same time one of our clients on my facebook messaged me that she could not open my website. I immediately knew her IP got blocked too, she probably read about a dozen articles, not more than that and she got blocked. I was so furious, not because there was a problem but because of VPS’s denial of having problem and their failure to clarify the reason. I immediately sent a shoot of several tickets along with the request to whitelist our client’s IP. One of the support technicians actually said the blocking happened because of parameters in the firewall settings. To me that was obvious and I expected him to look into that. Having had a very bitter taste in my throat I decided it was time to leave VPS.Net and move out for good. That’s when I spent whole day and sleepless night looking for VPS.Net alternatives, managed VPS or fast clouds. Dedicated VPS was not in our budget range, also we definitely required a managed server. While analyzing premium webhosting companies I was thinking to my self “what was the reason VPS.Net was so fast in speed and very few couple reach that level”. Then I remembered was a monthly pageview limit on the Cloud Sites plan in addition to bandwidth in which we used less than 20%. We had VPS.Net Cloud Sites Business Plan and we were paying $20 per month. It was designed for 25,000 pageviews per month. es Finest and sister sites accumulated more traffic than this. I believe this was the cause that server got in tension and started blocking IPs of repeated visitors. VPS.Net support technicians did not explain this as the cause, but I remembered when I bought this hosting years back the technician at that time said it was not a strict package policy but they estimated the resources were ideal for 25,000 pageviews. Now the picture was clear for me. The incredibly awesome speed in VPS.Net Cloud Sites was not only their advanced technology but also management of resources in a way that shared servers do not get overloaded. Having this configuration in firewall nobody could take advantage and stress out the servers affecting websites of other users. But, I had a real bad experience with VPS.Net because their support engineers could not tell me exactly what was wrong. This was something that the system itself could have sent us an alert about increased traffic rather than blocking repeated visitors from accessing the site without a hint being given to us. When our IP got blocked we thought it was because we spend a lot of time on the site these days. After analyzing so may hosting providers we picked an unmanaged VPS that looked like easy to deploy. Because esfinest uses SSL encryption we bought a dedicated IP as well. While we were doing the setup a VPS support technician suggested the option of moving to virtual private server at VPS. Net instead of Cloud Sites shared environment that would give us the control of firewall. I thought “what an incredible suggestion”. I extremely happy about the speed of our websites hosted with VPS.Net and their customer service. From my experience with VPS.Net for about 5 years I know there is room for technicians to get better. But they replied 95 of our tickets within 15 minutes, may be 70% within 10 minutes. That’s any time of the day or night, weekends and workdays. I felt peace of having a technician to attend and reply to my ticket quickly which is not the case with some of the other hosting providers, including the one we just bought to move out. I personally don’t know about the support technicians in other hosting providers, but my assumption is they probably won’t be any better. I could be wrong. Now we are staying with VPS.Net with SSD VPS with following specs. • RAM: 2GB • SSD Storage: 50GB • CPU Cores: 4 • Transfer: 4TB • OS: CentOS • Control Panel: cPanel • Backup: Daily • Dedicated IP: 1 • Cost: $41 per month We are expecting this new SSD VPS Plan will be even faster and sufficient even if we get twice more traffic. This is a genuine review of VPS.Net. If you found this helpful kindly share the post to encourage good quality hosting reviews that are not attached to affiliate links. Genuine VPS.Net Review based on 5 years of hosting #VPS #VPS.Net #Webhosting W es has announced private island rental package. Pay $4m to rent entire 78 room resort for 4 nights. The all inclusive package comes with unlimited use of spa, water sports, gourmet restaurants and underground drinks bar. Not so many people would want to rent an entire island for a holiday. But there are people that requires exactly that. And when you have this there is no reason to quit your spa treatment, it could go for hours and hours but you could keep it going. Renting entire resort would be perfect to throw a private party. By the beach, by the pool? or in underground night club? Champagne would flow as you indulge. The price of USD4m is for 4 nights with unlimited all-inclusive. If you want to stay longer there is a discount on addition nights. • 4 nights - $4,000,000 • 5 nights - $4,750,000 • 6 nights - $5,500,000 • 7 nights - $6,250,000 W Retreat & Spa es is a five star deluxe resort that is widely regarded as one of the most luxurious in the es. The island is located in Ari Atoll. To get there it takes 20 minutes by seaplane. Now can you can book entire # es resort - $4m for 4 nights Terms of Use Terms esFinest.com is a travel blog mainly focusing on es, it may contain ideas or personal views of the writer or others, not necessarily facts. It is up to readers to believe or criticize. 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However, this is not a guarantee that such data transmissions cannot be accessed, altered or deleted due to firewall or other security software failures. If you have any further concerns about security, please contact us using the form provided on the website. Policy changes Changes in this policy will be posted on our Websites. You are advised to check our Websites regularly to view our most recent privacy policy. An old video of 1978 has gone viral in the es. On the video CBS journalist Morley Safer meets a German national who was exiled to Fulhadhoo island for committing murder. The German was happily married to a ian and living in paradise. He was exiled to Fulhadhoo in Baa Atoll, to live there was his punishment and he could not be more content. When asked if he would go back to Germany if pardoned, he said he would go back to see his family and come back to live in es. That’s what he did, but he never went back to Germany. He is still living in es, now with grandchildren. Photo by Mihaaru: Johim with his children in 1980s. His name is now Ismail. The story was covered on “It’s A Long Way To Furudu”, an episode of 60 Minutes by Morley Safer, the most watched and most profitable program in television history. In 1978 es was a peaceful community of about 130,000. Jails did not exist. That was probably the reason for this exile. At that time exile was considered a severe punishment. Members of every family were very interdependent to each other. To live on another island without family support would have been difficult. It did not matter to Johim Blum who said ians were friendly. He must have adapted to local lifestyle very quickly, his marriage indicates exactly that. One man’s punishment is another man’s dream. Photo: Fulhadhoo, Baa Atoll, es There was no island in es that was called Furudu, the island Morley referred was Fulhadhoo in Baa Atoll. In 1978 there was not many ians who spoke English. Award winning journalist visited es to record this documentary at a time es was unheard to much of the world. There were only 3 diplomatic missions in the es. From es there was only one diplomat representing the country internationally and that was the Ambassador to United Nations. The video is very interesting. Watch it! Johim is now 63, has 6 children and 11 grandchildren with the same wife he married 38 years ago. Local media Mihaaru tried to reach him for an interview but was unsuccessful. But they managed to convince one of his children and was able to get some pictures. Johim with a grand child - Photo by Mihaaru #German national killed his wife in es. His punishment turned out to his dreams. #Germany #DerSpiegel NIYAMA will challenge the conventional hotels with its culinary exhibitionism, leading guests on a gastronomic adventure starting at Epicure for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with take-away options from the international gourmet deli. Unwind at Fahrenheit, watching the ian sunset from the rooftop with a glass of your favourite drink in hand. TRIBAL, designed as a modern day campsite with culinary offerings influenced by the cuisines of South and East Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America. Live cooking for guests to observe and close interaction with the Tribal Chefs. Cooking preparations include hot rock grills, Asado grills, woks and open fires. Built 500 metres offshore, NIYAMA’s signature restaurant and lounge will appear to float on the surface of the Indian Ocean and will only be accessible by boat. Eight metres below, will be the world’s first underwater club, the ultimate experience in music and dance where NIYAMA LIVE will feature emerging and established artistes from around the world. Another first for Per AQUUM is Deli In. Each Studio and Pavilion will be stocked with a fridge brimming with gourmet deli items; cheeses, olives, cold cuts, wines to name a few. Merging the timelines between meals and offering greater freedom to relax throughout the day. Haa Alif is the most northern atoll in es. The inhabited islands on map are Thuraakunu, Uligamu, Mulhadhoo, Hathifushi, Huvarafushi, Ihavandhoo, Kelaa, Vashafaru, Filladhoo, Dhidhoo, Naridhoo, Baarah, Muraidhoo, Utheemu, Maarandhoo and Thakandhoo. Berinmadhoo was an inhabited islands since last year and residents have now been moved to another island. Manafaru, Island Hideaway and Alidhoo are resorts in Haa Alif atoll. On the map you can see there are many uninhabited islands in this atoll. Map of Haa Dhaal atoll (often spelled as Haa Dhaalu atoll) shows the inhabited islands of Naavaidhoo, Finey, Hirimaradhoo, Nellaidhoo, Kuribi, Nolhuvaramu, Kuburudhoo, Kulhudhuffushi, Kumundhoo, Neykurendhoo, Maavaidhoo, Vaikaradhoo and Makunudhoo. Faridhoo and Hondaindhoo are previously inhabited islands now being relocated to other islands. Hondaafushi, Nolhivaranfaru, Naagoashi and Kudamuraidhoo are leased to develop resorts. Hanimaadhoo is now an international airport, also the regional airport serving Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal, and Shaviyani atoll. Kulhuduffushi is the economic hub in this part of es. Like es souvenirs? Now you can buy online with us and we will ship your items via post. We accept paypal for all souvenir purchases. Please contact or chat with us to get shipping charges for your country. All items will be shipped within 1 business day and tracking number will be emailed to you if applicable. Pink coral Necklace (7.23mm Bead, 19") - Price $39 Pink Coral Necklace (8.30mm Bead, 18") - Price $39 Pink Coral Necklace (6mm Bead, 17") - Price $15 Red Coral Necklace (15.42mm Bead, 19") - Price $176 Red Coral Necklace (15.82mm Bead, 19") - Price $214 Red Coral Necklace (18.84mm Bead, 20") - Price $360 Lacque Vase ian Art Masterpiece - Price $78 Dhoni the traditional boat model - Price $20 es postcard with hand written message from you - Price $5 Do you dream of owning a private villa on the beach of es? How about a small hotel? es Finest is now seeking a foreign investor who likes to fulfil this dream jointly with us. Someone who likes to live and work in the hotel would be great but it is not a requirement. Photo: Lisette Eriksen and friends enjoying in the es We are in the process of acquiring a 10,000 square feet of beach front land. It is directly on the beach, no road in between. The sand is fine and white. The lagoon is shallow and reef is about 75 meters from beach. The large house reef attracts mantas and whale sharks in additional to other species of fish. Photo: Lisette goes fishing. The land has enough space to build several rooms as a multi-storey building. But, our plan is to start with 15 – 30 rooms. If you want to build a private villa we are open for negotiation. Currently there is speedboat ferry that runs twice a week. It costs $55 for a guest each way. There is a domestic airport under development and that is 10 minutes by speedboat. The domestic airport is not likely to get started this year. The land rent will be about USD400 (four hundred USD) per month. A one-time acquisition cost is about USD2000. Land will be rented out to 50 years. Ideal investors needs to contribute USD200,000 – 400,000 as a loan. First priority of the business will be to pay back the loan. Investor’s share of business will be 40% for 50 years. Our preliminary study indicates recovery of investment within 3 years. If you are invested please drop us a message via website contact page. Opportunity to own a private villa or hotel in # es is right here Have you set a new year resolution? Not yet? It is not too late and I have just 5 pictures to show you. Do not complain, nor dump a truck load of excuse! es is no longer expensive. Budget to luxury and everything in between is what es offers today. Without talking much lets get to the 5 pictures. This is a lunch happening at Bodumohoraa (picture by lukesadler05) in Vaanu Atoll. Modumohoraa is a picnic island, guests from resorts and guesthouses go there on day trips and enjoy strolling on white sand, swim and snorkel. Some just relax and stare at crystal clear waters. Under this inexpensive makeshift palm roof you could chill all day long if you got the right company. Beginning of a new year is a good time to replace your worries with a heavenly beach dream. Think of a Hollywood movie. Every time you got worried you were playing a boomerang kind of es dream in your head and that never stops. Would that be fantastic? I guess! Sunsets are spectacular in the es. Your sunset moments with your loved ones could be perfect right here on the beach. It used to be like that and guests liked it a lot, for several years. But, I see that table (at Constance Halaveli) slowly moving towards sea. It used to be on the beach, now I see it half way and that seems to be perfect when every wave kisses your feet. Talking to your friends or your partner in this state is a great experience you should try when you are in es. Not every guest would want to do fishing but I have to admit that I am an addict for this. I could go fishing every single day for weeks in a row. When you have a bad day there would be sharks biting off your catch before you pull it in, just like this picture from Prime Octopucs. This is a growing trend of dining (picture by Niyama) on the beach. Every once in a while it is good to try things in a new way. Some resorts call it "sand castle dining", others "destination dining" or just "special dinner". Whichever name you prefer, it is a bench and table made out of sand. There is a cloth put on to prevent your dress and food ending up in sand. A simple but majestic way to enjoy a beach side dinner in the breeze of Indian ocean. 5 things to do on your # es holiday 2017. # # Today the government of es has rebranded Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to Velana International Airport. This was the second time the main gate of es got rebranded. The airport that serves to over a million passengers annually was first opened in 1960s as Male’ International Airport. The name remained for several cades and in 2008 it got rebranded to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. President Ibrahim Nasir was the founder of this iconic structure. Hence, in 2008, President Mohamed Nasheed thought it would be important to associate the airport to its founder. On 1st January 2017, President Yameen rebranded the same airport as Velana International Airport. The name Velana was the tribal symbol of President Ibrahim Nasir and his was named after this tribal name. Speaking about the change, the government officials said it is short and easy to use this name. But, other argue the most suitable name was what it was initially called. Unlike other countries the es is made up of hundreds of tiny island. The island in which airport is located is called Hulhule’. The capital of es is called Male’, between these two islands it takes only 10 minutes each way by ferry. Velana International Airport is located in the mid region of the es. The strategic location makes it easy to reach other islands of the country. World’s largest seaplane operation is based in this airport. Trans ian is the seaplane company, its majority share is owned by Blackstone which is a listed company in the New York stock exchange. es Airport Company Limited owns and operates Velana International Airport. MACL is 100% owned by the government. There are other domestic airports operated by the government company. Velana International Airport serves to 99% of international passengers. Gan International Airport in southern Addu Atoll and Haminaadhoo International Airport in the northern region collectively serves to remaining 1%. The country map of es shows all airports in operation. Seaplanes are allowed to fly only in day light, due to safety reasons. Domestic airports serve day and night. This makes domestic airports an important part of the infrastructure for tourism. Seaplane transfers are costly compared to domestic flights, hence it is not effective for locals. Domestic airports serve to both local and tourism. David Beckham is no stranger to es. Every recent year he spent his new year's eve in the es, with his family. Last Friday (23 Dec 2016) David Beckham, his wife Victoria and their four children flew to es on a Qatar Airways flight. But, this time they are not staying at their usual resort. Photo: Gordon Ramsay with family members Beckham's Residence Beckham's Pool Bedroom Living Room Beckham's children Brooklyn Holly Ramsay Jack and Holly Beckham family Beckham's day out Brooklyn at watersports Harper & white sand Harper with stroller Victoria on New Year Victoria Beckham ‹ › X This year's new year holiday seems to be even more special to Beckham family. Some of their friends have already joined them at an undisclosed resort, among them is popular celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Pictures posted by Beckham were focused on the subject alone without showing surrounding areas. But, Ramsay could not keep up Beckham's media evading trend. He was captured on a buggy passing over the jetty. His name was written on the buggy's nameplate. es Finest could confirm this is no other than Amilla Fushi in Baa Atoll and this is where David Beckham is currently spending his new year vacation. David Beckham's preferred choice of accommodation this time seems to be a Beach Residence with four bedrooms. See the layout of the resort, there are only 4 such residences. Amilla which literally means "your island home" was built on the concept of living rather than staying. Managed by The Small es Island Company, the island was conceptualized by Tom McLaughlin and the head of culinary team is an Australian celebrity chef named Luke Mangan. Despite being very popular the resort is currently ranked 20th on the es Resort Ranking. We already know that Beckham family is throwing in a party to their friends. That may be the reason for choosing Amilla Fushi. Otherwise it would be the whale sharks and mantas in Baa Atoll. Hanifaru Bay is located in this atoll and it is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Some years back this world famous manta point was filmed by National Geographic. The spot remains popular and mantas are roaming around there every day. Manta and whale shark season lasts through December. #DavidBeckham with wife #VictoriaBeckham and #GordonRamsay celebrates #NewYear2017 in the # es It is like a ritual in the island of Fuvahmulah. In a particular season there would be many people gathering on beach and just wait looking at horizon. They are not there to relax. What they want is fishing but they don't carry fishing lines or anything of that sort. Just waiting on the beach is all they do but they return home with fresh catch. This is flying fish season at Fuvahmulah. Unlike other islands and atolls of es the island of Fuvahmulah is just one large which itself is also an atoll. There is no lagoon and island is often surrounded waves banging on the shore. House reef is very close to shore. This makes Fuvahmulah the best spot for catching flying fish and all you got to do is wait for it on the beach. They fly and land on the beach or at shore. Flying fish catching on the beach is a seasonal activity. Deep sea becomes too rough and flying fish gathers near the reef. Yellow fin tuna seizes this opportunity to feast on them. In a daring escape they get airborne and fly away. Some of them, out of terror, takes wrong course and land on the beach. Others become prey to hovering sea birds. It is an unlucky situation for poor flying fish. They may think their wings give them the edge, but the additional dimensions expose them to additional risks as well. They are surrounded by predators, in sea, air and land. For the residents of Fuvahmulah this is a lucky break. Especially when fisherman can't go out fishing because of rough seas. To catch flying fish all they do is just wait on the beach # es #Fuvahmulah Are you in search of a es luxury resort? Starwood's newest hotel St Regis es at Vommuli could be your best bet. The property was opened this November and there is an opening offer which seems to be at least 20% less compared with similar class of resorts. St Regis es Vommuli Resort is an all-villa 77 room property in Dhaalu Atoll, 128 kilometers from Male' Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. You will need a seaplane transfer to get there. It's a 40 minute flight, keep your smartphone or camera handy to capture magnificent views of countless islands and reefs as flight flies low. Here is a snapshot of room categories. • 4 Garden Villas With Pool: 150 sqm. • 14 Beach Villa With Pool: 140 sqm. • 35 Overwater Villa With Pool: 182 sqm. • 8 Overwater St. Regis Suites: 282 sqm. • 12 Two-Bedroom Family Villa With Pool: 334 sqm. • 2 Two-Bedroom Beach Suite With Pool: 531 sqm. • 1 Caroline Astor Estate: 620 sqm. • 1 John Jacob Astor Estate: 1540 sqm. Alba, the Italian restaurant, opens at 7:00 in the morning and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The a la carte restaurant is a bright and airy atmosphere with a beachfron open kichen. Chef Ayyoub is the one in charge who takes care of everything. Orientale opens for dinner and serves Asain cuisine. Indian and Pakistani style biryanis, curries or fresh naan are few to name. Asian cruise is very diverse, at Orientale you can also get Japanese and Korean dishes such as prawn dumpling, roasted duck or dim sum. Orientale servers on a la carte menu. There are three beachfront open kitchens and it is a relaxing atmosphere on a slow wine & dine concept. The Whale Bar is a lounge and drinks bar stretched over the lagoon. This iconic masterpiece opens at 5:00 pm and continues through the night till 12:00 am. Just recline on a sofa and sip your favourite cocktail. Set menu of 3 to 5 courses including seafood dishes gives you the option to celebrate every evening with something that feels to your stomach and taste buds. You can also order light bites to go with the drinks. Crust is a family friendly pizzeria that opens in the day time, 11:30 am till 4:00 pm. You have good options to skip lunch for something light. Cargo opens after sunset for gourmet street food in a garden setting. If you are tired to beach side atmosphere every evening this is a good alternative. It is a lively atmosphere to dine a la carte. Unlike other outlets Cargo does not open every night of the week. It opens on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 6:30 pm till 11:00 pm. Decanter is the underground wine cellar that opens in the evening from 7:00 pm till 11:00 pm. Take a five course dinner and do wine tasting with the sommelier. The outlet opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Prior reservation is recommended. Vommuli Island Beach Villa 2 Bedroom Family Villa Garden Villa Beach Villa interior villa interior villa interior villa interior Overwater Villa The Whale Bar ‹ › X St Regis # es Vommuli opens with great dining options! #luxury #holiday Not long after MH370 Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was speculated in relation to terrorism the new theory suggests possible heroism to prevent another 9/11 style attack. The stories are going from one extreme to another, without facts, and birth of new conspiracy theories seem far from over. In a climate like this, it may be good to recall some key facts and brainstorm a little bit to eliminate some of those conspiracy theories. 1. MH370 changed course and came back near Malaysia. There are conflicting reports about the exact location, but all indicates it came back near Malaysia. 2. Some mobile phones of the crew were turned on, the ping was picked up by more than one cell tower in Malaysia. 3. There has been no proof of any bit that suggests possible terrorism involving captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah or the co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid. Now let’s go a little deeper into these facts in a way that makes most sense if not all. The flight simulator found at captain Shah’s apartment did not reveal anything suspicious for an open minded person. If he wanted a simulator to practice a terror plot he would not need 4 screens for that, just 1 would have been enough. And that also could be have been trashed out after such a training. To me the simulator suggests only one thing – he was passionate about flying. The cellphones of crew pinged to the cell towers, if there was a terrorist plot by the crew the phones would most probably be turned off. While the passengers are asked to turn off cell phones in flights there are people who fly frequently but never turn phone off. The fact that MH370 turned back towards Malaysia is an important fact. You can come up with possible terrorism or heroism theories but the most relevant would be that it was an attempt to land at an airport off land. To commit terrorism or heroism there other options than turning back and coming near Malaysia, such options sound more effective towards achieving objective than coming back to the vicinity of Malaysia. Enough of #MH370 conspiracy theories? These are the facts you cant deny. 23 Nov 2016: I am so frustrated. I admit it. Many new resorts are coming up in the es with almost no innovation. Ever since es started tourism it remained creative and innovative. For the first time in a decade I am feeling the innovation has started to decline. Let’s make it clear. New luxury resorts such as Soneva Jani or St Regis es looks fantastic. But, that’s basically all, other facilities and services are the norms in es, there is nothing wholly new. Nothing new to make guests blown away. The villas in Soneva Jani comes with a sliding roof. You can now do star gazing in the comfort of your bed or just fall asleep under a blanket of twinkling stars. That’s a little bit of innovation from one of the most intelligent hotel chains in the es. Apart from that I don’t see anything else to highlight. Soneva group’s addiction to organic foods is something I admire but there is plenty of room to enhance it further. Trash-to-treasure recycling was also attractive, their eco-friendly concept is simply wonderful. These were highlights of previous years. In 2016, the one of the few innovations I could mention seems to be the sliding roof. Some of the existing resorts acquired small semi-submarines this year. The submarine at Kuramathi is the biggest in any resort, it seems server around 12 - 18 people at a time. Much small ones that can take about 4 – 6 people at a time are available at Lily Beach, Kihaad es, Hideaway Beach Resort. Tourism is a rapidly booming industry across the globe. The race of tallest skyscrapers is still on, space tourism is still attempted at rocket building stage, people are busy with many more. Tourism diversification is happening everywhere. If es remains silent, the nature’s bliss may no longer be attractive. Let’s get things straight. Here is a list of few things are not available in the es. The villa you stay may cost thousands of dollar a night, but you can never get these in es. Bamboo chicken biryani People from other continents visiting Asia would obviously likely to try out Asian cuisine. For that reason many resorts do have Asian Restaurant or at least an Asian specialty menu. Organic cooking styles are still not very common in the es. Again, many resorts do have charcoal grill, that’s great. But there is room to enhance this and make cooking itself more nature oriented than industrialized. Bamboo chicken biryani is a very popular street food in India and other parts of Asia. In es bamboo is very rare, especially the thick bamboo that is suitable for biryani cannot be found. So, this has to be imported and it is quite convenient to do so. A bunch of bamboo that is stored in right temperature would last at least a month. Breadfruit pudding Bread fruit is used as a vegetable, you can’t eat it raw. It is not very common but available throughout the country, including the local market in Male’. Most of the chefs at resorts being foreigners may be they are not familiar with this fruit. Breadfruit pudding is a very traditional local dish that is still enjoyed in the local islands. Breadfruit rice Chunks of breadfruit mixed with rice and cooked together makes breadfruit rice. It’s an authentic ian dish that is enjoyed in local families. Fresh sugarcane juice Sugarcanes do grow in es but it is extremely rare to find. To serve fresh sugarcane juice it must be imported. It is not hard to source, just include in your purchase list and overseas supplies would deliver it. To make juice you will need a special machine that squeezes the juice out, it is inexpensive. Fresh sugarcane juices comes in olive green colour, within minutes it changes to brown and no longer tastes as good as before. Fruits fresh-from-the-tree This is a challenge. The soil of local islands are not very fertile, to grow anything on a consistent manner you will need fertilizer and with that it is not impossible to grow your own fruits. It would be fantastic to have an orchard where you can visit with your butler and enjoy fruits fresh from the tree. No matter how luxury it is you cannot get these 5 things in es to taste. # es #Luxury es Coast Guard has today rescued a missing tourist couple in sea. The couple (reportedly of Chinese national) spent at least 17 hours in sea before being resuced this afternoon. When found they were in an air bed drifting on the surface, 12 miles off Vadoo island. Photo by Coast Guard: Missing tourists being rescued Last night around 21.00hrs they were reported missing from one of the resorts and es Coast Guard begand search and rescue operations involving several boats and divers. The guests were reportedly seen in the sea with an air bed. But, Coast Guard seems to have attempted to every possibility as their fate was uncertain at that point of time. The night ended fruitless with no sign of them but when it turned to day light the Coast Guard bought in air support and search was continued non-stop. After hours the missing couple was spotted by a Search & Rescue helicopter around 13:25hrs today and soon rescued to one of the Coast Guard vessels. They were seen lying down in the air bed and drifting at the mercy of waves and ocean currents. Despite several hours in sea they could talk and had no major visible health problem at the time of rescue, needless to mention they would have been weak after so many hours without food. Past couple of days weather was not pleasant in capital Male', we had few hours of rain daily but it was not windy. In this condition sea would usually be little rough. If it was really rough with strong winds the couple most likely would get fallen off the air bed. Rough seas, pitch black night and missing in the open ocean makes cocktail of absolute horror. On top of that they might have gotten rain as well while they had nothing to take shelter. A cold and terrifying night even to think about. Exactly how the tourists ended up in open ocean is uncertain. Usually in resorts if you are close to shore and scream for help there would be someone to hear. It seems they got drifted too far before they realized it. In resorts tourists are advised of safety in several ways. Despite that, a total prevent of incidents have not been achieved. In June 2015, we wrote a post about the importance of safety under the title "4 Perfect Ways To Spoil Your es Holiday". Missing tourists #rescued after 17 hours in open ocean # es I got a call from a friend saying that an inward swift payment to his guesthouse account was unsuccessful. The sender of this remittance received a message from bank stating that there was a problem with the receiving bank details and remittance did not go through. No further information was provided. This was not the first time my friend’s guesthouse attempted to receive money via telegraphic transfer, otherwise known as swift or wire transfer. He had done this several times and received money to their account without any problem. He provided the same bank details to the sender of this payment and ended up in a problem in which he actually had no clue about the exact problem. But, when he mentioned it to me, I was already familiar. I had the same problem few times before and still get this problem every once in a while. To send money via wire transfer (also called TT or swift) you need receiver’s full bank details. On top of that you also need correspondent bank details (also called intermediary bank details). You may be able to send a payment without correspondent bank details as well, but it is basically a matter of luck and in most cases your payment will not go through. Therefore, to avoid unwanted problems it is highly advisable to use correspondent bank details. These are several correspondent banks for BML, for every major currency there is a specific bank to be used for as correspondent bank (also called intermediary bank). Keep in mind that this information occasionally does change, though not frequently. If you happen to have problem with a swift payment this is the most likely problem if that involves an account of es Of es, at least in my personal experience this is the case. To quickly get the updated correspondent bank details I called to BML Customer Service. My friendly was there with me listening to the call. I was shocked of what the BML agent told me. She said such a correspondent bank detail is not required, only the bank account details, address and swift code of bank are all that required for a wire transfer payment. I immediately asked her if she could refer to a higher authority and get back to me, she took a few seconds on the call and reconfirmed what she said before. I did not believe her. Not after having contacted bank in several of such cases before. After a few days I tried to reach BML Customer Service again, as you might know it often take dozens of minutes waiting on the queue. After waiting for some time on the call queue, I quit it and sent a text message. There was no immediate response. I waited for the next day, still no response. I sent another message, no response from bank. After some struggle I was able to contact BML customer service and get the updated list of correspondent banks. Since BML do not have this information available on their website, I thought it would be helpful to others if I publish this information. .tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;} .tg td{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;} .tg th{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;} .tg .tg-9hbo{font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:center;} .tg .tg-yw4l{text-align:center;vertical-align:center;} Currency of your Remittance Correspondent / Intermediary Bank AUD National Australia Bank Limited, Melbourne (SWIFT:NATAAU33033) for account of Bank of es Plc, Malé, Rep. of es, Account No. 1803072354500 EUR CommerzBank AG Frankfurt Am Main, Germany (SWIFT: COBADEFF) for account of Bank of es Plc, Malé, Rep. of es, Account No.400875150500EUR, Bank Code: BLZ 50040000 GBP Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, United Kingdom (SWIFT: RBOSGB2L) for account of Bank of es Plc, Malé, Rep. of es, Account No. 16003410008059 JPY Union De Banques Arabes Et Francaises –U.B.A.F., Tokyo, Japan (SWIFT: UBAFJPJX) for account of Bank of es Plc, Malé, Rep. of es, Account No. 10091766 001110 SGD ABN AMRO Bank , Singapore (SWIFT: ABNASGSG) for account of Bank of es Plc, Malé, Rep. of es, Account No..10.01.31.530 USD Deutsche Bank AG, New York (SWIFT: BKTRUS33) for account of Bank of es Plc, Malé, Rep. of es, Account No. 04464048 USD Habib American Bank, New York (SWIFT: HANYUS33) for account of Bank of es Plc, Malé, Rep. of es Account No. 20729275 Updated: 27 November 2016. There are 2 banks for USD, that is not a typing mistake. You can use either one. Please note that this information is subject to change without notice. Address of the bank: Bank of es Plc Head Office, 11, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé 20094, Republic of es. Tel: + 960 3322948, Fax: + 960 3332640, SWIFT: MALBMVMV CHIPS ID: 169539, Reg. No. C-22/1982 For customer service purpose you can contact 24 hour hotline +9603330200. You can also send text to +9607990200 or +9609990200. In my experience sometimes text messages never get replied, customer service hotline takes up to 30 minutes to reach an agent during busy hours, sometimes even more. What are the odds of an international flight getting to technical problems for 2 days in a row? That was what happened to Saudi Airlines scheduled from Male' ( es) to Jeddah of Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Passengers were stuck in airport for hours, exhausted and furious. The local newspapers report that the flight was scheduled to depart at 16:00hrs from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport of es. Among the passengers were 46 ian flying to Jeddah. The team leader of these 46 passenger group told media that passengers were boarded according to scheduled departure, then they waited in flight for 2 hours before getting off to wait in airport for another 5 hours. Following the check-in started at 10:30 and after some hours it started getting delayed. At 15:15 the passengers thought their struggle was over as they boarded. But, the plane did not move. Passengers were anxiously waiting not wanting to think negative. But, in the end they had to get off again. Because passengers were stamped on their passports, so they had to remain in restricted area. According to official who spoke to media the airline did not inform of any specific problem in the plane. Some speculated first day the flight had a tire problem. Exact cause of delay was not briefed to passengers and no food was provided in airport. Some said a food coupon of $14 was given first day. The tour group in charge of 46 ian passengers expressed deep concern as empty hotel rooms for all were all paid in advance with no possibility of refund. Pre-arranged ground transfers of whole group had to be cancelled too. Many passengers feared that they might have to go home again like the previous day. But, after hours of waiting the passengers were boarded for second time. When flight was finally departed it was close to 12 hours of waiting since check-in. #SaudiAirlines technical problems make passengers stuck in # es airport for 2 days in a row Do you believe in spirits? This is a man who captures spirits and interact with them on video. His name is Ben Halima Abderraouf. Born to an American mother and Tunisian father, he lives in France. Ben Halima uses the power Koran to summon spirits to a human body. From a single spirit to hundreds could fit in one human body. One of the spirits then take control of the body and uses body's speech to speak but the tone and behaviour are different. According to Ben Halima you cannot summon spirits to the body of just any human being. It must be a body that was possessed by spirits at some of time. Since Ben Halima had helped many people to get rid of the spirits living in them he definitely knows and have access to some of them. I have just send him a message asking if he could ask spirits about the location of missing MH370 flight. Spirits often do not tell everything you ask. In that case the power of Koran could be used to punish them. Video provide Ben Halima was amazingly successful in controlling them. Like human beings spirits do not know everything. But, there may be spirits who have knowledge of an airline that went down as this does not happen frequently. So, in my mind there is a strong likelihood that Ben Halima could get hold some of those spirits and could find out something, possibly the location of the missing flight. I understand there may be lot of people who do not believe in spirits or supernatural events. What if Ben Halima tells you the flight location? Would you then believe in the unseen world? Ben Halima has not replied to me, I sent him message just few minutes back. I will update this post once he has replied, or if no reply after few days. 19 March 2018: After few years I have noticed many people are still reading this post. When I first wrote I was really convinced of this theory and still I am. But, I am thinking to myself who else are on the same track as me? Lot of people do not believe in the unseen. Its been a few years and Ben Halima had not responded to me. I just sent him another email, let's see if he responds this time. I strongly believe be could shed some light on this mysterious case. After all, every other means had turned out fruitless so far. If you are still not convinced of Ben Halima I suggest you open youtube and search "Ben Halima". It is amazing how he applies power of Koran on spirits and how quickly it affects them. Update: Just got the reply from Sheikh Ben Halima and he had already done the video. Watch the footage. The only theory that is worth investing any hope? #MH370 #MissingFlight #Disaster #AirCrash #AirCrashInvestigation #Spirits #Supernatural #MalaysiaAirlines #PrayForMH370 Previous week we reported a successful rescue of a missing tourist couple. Now, for the first time, we have managed to get in touch with them and get some answers. We did not get all answers we wanted. But, what we got is very interesting. On the afternoon of November 24th Kevin and his wife were spending some time in the sea. Around 15:30 they got drifted away while in their inflatable air bed. Within a few hours the sun set and it was complete darkness from every side. The night was windy, rainy and cold in the open ocean. Waves were continuously shaking their air bed and they were afraid of falling off. Having worn anti-slip socks on their feet, they tied one wrist to the grip of air bed using sock's belt. They were lucky to get some rain water to drink. It was really cold in the cold night. They had to drink it anyway. Apart from rain water they used their goggles to take urine to drink as it was warm. They also did meditation to keep warm. Next day morning weather was till rainy and gloomy at times but it began to improve. After so many hours lying down they tried to move their bodies and stretch little bit. Around 13:30 they were spotted by a helicopter, around 14:00 they got rescued to a Coast Guard vessel where they had some tea and toasts. After spending 23 hours in sea, fighting for life, you would expect them to be weak and traumatized. But, on this picture Kevin gives a thump up as his wife gently smiles. Neither of them actually looks like they were fighting for life a moment ago. Kevin and his wife appreciate everything and thank the es Coast Guard, Police, his butler and housekeeper of the resort. They also thank es Finest for our effort in informing people of the importance of safety. Rescued couple tells how they spent horrifying 23 hours in sea. # es # # Beer may be the last thing you may think a heron would like. But, that is the case in Kuramathi and some other resorts. Now you may think what happens when it drinks beer? It gets knocked out and often rests its neck on a chair or lounger and sleeps for a while. There are few herons at Kuramathi and one of them is a quite regular beer addict. If you leave some beer on the table and no one is around that is the time the heron finishes your drink, usually in afternoon hours. Photo by Joshualeeharris: Grey heron at Kuramathi On a 7 night holiday you may not come across this scene. Because the heron does not like to be seen in a drunken state. Not sure why. But, I'm thinking if people are finding it drunk on the lounger too often sooner or later there could come an end to drinks. After all, this heron is not a guest on all inclusive plan. If you are curious the best spot in Kuramathi to see heron is at the pool next to arrival jetty. Photo by Gibbo18: Life guard on duty at Veligandu Island Resort I have heard of herons addicted to hard liquor in some other resorts. A friend of mine once told me about a heron in his place. He said that heron's favourite was tequila. After seeing what happened to Kuramathi heron with just beer I could only imagine what would happen to this tequila addict. Photo by The_danimal7: A lazy afternoon for heron at Lux South Ari, es After all it seems humans are not the only species that enjoy luxury resorts. Herons are often seen at guest facilities, as if they are guests too. Kuramathi has beach almost all around the island and herons take best spots on the island. Photo by Katherinealexbeaven: Heron's pool day, in total privacy when guests are not around After seeing this friendly visitor at many guest facilities I am thinking at some day they may even go to gym. For now I am only seeing them practicing yoga. Photo by Emma Collins: Heron style of yoga in the es The Beer Drinking Heron Living In Resort. # es #Bird #Pet #Pets #Birds #Beer #Addict #Drunk Coast Guard vessels are known for their fast speed and ability to withstand fiery sea conditions. Such boats to have actual sails to harness the power of wind could be the last thing you may think. But, that was what the es Defense Minister Adam Shareef announced on 9th January 2017. Photo by Mihaaru: es Coast Guard officials take part in a sailing contest The es National Defence Forced had a sailing contest, while inaugurating the event the minister expressed his ambitions to design a model that could effectively use both - engine and sail. You may think this is a crazy idea. But, I think this is great and this is exactly the kind of ideas we need to tackle today's problems. Photo: Coast Guard on a rescue mission Coast Guard boats are not always on urgent missions. In fact, most of the time they should be patrolling the seas. Doing this on wind power saves money, less carbon emission means saving the environment too. Some days it will not be windy to travel by sail. In this condition, instead of completely switching to engine power it could be both combined at same time so that fuel consumption will be low. Shape of engine powered boats are very much cubical in design. For sailing it needs to be more crescent shaped, to prevent it from flipping over. Therefore, a whole new design has to be made to fully utilize sails on motorized boats. # es Coast Guard aims to introduce sail powered patrol boats Ever heard of a es resort having its own airport on the same island? This is about to happen this February at Kooddoo es in south Gaafu Alifu Atoll. The domestic airport on Kooddoo is already in operation. Kooddoo is the name of island. Hence, airport is operated on that name. The resort that stretches on the beach side and over lagoon is officially named Mercure es Kooddoo Resort. Mercure is a brand of Accor Hotels and this is will be Accor's first resort in the es. es holidaymakers who seek transfer convenience will now have a new option; from flight to your villa within minutes, both day and night. Unlike exclusive luxury resorts such as Amilla Fushi, W es or Velaa Private Island, Kooddoo Resort will be a 4 star property that is ideal for middle class guests. There are 68 villas in Kooddoo, of which 43 are Water Villa and 25 Beach Villa. There are 20 villas with private pool. Kooddoo claims to have best-in-class Sunset Overwater Pool Villas. We are yet to physically see this, but for now we can say the lagoon looks attractive, especially to go down and snorkel or just watch sunset in the privacy of the villa. Some of the water villas are actually located right on the house reef. If you are visiting es to celebrate honeymoon or anniversary it is definitely worth to try the luck of emailing the resort to reserve the corner room. Please do keep in mind that resorts do not confirm a specific room number on advance, but they do try accommodating guest preferences based on availability. Resorts usually assign room numbers just one day prior to arrival. es map shows Kooddoo is situated between the local island of Vilingili and Maamendhoo. These two local islands are very close, a boat could go across within a couple of minutes from closest points. Gaa Alifu Atoll and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll on the southern region of es is largely known for its bio-diversity and rich culture. All locals speak Dhivehi language, but this region has its own dialect that makes locals of other regions nearly impossible to fully understand what they say. Tourism addicts like myself, have been to several atolls and worked at resorts for over a decade. I met people from all regions of the country. I understand every dialect, except few words at times. Mercure es Kooddoo Resort set to open with its own airport. #mercure #mercure es # es #kooddoo The wait is over. Hondaafushi is now open and welcoming first group of guests. There are 80 villas in operation. The resort is currently in soft opening. Some of the guests have already arrived the resort. More arrivals are expected in the coming days. Hondaafushi is an amazing 4 star resort that is completely fresh and new. After long delays the soft opening may come as a surprise for many. Many Germans have been impatiently looking forward for this opening. 14 January 2017: After several delays in opening the resort, now it looks like ready to welcome its first group of guests very soon. es Finest was able to obtain latest photos of Hondaafushi, the resort looks fantastic. We cannot wait to go there and experience ourselves. Located in a pristine lagoon of Haa Dhaalu Atoll map, Hondaafushi measures 2km in length and 500m in width at the middle. The island retains its natural vegetation while powdery sand hugs the island from almost every direction. Gin clear waters are not only taking breath away, they are home to rich bio-diversity of the largely unexplored tourim region. Once opened, Hondaafushi will be the first resort to flourish in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Smiling gentlemen and ladies (sorry but most of the tourism workers are men) have held their breath for a long time as they seek employment opportunities next to their home island. Transfer to Hondaafushi is conveniently by a 55 minute domestic flight to Hanimaadhoo airport followed by 10 minute boat trip. This means gusts can come and go day and night. Hondaafushi consists 71 rooms which are categorized as Beach Villa. Every villa comes as an individual unit, there are no detached or semi-detached villas. The large iconic structure in middle is the main restaurant. The left tip of the island shows the bar and a la carte restaurant taking shape. Staff quarters and support facilities such as powerhouse or desalination plant are all located in the middle. Unlike other es islands Hondaafushi has plenty of isolated beach locations to enjoy private moments with no one at your eye sight. Many people say es is getting too expensive for the regulars who visit every year. Hondaafushi is a 4 star resort with all inclusive plan. This is a resort that will likely give great value for money. Some years back I met some Germans who were visiting es every year for the past 2 decades. One of them visited more than 40 times, another 25 times. The one that had 40 trips to es was a retired gentleman. He had a habit of spending most of the day time sleeping under a tree on the beach. Every day he used go the very same spot. To that kind of people who were deprived of visiting es due to expensive princes Hondaafushi will give a big smile. It is not just a resort that is within budget of the devoted es lovers but it also comes with All Inclusive Plan which I hope will not be too expensive. I wanted to write a short blog to show you latest photos of Hondaafushi. Now it seems to have mixed up with my exceptions. Because it was a long anticipated opening. So, let me conclude this post. Don't forget to click the Share button below, your support keeps me on the move. Beach Aerial View Aerial View Palm Trees Jettyt View The Island Jetty Guest Villa Guest Villa Villa Interior Villa Bathroom Villa Bedroom ‹ › X #Hondaafushi reveals beauty with new photos. # es # # ian fishermen reported sighting of military submarine last week. Fishermen said it was spotted in southern region. The es National Defense Force said there was no such submarine in the ian waters. Days later, this super-yacht came in Feydhoo harbour. It was then clear to everyone. What people actually saw was this super yacht. Because of its unusual design it resembled a submarine, especially when you see it at a distance. This yacht model is called "118 WallyPower". Unlike other luxury yachts WalleyPower is designed for speed. It has a maximum speed of 65 km per hour. The super-yacht has a capacity of 6 guests and 6 crew members. Fisherman thought it was a military submarine. # es #Russia #Submarine #Yacht A prime location of Lhaviyani Atoll is now home to world's largest undersea restaurant. The resort is called Hurawalhi Island Resort and there is a fantastic water villa, the resort calls it Ocean Villa. There are four different types of water villas in Hurawalhi. • Ocean Villa • Sunset Ocean Villa • Ocean Pool Villa • Sunset Ocean Pool Villa There are beach villas on the island for people who want to be barefooted. Having said so, I am not saying you can't be barefooted while walking to these water villas. But, I would not recommend that. What I could recommend it to wear a flip flop on the wooden jetties. I am quite convinced that walking here on this jetty barefoot will not be a thing to worry about, it is a brand new property and everything is new here. After few years the wooden plaks in the sun could form tiny splinters and it could end up in your feet. Just a tiny one could keep you troubled all through out the holiday. So, as my golden rule, always wear something on our feet to walk on wooden jetties like this. Wooden floors inside the room are fine to walk bear foot. Out of all the water villas at Hurawalhi, my personal preference goes to Ocean Villas and Ocean Pool. Price of sunset side is little bit higher but ian sunsets are truly breath-taking, especially to enjoy in the privacy of your villa with a bottle of champagne would be a fantastic way to say goodbye to your beautiful day. Ocean Villas and Ocean Pool Villas on the northern side gives you view of a sandbank. Strikingly beautiful sandbank is not just at your sight, it is actually quite close to you. Do not attempt to swim there, it is little far to swim. All the water villas at Hurawalhi are individual rooms, no detached or semi-detached exists. It seems David Feinberg, the CEO of the company, strongly emphasizes on what you hear as part of your comfort in the resort. I say, it is good that you don't hear every footstep from next door neighbours. All the overwater villas are largely use wood as basic material. The roof too has wooden shingles. Air-conditioning unit outside the room is nicely concealed with a mini roof of its own. Teak coloured wooden floors with white walls, four poster bed, all adequately lit, makes you content with the resort. Your bed is positioned to face Indian Ocean when you open the doors. In-room amenities such as tea or coffee making facilities are there next to wardrobe. Double vanity bathroom is huge in size, equipped with high quality items of perfect design. Next to rain shower the door opens to veranda deck. Ordinary showers make you face wall, at Hurawalhi you could open the door to catch some fresh breeze of the Indian Ocean. At times there are dolphins passing by, if you are lucky you could be watching dolphins while taking shower. Time is precious, a good portion of everyone's life is spent in bathrooms. Huralhi takes it a step further, not just by making theirs more pleasant, but also by considering little details while designing these villas. Be careful while opting for dolphin sights, sometimes other guests snorkel at the reef. Also guests on sandbank might see you in the bathroom, depending on which room you are staying. Your private veranda is a timeless place to spent time, both in day light and at night. The lagoon is inviting and irresistible at times. To snorkel down the waters you just have to grab your gears and walk down the stairs. After playing with fish, once you are up the second door in bathroom gives direct access for shower without stepping to your bedroom. Loving your room should not stop from visiting the undersea restaurant that sits 5.8 metres below the sea level. There are only 8 tables in this restaurant and fish could come as close as inches from you while you dine on world class seafood menu. If a fish stares at you it may because the fish sees one of it's friend end up on your plate. Dolphins at your sight while taking shower in #Hurawalhi Ocean Villa. # es # # In December this year (2017) I thought of exploring Noonu Atoll. Cheval Blanc Randheli has been enjoying excellent occupancy for years since its opening and Soneva Jani was the newest resort in Noonu Atoll. New resorts usually take a while to gain trust and establish, but this atoll in the mid-north seems exceptionally good. Photo by Jareji: Relaxing in hammock at Soneva Jani Velaa Private Island is a bit far from Soneva Jani and Cheval Blanc, compared to closeness of these two. Even to go Velaa it would take about 30 minutes or less by speedboat. I spent few weeks at different islands in Noonu Atoll. I had day trips to resorts and stayed in local islands. My first spot was the atoll capital Manadhoo which was the closest local island from Soneva Jani. Photo: Manadhoo, the capital of Noonu Atoll Oval shaped island of Manadhoo is about 1 km in length. The population is little less than 2000. About 40% of the island is occupied by residents, other 60% still remains unutilized. There is a harbour on the side where people lives. Unoccupied areas have grown thick woods of different types and beach stretched almost all around the island except the harbour and a small area next to it. According to residents there was a small island in the lagoon, just 100 meters from the main island. Now it has been connected to main island. The island's power plant now its there, far away from the people. There is a beautiful lagoon on the uninhabited side. It is not large, just good enough to swim or do some watersports. Because it is not too big you can reach the reef without swimming too long. The house reef is rich with colourful coral and fish. There are many good reefs in Noonu Atoll. Photo by Pookjongkol: Villas and lifestyle at Soneva Jani Soneva Jani covers many islands that share same lagoon and there is a large outer reef that gives protection to otherwise fragile lagoon. There are plenty of islands in Noonu Atoll, so uninhabited islands are close from every point. I was a little surprised when I saw dive boats at Manadhoo reef. Divers from all the resorts around come Manadhoo reef. I was wondering the reason. Their diving point was off the little island in Manadhoo lagoon. I talked to some old people I met in the island. I asked them about this diving point. To my surprise, they said whale sharks and mantas are often seen there when they pass by on fishing trips. They said people normally do not go there, because of huge waves banging on shallow part of the reef. Divers were jumping off further away where it was calm. This secret whale shark and manta spot may have greatly contributed the success of resorts around. If the reef is not exploited it must be very rich, especially when there is no outer reef in the atoll. Waves and current ensures flow of clear water making the visibility good while nourishing the corals. Maafaru is about 15 minutes from Manadhoo by speedboat. Population is around 1000. There is a domestic airport development taking place on this unusually long island. Long while beach stretches for miles. The lagoon at the tip of the island is filled with sea grass that attracts countless turtles. On my journey exploring Noonu Atoll I passed by Maafaru at least 3 times and came across turtles every time. This place like a guaranteed turtle spot and it was not just one turtle, sometimes 10. Between Maafaru and Manadhoo there is a large reef. The reef is not shallow, boats pass over without any care. The depth is about 7 - 15 meters. I did not see anyone diving there. But, locals from Manadhoo told of some unusual wrecks on this reef. Resorts seem to be unaware of these, at least yet. The unusual wrecks include a large crane and burg that sank many years back. Some said there is also a forklift, others disputed existence of forklift. I have seen coral grown on metal surfaces. They are not colourful. I do not know the science behind this but it seems to be some kind of nutritional source. The reef in the depths between Manadhoo and Maafaru is popular fishing spot. In the morning small boats stroll with lines to catch bonitos that are seen on the surface making ripples. At the time of sunset boats gather again for night fishing. I tried both and managed to get some catch. Some days night fishing was like really great, non-stop catch on the line as if your bait never touches the sea floor. Fishing was good in first few hours after sunset. People usually spend about 2 hours there, but I ended up with 6 hours at times. I am a fishing addict, I agree. People from Manadhoo noticed how I addicted I was to fishing. They suggested me to try big game fishing. Some old people said fisherman from other atolls come there for that. One man said one day there was a fishing boat that caught 30 sail fish, just in one day. I think that is a bit of over fishing. I asked them if it was for food or to sell, and found out they salted it for export. While Manadhoo is relatively large in size, other islands are quite small. Lhohi is about 10 minutes from Manadhoo. Beaches are there in every island, Lhohi has a good house reef too. There is a guesthouse in Lhohi, in Manadhoo it is yet to come. Dolphins were seen near Minaavaru, between Manadhoo and Magoodhoo, and in other spots around Noonu Atoll. The sight of many flying was special. I never saw that in any other atoll. I questioned people about these flying fish and understood it was mainly seasonal. Manadhoo is mainly the center point of the atoll. Several other islands are connected by ferry via Manadhoo. Landhoo is another island that takes about 15 minutes by speedboat. In whole es Landhoo stands out for one thing; mangrove approve! This is a very rare fruit that is sour in taste and comes with many small seeds. It is usually consumed in form of juice with seeds filtered out. Noonu Atoll exploration and secret diving spot of #SonevaJani # es # # The total population of es is 357566. This includes men, women and children of all ages. This count includes only the ian citizens. Citizens of es are people who hold ian national identification and passport. Last census was conducted on 31st December 2014, and the figures are based on this census records. Hence, there must be a slight change in population after some years. In 2016 es welcomed 1.3 million tourists. So, at any given time there a lot of tourists in the country. On top of this there is a large population of foreign workers, mainly from Bangladesh, India and Srilanka. Filipino population seems rising and more Philippines girls are found working at different places. There is also a considerable Indonesia population working in the es, they are often found in spas at resorts. Island / Atoll Population Male' - capital of es 65667     Haa Alifu Atoll 21647 Thuraakunu 678 Uligamu 510 Berinmadhoo 0 Hathifushi 0 Mulhadhoo 369 Hoarafushi 3291 Ihavandhoo 3129 Kelaa 2163 Vashafaru 869 Dhidhdhoo 3974 Filladhoo 1078 Maarandhoo 999 Thakandhoo 941 Utheemu 903 Muraidhoo 853 Baarah 1890     Haa Dhaalu Atoll 25834 Faridhoo 1 Hanimaadhoo 2026 Finey 557 Naivaadhoo 819 Hirimaradhoo 540 Nolhivaranfaru 1766 Nellaidhoo 1232 Nolhivaramu 2512 Kurnibi 723 Kunburudhoo 6 Kulhudhuffushi 9366 Kumundhoo 1424 Neykurendhoo 1357 Vaikaradhoo 1811 Maavaidhoo 43 Makunudhoo 1651     Shaviyani Atoll 17318 Kanditheemu 1465 Noomaraa 459 Goidhoo 724 Feydhoo 1210 Feevah 1060 Billeffahi 681 Foakaidhoo 1693 Narudhoo 583 Maakan'doodhoo - Maroshi 944 Lhaimagu 791 Firunbaidhoo - Komandhoo 1819 Maaungoodhoo 1097 Funadhoo 2428 Milandhoo 2364     Noonu Atoll 16113 Henbadhoo 727 Kendhikulhudhoo 1767 Maalhendhoo 877 Kudafari 807 Landhoo 1025 Maafaru 1157 Lhohi 880 Miladhoo 1445 Magoodhoo 406 Manadhoo 1871 Holhudhoo 2170 Fodhdhoo 455 Velidhoo 2526     Raa Atoll 22302 Alifushi 2675 Vaadhoo 551 Rasgetheemu 966 Angolhitheemu 501 Un'goofaaru 1602 Kandolhudhoo 4498 Dhuvaafaru - Maakurathu 1257 Rasmaadhoo 833 Innamaadhoo 823 Maduvvari 2282 Inguraidhoo 1831 Fainu 426 Meedhoo 2019 Kinolhas 586 Hulhudhuffaaru 1452     Baa Atoll 13161 Kudarikilu 607 Kamadhoo 512 Kendhoo 468 Kihaadhoo 468 Dhonfanu 529 Daravandhoo 1089 Maalhos 674 Eydhafushi 3207 Thulhaadhoo 2867 Hithaadhoo 1324 Fulhadhoo 352 Fehendhoo 284 Goidhoo 780     Lhaviyani Atoll 12674 Hinnavaru 4743 Naifaru 5270 Kurendhoo 1966 Olhuvelifushi 695 Maafilaafushi       Kaafu Atoll (Male' Atoll) 12807 Kaashidhoo 2334 Gaafaru 1354 Dhiffushi 1231 Thulusdhoo 1423 Huraa 1017 Himmafushi 1050 Gulhi 898 Maafushi 1681 Guraidhoo 1819     North Ari Atoll 7834 Thoddoo 1826 Rasdhoo 1143 Ukulhas 990 Mathiveri 882 Bodufolhudhoo 754 Feridhoo 765 Maalhos 702 Himandhoo 772     South Ari Atoll 10649 Hangnaameedhoo 699 Omadhoo 1024 Kunburudhoo 591 Mahibadhoo 2296 Mandhoo 460 Dhangethi 1005 Dhigurah 614 Fenfushi 978 Dhidhdhoo 195 Maamigili 2787     Vaavu Atoll 2489 Fulidhoo 472 Thinadhoo 209 Felidhoo 638 Keyodhoo 803 Rakeedhoo 367     Meemu Atoll 7154 Raiymandhoo 226 Madifushi 0 Veyvah 306 Mulah 1711 Muli 954 Naalaafushi 521 Kolhufushi 1395 Dhiggaru 1325 Maduvvari 716     Faafu Atoll 5806 Feeali 1192 Biledhhdhoo 1268 Magoodhoo 794 Dharan'boodhoo 536 Nilandhoo 2016     Dhaalu Atoll 7469 Meedhoo 1342 Bandidhoo 924 Rinbudhoo 407 Hulhudeli 880 Gemendhoo 4 Vaani 293 Maaenboodhoo 977 Kudahuvadhoo 2642     Thaa Atoll 15455 Buruni 585 Vilufushi 2040 Madifushi 1255 Dhiyamigili 847 Guraidhoo 2005 Kandoodhoo 640 Vandhoo 395 Hirilandhoo 1138 Gaadhiffushi 689 Thimarafushi 2491 Veymandoo 1237 Kinbidhoo 1384 Omadhoo 749     Laamu Atoll 16400 Ishdhoo 1326 Dhanbidhoo 1001 Maabaidhoo 1061 Mundoo 275 Kalhaidhoo 1153 Gamu 4574 Maavah 1937 Fonadhoo 2243 Gaadhoo 427 Maamendhoo 1263 Hithadhoo 1140 Kunahandhoo - Kalaidhoo2_/ -     Gaafu Alifu Atoll 12811 Kolamaafushi 1621 Viligili 3464 Maamendhoo 1463 Nilandhoo 853 Dhaandhoo 1942 Devvadhoo 1244 Kodey 527 Dhiyadhoo 2_/ 21 Gemanafushi 1676 Kandhuhulhudhoo -     Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll 19907 Madaveli 1821 Hoadhedhdhoo 1223 Nadallaa 1068 Gadhdhoo 2927 Rathafandhoo 1328 Vaadhoo 1414 Fiyoari 1451 Faresmaathoda 4 Maathodaa 880 Fares 800 Thinadhoo 6991     Fuvahmulah 12012     Addu Atoll 32057 Meedhoo 2809 Hithadhoo 15233 Maradhoo 3466 Feydhoo 5214 Maradhoofeydhoo 1750 Hulhudhoo 3585     es - country population 357566 Are you the kind of traveler who opts to book a resort based on awards won by the resort? You are not alone. But, What is the true value of an award? What you have thought about it for so many years might be all wrong. This is the unspoken topic that no body wants to talk. Until recently I was working at resorts. I spent over a decade in various resorts in es, also I got the opportunity to do some internships overseas. When it comes to awards es and other countries do not differ. But, there is something you probably don't know about. Last year I was in a resort and one day I received a telephone call from an reputed awarding company. I was told the resort was nominated for an award. The resort had been closed for at least 3 months, prior to that there were months of maintenance issues which ultimately led to closure. Then, here is a person telling me that resort is nominated for an award. I got shaken. The caller wanted the resort to pay the nomination fee to proceed with the award. This is what most people don't know about. Your hotel could be awarded for "best resort in the world", "best resort in the es", or "best resort in the Indian Ocean". But, in reality the "best" is only selected from a pool of resorts that pay for nomination which usually does not even make up the majority of industry. Administering and organising awarding process incur costs. The income has to come from somewhere. But, nowadays this seems more business oriented than driven by value and passion. That is the reason we created es Resort Ranking. Not only we don't ask for a nomination fee, there is no nomination at all. To get ranked as "best resort in es" it costs absolutely nothing. All the resorts are already added to our ranking. Whenever there is a new resort we wait for about an year to give it time to settle down and generate some reviews. Then we just add it to the ranking index. That's it. You might ask how we manage our costs? our website is hosted on a costly server that handles traffic without comprising speed. It is also powerful enough to run our rank engine. It costs much higher than a normal website hosting. To generate income we give consultancy to resorts, help guests with booking, do advertising etc. Simple! The unspoken truth of the hotel awards industry # es #Germany #Berlin #ITB #WTM German woman spending holiday in es has attempted to instagram video of a living hermit crab crawling out of her mouth and ended up swallowing it instead. She kept in on her tongue and closed her mouth. She wanted it to crawl out as she open her mouth but it went the other way. Exactly how it managed to pass through her throat was unclear. She might have been talking while keeping it in her mouth or the crab ran for its life as soon as it saw being put in an unknown place, somehow it managed to slid in. As soon as she swallowed the little creature she started screaming and making weird movements. Husband was sun bathing just next to her when this incident occurred and immediately took her to resort clinic. She was trembling in agony of pain as it was crawling inside her stomach while she was transported. The guest spent a day in clinic and got recovered next day. What doctors did to her was not clear, they might have either made her vomit or got it in the stools. Doctors relieved her pain, next time she will most likely think twice before applying her creative ideas on living creatures. Just because it does not bite does not mean you can do whatever you think. Sometimes the unthinkable happens when you don’t respect life. Read dangerous species of fish to learn more about safety while snorkeling in the es. Hermit crabs are common on beaches of es, especially in desert islands. See map to find out desert islands and learn more about es. 3 Woman accidentally swallows live hermit crab. # es #travel #news # # # #travelnews Fulidhoo is a local island in Vaavu Atoll, es. The island measures 650 metres in lenth and 200 metres in width at widest area. Population of this tiny island is just 472. To visit Fulidhoo it takes about 1.5 hours by speedboat from Velana International Airport or Male'. Located in a large lagoon that stretches to 4 km, Fulidhoo is a popular guesthouse destination. Currently there are 4 guesthouses in Fulidhoo. Fulidhoo LaPerla Guest House Sancia Lodge Fulidhoo Thundi Guest House Kinan Retreat Fulidhoo Dive Centre #Fulidhoo Local Island and Guesthouses # es Embark a seaplane for a scenic flight over countless islands and colourful reefs. In 25 minutes you will reach Vilamendhoo Island Resort in South Ari Atoll. Measuring 900 metres in length, Vilamendhoo is long but narrow in shape. The island shape makes it possible to walk to the beach in few steps. Vilamendhoo has an amazing house reef. Scuba divers from other es resorts often visit Vilandhoo reef. The reef near arrival jetty is a popular dive site. The dive centre at Vilamdhoo is operated by Euro Divers. Apart from rich rouse reef there is a whale shark point close by which is at Dhigu Rah. Another popular dive point is the manta spot behind Lily Beach. There are 184 villas in the resort, 30 of them overwater and 154 on the island. • 30 Jacuzzi Water Villa: 85 sqm • 30 Jacuzzi Beach Villa: 65 sqm • 111 Beach Villa: 55 sqm • 13 Garden Room: 55 sqm There are 3 bars on the island; Sunset bar is located on the western beach side near water villas and comes with a pool, Bonthi is in the middle of island near reception area, Boashi is on the eastern side but not on the beach. There are lot of palm trees around Boashi and there is a pool too. Childrens play area is next to this pool bar. Photo: Ahima Restaurant There are 2 main restaurants that serve exactly the same food; Ahima is next to Sunset bar near water villas, Funama is located near arrival jetty. Even though Ahima and Funama serves same food you can only go for one of them depending the room category you are staying. Ahima serves to guests from Jacuzzi Beach Villas and Jacuzzi Water Villas, they do not allow children in this restaurant. Sunset bar is also adults only. If are staying in normal Beach Villa or Garden Room then you eat your breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Funama Restaurant. Vilamendhoo is largely an all-inclusive resort even though it is just an option to choose from. The food in both restaurants are "all you can eat" style and varies over the week. There is an a-la-carte restaurant on the eastern side of the island, this overwater restaurant is called Asian Wok. It is good try out once or twice during your stay. Of cause you will go there more often if chefs make you irresistible while your extras budget have room. When you are holiday you should never skip spa, try out at least once. Duniye Spa is located on the water villa jetty. The first building on the water villa jetty is the spa and there are 6 treatment rooms. If you are diver you will need more spa treatments to relax and go with the flow. Needless to mention there is a watersports centre, it is common in es to have one in every resort. In Vilamendhoo there are lot of in-land sports facilities too; football, tennis, badminton, beach volley, table tennis, billiards, snooker, garlendo, darts, mahjong. If you do a lot of snorkeling everyday then there is no practical use of the gym, swimming is a great exercise to your down excess calories, unless you do the lazy of way of staying motionless while current takes you. If you are bored but do not want to go out there is free Wi-Fi in the room to catch up with news and chat friends. Jacuzzi Water Villa Jacuzzi Water Villa Jacuzzi Water Villa Jacuzzi Beach Villa Jacuzzi Beach Villa Jacuzzi Beach Villa Garden Room Snorkeling Resort Map In-land Sports House Reef ‹ › X Vilamendhoo For Amazing Diving With All-Inclusive # es # #diving #allinclusive #Vilamendhoo Ever since I started working at resort I had the opportunity to do scuba diving. My first job was receptionist, later I moved to different islands and jobs and studies tourism. All the jobs I filled had one thing in common; I had to communicate with guests, promote in-house sales and enrich guest experience. So, resorts encouraged taking part in various activities, try out different dining options offered to guests. I enjoyed my participation in many of these but did not actually do diving until I met a really friendly instructor at the dive school and his name was Tom. Since I was used to sea life since a toddler I was able tell guests about the underwater world, fish, corals etc. Photo: Hurawalhi Island Resort One day Tom persuaded me to try my first dive. He gave me a briefing which included basic information like emergency protocol, how to communicate underwater etc. Tom wanted to communicate with him constantly to know how I felt. I was actually aware of everything he explained, I was feeling good and excited to try this out. There were about 10 guests, all experienced divers. There are few instructors, one of them was obviously Tom. All boarded a small dhoni, it took about 35 minutes to reach the dive site. On the way the instructors used a small board with drawings and gave a briefing to guests. The briefing included the information of the dive site, current, the point to jump off and the point to get back. After the briefing Tom came to me and explained everything in person. Once at the dive site, the instructors monitored the conditions and jumped off. I put my gear and jumped off after Tom. The first few seconds in water was actually little nervous. Because I could see I was going down. I could breathe without any problem. I had no water in my mask. So, I felt fine with everything and Tom was beside me asking if I was ok. I gave ok sign with my hand. Before jumping off to water I held tight on my mask to prevent water getting in, it worked. Also Tom asked me to stay next to him, at the same level. Photo: Lily Beach Resort In minutes I was almost on the sea floor. Current was super strong, that made visibility excellent. Strong current was no stranger to me, though I didn’t dive before. Once in the bottom, I could see the wonderful world of the underwater. My perception of diving before actually trying this dive was different. It was awesome. I blamed myself for not doing that before, for so many years. Being an addicted snorkeler I thought I saw everything, I was wrong. When I snorkeled the fish goes away as I went nearer. That was not the case in diving, I was in the same depth as the fish and they were just inches away from me. They were not afraid, they were not swimming away. I thought to myself, may be they thought I was another species of fish. When I snorkeled I was on the surface, obviously fish knew I was foreign to them. I stayed close to Tom at the same depth and both followed the current. We came across different species of fish in front, on the sides, on top of us. We are surrounded by fish. Tom kept checking out on me throughout, I was in total comfort that I wanted to spend few hours, though I had oxygen only for 45 minutes. Visibility was so good that I did not feel there was any water between me and fish. They were so friendly, sometimes they almost touched my arm. We came across a cave too. It was open from one side and inside was dark as it went deeper but the rims got light and I could see everything. This case was more attractive than the corals I saw before. There were many varieties of coral in the cave, far more colourful. “What an amazing world”, I was thinking to myself. I was enjoying my first scuba dive, but it didn’t last long. My 45 minute was quickly over, myself and Tom started coming up slowly. At some depths we had to stay for some minutes, Tom was checking the timing on his computer and I was just following him as we planned. Soon we were on the surface and dive boat picked us up. There were some drinks and sandwiches. What I liked most was some coconut chips. Once up, Tom was me about the dive and I told him the whole thing and I told him that I wanted to do the full course, get dive license. In the resort they did the courses for beginners and experienced divers. The license was issued from PADI. Being a staff, I had to pay only the certification fee while the whole course was free. This is my first scuba diving experience. The session was tailored to me. I knew it was different to guests. Because I saw guests in Bubble Maker course, they started in swimming pool and went to shallow parts of the lagoon before going to actual deep dive. In the dive centre the instructors were very much open to listen to you, understand you and offer what was most suitable to you. In my case, Tom knew me in person for so many months, he was confident I was good in sea. There are countless dive sites in the es. If there are many islands there would be more reefs too. If you want to choose a destination with plenty of dive sites check the es map for a location that has many islands in close proximity. My dream dive site is Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll, but they no longer allow diving there as it is a marine protected area. So, the dream has now switched to a site in Nooonu Atoll where many luxury resorts are seen doing dives. In my next post, I wish to share some safety tips about diving that I think is very important to you. Thank you for reading my story. Give it a SHARE if you liked, your support keeps me on writing about my experiences in the es. My First Scuba Diving Experience. It's in es. # es # #Scuba #Diving Ever heard of a plastic bag that claims to be environment friendly? I just stumbled upon an Alcyon Bakery bread loaf. On the bottom of its plastic packing said “environment friendly” in Dhivehi. This was first time I heard of environment friendly plastic. Immediately, I opened my browser and just dug in. After some online searches it was evident that biodegradable plastic is something that actually exists, but it too is not environment friendly. According to an article on The Guardian research shows this biodegradable plastic does more harm than good. Also the biodegradability depends on many factors such as humidity or oxygen, without presence of right conditions this plastic is not biodegradable. Having stated “environment friendly” on a local bread that you can buy from many convenient stores it must be friendly to the es environment. But the fact seems to be far from this. In es we have lagoons, reefs, oceans all around us. Researchers say biodegradable plastic does not easy get destroyed in these environments. To get biodegradable plastic destroyed you have to keep it in the sun light and it has to get oxygen, then it takes 3 years. I would not call this environment friendly at all. If someone else does, I would say it is misleading and misinforming the public. If you bury this plastic it will not get sunlight, nor will it get oxygen. So, buried plastic will not destroyed in 3 years. Researchers say normal plastic takes 100 years to get destroyed. In such a case 3 years is fairly good if it gets destroyed in the sea or while buried in the ground. Therefore, labeling biodegradable plastic as “environment friendly” is something that has to be stopped. Plastic bag claims environment friendly. Actually it’s not. # es #Environment #Eco Few days back I wrote about my first dive experience and mentioned that I would write about some safety tips. Dive insurance is the first safety precaution you need to take and there are countless companies that provide dive insurance. How do you go about selecting a good company? I never obtained dive insurance for myself. But, I did come across people who needed treatment for dive accident. That was when I realized the importance of having dive insurance that works in es. First and foremost, dive accident treatments are tremendously costly. To give you a figure it normally costs around $5,000 - $15,000 and that is just to treat 1 person. Why is it so costly? You might ask. Unlike normal diseases and accidents treating a dive accident often requires a hyperbaric chamber and there is no hospital in es that has this kind of chamber. But, don’t freak. There are few resorts that have hyperbaric chamber. Resorts that do not have this knows the nearest resort equipped with a hyperbaric chamber so that they could go there on emergency cases. Just having the chamber is not enough, there should be a doctor who is trained on dive medicine which includes use of hyperbaric chamber. The dive medicine doctor and hyperbaric chamber along with other facilities could just be there sitting idle for months with no patient. Maintaining this facility is costly. Dive accident treatment involving hyperbaric chamber or decompression chamber is called Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Hyperbaric chamber is an air tight container that depicts decompression at different depths of sea. There is a supply of oxygen connected, usually 100% oxygen. There are glass windows (of cause you can’t open) at different locations so that doctors can monitor your conditions. The chamber is equipped with sensors to monitor compression level, oxygen etc. The therapy includes adjustments of compression level at different intervals while total duration of therapy itself remains important. Nowadays the decompression champers are very advanced in functionality, the doctor would program the machine and it would control the conditions based on program. There is an emergency button inside the chamber, just in case. Some champers come with communication device so that doctor could speak patience while undergoing treatment. Some also have a camera inside and screen outside to allow doctor at the control to monitor easily. The capacity of chambers used on es varies, usually 2 – 6 people at a time. The chamber in Kuramathi could accommodate up to 6 people at one time. If an accident happens near Male’ or airport there is Bandos Island Resort. Just like any other insurance the first thing to do following an accident is to inform insurance company who often suggests the nearest treatment centre to go. Insurance company also communicates the resorts. Not being able to inform insurance company should not stop you from treatment. After treatment you could present your insurance details to the resort clinic. I came across few dive accident cases and all the guests had insurance from Dan Europe. I talked staff of the resort clinic and understood there was a good understanding between resort and insurance company. Once guest reports an accident to Dan Europe they know it had happened. Later on when resort sends them the medical bill with insurance details the resort receives payment. Dan Europe holds a good reputation in the es as a quick and easy insurance provider for divers. Dive insurance that works in the # es and hyperbaric chamber. #scuba #diving #insurance #daneurope es Resort Ranking indicates Velaa Private Island is undoubtedly one of the best resorts in es. At the time of writing this post Velaa ranks at #1 in the es. Since the ranking is updated daily there might be fluctuations, but the resort will certainly remain among the top resorts. In es there are many well known international brands such as One&Only, Four Seasons, Conrad Hotels, but Velaa has beaten them all in the quest of becoming best resort in es. Having this achieved we thought to write about the activities that you do at Velaa Private Island. 1. Outdoor Jacuzzi Not many resorts come with a well positioned outdoor jacuzzi like this. When you are at Velaa Private Island you should spend some time relaxing in this while enjoying the breath-taking view of the lagoon that fades away into the Indian Ocean at a distance. 2. Drinks Velaa is well known for out standing guest satisfaction. Because the resort offers everything to go with the flow. There is an amazing collection of drinks to grab and enjoy at any location that pleases your body. 3. Flyboarding Photo by Ninel_108: Not every is a pro like this. But you can definitely give a try. It is fun and exciting. Do you believe you can fly? I believe I can. 4. The water villa pool Sometimes the best thing to do is do nothing. A spot like this could help you unwind and relax yourself. Velaa Private Island comes with great locations to indulge, but a striking view like cannot be observed in every location. 5. Golf Photo by Atilaabreu51: Large part of the small island is occupied a golf course that gives a stunning view while players enjoy the game. Enjoying a variety of things could be an enriching experience. 6. Sunrise Sunrise and sunsets are breath-taking in the es. Do spent some time looking at the spectacular sun that is surrounded by clouds of different shapes and pleasing colours. Don't forget your drinks. 7. Diving Photo by Rusya_vl: There are many reefs in Noonu Atoll that are rich in colourful coral and its inhabitants. Diving is fun and addictive. The most beautiful thing in the world are underwater. Go there and explore. 8. View from Beach Villa Another location that gives you a striking view is from your Beach Villa. A generous size of breach front pool with palm trees around is a relaxing atmosphere to spend time without having to go anywhere. 9. Kytesurfing Not everyone likes motorized sports. When there is good wing kytesurfing could be addictive to spend whole day out in the lagoon. 10. Fine dining Athiri the main restaurant offers an amazing array of food that you that matches your luxury holiday. Aragu is the fine dining restaurant in the lagoon. Try Aragu at least once in your holiday. 11. Private Yacht Photo by Nasruali: Ancient kings of es used to travel in yachts like this. Now you can try this masterpiece of traditional architecture at Velaa Private Island. You can also do fishing or dolphin watching right on this yacht. 12. ian lobster Photo by Elen.elba: Velaa buys fresh lobsters from local fisherman. Book a lobster dinner on the beach and enjoy with your loved one while you feast on your ian lobster. 13. Local music Bodu Beru is the traditional drum music and it is on your evening entertainment that changes over the week. 14. Celebrations Photo by Elena.elba: Best way to celebrate birthday or anniversary is to have a private dinner on the beach. Extra long and slow evening you be perfect to share your wonderful memories. 15. Lounging There are many nice spots to spend your time. This is your Beach Villa lounge area. Grab a story book and enjoy. This nice location would be perfect to Instagram your photos and chat with your friends. 16. Pizzeria If you want to go light on your lunch try this pizzeria and it is certainly not the usual pizza you get elsewhere. 17. Feeding stingrays Photo by Vika_1979: There is a pontoon who feed stingrays everyday. It is an amazing sight when the stingrays come so close and feed on pontoon's hand. This fish is regarded as dangerous and you should be careful to not pose a threat to them. 18. Jetski Photo by Gladkina: Do you like speed? Get on one of these and you will be riding at crazy speed. A day out in the sea will be full of fun. 18 Things To Do At Velaa Private Island. # es #Velaa #VelaaPrivateIsland # #Luxury # es have about 2500 reefs of which nearly 900 are house reefs. In this post, I am going to reveal 10 best house reefs for snorkeling. This top 10 is based on our personal experience. There is always room to speculate on this topic, but if you had explored numerous reefs I think you would agree with me that these are some of the best house reefs in the es. This is not a scientific research which counts every single type of coral, fish and their quantity in given area of sample. If someone does that kind of analysis it would be interesting. As for coral it may be possible to count, for swimming fish such an audit would be impossible with high accuracy. I have read articles written by others about best snorkeling resorts. I noticed some of these are based on guest polls. If you have seen only one resort and was highly impressed with it then you would probably pick that particular resort if there comes a poll. For this reason we decided not go for poll method, but emphasis on our own experience as devoted snorkelers born and bred in the es. The best part of the reef to snorkel is the drop off point. It is the edge of the reef connects lagoon and the deep blue sea. Before attempting to snorkel please ensure your safety at sea. Learn the dangerous species of fish commonly found in the es. • Do not snorkel alone. Always accompany a buddy. • Wear life-jacket if you are not strong swimmer. • Do not attempt to snorkel alone if you are non-swimmer. • Always check weather conditions. Rainy or windy weather means risk. • Check direction of current before doing to the deep. Stay afloat and see which direction the current takes you. Best way to enjoy snorkeling is to follow the direction of current rather than swimming against. • Check resort map, beware snorkeling prohibited areas due to strong current. • Beginners should always stay close to island if not accompanied by a guide. • Never touch anything in the water. See and take photos if you like to. Baros es - 4km house reef This is a 75 villa five star resort in Male' Atoll. Airport transfer takes 20 minutes by speedboat. The island is small, just 230 metres in diameter. Our resort ranking indicates Baros enjoy great reputation for guest satisfaction. Baros house reef is humongous, it extends to 4km in total length. Other than the house reef there other isolated reefs very close to Baros. This makes Baros a rich habitat of marine biodiversity. Access to house reef is easy from the island or water villas. On the west side of the island there is a deep blue area in the lagoon next to water villas, this is the place to go if you want to see manta rays. Mirihi Island Resort - 6km house reef This is like a tiny emerald jewel in the Indian Ocean. The resort has only 36 villas of which 30 are water villas and other 6 as Beach Villa. Transfer to this beautiful island takes 30 minutes by seaplane. Mirihi is one of the top ranked resorts on es Finest. This is another humongous house reef that measures a total of 6km in length. The 350m long tiny island is located on eastern tip of the reef. Water Villas sit on the shallow part of the ref, drop off is very close. The reef is very close from any part of the island. Best way to snorkel at Mirihi is to go down from main jetty, check the direction of current and follow it. Mirihi house reef is also known for seeing mantas. Just like Baros, Mihiri too have a deep blue area on the western side of the island, it is surrounded by house reef. There are other isolated reefs close to Mirihi. Lily Beach Resort - 3km house reef This is a five star deluxe resort in the heart of South Ari Atoll. The island measures 600m in length and 120m in width. It is a very narrow island, when you stand on the middle you can see ocean from both sides, just a few meters from you. This luxury island comes with only one meal plan: the "Platinum Plan". Unlike other all inclusive resorts at Lily Beach the Platinum Plan serves wine by bottle during dinner, it also includes premium brands of liquors and wide collection of drinks that you actually do not want to go beyond. Lily Beach is one of the best house reefs in the es. The island gives easy access to reef while water villas have stairs to go down and you on the reef within minutes. The southern side of the island is much closer to reef, while north is not far as well. There are many small fish in the coral you could see from the jetty itself. This is the best location to go down for snorkeling. Just jump off to take the stair, check the current and follow it. Best location of the reef is near the jetty. Also at night, there is fish feeding taking place right here. You would see large stingrays, jack fish, red snapper and many more. If are not a swimmer there is a semi-submarine to explore the reef. Kandolhu Island - 1.3km house reef The tiny island of Kandolhu is regarded as the best kept secret in the Indian Ocean. There are just 30 villas on the island that measures 200m by 140m. A walk around the island takes less than 5 minutes. To visit Kandolhu you need to take a seaplane transfer of 20 minutes followed by a short speedboat ride. Once arrived you are one of the small group of guests enjoying a tranquil heaven. Inspired by an dhoni the villas come with roof that depicts just that. There is all inclusive plan to go and you have helpful staff willing to assist you. The house reef at Kandolhu is well known among the snorkeling addicts. The island is circular in shape, house reef takes the same formation. House reef is easily accessible, best place to jump off would be two of the jetties and just following the direction of current would give you a good dose of snorkeling experience. This is a small island, reef is actually twice of island size. Water is crystal clear in the lagoon. You can go down from the stairs of water villa and there would be small fish around, this is a shallow area idea of non-swimmers. At the drop off you can see turtles that are actually friendly. Reethi Beach Resort - 3km house reef Measuring 600m in length and a width of 200m, Reethi Beach Resort is a heaven for snorkelers. The island was refurbished on 2010 and now offers enhanced facilities and more dining options. This beautiful island is located in Baa Atoll. To get there it takes 35 minutes by seaplane, or a 20 minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo followed by a short speedboat ride to Reethi Beach. There is a nice white beach all around the island, the name itself means nice beach in local language. There are 120 rooms on the island which includes 30 over the water. The five restaurants make sure you have something you like, for drinks there are additional 5 bars. Reethi Beach is a four star resort. Eastern side of Reethi Beach is lagoon that descents in to blue sea. House reef starts south west tip of the island and runs all the way to water villas and beyond while taking turn to east. Access of island is easy as house reef stays about 30 - 100 metres of island. It is usually not too shallow, you could swim over it to reach drop off. Just kick off from beach and swim to the house reef, that is the way at Reeth Beach as arrival jetty is located on the lagoon side. Bathala Island Resort - 1.5km house reef A tiny spot of sand that measures just 230m in length and 110m in width located in North Ari Atoll is called Bathala Island Resort. There are 46 superior villas on this 3 star resort. To get there it takes 20 minutes by seaplane, or 75 minutes by speedboat. Everything is simple in this resort. All Inclusive plan is offered by the resort and it is heaven for divers on a budget. The island run with high occupancy throughout the year, mostly Germans. At Bathala the house reef is very close to the island, just few metres and it is shallow from the lagoon side. To access house reef the best way is to go down from arrival jetty or the supply jetty on the opposite site. you can do gown from one side and come up from other jetty. This house reef is one of the richest in North Ari Atoll. Guests from near by resorts such as Constance Halaveli, Ellaidhoo or W es often visit Bathala house reef for diving. Diamonds Athuruga - 4.4km house reef Located in the middle of Ari Atoll, Diamonds Athuruga Beach & Water Villas comprises 46 Beach Bungalows and 25 Water Villas. Getting to this four start resort takes a scenic seaplane flight of 25 minutes from Velana International Airport. The island is a tiny droplet that is semi-circular in shape. It measures 180m in length and 145m across in the middle. Despite small island size the house reef is massive, it is 4.4km long. The island is located at south eastern tip of the reef. It takes only few minutes to reach the reef. There are snorkeling channels to swim through as reef is very shallow and you would not want to swim over it. Arrival jetty is the best place to go for snorkeling, it sits right on the drop off. You can go down from this jetty and follow the current to either side and use the snorkelling channel. Swimming back to jetty may get you against the current. Inside this massive oval chaped house reef there is large blue sea. This blue area is the place mantas live. Snorkelers often see manta rays at Athuraga reef. W Retreat & Spa es - 2km house reef Known for its luxury ambiance the W es offers 78 individual retreats tailored with Whatever/Whenever concept. The 28 retreats on the land are known as Beach Oasis. Rest of the villas are over the lagoon and one of them is called Extreme WOW which comes with 2 bedrooms, suitable for families. There are various gourmet dining options and places chill in this fantasy playground. To get there it takes 25 minutes by seaplane. The oval shaped island measures 220m in length and slightly less across. Unlike other top house reefs W es house reef is just 2km length. Diversity and richness does not always depend on the size. Water villas facing north are very close to the drop off point, other water villas face the lagoon. The house reef encircles the tiny island from every side. The reef is easily accessible from many location of the beach, there are some shallow areas in the reef but you can always find a deeper area near by to swim through and reach the drop off. Best location to snorkel include near FISH restaurant, and near jetty area. The sea at end of the water villa jetty is sometimes rough, stay close to the island and just enjoy in peace. Vilamendhoo - 4.5km house reef Located in South Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo is a popular resort among divers who go with All Inclusive plan. Non-divers are the snorkelers who are the beginning stage of marine life exploration. Vilamendhoo is narrow but long island in shape. The length is about 900m. This four star resort comes with 184 rooms, 2 main restaurants and several other facilities including variety of in-land activities such as tennis or valley ball. Some kids facilities are there on the island, few outlets are adult only. House reef follow shape of the island but stretches further from east and west. There is easy access from the island and water villas. Arrival jetty is the most popular spot among divers, but for snorkelers it is not, because it is too deep. Northern side of the island is the best for snorkeling. There are channels to swim through to get to the reef, because there are many shallow areas in the reef. Corals are sharp, do not take unwanted risk to getting cut by coral while attempting to go over. There are some snorkeling channels at southern tip of the island. Near arrival jetty there is frequent boat movement, just another reason to use other areas for snorkeling. ‹ › X Kuramathi - 3.8km house reef Measuring 1.7km in length Kuramathi is home to 357 rooms and several guest facilities. Kuramathi is a four star resort with a selection fine luxury villas tastefully appointed in prime locations. The island is narrow and long, at western tip of the island there is a stunning sandbank that sometimes stretches upto a kilometer. Kuramathi is regarded as dreamy heaven that is suitable for average holidaymaker and luxury seekers. Northern side of the island is lagoon and southern side has a house reef that is 3.8km long. Followed by house reef is a similar reef stretching to another 13km. Biodiversity in this humongous reef is unimaginable. Water Villas come with stairs to go down to the water. There are several snorkeling channels to get to the house reef safely. Kuramathi reef is well known for abundance of in close proximity. Do not carry any food to feed them, you don't have to do that to get them closer. Best 10 # es Resorts For Snorkeling At House Reef. #snorkeling # # # # #honeymoon In es you hardly find anything to be scared of and in the scary things list the top goes to sharks. During my career at resorts I had never come across anything else more scary to guests. For those few guests who are afraid of sharks I wonder why they were not afraid of human beings! If you are afraid of sharks just because they got teeth, we humans have teeth too. Are you afraid of humans? If no, then take sharks as just another creature that is not constantly looking for humans. Humans look for food to survive, so does sharks but they don’t seek humans on purpose. Sharks do not prey on humans. At least that is the case in es. I have never seen or heard of a shark attack on human in the es just to get fed. The shark attack video we shared on another post was the result of trying to feed them. There are resorts that do shark feeding, a trained pontoon does the feeding. If you attempt to feed yourself be reminded it involves risk. Sometimes or most of the times you might be lucky to be able to rush to the shore but not always. Another shark attack story I got to know happened when a fisherman got a shark on his line. He pulled it onboard, as he tried to unhook the shark bit his arm. Do not attempt to hold shark’s tail, it could turn its head and bite you. That’s what happened to the fisherman. Mistakes could happen, by any chance if you got a shark while fishing it should be handled by someone who know this creature well. Once you pose a threat to this mighty creature she would get all her defensive tactics to play. A fish out of the water means fighting for life. In my childhood days I used to go fishing, sometimes I wore snorkeling gears and dropped line down while I watched them grab the bait. In the sea I carried some bait but fish were not attacking me or the bait on my bag. But, in some reefs where fish are very friendly it is possible that fish snatches your baits. So, do not carry any food while snorkeling. I am writing this post because to me being scared of sharks is silly. While it makes no sense at all, it is a beautiful creature to enjoy seeing in its natural habitat. Swimming by and making crazy turns as you snorkel is very memorable experience. Among the few people I met who were afraid of sharks actually told me of the movie called Jaws in which humongous sharks prey on humans. Some of the movies, believe it or not, make real life changes. Once I met a woman who refused to fly seaplane because it was too small. I wonder what made her scared of that?! The chartered a speedboat to she spent some hours in the choppy water while she could have flown comfortably enjoying the scenic views. The local newspapers are reporting that Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr have spent Valentines Day holiday in the es. According to reports they arrived on 14th February and there were holidaying at luxury resort Per Aquum Niyama in Dhaalu Atoll. Three separate papers reported this news, namely the most popular Mihaaru, Sun.mv and Avas.mv. On Mihaaru and Sun it was on local Dhivehi language while Avas covered the story in English as well. es Finest cannot independently confirm this story. But, having it reported on major newspapers the story deems highly credible. According to Mihaaru the es National Defence Force (MNDF) is believed to be providing security to these high profile figures and to us is this obvious. Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump visited es on Valentines Day. es Finest tried to dig into their social media accounts but nothing was found relating to es, most probably for security reasons. It might have been forbidden by the US Secret Service. According to Mihaaru the Trumps were set to depart es this evening, 17th February 2017. Following their departure they may share their Valentines Day pictures on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. This was not the first time Trump family visited es, in 2012 visit there was Ivanka Trump as well and they were checking on investment opportunities. Ivanka then shared some es pictures, in one of those she was paddle boarding. This was the first Trump family visit after Donald Trump became President of the United States. May be that was the reason that Trumps successfully eluded from local media and other tourists staying at Per Aquum Niyama. The luxury resort has 86 villas, including 4 Beach Pavilion With Private Pool, 2 Water Pavilion With Private Pool, 2 Ocean Pavilion With Private Pool. These pavilions are the most likely choice of accommodation for Trump family members at Niyama. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr escapes to # es on Valentines Day. #EricTrump #DonaldTrumpJr #POTUS King of Saudi Arabia Salman Bin Abdulaziz has booked es resort (or resorts) and is expected to arrive within weeks, es Finest has learnt. According to media reports Saudi security officials are already in es working on security clearance. Date of arrival remains unknown. The king will be on an official visit followed by a private holiday. In October last year es President Abdulla Yameen had an official visit to Saudi Arabia and invited the king to visit es. King accepted the invitation, what is about to happen seems just that. Several months back es Finest learnt that king was interested in buying a es atoll to develop a world class city for the wealthy people from around the world. That atoll has now being confirmed, it is Faafu Atoll, home to 5806 residents living on 5 different islands. There are total of 18 islands and several lagoons that could be reclaimed further. Thus, drastically expanding the size. Photo by Google Earth: Faafu Atoll. See Faafu Atoll location on the country map. This is the atoll that has least residential islands. Just a few thousand people could be accommodated in a small area of skyscrapers and people would most likely move happily if luxury flats were offered, rest of the atoll could then be for king’s dream to come true. Photo: Visualization of Special Economic Zone project called iHeaven A Saudi mega project has been corroborated by the President of es on 24th January this year. While addressing to the people in Magoodhoo, Faafu Atoll, the president said leaders of Saudi government had a special interest in Faafu Atoll. President further clarified by saying drawing were complete, this project would bring in several hundreds of employment opportunities and Faafu Atoll would possibly be the most prosperous atoll in the es. Prior to that, on 23 May 2016, while inaugurating the sewerage system of Hoarafushi island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll president said different foreign governments were proposing big projects for Faafu Atoll but did not close Saudi plans at that time. On 1 September 2014, President of es Abdulla Yameen Abdual Qayyoom passed a bill on Special Economic Zones which allows leasing land to foreign companies for up to 99 years.The same bill allows foreign companies to own es land indefinitely, given that foreign company is registered in es and minimum of 51% of company shares are held by ian nationals. The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) bill allows several tax exemptions for the investors and some of these exemptions last for up to 20 years. Photo: 3 Anantara resorts - King stayed here in 2014 In 2014, then prince, booked entire 3 resorts exclusively for himself. In addition to that he brought in his private yacht and floating hospital. This time his eyes are on an atoll, for the greater good of Saudi economy as well as local ians in Faafu Atoll, as es presidents suggests. At a time world’s oil demand drastically declines it is no surprise that Saudis are seeking other investment opportunities. Last year Saudi announced selling off some shares of Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national oil company. One may question if this looks a divestment scheme to save Saudi economy in the years to come. Even this year their budget has a deficit of several billions of dollars. Soon the king may need to bring in some of the off show funds to settle deficits if it is continuing on this manner. es is a popular holiday destination among Saudis, especially royal family members. Some years back Prince AlWaleed Bin Talal with then-wife Princess Ameerah Al Taweel (see photos) used to enjoy in es. Since then there has been royal family members visiting es and most of the time successfully elude public attention. Saudi king books es resort, negotiates to buy an entire atoll. #Saudi #SaudiArabia # es #KSA Normally attorneys do their jobs in courts and offices, their work involves speaking and preparing various documents. When it comes to Attorney General of a country he is the in charge of several attorneys and others staff working under him. Attorney General is responsible to give legal advice to the president and also handle various legal matters on behalf of the state. That’s what es Attorney General Mohamed Anil had been doing since he was appointed to the position. All that changed few days back. Cellphone footage shows a member of parliament being thrown to a hotel pool. Upon closer look it was evident that people who physically did this were the Attorney General Mohamed Anil, Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer and Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee. At the time the parliament member was wearing a suit and tie. Prior to throwing they removed MP’s valet, cellphone and shoes. Upon touch down it was a big splash. That was a prank. It was MP Mohamed Shahid’s wedding day and the bride was Youth Minister Iruthisham Adam. Several high level government officials were invited to the event and groom received an unthinkable prank in this case. MP Shahid had a big smile on his face while being thrown. Once in the pool video shows him swimming around, in his wedding suit. Local newspaper Mihaaru stated that MP later got out and had coffee with Ministers and Attorney General. es Parliament Member thrown to hotel pool by Attorney General and Two Ministers. # es Few days back we reported that Saudi King Salman was set to visit es within weeks and he wants to buy a es atoll. The news seems to have sparked concern among the locals, especially the people living in Faafu Atoll. So, we decided to share some insight into the project. The president of es himself shed some light on the project in various occasions but many of the things we are revealing were never confirmed by es government or Saudi authorities. We received this information from credible sources who did not want to be mentioned. Saudi government is interested in buying Faafu Atoll as a Special Economic Zone which allows the ownership of islands for up to 99 years. Ownership beyond this period means a minimum of 51% of its shares must be retained by ian citizens as per the bill of Special Economic Zone. Negotiation on the project has been going on between the two governments for over an year. We believe the deal is now at its final stage. Photo: Another SEZ project to take place in Haa Alifu Atoll Saudi plans for Faafu Atoll is to build a world class city for the rich and extravagant class of people from around the world. It would be an international city for a population of 1 million and it will have state-of-the-art facilities in every aspect. Some of the world’s top universities will have their campuses in the es to deliver best education. Medial facilities, leisure arrangements, shops and restaurants will require skilled workers to deliver finest in service. Like in any modern city, the workers will be living in the city, they are part of the city and that’s where they belong. Apart from receiving a generous income the workers will most likely receive matching benefits such as health care and education. Faafu Atoll could be the most prosperous region in the es, as said by the President of es. While we reveal unconfirmed details on Faafu Atoll mega project we know the es government is in a hurry to drastically expand Velana International Airport. Last year es welcomed 1.3 million tourists. Based on current tourism projection Velana has the capacity to manage for some years, but not if there comes a mega city with 1 million people. Last year Saudi government gave $100m aid for the development of Velana International Airport. The work is in progress by Saudi Bin Laden Group. Once completed the airport will have a capacity to handle 7 million passengers annually. Saudi # es Project: A city for 1 million dreamers. #Saudi #SaudiArabia #KSA UPDATE: King Salman Bin Abdulaziz is due to arrive this Saturday (18 March), according to VFP.MV the king will stay at One&Only Reethi Rah. Along with Reethi Rah the king has reserved Anantara Kihavah in Baa Atoll and Sheraton es for his entourage. Photo: One&Only Reethi Rah, President Yameen, King Salman Resort declined to comment when VFP attempted to verify king's reservation at One&Only Reethi Rah. In just 2 days king will arrive es. ian authorities have blockaded several roads while preparations are underway to welcome the king. 22 FEBRUARY 2017 es Finest earlier reported that Saudi king had booked es resort for his up coming visit. We have now learnt that he had infact booked entire 3 resorts (yet again) from March 18 to 31. Despite booking 13 nights the king will actually stay for 5 nights and one of these resorts cost $10m. The three resorts booked for Saudi king is believed to be the same resorts he stayed in 2014; Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu es. A cargo flight has already delivered 2 helicopters along with other necessities. The three resorts are in close proximity from each other, just few metres away in the same lagoon. es map shows closest local islands are Maafushi and Gulhi. This time there may be not be furious guests who got their bookings cancelled. This trip has been planned way on advance. The king's delegation includes his son Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. He is the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia. The delegation is planned to arrive in 5 jets. According to Saudi Gazette, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz will be on an official trip to 5 Asian countries and will be accompanied by an entourage of 1500 officials. That many officials are not expected to accompany the king on his way to es. Saudi Arabian officials and es government had been negotiating a deal that includes sale of an entire atoll for 99 years. This atoll has now been identified as Faafu Atoll, there are 18 islands and several lagoons in Faafu Atoll. The deal taking place under Special Economic Zone act which allow leasing islands for up to 99 years followed by permanent ownership given that ian citizens retain 51% share of such project. The deal is believed to be at its final stage. Business plan for Faafu Atoll includes a modern city to accommodate upto a million people. Despite Saudi ownership, this will be an international city with all modern facilities including universities, hospitals and leisure arrangements. Saudi king picks One&Only es for his holiday. # es #Saudi #Arab #KSA #KingSalman #KSA #ReethiRah Once I was travelling on a speedboat with some guests. After some travel we came across a sandbank. One of the guests asked me why people do not plant trees on sandbank. You may think it is because the soil is too salty for tree to grow. But, there are trees that grow in sandy sand. What is the reason? Sandbanks are baby islands. The smaller ones submerge at high tide. Little bit bigger sandbanks that do not submerge moves its location seasonally. In many cases, especially if the sandbank is surrounded by a large lagoon, the movement of sandbank is quite drastic. It could go hundreds of metres away from its location. If someone plants a tree in such a place that tree will be in sea once the sands are gone. Without sand it would not stand, current and waves would take the tree away. Movement of sandbank is an amazing natural phenomenon. When season changes the grains of sand starts eroding at one side. Waves push this sand to another location and it starts reforming. During the process these tiny grains of sand gets washed and polished by the waves. Nature's has its own of cleaning itself and when you wash every single grain of sand that is the pinnacle of cleanliness. Behind breath-taking beauty of sandbanks is something that is mind boggling even to think about. Nature is so meticulous and it does not need electricity or a workforce. I bet most people don't have a clue on this, that is how discrete it is in its work. Ever wonder why sandbanks do not have trees? # es #sandbank #nature #natural #paradise #heaven #earth #natgeo American woman Cassie DePecol becomes first women to travel the whole word and she chooses es in her top ten "must visit" destinations. Cassie DePecol, 27, took 18 months to travel 196 countries of the world. After completing her journey she has now become the first human to visit every country in shorted duration. Photo: Cassie DePecol in the es How many days she spent in es and what kind of activities she took part, remains unknown. Many es addicts say if you have not done scuba diving your es experience is not complete. Despite this, Cassie DePecol has chosen es as one of the places you must visit before you die. She also explains why you must visit es "to see the blue shades of the sea, whitest beach and most beautiful sandbanks". After the tour she made a list of top 10 must-visit places for the Telegraph of UK. In that list were Mongolia, Bhutan, Pakistan, Oman, Tunisia, Peru, Costa Rica, America, along with the es. Cassie is an ambassador of International Institute of Peace Through Tourism. She travelled the world to advocate peace through tourism. During her trip she helped various parties to capture rare videos, photography and assisted production of documentaries. Along the way she has also shared various pictures on social media. Woman travels 196 countries and picks es in her #TOP10. # es #travel #holiday #TopTen Local newspaper Mihaaru reports that some of the liveboards are visiting the whale shark spot at Dhigurah and Maamigili at night and use high powered flood lights to attract the rare creature. This is abuse and it needs to end before whale sharks become extinct in the es. In an interview given to Mihaaru, the Assistant Manager of watersports centre at Sun Island Mr Ali Amir explained that lighting up the sea at night confuses whale sharks to think it is day time. After making them active at night they are no longer seen in day time. In their natural habitat they are seen in day time. Dhigurah and Maamigili in South Ari Atoll is the most popular whale shark point in the es. There the whale sharks are seen all year round. Dhigurah and Maamigili is considered as one point, these are two islands that are very close and whale sharks seasonally choose one the two. There lot of guests visiting es just to see this giant fish. If they don't see whale shark then it becomes a disappointment. For these guests coming to es becomes totally useless. For safari vessels that use powerful lights they may have a good business at present but continuous business becomes risk. There may come a time when whale sharks no longer live there. What if the whale sharks come to think Dhigurah Maamigili region is no longer a suitable environment to live? A place where night time is short, a place where sun appears at night without any routine, sounds dangerous even for human to perceive. Any place that has an unpredictable weather is not very pleasing to live and giant fish have so many options. Mahir also expressed his concern over too many people visiting the whale shark point. He said some days there are 200 - 300 people. While some do snorkeling on the surface the divers approach from the sea floor leaving the poor creature to swim in between. When would people realise this is too much, even by human standards? This place seems in urgent need of a regulation. Some days it may be for snorkeling while other days for divers, so the fish will be comfortable. Whale sharks eat tiny planktons that comes off from coral. Depending on the flow of current, waves and wind the planktons become concentrated whale sharks love that. Too many people in the area could affect the flow of plankton as well. If any of you find a boat use lights to see whale sharks please take some pictures and share with us. We like to know who are doing this and let people know so that guests who respect nature could stay away from such businesses. There are many safari vessels and resorts doing whale shark excursion the proper way that is more consistent. Another popular whale shark point in es is in Baa Atoll. There the Hanifaru Bay is a seasonal spot, in whale shark season it is very popular and you may see multiple whale sharks. Hanifaru Bay is regulated and there are rangers protecting the area, diving is no longer allowed. To visit Hanifaru Bay you need to make booking through the office in Dharavandhoo island. If you are staying in a resort in Baa Atoll you may book through the resort. Direct access to Hanifaru Bay without obtaining prior permission is not allowed. Wherever you find a whale shark you may also find manta rays. The reason is the two feed on planktons. Mantas are amazing too and they are quite human friendly. You could see them passing by very close to you. Even if they come, please do not touch them. Touching anything in the sea is a risk to their existence. Get close (but not too close) and just take pictures or enjoy beautiful site. Many people like to see mantas with open gills. This happens when they flip or make turns. On the belly mantas there are some black or grey dots, it is amazing that these dots are unique to every manta ray. Manta Trust uses these black dots to identify and name each manta ray. Whale shark abuse must end everywhere in es. # es #whaleshark #whalesharks #fish #sea #amazing This is a comparison between Fiji and the es. Both have beautiful islands with white sandy beaches but they are not exactly the same. There are pros and cons in each and you may pick the one that suits you most. Photo: Aerial view of islands in Fiji Located in South Pacific, Fiji is a popular holiday destination mostly among the Australians and New Zealanders. There are 330 mountainous islands in the Republic of Fiji and 110 of those are occupied by the 860,000 people in the country. es is an islands nation comprised of 1192 low lying coral islands that have soft white beaches. The local population of about 350,000 lives on 200 different islands scattered across the country. es tourism is very much globalised and there are several countries where es remain as the most popular holiday destination. Photo:Tokoriki Island Resort, Fiji In geological aspect the islands of es are tiny with flat surfaces. Topography of Fiji shows several high lands and mountains. In terms of population Fiji is more than twice the size of es. Photo: Mirihi Island Resort, es Some of the Fiji islands look very similar to the es, but not quite the same. When it comes to multiple tiny islands in the same lagoon they are sometimes very close to each other, too much protection from the outer reef prevents clear water from flowing in. In case of es most of the islands have house reef, a few islands in the same lagoon may have an outer reef but most of the time there is good flow of water around and in between, making the lagoon more crystalline and sands finer in the soil erosion process. Also in Fiji most of the islands do not have a lagoon, that is not the case of es. Without a lagoon sea may often be rough, so you cannot do snorkeling as easy as in es. Photo: Treasure Island, Fiji If you are willing to compromise a little bit in terms of snorkeling experience or tranquility of the beaches Fiji holidays are much cheaper than the es. If are you seeking luxury resorts es offers much more options. Photo: Finolhu, es If are an adventurous kind of person diving in the Fiji may be fun when you see tiger sharks or great white sharks. Great white sharks are not found in the waters of es, tiger sharks are extremely rare. On the other hand if you are scared of sharks, neither Fiji nor es would suit you. Black tipped reef sharks are very common in the es, hammerheads and nurse sharks also live in the es but none are categorised as dangerous. Is this Fiji or es? Whats the difference? # es #Fiji #holiday # # # Coffee made of elephant poop is there in es but Turkish coffee that is definitely more drooling seems nowhere around. If you want to try the elephant poop coffee it costs around $50 for a small cup. Turkish coffee is not only cheaper, it is not poop of anything. Black Ivory Coffee was introduced in 2012 by Anantara Resorts and it costs around $50 for a single cup. One of the most expensive coffee brand feeds coffee beans to elephants. Once pooped out they collect it and do whatever before being packed with high price tag. The name is Black Ivory Coffee, more realistic name would be Elephant Poop Coffee. To make Turkish Coffee you don’t need to utilize an animal, you need a pan to heat sand and a pot with handle, some water and of cause coffee powder itself. Turkish coffee power is grinded extra fine, finer than espresso. In the brewing process the hot sand heats up the pot containing grinded coffee mixed with water. When froth is about to over flow the pot is taken out to cool down a little and once again the pot goes back to hot sand. After couple of frothing the coffee is ready to pour to the cup bit by bit. Once you have enough in the cup it is time to enjoy your authentic Turkish coffee. But, watch out for the sediments. Unlike other coffees this one come with some sediments in the bottom. It is like a thick paste, not power. Video: The art of making Turkish coffee. Now, you want poop coffee or Turkish coffee? Share with your comment. I want this Turkish coffee in es. #coffee # es #drinks #amazing #awesome #chill #turkish #turkey King of Saudi Arabia is currently on a month long investment tour to Asian countries and he is set to visit es on 18th March. While addressing to an audience at Dharubaaruge the es President Abdulla Yameen confirmed Saudi’s plan to invest $10 billion in es and said it will put es on the forefront of the world. This was first time the president confirmed the size of investment in discussion. President also down played concern over sale of es atoll which he said is not even a question. ian law allows lease of islands for 99 years, permanent ownership requires additional laws to be passed by the parliament and the whole project to be approved by parliament. The ruling party currently holds a clear majority in the es parliament. President’s comment on the subject came amid widespread public demand for clarification on this investment discussions. Some days back we reported underground information we had on the subject, it quickly went viral and caused stir on social media. Some people criticized the fact that government did not give proper information to the public. As President said, it is early and deal has not been finalized at this point of time. But, the visit of king would likely seal the deal. During the king’s Asian tour he has already visited Malaysia and confirmed $7bn investment in the oil sector. He is currently in Indonesia, accompanied by a delegation of 1500 officials. Some media sources say the king is taking his television, sofa and many other things with him. Saudi economy has recently undergone an all-time worse situation forcing the kingdom divest into other areas. Island of es had been a particular interest of king’s son Mohammad Bin Salman who is the Defence Minister and also the chairman of Economic and Development Affairs. Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman reported visited es several times while king himself spent a holiday in 2014 while he was the Crown Prince. The Saudi budget of 2017 shows a deficit of about $53 billion. In 2018 the country would introduce tax (VAT) for the first time in kingdom’s history. CNN reports Saudi central bank has foreign currency reserve of $584 billion. This year’s Saudi budget is approximately $237 billion. Investments in es tourism sector usually take 3 – 11 years for recovery. Based on this, Saudi’s will have at least 88 years to generate cash after recovering the investment. The world has an estimated 10,000 millionaires who are migrating to other countries. If Saudi project is good enough to attract a good size chunk of this it would be enough. While this project is taking shape of a more tasteful Dubai some questions if women would be allowed to drive. If they are allowed to drink and dance, why not? Besides, where do you want to drive to? There are no highways in tiny islands, beaches are in walking distance from any location. Saudi Arabia to invest $10bn in the es. # es #Saudi #SaudiArabia #Arab #Investment #Invest #KingSalman Kurumba es is the closest resort to Velana International Airport. Guests staying at Kurumba enjoy transfer convenience. After you arrive es it takes few minutes before you start enjoy the paradise. At Kurumba it is not uncommon to arrive and head to the house reef right away. Male' Atoll is not the best atoll if you want to experience the best house reefs in terms of colourful corals or amount of fish. But, there is something unique about Kurumba house reef. You could often come across octopuses. They are shy, still you could get close enough to enjoy their sight and movements. Octopuses are hard to spot as it changes colour and blends in to the surroundings. Easiest way to spot octopus for a non-trained eye is to look for movements. Sometimes it looks a piece of coral moving on the sea floor. It has tentacles but you do not always see it. After locating an octopus stay still, make it comfortable without posing a threat by getting too close. Once it is comfortable it would swim around and start changing colours. Octopus changes colour to camouflage themselves as they wait for prey. It is their hunting skill. It cant swim fast like a fish, so it has got other means to survive. Among other species of fish you may come across at Kurumba reef includes friendly eagle rays and turtles. Eagle rays are usually very unfriendly creature. They often swim deep and far away from snorkelers. I have seen many guest pictures in which they have eagle ray very close. In Kuruma lagoon there are plenty of baby sharks. If you want to see bigger sharks go out to house reef. It would not take much time snorkeling and you would find some sharks. But they are not friendly like the baby sharks. Big sharks at the house reef seems scared of you while their babies in lagoon are not. Every once in a while you may also see stingrays. They are friendly but they too do not come too close. They often give a nice swim near you. Do not chase them please. You can get really close, so you would not actually want to get any closer. Beware the tail, if you pose a threat it might sting on you. Keep at least a 3-metre distance from any fish that is dangerous. Fish are friendly in general, they do not attack you unless you pose a threat to them. So, keep 3 metre safety buffer. Near airport there are few reefs that are popular among the divers and snorkelers. At Kurumba I have seen boats from other resorts, such as Sheraton es. Many resorts offer excursions which include snorkeling, in these activities the resort often takes you to other reefs around to let you explore something new. Because of the circular shape of Kurumba you could do snorkeling at almost any weather unless it is rainy or too windy. Snorkeling is enjoyable when water is very calm. At Kurumba there is always one side that is calm. If wind is coming from the east, most probably, the west side would be calm. Haa Alifu Atoll House Reef View Cafe Beach Vihamana Restaurant Thila Thila Superior Room Superior Room Kayaking Lagoon View Private Dining Snorkeling Sunset Cocktail Superior Room Superior Room ‹ › X Snorkeling at Kurumba reveals octopus invasion. #kurumba # es #snorkeling #diving # # # There 9 different villa types in Kurumba es. Superior Room and Deluxe Bungalow are the best that gives good value without comprising quality of room. Or is it? There are 38 Superior Room and 46 Deluxe Bungalow in Kurumba. There are 30 units of Beachfront Deluxe Bungalow and they are exactly same as Deluxe Bungalow except being located slightly inside the island while the beachfront villas face direct to the beach. Therefore, Beachfront Deluxe Bungalow is slightly more expensive. Superior Room, Beachfront Deluxe Bungalow and Deluxe Bungalow comes in same size. All have 74 sqm. Superior Rooms are semi-detached while other two types are standalone individual villas. It is your choice if you want to enjoy a spacious semi-detached Superior Room or a smaller but individual Deluxe Room which measures 50 sqm. Do not confuse, Deluxe Room and Deluxe Bungalow are two different room categories. At this point you may be thinking a Superior Room would be perfect your holiday. Hold your thoughts! I am not done yet. Guests visiting es are often very calm. Even if you choose a semi-detached room it is less likely that you would be disturbed by your neighbours. What about a harbour with frequent boat movements? Would you be disturbed? There 6 Superior Rooms (room numbers 101 - 106) facing this harbour, remaining of the Superior Rooms are on the side and stretch of rooms go further away from harbour. But, who knows you would not end up in one of these 6 harbour-front rooms? Good news that Kurumba no longer gives these rooms for normal guests, they are used to accommodate flight crews. On the good side, Superior Rooms are very close to reception, restaurants, watersports and many other facilities. The sight of windsurfing and other watersports in the clear lagoon, just in front of your villa, may be a pleasant experience as you lay down on the beach lounger. Superior Room In addition to being semi-detached Superior Rooms are two storey buildings. In every building there are 4 Superior Rooms, two in the ground floor that comes with terrace or two in the first floor with balcony. The reservation do not give option to choose between balcony room or terrace root, you will get based on availability. The room comes with a queen size double bed, two daybeds of which one inside the room and other on the terrace or balcony. Outdoor day bed is perfect to relax and enjoy the view. Superior Room could accommodate maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults with 1 child or infant. There are interconnecting villas available in request. Deluxe Bungalow These room are located on the North West side of the island. Each bungalow is an individual single-storey building. Landscaping shows Deluxe Bungalows in the semi-circle just few meters from beach. Nice vegetation between the room and beach includes palm trees and other tropical trees. Maximum occupancy is 3 adults, or 2 adults and 2 children. There is a day bed to relax and enjoy the view in day time. The bathroom in these bungalows are very attractive as it is partly open allowing bright day light and to the bathroom. Beachfront Deluxe Bungalow Everything about these rooms are same as Beach Bungalow except the location. Rooms in Kurumba mostly stretch in semi-circular pattern and Beachfront Deluxe Bungalows are ones on the beach. Their prime locations makes these bungalows special, room interior and amenities remain same as Deluxe Bungalow. Deluxe Room In terms of size these are the smallest rooms in Kurumba, they measure just 50 sqm. Despite being smallest this is not the cheapest room type. Superior Room is the starting category which is the cheapest room category in Kurumba. It seems more guests prefer individual smaller room over more spacious but semi-detached rooms. Deluxe Rooms are on the far side of the islands from restaurants and harbour. If you are on a budget the best options would be Superior Room or Deluxe Room. Garden Pool Villa Beach cannot be too far on a tiny island like Kurumba. If you are comfortable to walk some steps to beach the Garden Pool Villa is spacious enough to ensure your comfort at Kurumba. It has 124 sqm. Individual unit of Garden Pool Villa is surrounded by beautiful tropical vegetation and comes with a private pool and open-plan bathroom. Kurumba has just 6 rooms in this category. Beach Villa With Jacuzzi The room measures 104 sqm and comes with a Jacuzzi that is built in the open-plan area. Unlike other room categories Beach Villa With Jacuzzi stretches along the beach, not the usually semi-circular pattern. This is sunrise side of the island. Deluxe Pool Villa Measuring 160 sqm these are one of the biggest room types in Kurumba. There are 17 villas in this category. If are space-conscious and not budget conscious these rooms will make you live in heaven. Presidential Pool Villa These are two level villas perfect for families and couples alike. The villa gives a spectacular ocean view. The villa measures 306 sqm allowing to accommodate 3 adults and 3 children along with an additional infant. Despite having two levels the villas has only one bedroom. The extra space has been used by lavish furnishing. There are only four Presidential Pool Villas in Kurumba es. Royal Kurumba Residence With two bedrooms Royal Kurumba Residence comes with several days beds, loungers and other facilities. This is the prime spot of the island and this residence measures a staggering 768 sqm. There is only one room of this category. Full Board All-Inclusive Kurumba offers various meal plans and Full Board All-Inclusive has been widely popular among guests. This plan includes breakfast, lunch, dinner at the main restaurant and gives you a selection of beverages during each meal. There is wider coverage called Dine Around All-Inclusive if you want a simple plan that includes almost everything. Full Board All-Inclusive is for people who do not drink much and want to have a plan that covers what you want. Dining And Other Experiences When you are in the es you need to try out other international cuisines that are available in the resort. Kurumba offers Indian and Arabic cuisine in their specialized restaurants. There are various dining options. Not only dining Kurumba offers several excursions such as dolphin watching, snorkeling, island hopping, diving, watersports and several land-based sports. You can decide if you want to be active or you want to relax. You could also combine both and go with the flow. Whenever you feel tired and needs a good dose of relaxation the best place to go is Veli spa. Free facilities • Wireless internet • Majaa Kids Club • Gymnasium • In-land sports • DVD Library • Cinema room • Playstation area • Floodlit tennis courts • Indoor games • Snorkeling equpment, lessons, house reef tour • Wine tastings • Cocktail classes • Cooking demonstrations • Guest cocktail party • Group yoga classes • Daily fitness class • Kayaks Haa Alifu Atoll House Reef View Cafe Beach Vihamana Restaurant Thila Thila Superior Room Superior Room Kayaking Lagoon View Private Dining Snorkeling Sunset Cocktail Superior Room Superior Room ‹ › X Best villas in Kurumba are Superior Room and Deluxe Bungalow? # es # #Kurumba #holiday Luxury has gone up another step as St Regis es opens the biggest water villa in the es. John Jacob Astor Estate comes with 3 bedrooms, private gym, theatre room, office, dining room with kitchen and room for your personal butler and nani. This is your private world of luxury heaven, you need not go else where. While main building in in the middle, additional two on the sides are all part of this giant villa. Home theatre room has an 85-inch LCD TV. There are 4 additional 55-inch televisions in various locations of lavish planet. Each bedroom comes with walk-in closet, massage room and whirlpool jacuzzi on the terrace. Photo: John Jacob Astor Estate pool view John Jacob Astor Estate is built overwater and measures an astonishing 1540 sqm, the Olympic size infinity pool itself covers an area of 92 sqm. Photo: Floor-plan of Water Villa in Conrad es Imagine this Water Villa at Conrad es. It has a double vanity bathroom with jacuzzi. The bedroom has a king size bed and a couch. The wooden terrace has the whirlpool, sun loungers and dinig area. Everything a luxury seeker might want is there but the villa size comes to 86 sqm. Photo: Floor-plan of John Jacob Astor Estate in St Regis es Vommuli The overwater John Jacob Astor Estate at St Regis Vommuli resort is 18 times bigger. And that's when you compare with a luxury villa in one of the top international brands. John Jacob Astor Estate in St Regis es (see more photos) is currently the biggest water villa in the es. In St Regis there is only one unit of this room category. The Island Luxury Lights Spa Restaurant Dining Reception ‹ › X The biggest water villa in es. # es # # # #luxury #watervilla #private #luxuryvilla If you are seeking a water villa of contemporary design in a small luxury resort that is known for excellence in guest satisfaction head to Park Hyatt es in South Gaafu Alifu Atoll. Park Hyatt es comes with only 50 villas of which 14 are build overwater. There are two different categories among the water villas. Book one of these to come back happy. Water villas at Park Hyatt have a very distinct design. The usual villas you see in many es resorts have gazebo style roof, in Park Hyatt the water villa roofs are flat and villa looks somewhat like a box in shape. These villas are well positioned for people who love snorkeling. Once you go down the steps in your room you are already on the house reef. Having that said, first few rooms are an exception as they are little far from house reef but it is definitely not too far as it would only take few minutes to swim to the reef. It is not only the closeness to house reef that makes Park Hyatt an ideal choice for snorkeling lovers. The resort house reef is very rich in colourful coral and fish to which many regards as one of the best in the es. Recently we came up with top 10 house reefs and the only reason we did not include Park Hyatt in that list was that we personally did not snorkel here. But, guest comments say this is one of the best house reefs in es. Park Hyatt es is one of the TOP 50 on es Finest. At the time of writing, Park Hyatt ranks at 37th in the es. The ranking is updated daily, it is entirely based on guest reviews. Having the resort ranked high on es Finest Ranking, you can be sure that resort provides adequate dining options that satisfy its guests, offer excursions that are appealing and all other facilities are up to a good level and quality. Water Villa Park Hyatt has 36 villas on the land which includes 16 Park Villa and 20 Park Pool Villa. Among the water villas are 7 Park Water Villa and 7 Park Water Sunset Villa, that makes up the 14 villas overwater. All water villas in the resort are on the west side of the island. A wooden jetty connects all villas to the island. Each of the Park Water Villa and Park Water Sunset Villa measures 110 sqm in size, both are identical except the location. Considering it is just one villa 110 sqm means it is spacious enough for a luxury holiday. Becoming too large often leads to expensive prices that many consider waste of money and unnecessary. That is definitely not the case in Park Hyatt, it seems just about the ideal size. Inside the room there is a king size bed and a couch. Tea and coffee making facilities along with mini-bar are all provided in room. That is perfect for two. Not having too many furnitures it gives the feeling of being simple and specious. Teak wood interior finish is very appealing as it gives sense of harmony. Unlike usual water villas in other resorts, Park Hyatt es water villas come without a very specious bathroom. Next to bath tub is a glass panel allowing you to enjoy the view while in the tub. Outside there is a cushioned day bed in direct view of the house reef. This is perfect the spot to watch sunset while enjoying a glass champagne or your favourite cocktail, otherwise to relax and catch some Indian Ocean breeze to meditate yourself. Park Water Sunset Villa starts from room number 45 and goes up to 51 which is the last room at the very tip. Room number 51 is the best location. If you are celebrating anniversary or any other special occasion you may write to the resort to request this room but they will not able to pre-book any specific room number of advance, but they note down requests to give preference in case available. Beauty of Gaafu Alifu Atoll Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu makes up one natural atoll which is now divided into two for administrative purposes. Unlike geographical formation of most es atolls, this atoll is not adjacent to any other atoll except north and south side. Having the natural atoll isolated it brings in clear water from the massive Indian Ocean on the east, Arabian Sea on the west. Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu islands are regarded as the most pristine in the es. Odegalla island in Gaafu Dhaalu seabird nesting island protected by law. Some other isands in these two atolls are known for breeding of turutles which sometimes occur in resorts too. Island that come in unusual shapes are found in this atoll. Ponds and interconnected islands are also unique features of Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. People of Gaafu Alifu Atoll speaks a very rare dialect of local Dhivehi language. Locals of other atolls often do not understand them when they talk. Transfer to Park Hyatt es Hadahaa The resort is located 405 km from Velana International Airport (formerly called Ibrahim Nasir International Airport). It takes 60 minutes by direct seaplane. But, most of the guests chose cheaper domestic flight Kooddoo Airport followed by short 30-minute speedboat ride. Depending on weather it the speedboat may take an additional 10 minutes. The domestic flight takes 60 - 100 minutes depending on the stop overs in other domestic airports which is usually one if not direct. Waiting time in domestic terminal varies from 1 - 4 hours. Light refreshments are available in airport lounge. In Velana International Airport there are two shops that sell local 4G sim cards with cheap data packages. The local career Dhiraagu and Ooredoo provides 4G, you can find both shops after exiting the terminal. This could be useful while waiting in the airport lounge. Main Pool Spa Pool Resort Map Water Villa & Reef View of Dhoni ‹ › X Book this water villa to come back happy. # es # # # #luxury #watervilla Saudi king Salman Bin Abdulaziz is due to arrive es on 18th March, ahead of him arrives his superyacht. Some people spotted the yacht in ian waters and tweeted pictures. Exact date of her arrival remains uncertain. Named Al Salamah, king's mega yacht is mind blowing. According to Charter World this is the 10th biggest yacht in the world. The 139 metre long yacht can accommodate 40 guests in 22 cabins and 94 crew in 37 crew cabins while it travels at maximum speed of 21.5 knots. Al Salamah in es. Photo by Phiraash (twitter.com/Phiraash) Built by a German company the yacht was first launched in 1999 and later refitted in 2006. Al Salamah has no shortfall in terms of luxury. The eight deck superyacht comes with fully equipped hospital, office, lounge, secretary office, gym, cinema, library, business centre, saloon, beautician and spa. Photo: Inside Al Salamah. More photos in gallery below. The 7th deck is dedicated for the king. There are 4 Owner's Staterooms on this deck along with hospital, king's office, secretary's office and 2 staff room. Photo: Bathroom of Owner's Stateroom The 6th deck is for king's VIPs. There are 10 VIP Suites and 8 Guest Rooms, dining and lounge for the VIPs. Lower decks are for staff accommodation and other facilities. Photo by Mihaaru: Saudi naval ship Boraida in es Last week some people spotted Royal Saudi Navy ship anchored near Dhoonidhoo island. Equipped with 2 helicopters and high calibre guns this navy ship named Boraida 902 seems to be part of king's security. Little is known about the ship, but it is huge in size. Having cranes on the ship indicates it is also part of the support services. A part of king's luggage may have arrived by this ship. There was been reports that his luggage weighs 460 kg but the contents indicate it could be heavier. Bulletproof cars, escalators, king's bed are all reportedly part of his luggage. From security perspective this makes sense. As arrival date of king's visit get closer we know he has booked 3 entire es resorts. Latest reports say the king will spend his holiday in One&Only Reethi Rah while some of his entourage stays at 2 other luxury resorts. Several of Saudi royal family members are believed to be accompanied by the king on his state visit to es. Salman Bin Abdulaziz first visited es in 2014, then he was the Crown Prince and Defence Minister and he was on holiday. His son Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman reportedly visited es multiple times. Many multi-billion dollar investments have been signed during the king's tour to Asian countries. Saudi's interest in es is about buying an atoll of 18 islands to develop an advanced city for the wealthy from around the world, this has never being officially confirmed by Saudi Arabia. es president said the discussion was about a possible $10bn investment which will take es to the forefront of the world. Inside King Salman's yacht ‹ › X Photos of Saudi king's private yacht gets leaked. #KingSalman #Arab #News #ArabNews #Yacht #Boating #KSA #Riyadh Camera phones have greatly improved in recent years and are now ideal for taking photos of your travels. I have a DSLR camera but a lot of photos I have on es Finest are actually shot with smartphone, because it is what stays with me all the time. To capture moments I think smartphone gets more opportunities. So, here are five great tips to make the most of them and look great on Instagram. Photo by es Finest: Unedited photo of dolphin captured using Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone. Take light into consideration, not your view The difference between the human eye and your camera lens is that your eye is clever and more adaptable to light than the camera is. While your eyes may see the intended subject clearly, your camera may not reproduce the same quality. Although your eyes may be able to filter out shadows and excess sun rays, the camera most probably won't. You should therefore take lighting into consideration, and know the direction in which the rays are pointed to, to take clear pictures of the subject. Locate the sun The best way to take clear and bright pictures is by using the sun to your advantage. Ensure the sun is shining on the subject's face when taking photos. If on a cruise ship, look for the spot at which the sun is shining and take the photo from there. Consider taking the picture when the sun is low enough especially if you want to catch its glistening light on the ocean surface. When the sun is low enough (such as early in the morning or in the evening), most of the sun rays will bounce off the water hence making it possible for your camera lens to capture a crispy clear picture. Time of the day It goes without saying that, the best time to take the perfect photo is during sunrise or sunset. Sunrise helps produce striking images as there's just enough light to take the perfect photo. Proper timing is therefore essential especially if you want to make a mark on your photography skills. These will look great on Instagram and with the help of Vibbi, you can be sure there will be loads of likes. Consider portrait pictures Some situations require you to turn your camera to take a vertical shot of the subject. This is especially important when taking photos of skyscrapers, or something whose height cannot be covered by a landscape-style photo. Another interesting fact about taking a vertical shot is that it adds a geometrical variety to your slideshow or photo compilation. Fill the frame A properly taken photo contains as much information on the subject as possible and very little superfluous imagery. Whether taking a family photo or just a 'selfie,' ensure the subjects start from the left edge to the right edge leaving no space for distractions. With modern cameras coming with a viewfinder feature, use it to your advantage to take perfect and informative pictures. Filling the frame with the intended subject helps amplify the primary focus and experience. Anyone who sees the photo will have an idea of what the subject was even without being shown. This also amplifies the 180-degree panorama view that we have. The next time you want to take a photo, whether on a safari, vacation, or a tour, take all these factors into consideration to make the most out of your pictures, and stored memories. Disclaimer: This interesting article was written by a freelance writer, edited by es Finest. Content on external website(s) were neither verified nor endorsed by es Finest. Having a handy list of hardware shops in es will be helpful to source items to resorts. There are many foreigners working in the es who are not familiar with local shops. Investors could also make use of this to get prices to make BOQ for various construction projects such as resort development, real estate or investment financing. Fahamas Hardware Maafannu, Majeedhee Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3312145 Website: www.fahamas.com.mv Email: info@fahamas.com.mv Alia Store Alia, Maafannu, Haveeree Hingun, Male' Tel: +960 3322835 Albion Store No.44, Maafannu, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3321550 Website: www.albionstore.com.mv Email: info@albionstore.com.mv AH Brothers Maafannu, Majeedhee MAgu, Male' Tel: +960 3320088 AH Brothers 1 V.Atoll Fihaara Irumatheebai, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3335038 Sonee Hardware Emboogasdhoshuge, Henveyru, Janavaree Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3306300 Website: www.sonee.com.mv Email: info@sonee.com.mv MMI Store 1 Goalhi No.1, Ahmadhee Bazaar, Shop No.4, Male' Tel: +960 3334411 Baseline Hardware Fathangu, Sosun Magu, Henveyru, Male' Tel: +960 3345788 Bright Brothers Showcase Rowville, Fareedhee Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3318214 Coastline Hardware Ocean Lead, Madheedhee Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3312140 Website: www.coastlinegroup.com.mv Email: info@coastlinegroup.com.mv Damas Hardware Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3333000 Website: www.damas.com.mv Email: info@damas.com.mv Damas Material Hardware Lainoofaru Hingun, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3304865 Damas Paint Mart Ameenee Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3333000 Ground Fos Pump Store Orchid Vaadhee, 1st Floor, Fareedhee Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3305567 Hardware Gold Vinson, Majeedhee Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3316339 IMM Store 2 IMD Building, Ground Floor, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3334412 Nazaki Traders Minaadhooge, Majeedhee Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3310580 Website: www.nazaki.com Email: info@nazaki.com Page Hardware Shop No.14, Orchid Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3308090 Pan Timber Sunny Inn, Kanbaa Aisa Rani Hingun, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3316816 Pan Timber 2 Fulooniyaa Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3336596 Pink Hardware Pink Dream, Nikagas Magu, Machangolhi, Male' Tel: +960 3331913 Rainbow Enterprises Pvt Ltd Maarana, Alikilegefaanu Magu, Galolhu, Male' Tel: +960 3335607 Website: www.rainbow.com.mv Email: info@rainbow.com.mv Selby Star Frenzy, Nikagas Magu, Machangolhi, Male' Tel: +960 3337557 Sirius 1 Fange, Majeedhee Magu, Galolhu, Male' Tel: +960 3318798 Sonee Hardware Shine Tree Building, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3306340 Sonee Hardware Fehifashuviaage, Janavaree Magu, Henveyru, Male' Tel: +3306330 Sonee Hardware Veenus, Majeedhee Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3306310 Sparks Majeedhee Magi, Henveyru, Male' Tel: +960 3321250 Sparks 1 Quest, Alikilegefaanu Magu, Galolhu, Male' Tel: +960 3329258 Steel Hardware Filaa Building 2, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3341512 STO People's Choice Construction Materials Ameenee Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3012418 STO People's Choice Home Improvement Haveeree Hingun, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3344289 Sun Front Light Shop Iraakumaage, Majeedhee Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3315522 Website: www.sunfront.com.mv Email: info@sunfront.com.mv Tepcon Hardware Bodukunnaaruge, Janavaree Magu, Henveyru, Male' Tel: +960 3002022 Website: www.tepcon.com.mv Email: info@tepcon.com.mv Tepcon Hardware 2 Haveeree Hingun, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3312022 Timber Store 4 Ford, Izzundheen Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3342705 Veligaa Hardware 1 Veliga, Muiveyo Goalhi, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3333881 Waadhee Hardware 1 No.6, Orchid Magu, Male' Tel: +960 3313360 Wind Ward Hardware Ibrahim Hassan Didi Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3320357 Ace Hardware & Home Centre Alhivilaa Magu, Maafannu, Male' Tel: +960 3000033 Website: www.acehardware es.com Email: info@acehardware es.com List of hardware shops in Male es with contact details. # es #Shops #Hardware #Construction King of Saudi Arabia Salman Bin Abdulaziz’s visit to es that was set for 18 March 2017 has got cancelled today. The last minute cancellation was due to recently discovered Influenza A H1N1. Officials say the trip will be rescheduled to a later date that is yet to be set. The local press VFP.MV reported that the king was planned to stay at One&Only Reethi Rah while some of his entourage stays at Anantara Kihavah and Sheraton es. Fate of the three bookings remain uncertain while part payment of $5m was paid on advance. Based on industry practices it is less likely the king will get a reasonable refund. The entire 3 resorts were exclusively booked for the king and his team. The only discount the king would likely get is the budget allotted for food and beverage. This reservation was estimated to cost $20 - $30m. According to health officials there is a vaccine for H1N1 but that is not a 100% guarantee. King could have taken it if he wished. It seems king did not want to take any chance. More commonly known as Swine Flu H1N1 is critical on children and elderly. People who live in ultra-clean environments often have weaker immune systems which makes it prone to catch diseases easily when exposed. At the same time, king was seen using walking stick which indicates his health condition is not very good. King’s private yacht Al Salamah made its way to es prior to king’s arrival. The superyacht has a fully equipped hospital (see photos) that is on the same deck as the king’s room. That tells healthcare is a high priority to the king. Saudi king cancels trip after booking 3 resorts. What about refund? # es #Saudi #KingSalman Alitalia has announced that it is starting direct flights between Italy and es on 31 October 2017. The flights will be operated whole winter till 24 March 2018. Alitalia will fly 3 days a week between Rome-Male with 250-seat Airbus 330 aircraft configured for three classes of service. Cramer Ball, Alitalia’s Chief Executive Officer, said “The es have been a popular tourist destination for years, especially in winter, and Italy is the fourth country in the world by the number of tourist arrivals to the marvelous archipelago of the Indian Ocean. Alitalia continues to enhance its intercontinental offer from Italy, identifying destinations with the greatest potential. With this in mind, we decided to launch a direct flight between Rome and Male as we’re convinced that the new route will further contribute to increasing Alitalia’s long-haul traffic”. Last year over 71,000 Italians visited es for holiday. Italy is the 4th largest market for es. This market is rapidly growing, last year 8.5% growth was recorded in the tourism statistics. Rome to Male' Flights / Rome Fiumicino to Velana International Airport es Departure from Rome: 9.45 pm every Tuesday, Friday, Sturday Departure from Male': 1.10 pm (local time) every Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday Landing at Rome Fiumicino: 7.30 pm Velana International Airport at Male' is the main gateway to es. Gan International Airport in the south and Hanimaadhoo International Aiport in the north have few international flights, about 95% are domestic flights. Once started Alitalia will be the only direct flight between Italy and es (Rome - Male'). Currently available routes require transits with overnight stays. Direct flights are certain more popular, but there are also travelers who want to take advantage of seeing another destination. Dubai is a great place for shopping if you have to transit. Emirates offers route Rome-Dubai-Colombo-Male' with return Male'-Dubai-Rome. On Tuesdays Turkish Airlines offers cheaper flight but at the hassle of overnight transit. Qatar Airways also offers Rome-Male' deals but with overnight transit stay in Doha. Direct flight from Italy to es. # es #Italy #Alitalia #Aviation #Flights #Holiday #Honeymoon A glass floor is not only exciting to walk on, it also brings enrichment to luxury villas. It makes you feel more spacious while taking you even closer to nature. Seeing the waves underneath brings comfort to your senses. The glass floor also allows reflected natural light into the room. Deluxe Water Villa at Lily Beach es This could be perfect surprise to your spouse when she opens the villa entrance door there is a 6 feet long glass floor. If she wants to get in she would have to walk across over the glass. Lily Beach Resort is a Five Star Deluxe resort and the 126 sqm is conveniently located few metres from resort's amazing house reef. Deluxe Water Villa has very simple design, hallway is in the middle while one side has bedroom and other the bathroom. Behind there is a large wooden terrace with a plunge pool that gives uninterrupted view of the Indian Ocean. Stairs are there to go down for snorkeling. Sunset Water Villa at Conrad es The two bedroom villa comes with a glass flooring in the living area. It brings the feel of tranquility as you relax in the couches. At times you could also see some fish swimming around. This Sunset Water Villa has an amazing rotating bed that gives 270 degree view of the ocean. It is perfect to watch sunset in comfort of your bed. The villa is equipped with an infinity pool and a whirlpool. There is a wooden terrace that gives beautiful uninterrupted view of the ocean. The 2 bedroom villa is perfect for a family of up to 4 adults with 2 children, or 3 adults with 3 children. Conrad es is a five star deluxe resort well known both locally and internationally. Water Villa With Pool Sunrise at Jumeirah Vittaveli Water Villas well known for its iconic architecture is the perfect exotic choice. Palm thatches roofs make is very appealing among nature lovers. The living area has a glass flooring to enjoy watching movements of fish. After a while if you really want to watch more you can go down the steps and reach the house reef within minutes. Water Villa With Pool Sunrise comes with a king size bed and could accommodate 2 adults with 2 children below 12 years or 3 adults. The 200 sqm room is spacious enough and there is a pool out side. Out on the deck there is a gazebo with a day bed to relax while catching some cooling breeze of the Indian Ocean. 3 Amazing es Water Villas With Glass Floor For 2017. # es #WaterVilla #Luxury #Travel # Swiss hotel company Movenpick has signed a contract to manage its first es resort. The Movenpick Resort & Spa Kuredhivaru es is located in the popular luxury tourism region of Noonu Atoll. A scenic seaplane flight takes 45 minutes to ge there. Once arrived you will be ushered with cold towel and welcome drinks before being escorted to one of the 105 luxury villas. Island that measures 550 metres in length comes with 33 Beach Villas and 72 Water Villas combined with matching culinary experiences. While exact opening date has not been set the Movenpick es resort is opening in the second quarter of 2018. Opening date is likely to be announced later this year. “It’s no secret that the es is a much sought after holiday destination that is still increasing in popularity and our spectacular resort represents a significant entry for Mövenpick into this world-renowned island hideaway,” said Chief Development Officer and Senior Vice President Asia, Andrew Langdon. “We look forward to introduce our guests of Mövenpick Resort & Spa Kuredhivaru es to Mövenpick’s signature style, hospitality and service once it opens in 2018.” World famous dive site Christmas Tree and Orimas Thila are in close proximity while the recently discovered whale shark and manta point Manadhoo Beyru takes just 20 minutes by speedboat. Manadhoo Thila located between Manadhoo and Maafaru has an unusual crane wreck that is yet to be explored. Apparently not many know about this. Manadhoo Thila is a large deep water reef that spans all the way from Manadhoo to Maafaru and is a popular night fishing spot among the locals of this atoll. While everyone loves turtles Maafaru house reef has plenty to them, in fact locals say they see over a dozen in a single trip. Several years back the government leased Kuredhivaru island to develop resort and project kept on going without much progress. At the time of leasing the company planned to develop world's first underwater hotel but that plan never took off. The resort that is still under construction was noticed to have a great progress in 2016. The management agreement now being signed by the Movenpick the construction is likely to progress faster. Movenpick operates more than 80 properties in different countries. Once opened Kuredhivaru will be the first Movenpick resort in the es. Movenpick es Resort Opening 2018. # es # #Movenpick #Honeymoon #Holiday #Tour #Luxury I have been snorkeling for decades and my mask often got blur while snorkeling. What I did? Took off the mask, spit and clean the mask before putting back on. That worked for me but it was actually quite annoying, especially when it happens every few minutes. When I snorkel I want to see very clearly. That’s how I enjoy it. Being a strong swimmer born and bred in es I could clean my mask without much efforts even in the deep. But, when there is an easy solution. Several times I went snorkeling with guests who were good swimmers, just because they do not snorkel often they were not quite used to sea life. These good swimmers struggled cleaning mask in the deep water. Non-swimmers who in life-jackets often struggle with blur masks too. A blur mask simply ruins the snorkeling experience. Sometime back I met a Singaporean. I went snorkeling with him few times and one day I found some gel on his mask. I inquired and he said it was toothpaste. I inquired further and he said it would keep mask clean without getting blur. Next day I tried it and it worked. If you applied a generous amount of tooth paste and clean your mask it would prevent it from getting blurred at least for 30 minutes, usually it does it for more than an hour. My Singaporean also said Mama Lemon, hand wash and other detergents work too. Once I tried Mama Lemon but toothpaste worked best for me. So, next time you head to house make you apply some toothpaste on your before leaving your villa. If you are a snorkeling addict do check out best 10 house reefs which we compiled with more useful tips along with some resorts facts. We are considering to add couple of resorts to this list but before that we need to go and experience. We have this 2 more resorts in mind, based on feedback from other locals. How to fix mask from getting blur while snorkeling? # es #Snorkeling #Scuba #Diving # #Reef A resort in North Ari Atoll has found a live crab in one of the guest room's safety deposit box. When questioned the Chinese national said that he put it in for safekeeping and received a fine of $300 for breaching resort's environment protection policy. Ali, the Room Attendant, serviced the villa just like any other day. Once finished he went to Housekeeping Department and brought in laundries given by guest the previous day. He opened the closet and put the clothes oh hanger. As he was folding the laundry bag he noticed a tic-tic noise coming from the safety deposit box. The door was little bit shaking at times as if something was slightly banging it from inside. Not wanting to touch the safety box (due to security procedures) Ali called his supervisor. To Adam it was something unheard in his career which made him rush to the villa. Once he got there it was exactly what Ali had told him. A strange noise was coming from safety box as if something was hitting the door. Ali and Adam waited for the guest to arrive. Once met they asked the guest to open the safety deposit box and guest complied. He keyed-in the combination and opened the door. As he was doing that a big crab jumped out and went straight under the bed. Stunned by what they saw they began questioning the guest. The guest said he caught it from beach and kept it in for safe keeping. When asked why he put it in the safety deposit box the guest replied that he put one in bath tub first and it escaped when he was away. They asked him why he catches crab and guest said he wanted to eat it. He said he had a small rice cooker which he brought with him all the way from China. Ali used his broom while Adam kept the entrance door open. It took a while before they were able to lure the crab out of the room. Under the resort's environment protection policy the guest was fined by $300. Chinese guests are known for catching beach crabs and many resorts have come up with an environment policy that includes fines for various breaches including catching crabs and standing on coral. At night if you see flash lights on the beach that often become crab hunting. Security officers usually stop these activities on the spot. Chinese Guest Deposits Live Crab In Safety Deposit Box. # es #crab #travel #news #breaking Smoking in room is prohibited in all es resorts. Smoking makes the room smell very bad, it smells bad even for smokers themselves. Getting rid of this horrible smell is a challenge and consumes time and money. The prohibition also serves safety purpose. Despite the non-smoking policy a guest has attempted to smoke and ended up in a very bad situation. He smoked in the Jacuzzi and left his cigarette on the side of Jacuzzi. Not sure how long and why he kept it touching the Jacuzzi rim, it burnt the Jacuzzi. When the Room Attendant came for servicing he saw a cigarette shaped area on the Jacuzzi rim burnt and turned black. He informed the matter to his superior and management decided to meet the guest. Upon questioning the guest agreed that he smoked while in the Jacuzzi and mistakenly left the cigarette on the rim. The Arab national got fined by $1200 and resort had to put the villa out of order. That particular Jacuzzi was not sold in the es. Resort had to place an order and wait for weeks to get it. The amount of fine was cost of the Jacuzzi, but the resort suffered a bigger loss as room had to be kept empty for weeks. It was unclear if any booking were affected. Anyway, guest learnt hard way not to smoke in the room. Guest learns hard way not to smoke in room. # es #smoking #nosmoking #cigarette #island #holiday UPDATE: Few days back the Health Protection Agency has said the status of recent H1N1 epidemic has become normal. At that time there were 9 patients undergoing treatment at different hospitals. During the epidemic health officials suggested to wear surgical masks but less than 10% were seen doing so in public. Now no one is seen wearing it and people are living the usual daily life in the capital Male' and islands. During the outbreak there was a very small stock of H1N1 vaccine in the country. It was available to sick, pregnant women and children. Now it is available for general public without any restriction. 29 Mar 2017 Latest information released by the Health Protection Agency today shows 222 confirmed cases of H1N1 while the total tested specifically for this flu increased to 619. HPA says some 20 patients are currently admitted in the hospitals for treatment while 10 discharged within the last 48 hours. After outbreak of Influenza A H1N1, otherwise known as swine flu, the authorities closed down all schools. After a week the schools were resumed last Sunday. Only 20% of students attended the sessions and schools were closed again on Monday. Schools are still closed. H1N1 vaccination is going on in several healthcare centres and it is open for general public without any restriction. A dose costs about $10. 26 MARCH 2017 ADK the largest private hospital has opened vaccination for the general public. Influenza A H1N1 vaccinating will take place daily from 15:00 hours. Currently there is a long queue at the hospital. This comes after viral flu claimed its 4th victim who was a pregnant woman. Schools were resumed but only about 20% of students attended, according to media sources. 25 MARCH 2017 Influenza A H1N1 has claimed 1 more life yesterday, according to HPA. This brings the death count to 4. Also known as swine flu the confirmed number of patients according to HPA have now reached 185. Tests were done on 501 people so far. The authorities say 12 people had been discharged from hospital in the last 2 days. Meantime ADK Hospital has started vaccinating high risk people such as children, elderly and people suffering other diseases such as cancer or kidney problems. Current stock of vaccines are not enough for entire population. WHO officials have recently said they are working to get 30,000 doses to es. Statistic indicate the epidemic is still not under control but schools and colleges are resuming tomorrow. 24 MARCH 2017 Health Protection Agency says up to today 176 people turned positive for Swine flu H1N1. This was out of 460 cases tested in the country. Meanwhile the special flu clinic opened by ADK hospital has now been shut down. Schools and colleges are resuming on Sunday. Pregnant women on leave due to the outbreak have been asked to resume work after the weekend. Doctors say Influenza A H1N1 is a virus that spreads mostly from person to person, bodily fluids, moisture etc. Frequent washing of hands is recommended by doctors. They say cleaning dry surfaces such as furniture does is of less importance as the virus do not survive for long outside human body. 20 MARCH 2017 Health Protection Agency says H1N1 has claimed its 3rd life in the es today while confirmed Swine Flu patients reach 147. Up to now 411 people has been tested for Influenza A H1N1 or more commonly known as Swine Flu. A common flu is currently on going in various regions of the es. While H1N1 is present in the country people in large numbers have visited hospitals in the recent days. That common flu cases are now on a decline as lesser people seeing doctors. Schools and collages are still closed while pregnant ladies working in government are given paid leaves. Swine Flu is regarded as critical on children and elderly. The public health officials are urging to maintain extra-good personal hygiene. They say the H1N1 virus do not survive for long outside human body. Hence, the importance is to take measures to prevent body to body transfer of virus. 18 MARCH 2017 Influenza A H1N1 infected total has now reached 114 while overall situation seems getting better as people visiting hospitals drop. Yesterday 680 people from Male' sought medical care for various kind of flu, day before the count was 989. From islands 869 visited hospitals yesterday while day before it was 1551. It is still unclear if there is any swine flu confirmed case in the atolls. Unusually more people are getting treated for flu in Raa Atoll and Noonu Atoll. In Raa Atoll 99 flu cases were reported while in Noonu it was 104. 17 MARCH 2017 The epidemic is taking toll as H1N1 confirmed cases increase to 105. More commonly known as swine flu it has claimed at least 3 lives. Influenza test has been done on 335 patients while a lot more suffers regular viral fever. Numbers keep rising and government has started giving paid leaves for pregnant women, they will also get vaccinated soon as dispatching has already started. Health officials are trying to contain the epidemic within a week, but possibility remains uncertain at this time. 16 MARCH 2017 Confirmed Influenza A H1N1 cases have now reached a total of 82 as per authorities. IGM Hospital has setup a flu clinic in the next door Thajuddin School as the school is closed due the flu. ADK the largest private hospital has also opened a special clinic to test suspected swine flu cases, this clinic is in Sosunge. According to Health Protection Agency (HPA) 279 people have been tested so far for H1N1 of which 82 turned out positive. Other common flu cases have dramatically increased over the past couple of days. It may be that people are now consulting doctors because of H1N1 presence in the country. We are getting reports that flu is spreading in some of the atolls too. According to HPA the most severely hit atoll is Raa Atoll where 157 people sought medical care yesterday. Based on last census in 2014 Raa Atoll has a population of 22302. Despite increased flu reports it is unclear if there is any confirmed H1N1 case in the atoll. We will try to clear this on the next update on this thread. 15 MARCH 2017 Discovery of dozens of H1N1 (swine flu) cases in the es has led to close down of schools and colleges in the capital Male’ while rest of the country functions as normal. So far there has been no effect to government offices anywhere in the country. No suspicious or confirmed case from any resort has been reported while tourist movements happen as usual in most resorts, some have restricted access to Male’ as measure of precaution. The viral flu has caused at least 1 death and public health officials say H1N1 involves high risk on children and elderly. That gives reason to close schools while government, private offices and businesses operate as normal. Health officials have advised public to practice more sanitation and some of the people are seen in public wearing surgical masks. Travel advice from es Finest Capital Male’ and Velana International Airport being two different islands your es holiday does not seem risky at this point of time. However, as a precaution we suggest the following. • Wear surgical mask while passing through the airport. • Maintain personal hygiene and use hand sanitizer. • Prevent visiting capital Male’ during this period unless absolutely necessary. • We also recommend resorts to offer hand sanitizer to all guests, right on the jetty as guests are welcomed. Any suspicious case must be referred to resort clinic without delays. • Though H1N1 is risky on children and elderly we do not recommend interrupting your resort holiday plans yet as every es resort is geographically secluded from rest of the islands. Past experiences indicate chances of epidemics spreading in Male’ moving on to resorts are slim. es resorts are often very pro-active through direct coordination with Ministry of Tourism. (Thanks to countless weather alert SMS sent by the ministry during my hotel management career). • There has been no confirmed case from any local residential island. For precaution we suggest to avoid taking children and elderly to local islands. Holidays in local guest houses recommended only to adults during this period. Swine Flu Updates Should circumstances change this thread will be updated. Latest stories will appear in the top. Swine Flu H1N1 situation in the es capital. # es #swineflu #h1n1 #health #who Simple yet elegant, Dhigali es culminates taste of both the common traveler and luxury thriller. That island that stretches to 1 kilometer consists of 180 villas. There are 40 villas overwater while the rest enjoys beachfront or tropical vegetation that leads to the beach. Western tip of the island is a breath-taking sandbank. Haali bar is located there to serve drinks a guests enjoy stunning sunsets. Some of the Lagoon Villa With Pool are in direct view of this heavenly atmosphere. Dhigali es is located in Raa Atoll and is easily accessible via seaplane that takes 40 minutes. Save on transfer is possible via domestic flight to Ifuru or Dharavandhoo followed by a speedboat ride takes 70 minutes all together. Room Categories 20 Beach Bungalows: 70 sqm 24 Water Villa: 85 sqm 33 Deluxe Beach Bungalows: 85 sqm 63 Beach Villas: 115 sqm 20 Beach Villas With Pool: 121 sqm 16 Lagoon Villas With Pool: 117 sqm 3 Beach Suites With Pool: 170 sqm 1 Dhigali Suite: 400 sqm Among the land villas Beach Bungalow and Deluxe Beach Bungalow are located in the tropical vegetation that leads to the beach while rest are beachfront. Dhigali es is set to open May 2017. The resort is owned and managed by Universal Resorts who also manages Kurumba, Kuramathi, Velassaru, Baros, Kandolhu, Maafushivaru and Milaidhoo. Dhigali es The Island Of Affordable Luxury. # es #Dhigali #Luxury #Honeymoon # President of es Abdulla Yameen has recently confirmed the Saudi investment deal is still on and it will happen in accordance to laws of the es. es Finest had previously revealed the mega project planned to take place in Faafu Atoll. Our sources say the value amounts to $10bn but in a leaked audio of ruling party's parliament leader Ahmed Nihan Hassan Manic says it is $16bn and king's son Crown Prince Mohammed wants it to be their personal project. King Salman Bin Abdulaziz was scheduled to visit es earlier this month but cancelled in the last minute due Influenza A H1N1 spreading in the country. The cancellation came while 3 entire resorts were exclusively booked for the king's holiday. An advance payment of $5m was reported paid while total cost estimates $20 - $30m. Technically there is no refund for cancellations within 30 days to arrival and 100% cancellation charge is applicable. When king cancelled his state visit to es combined with a holiday his private yacht was anchored in es. Insider pictures of the yacht reveal luxury beyond description. On board facilities include fully equipped hospital, gym, office, secretary's office, spa, hair dresser, pool, rooftop restaurant and helicopter. Lavish yacht comes with luxury rooms for his VIPs and guests. Sources not wanting to be named told es Finest the Saudi investment in Faafu Atoll was about developing a mega city for the wealthy from all around the world who dreams of living in paradise. Be it education or health care the city will have some of the world's best facilities. Locals in support of Saudi investment say the investment would allow locals to gain access to these facilities which otherwise would be too expensive in other countries. Detailed plans of the project has never been released to the public. Hence, it is uncertain if locals would get extra privileges to these facilities, but certainly it would open up more employment opportunities. The bill of Special Economic Zone sets free such investors from many regular laws. es President confirms Saudi investment deal is still on. # es #Invest #Money #Saudi #KingSalman I worked as master of ceremony in dozens of beach weddings in the es. In some other weddings I was the photographer. Having done these two very important tasks, I thought to give some tips for young people who wants to pursue a career in this field. Some of these are standard basic photography skills, others are what I learnt from my experience in the es setting. Coordinate with organizers beforehand Before the ceremony begins it is important to talk to the event organisers and establish an understand between both parties. Usually in es beach weddings there are members of organizing team present in various stages of the event. You will want them to understand that you are around. There are times that you want to give gestures to make way for you, clear background from unwanted people or bring in people into the scene as you capture. But, you will do this in a way that will not affect the wedding process. For example the champagne toasting is a common wedding shot in the es. You want only the couple and background on the photo, without the waiter. Then you also want to capture the moment waiter serves the drinks. These are two separate shots. In other shots you may want to include family members, bridesmaid and bestman as well. For me, having done both the photography as well as master of ceremony, it is very simple. When I am master of ceremony I usually assist the photographer by making couple stage different poses. If you have a good understanding with the organisers capturing awesome shots become a lot easier. Otherwise there may be obstacles in otherwise perfect shots. Direction of the sun and lighting Usually weddings in es are done in the afternoon. If you shoot photos from the opposite side of the sun there will be too much light getting in to the camera. If you have captured sun on your photos that is the worst it could get. It is like you staring at the sun. This is very basic of photography but I thought it is important to be mentioned. Scenic backdrops When you are capturing a es wedding you do not want to miss the beautiful backdrop of the lagoon. This is one of my favourite shots. When I do this I also consider lighting based on the sun. In some resorts there is a small boat involved in the ceremony. The backdrop looks awesome when there is a small sail boat in the lagoon as you capture the couple. I also take shots without. In the ceremony it is important to take shots with a variety of elements. Later on when you review pictures there will be lot of shots to discard. For example think of that sail boat, you might have captured captain of the boat having his sarong blown always by the wind revealing his pants. That may be an exaggeration, but every single detail on the shot is important. Lagoon is not the only backdrop to capture. Tropical vegetation of the island looks nice too, sometimes lagoon and vegetation combined produces awesome shots. Capture with a variety of elements but do not forget not to shoot against the sun. Taking advantage of the happenings in the resort While your wedding is going on at the beach there are other usual activities happening in the resort and some of these could take place near you. For example in some of my wedding photography I had the luxury of capturing windsurfers in the backdrop, not up close of cause. It makes the place look more exotic on the pictures. This also adds some action to the shots while it attaches itself to moments and memories. Once I captured the couple with a seaplane taking off in the backdrop. That shot was really amazing, just like a postcard. I saw guests boarding to the plane and I kept the couple ready when it took off, at the right moment I fired a burst shot. Capture every moment In a typical ian resort wedding there will be wedding vows, exchange of rings, ritual cutting of cake, toasting champagne, wedding tea, dinner on the beach. It is very important to capture every single moment of these in different angles. Some of the photos with only the couple, some with bridesmaids and bestman, others with family. Aerial shots are important too. So are the close up shots of couple smiling and revealing the feelings, close ups of cake, drinks, decorations, ring on the finger etc. Romantic walk at the shore I like capturing wedding couple going on a romantic walk on the beach close to the shore. Flower bouquet on bride’s hand produces amazing colours against the backdrop of beach and lagoon. You can capture from the sides, front and behind. You could also involve sail boat in some shots. One of my favourite poses is the groom holding the bride in his arms. Next day photography session Since the ceremony takes place in afternoon the colour of beach turns slightly golden, lagoon also becomes significantly dull. If the couple likes to have an additional photo session the next day it gives the opportunity recapture some of the beach pictures with much nicer colours. For this I prefer morning around 9:00 – 11:00 when the sun is still rising. Slightly before the midday there is plenty of light that reveals beauty in everything. Also you could shoot in different angles as the sun remains almost above you. Pictures of lagoon makes a huge difference. Photography tips for shooting weddings in the es. # es #Wedding #Luxury #Honeymoon # A man on fishing trip got a huge shark of 4 feet on the line. Not having any other way to set it free he pulled the shark in on board. Another man on the boat attempted to unhook and all of a sudden the shark bit his arm leaving him badly injured, though not life threatening. The incident happened yesterday and the boy has undergone operations and is now recovering according to the hospital. Photo: shark bites off a fisherman's catch in Addu Atoll, es Illath, the youg man who got bitten, works at a resort in es. He says he is inexperienced in fishing and was following instructions from another man. On this fishing trip they wanted to catch sail fish and wahoo. But, another man caught this big shark and asked for his help to set the shark free. It was then the inexperienced young man attempted to unhook and set the shark free. But, before that the shark bit him on his right arm which turned to a severe injury. Because of shark protection there are so many sharks in the seas of es. Fisherman often catch them while trying to get other fish. Setting them free is no easy thing. In my experience what many fishermen do is cut off the line and let the shark go with the hook still on it. This may not be the best way to handle the situation, but it is definitely better than getting bitten or killing the shark. It seems even the experienced fisherman do not like attempting on live sharks. After the incident many on the social media claims sharks are now over populated in the es and the protection of shark needs to be lifted for some time. Some years back shark fishing was quite common in the es. But, animal rights groups criticized the act saying shark fining was unacceptable. Back then the fishermen used to cut off fins and release the sharks. Animal rights groups say this kills them as they would not be able to swim without fins, hence no way to get fed. Shark has a very flexible body. It could turn its head and bite its own fail fin if it wanted. While it is so flexible it could also perform very quick movements. That makes sharks dangerous when it is live and out of water. If you want to unhook a shark you must restrain the animal first. I have seen people using jute bags to securely tighten them. Then they inserted a wooden stick in the mouth so that it could not close its jaws while fisherman attempts to unhook. This technique worked when hook was on the side of mouth, not deep in. I have not known of any shark attack that happened in the sea in es, except a few that happened as a result of feeding. Sharks have really bad vision and when you attempt to feed they mistakenly bite you. That's what happened to a guest who tried feeding baby sharks in the es. Luckily he was in the shallows and was able to run quickly to the beach. If you know a better way to set free a shark caught on fishing line please write to us. Otherwise click the share button and that may lead to someone know does know. 4 Feet shark leaves fisherman badly injured. # es #fishing #shark #snorkeling #scuba #diving es Resort Ranking that is based on over 96,000 guest reviews reveals Velaa Private Island is the best resort in es. While the top 50 resorts are displayed on es Finest website the daily updated ranking monitors guest satisfaction in almost every resort in the es. Some new resorts take time to get considerable amount of reviews, hence currently not in ranking index. Photo: Velaa Private Residence at Velaa Private Island Velaa Private Island holds a Happiness Score of 9.55 out of 10 and ranks as the best resort in es. Another resort that has the same score is JA Manafaru in northern Haa Alifu Atoll. JA Manafaru currently ranks at the second best of es. Happiness Score is the main ranking factor on the es Resort Ranking, when the scores are identical a micro-signal computation is performed to generate the index. es Resort Ranking is an engine that uses an algorithm to compute reviews, generate happiness score and finally the ranking. Photo: Sunset Water Villa at JA Manafaru You may wonder what makes JA Manafaru outperform so many other luxury resorts? I have a few points. They have an amazing All Inclusive package. Some of the guests previously stayed in Four Seasons or One&Only says JA Manafaru keeps up in class and recommends All Inclusive plan. Many other resorts that have good All Inclusive plan, such as Constance resorts or Lily Beach, are generally getting ranked well. To get this straight, if you keep guests well fed they are happier. Photo:Velaa Private Island Velaa Private Island and JA Manafaru are small resorts. Manafaru has 83 rooms, in Velaa it is 43. Mirihi and Kandolhu are even smaller. Being small seems to allow management to be more focused on individual guest satisfaction that eventually ends up as positive reviews. Photo: JA Manafaru Many guest reviews highlight the quality of food. It is needless to say food is a great part of any holiday. When you are on a luxury holiday in world’s best destination that is regarded as “paradise on earth” you only want to be blown away in every aspect; quantity, quality and tastes. Meeting every desire is not end of the book. Value for money is factor that often makes a big difference. A resort could make a guest happy with everything except the feeling of being over paid. That leads to negative reviews that struck hard on the ranking. Be it a four star resort or five star delivering great value for money works like magic. JA Manafaru Grand Water Suite Horizon Lounge JA Manafaru JA Manafaru JA Manafaru Wine Cellar Beach Suite Grand Water Suite Velaa Private Island Beach Pool House Athiri Restaurant Aragu Restaurant Aragu Restaurant Private Pool Residence Private Pool Residence Sunset Water Pool Villa Sunset Deluxe Pool Villa Sunset Deluxe Pool Villa Sunset Deluxe Pool Villa Romantic Pool Residence Ocean Pool House Ocean Pool House Deluxe Beach Pool Villa Deluxe Beach Pool Villa Beach Pool House ‹ › X # es #Kandima # #Holiday # # # # #Honeymoon #Asia #Island #Luxury Just days after we announced a tough battle going on between the top two JA Manafaru wins the race and becomes the best resort in es. This is first time Manafaru became the best on the daily updated resort ranking maintained by es Finest. This is an incredible achievement to the resort that is one of the most remote in the country. Despite challenges Manafaru has mastered the art of satisfying their guests. Yes, the es Resort Ranking is based entirely on guest satisfaction that is computed from credible guest reviews and there is no other way to get this achieved. There were times Manafaru was ranked below TOP 10, that was several months back. In the recently months there has been gradual progress, before finally becoming the best of es. Located in Haa Afli Atoll, JA Manafaru is 320 km from Male' International Airport. To get there it takes 75 minutes by seaplane, or 30 minutes by speedboat from Hanimaadhoo International Airport. Majority of the guests arrive Male' International Airport and take a domestic flight to Hamidhoo or go for the more expensive but enjoyable and convenient way of seaplane. The island is very tiny, it measure 800m in length and 600m in width, just 35 acres of land where you could walk about in 10 minutes. Beach Bungalow With Private Pool There are 22 bungalows of this category and each bungalow measures 150 sqm. The bungalow that is surrounded by tropical vegetation is just few steps from the beach and your private cabana on the beach. The room can accommodate upto 3 adults with 1 infant, or 2 adults with 1 child or infant. Sunrise Water Villa With Infinity Pool Perfect to capture brilliant colours of golden rise that reflects on the India Ocean. The water villa comes with glass panel on the floor, making it perfect to observe fish beneath. But the outdoor deck is better. Infinity pool is a timeless place that sparks magical moments. There are 24 units of Sunrise Water Villa With Infinity Pool and each measures 110 sqm while it allows a maximum accommodation of 2 adults with 2 children or 3 adults and 1 child. Sunset Water Villa With Infinity Pool Not waking up to glimpse golden sunrise is perfectly normal in paradise. Enjoying spectacular ian sunsets could now occur in total privacy of your villa that is suspended over the water. Just grab of bottle of champagne from in-room wine cellar, toast and celebrate best encounters of your life while starring at magical colours of the sunset that keeps changing. The room could accommodate 2 adults with 2 children or 3 adults with 1 infant. There are 23 villas in this category. One Bedroom Beach Suite With Private Pool Measuring 225 sqm the villa comes with a large living area to lounge and separate bedroom and an additional 350 sqm outdoor space towards the beach side. Surrounded by lush green vegetation it is just steps away from your private beach cabana and sun loungers on the beach. Built with privacy in mind you could unwind on the outdoor deck or relax in daybed. Try the open air bathroom to feel a new experience. This one bedroom villa could accommodate 4 adults with 1 child or 2 adults with 2 children. Grand Water Two-Bedroom Suite With Private Infinity Pool Built for lavish lifestyle, the villa measures an astonishing 350 sqm in size. The large private deck is a timeless place to spend day and night. The sight of two uninhabited islands at sight and the turquoise lagoon makes this pleasing to senses. Dedicated Villa Host ensures your needs are well attended while giving you privacy when you are comfortable. The villa that comes with designer amenities could accommodate up to 5 adults with 1 infant or 4 adults with 1 child and 1 infant. Royal Island Two Bedroom Suite With Private Pool The luxury two storey beach residence comes with its own sauna, a dining room, steam room and spa treatment space. The living area opens up to a sun deck with the infinity pool. Ornamental ponds in open area of bedrooms make the Royal Island Two Bedroom Suite an ideal choice for luxury seeking families. There is an in-villa bar that gets stocked to your preference. The room can accommodate up to 6 adults with 2 infants, or 4 adults and 2 children. It occupies an area of 600 sqm. Royal Island Three Bedroom Suite With Private Pool This luxury two storey suite is perfect for families and large group of friends to enjoy luxury escapes together. The villa is equipped with its own sauna, steam, spa treatment room and barbecue area. Entrance to this luxury villa is through a courtyard with ornamental ponds. A elegant dining room and living area opens up to the outdoor infinity pool. Private beach cabana and sun loungers on the beach takes only few steps to get there. The thee bedroom suite can accommodate a maximum of 7 adults with 3 infants or 6 adults with 2 children. Dining Experiences White Orchid is an overwater restaurant that serves Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines with Teppanyaki setup for authentic Asian fusion experience that is amazing when the chefs perform right in front and serves stove to plate. White Orchid opens daily from 18:30 to 22:30 except Fridays. Located beachfront, the Ocean Grill serves local seafood menus and prime cuts of meat that is cooked to your preference. Dine under the stars while listening to natural music of gentle waves kissing the soft sands of Manafaru. This dinner-only restaurant opens daily from 18:30 to 22:30 except Tuesday. Kakuni is the main restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. A rich buffet breakfast with gourmet options gives you a fulfilling breakfast experience to kick start you day in paradise. For Dinner there are theme nights from around the world including ian Night. Kakuni serves breakfast from 5:30 to 10:30 daily. Dinner is served on Fridays and Tuesdays from 18:30 to 23:00 hours. The Cellar sits two and half metres below the sea level. This underground setting is the ideal place to explore the world of wining and cuisines that match different wines from around the world. Join the sommelier and internationally rated chef for wine tasting experience or reserve for private wine cellar dinner. The Cellar opens Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays from 18:30 to 22:30. When are you in Manafaru there is no going away from beach or water. Andimao Bistro And Pool makes lunch possible by beachside or at the pool. Think of the beauty of lagoon, fragrances and flavours of home-made piza, pasta or salads. The outlet opens daily from 12:00 till 18:00 hours. Dinner with live music happens here on Wednesdays and Sundays from 18:00 to 22:00 hours. Located beachfront with palm trees on the sides, Infinity Bar And Pool opens daily from 10:00 to midnight and serves light snack, fresh salad and delicious sandwich. The stunning infinity pool seamlessly blends its colours into the horizon. Horizon Lounge opens daily from 10:00 till 19:00 hours and serves signature cocktails as you unwind. When sunset happens it is time to inhale the beauty of skyline reflections. Thursdays and Saturdays have more happenings with live football, karaoke, billiards and other activities that continue till late. Photo Gallery Grand Water Suite Horizon Lounge Infinity Pool Stylish Lounger Infinity Pool Wine Cellar Beach Suite Grand Water Suite Lunch Breakfast Watersports Spa ‹ › X # es # #Holiday # # # # #Honeymoon #Island #Luxury #JaManafaru #Manafaru When the host shows you the villa do you expect to hear that bathtub should only be used for bathing? In a recent incident Chinese guest claimed he was never told not to put fish in bathtub. This happened after Room Attendant found his bathtub was converted to a make shift fish tank with live fish swimming in it. Not only that, there were corals too. Photo (right) by thefisheriesblog.com: for illustration purpose only Ziyad, the Room Attendant, started serving villas in the morning. After fishing land villas he moved on to water villas assigned for him. In one of those villas he noticed the lampshade of the standing lamp was missing. Finding it little strange he called the maintenance department if they took it for repair. If they in fact took Ziyad wanted it back or he would have to get a replacement from a vacant room. Ziyad kept on servicing the room while maintenance people were checking on the missing lampshade. After doing the bedding Ziyad went to service the bathroom. Ziyad was blown away by what he just saw. A bathtub with plenty of live fish swimming in it was right there. Upon closer inspection he noticed a deadly lionfish among the species in the tub. Ziyad wondered how the guest might have caught all these. Dumb guests were nothing new to Ziyad but this was a whole new level. More than that, Ziyad couldn't figure out how he himself could catch a lionfish without risking his life. He wondered how an inexperienced guest would do that. Still struggling to realise what he saw Ziyad called to his supervisor. While waiting for the supervisor Ziyad kept on cleaning other areas of the room. Ash tray on the veranda deck was full of cigarette buds. Ziyad emptied it to his trash bag and nicely washed it before putting it back. Cushions were arranged. Everything done on the deck. But then he noticed something unusual, again. There was a rope tied to the railing. Ziyad went to remove it. As he looked down there was the missing lampshade, attached to the rope. As Ziyad pulled it up he saw fish being scooped out. There were some sticks in the bottom of lampshade to block fish from falling down. Ziyad immediately realised this was what the guest was using to catch fish. Finally the supervisor arrived and the matter was taken to the guest who agreed for everything. In-room compendium said catching fish from the house reef or lagoon was prohibited. Guest was fined for breaching hotel policies. But he said no one told him not to use bathtub to store fish. But then when the staff emptied the tub there were scratches made from sharp coral. Guest got another fine for breaking hotel fixture. How he caught fish is unthinkable. # es # #Holiday # # # # #fishing First time I boarded a flight was about two decades back. It was an international fight to India and I was alone. To be honest I was not comfortable at the beginning. My friends had told me that I should not be uncomfortable about my trip. Because of the costs involved I could not afford bringing an assistant with me. It was a medical trip, I could not postpone or cancel it. Trusting what my friends told me I began my first international trip. I went to airport 3 hours ahead and passed first security check outside the international terminal. I saw the x-ray machines and just followed other passengers. When I passed through the security check I was in a massive hall with 14 checking counters. That was a huge indoor place. I don’t usually such size of indoor places in es. Anyway, it was not difficult to find my airline and economy was almost in front of me. I went on the queue and checked in my suitcase and followed other passengers towards immigration in the upstairs. I got my passport stamped. My boarding card show me the gate. Just as my friend said. I followed directions and found my gate. Since it was still quite early I took a drink and called my friends to tell them that everything went smoothly. It was firt time I felt comfortable since I entered the airport. I did not have any hotel booked. My friend gave me a hotel address said I could go there. If there were no rooms available I could easily find other hotels around. Taxi drivers would help as they get trip but then they also cheat. I trusted my friend and I did not want to go through an unwanted panic. After a while it was time to get to the gate. I passed through without a problem and in few minutes I boarded the flight on my first international trip. I found my seat without any assistance from cabin crews. I saw others adjusting the air-conditioning and playing with the lights. I was a quick learner. In the flight I met another ian going to Medical College are of Trivandrum. That was where I was going. So, I asked him which hotel he would stay. I did not want him to know that I was new. My friends had told me many people cheat new travelers. Later I received the immigration registration card and I put the same hotel as the ian passenger sitting next to me. The flight landed safely. Trivandrum airport was smaller and old. I did not like it. I quickly passed through and exited the terminal. Taxi drivers were fighting to get the trips. I took a cab and I was on the way. When I reached the hotel the ian passenger who sat next to me was already at the reception. He was kind of surprised to see me there. I pretended to be surprised too. Everything went smoothly. I checked in to the hotel room and kept my luggage and went out to explore little bit and get something to eat. After a while I was on the back to hotel. I decided to buy some water. I handed over cash and shopkeeper gave me the water. Shopkeeper kept talking to another Indian for several minutes while I had to wait for the balance. I felt like he did not want to give any balance. Well, I was not dump. I would not be leaving without my balance. After several minutes he realized that and gave me the balance. On arrival day I explored the area and relaxed. Next day I went to hospital. Every time I took a cab I would ask to turn on the meter or I would not take it. Indian cab drivers cheating on foreigners was something my friends told me repeatedly. I did not forget that. But still, they ripped me off a bit. Some drivers say they have to go back and start an argument. To save my time I sometimes give up on small amounts. I did everything as planned. In es I did not have much traffic, but in India that was a major problem at times. My friend warned me to start early on the day of departure. I was on time to the airport and got back home happily after my fight flight experience and first international trip. More than a decade later I visited Malaysia and China, all alone. I realized how small es airport was and yet I thought so big on my first international trip. At Guangzhou I had little problem of not finding the check-in counters and gates as there was just too many. The airport itself was half the size of Male', the es capital. It took me about 2 hours in that airport. Luckily I did some homework before starting the trip. My china trip too was few years back. Now, there is a service called Solve that arranges personal assistant to escort passengers though the airport. The service is offered in hundreds of airports in several countries. es airport is still very small. But, this could be very helpful for out bound ians, especially if you are new to international airports. Businessmen who do not wish to waste time trying to figure out directions may also find Solve a good helping hand. In some transit cases there is a very short time to pass through and board other airline. Solve becomes extra helpful in situations like this. At the time of my first international trip there was no Solve. So, I had to solve everything by myself. Thanks to my friends who guided me and encouraged me all the way. I was confident to face new challenges. That confidence only grew over the years. Looking at the pictures, you think they are trying to catch the whale shark or to save it? Since this happened in es it would not be hard to figure out. If it was Japan it wouldn't take long before it gets slaughtered to make dinner. Getting back to topic, this is Maduvarri in Meemu Atoll. These locals spotted the whale shark stuck in the shallows and came for rescue. You can see its very shallow and it looks like the area has some corals too. If whale shark gets beached on a sharp piece of coral it could easily end up dead after being released in to the deep. Hoping that so such thing happened, these men were able to take it to deep. Whale shark getting stuck in shallow water is a very rare incident. Some years back there were some dolphins stuck in the lagoon but that place was not this much shallow and it was soft sand on the bottom. Note: The incident occurred few years back. What are they doing with this whale shark? # es # #whaleshark #diving #scuba # If you are planning a family holiday in the es Kuramathi is one of the best to stay. Kuramathi in general is a four star resort with taste of five star options. Based on es size Kurumathi is large island that stretches to a mile. Despite its length the island is actually narrow. Size is important for a family holiday. It gives kids places to explore while parents enjoy some private time. In the day time Bageecha kids club takes care of your children while you do scuba diving or other activities. Kurumathi is not the only island that comes with kids club. But, many islands are too small. Bageecha conducts many activities for kids. Some are indoor and others are out door. There is also a nature trail which is very interesting for kids. In the marine biology centre there is a giant whale shark skeleton that kids love see. Kids also love the semi-submarine to explore the underwater world which otherwise is impossible for them to see. There are so many restaurants in this resort and almost all got kids menu. If you don't something to your liking you could always meet the chef and get something special. If you are travelling with kids you do not want to stay at a too remote island. Kuramathi is conveniently located at a distance of 25 minute seaplane ride. While there is so much for kids there is more for adults. Near by Madivaru is a popular hammerhead shark point if you are a scuba diver. Many guests are none divers, at Kuramathi they conduct professional dive courses from beginners to masters level. They issue international license that is honoured across the world. If you like fishing there is deep sea fishing which is called big game fishing. To protect marine lives Kuramathi does not do night fishing. You can also do island hopping, sunset cruise, snorkeling safari. At watersports centre you can always find something you can do. Not everyone is a windsurfer. But, windsurfing is very enjoyable in the clear and beautiful lagoon. Evening entertainment is a big hit at Kuramathi. There are 3 main bars where entertainment takes place. If you don't like disco or live music go for something that is more relaxing, such as solo or live duo. Different bars have different entertainment. If you want to sit your partner and enjoy the seaside in the calmness that is available while others party in another location. Being big means big enough to have room for every taste. There are little buggies driving around, you could always hop in one of those if a place is not near. No one wants to visit this place in the resort but sometimes you have no other choice, especially when you are with your kids. It is the doctor's clinic and Kuramathi has one of the biggest in any resort. It is well equiped and often there are European doctors. Kuramathi is one of the few resorts that have a hyperbaric chamber in its clinic. This is used to treat dive accidents. Kuramathi is your ideal family holiday resort # es # #whaleshark #familyholiday # There are two types of cruises operated in the es. Surf cruise takes surfers to different surf points. Dive cruise on the other hand follows popular dive sites. Divers don't join surf cruises and surfers don't join dive cruises. This way every cruise will have guests of that particular interest for maximum enjoyment. They are like addicts. If they could do what they came for they are happy. Most of the day time is usually occupied with the activity. Since the cruise takes you to different spots it keeps you excited throughout the voyage. Surf season in the es starts in April and lasts till October. Dive cruises are not seasonal and happens all year round. There are two ways to book a cruise. The most popular is to charter a boat for a group. If you are a surfer you often have surfing friends. Surf charter is perfect for groups. In general there are more scuba divers than surfers. Divers are often not that close knitted like surfers. Divers too do boat charters for groups. But there are also many individual divers who want to join a diving safari. Open boat dive safari means it is available for individual guests to book cabins. There is a minimum number of cabins required to commence the trip. If bookings do not reach minimum count cruise operators often offer you to join another boat of the same class. Basically they just combine bookings from several vessels which do not have enough bookings for individual trips. This policy is usually informed to guests at the time of booking. It is certainly preferable if you get the boat you booked. But, after buying flight tickets way on advance you do not want to cancel the trip. On the other hand a similar class of boat gives you the same experience, unless you are repeat guest who had previously stayed aboard a particular vessel. Both surf and dive cruises have their itinerary for 6 nights. The cruise picks guests from airport on Saturday and takes on the voyage. By Thursday evening or Friday morning the vessel comes back to the airport to end the cruise. If you want to continue your stay you could conveniently take a guest house or city hotel in Male' or Hulhumale' for overnight. Moonimaa is one of the popular cruise boats. With 8 cabins its interior and exterior looks very attractive. The cabins are of average size in the es safari market, but the finishing and design is much more appealing. Luxurious liveboards have more spacious cabins at higher prices. On a dive cruise you wake up at sun rise, have a coffee and jump off for early morning dive. Once back you have the breakfast and some time to relax. Few hours before noon you have the second dive of the day. After lunch the afternoon dive starts around 2:00 pm. Once back on the boat the day is almost passed and you are tired. Relaxing, enjoying the sunset or just casual chat with friends occupies rest of the day. As night falls you will expect a long dinner all together. Otherwise some get busy throwing down fishing lines at sunset time. Perhaps to get a fresh catch for dinner. In your es voyage you sometimes you come across stunning sandbanks. Cruise boats often have another support boat for diving and also a dinghy attached to main boat. When the cruise anchors at a dive site and there is a sandbank nearby you could skip your dive for an escape to the sandbank. The trip often includes a visit to an uninhabited island. If you wish there will also be many opportunities to visit local residential islands. A cruise in the es involves a lot to experience. The recently published cruise bucket list on CNN features passenger lines that travel in Europe, Caribbean and other regions. One of the photos show cabin with glass window to the ocean. It may be interesting to fish through this but to do that you cabin must be just below the surface. Sea gets dark as it gets deeper. Other than this its nothing but a giant floating hotel equipped with cinema, pool, restaurants and fun. When you are aboard a cruise in the es you get to experience natural beauty of the underworld world, while enjoying visits to different islands. Spend 6 Nights Aboard A Cruise In The es. # es # #safari #cruise # #trip Nestled in its own 600 meter long island, Kihaa es offers 118 villas in 7 room categories. Kihaa es is conveniently located in Baa Atoll. Transfer by seaplanes takes just 35 minutes. Another way to reach Kihaa is by domestic flight to Dharavandhoo airport followed by a short boat trip. Formerly called Kihaad es, the resort has now been rebranded to Kihaa es. The management has been taken over by Coral Island Resorts. Kihaa is the closest resort to Hanifaru Bay, the internationally recognised whale shark and manta point. Hanifaru Bay is a marine protected area, the resort organises trip to Dharavandhoo where guests obtain visitor token to see whale sharks. Dharavandhoo is just 5km from Kihaa es. Luxury resorts in Baa Atoll include Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Amilla Fushi, Finolhu, Soneva Fushi. Kihaa in local language means "how". For example "kihaa vareh" means "how much", "kihaa bodu" means "how big", "kihaa rangalhu" means "how good". Two Bedroom Family Executive Suite With Pool These are the biggest villas at Kihaa, there are 2 villas in this category and each measures a staggering 310 sqm. Water Suite There are 2 Water Suites and each measures 270 sqm. Family Junior Suite Measuring 250 sqm in size these villas are perfect for small families who wish to stay together in one villa. There are 4 units in this category. Water Villa These are one of the most popular villas in Kihaa. Measuring 150 sqm it is perfect for couples, especially honeymooners. There are 10 water villas in the resort. Sunset Prestige Pavilion Beach Villa A romantic setting on the sunset side of the island measures 110 sqm in each villa and there a total 18 villas of this category. Lagoon Prestige Beach Villa 34 Beach villas facing beautiful lagoon of Kihaa es comes at size of 89 sqm each. Reserve Beach Villa There are 48 Reserve Beach Villas and each measures 77 sqm. These villas are ideal for couples who want to save on accommodation perhaps to spend more on activities such as dining, watersports, excursions and spa. Some of the guests do not want to spend too much on accommodation as they prefer to relax under a palm tree rather than the comfort of the villa. Dining and Wining The main restaurant is named as Hanifaru Bay and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Spices is the specialty gourmet restaurant that serves only lunch and dinner. Sarong is located near the pool and serves lunch and dinner. There are two bars pouring drinks for you, one near the main restaurant and another on opposite side beach. The resort offers different meal plans including All Inclusive. If you are on All Inclusive it includes one meal in Sarong and Spices. Both the bars serves All Inclusive plan while there are some none-entitled items such as expensive wines, a la carte meals etc. Other Activities There is a dive centre and watersports centre offering the usually ian experiences. In-land sports includes tennis, badminton, beach volley ball. Not many guests on holiday prefer to do gym but if you want there is one at Kihaa. Whatever activity you do the best to relax afterwards is to take a spa treatment in the K-Spa. Excursions offered in Kihaa includes sunset fishing, sunset cruise, visit to local island, big game fishing, snorkeling at Hanifaru Bay. Kihaa es. # es # #safari #cruise # #trip #Kihaa #Kihaa es #Kihaad You might have heard of honeymoon couples fighting on their first night. But, have you heard it happened to a couple who traveled 3000 miles to celebrate it in the es? After 9 long years since the incident it still bothers me. May be because I did not know the exact reason that caused such a fierce fight. They spoke Chinese and none of them clearly explained the actual reason. It was 2008 and I was working in one of the most popular resorts in Ari Atoll. One day the receptionist on duty called me to tell there was a fight in one of the water villas. I was not far from that villa and immediately rushed to the scene. Before I could knock on the door it opened and girl came out running. Her hands were bleeding. Inside stood the gentleman with bleeding head. On the floor were shattered glass. Despite an escalated fight the couple seemed to be calm. I did not know how long it had been after the incident. It looked like it had been a while. Since the situation was calm I offered both to go clinic for treatment. Lady refused to go with the gentleman. He got a head injury and pieces of glass were still on his head, his injury looked serious. Having the lady refused go in the same buggy with the gentleman, I had to take one by one. Both got treated for the wounds, none of them turned to a severe condition. Pieces of broken glass on the floor came from the water goblets kept in the room. The gentleman said the lady took the goblet and hit his head. In the process cut her hands too. He said there was an argument and the lady hit him. He did not tell the exact reason. Neither of them wanted to call police. After the incident the lady refused to stay in the same room as the gentleman, she refused even to be seen to him. He was desperately looking for her. To prevent another physically confrontation the management decided to provide her another room as she requested. Her room number was kept secret and the gentleman kept looking for her, asking staff about her whereabouts. It was a big resort with several restaurants, the lady managed to take meals at different outlets and yet remain out of sight from the gentleman. Few days later honeymoon was over. It was time for their departure. Since lady had the gentleman’s credit card payment was not a problem. But, she expressed her concerns about the safety and refused to fly with him. Luckily there was another seaplane at almost the same time. So, we put both to separate seaplanes and said good bye. What bothered me most was that it was the gentleman who had more injuries and yet he was seeking the lady. The gentleman said the lady struck his head with the water goblet which was found shattered on the floor. Lady suffered far less injuries and yet claimed she was afraid of the gentlemen. She said he hit her first. But, there were no injuries visible other than what seemed to be cuts from holding the water goblet. Anyway, both left in separate seaplanes. I was asked her what she would do for the international flight. She gestured that she might buy a ticket from another flight. Several years after the incident I still wonder what was the actual reason, and what would be their current relationship status. Would my memories of the bizarre incident reach her? Would she write to me to explain what really went wrong? Sometime back I wrote about the missing couple who spent 17 hours in the sea. They saw the story shared by their friends and wrote back explaining how it happened. About this honeymoon incident I am yet to find out. Honeymoon fight that went little too far. # es # #honeymoon #fight #couple #romance It may be a myth but people say regions at the equator have one thing in common across the globe; they are more romantic than the rest of the world. Equator crosses es between the atolls of Gaafu Dhaalu and Gnaviyani. Women in these atolls are strikingly beautiful while they have their own dialect of local Dhivehi language. Photo: Male' local market in mango season Known as Huvadhoo accent most people from other atolls do not understand when people of Gaafu Dhaalu or Gaafu Alif talk their native dialect. While these people are linguistically distinct the reason behind general beauty in people has never being studied. Some say it involes an evoluation of their diet as many have fruit trees in their front yards and back yards. Farming is virtually impractical in es due to lack of land, islands are either too small or over crowded. At least that was the case in the ancient times when technology was not advanced. Uninhabited islands are plentiful, but travelling costs are not justifiable with the harvest. In many islands the soil is not fertile, salt mist in the atmospheres make growing anything much more difficult. Despite all the challenges people managed to grow some at their homes, mostly fruit trees. Mango season comes es twice a year, around April and October. Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Gaafu Alif Atoll, collectively called Huvadhoo, is one of the well known regions that grow mangoes. Fuvahmulah on the other side of Equator is even more popular for growing mangoes. ian mangoes are small, bright yellow in colour when ripe, and very sweet and tasty to eat. In season the ian mangoes are available to buy at local market in Male'. Mangoes are largely imported from India and Srilanka. If you order a fresh mango juice at a restaurant it will be made of imported mango that often have a slight bit of mint taste. ian atolls that are popular for beautiful women have mango trees in common. While mango remains as their favourite other fruits they grow include banana, guava etc. What significance does mango have at beautifying ladies is up to a scientist to find out. All, I can say is you cant find any other fruit tree more common in these atolls. Coconut is an exception since it exists in all atolls. I love ian mangoes. Some years back I sent them as present to a Chinese friend. A guest helped me to deliver the package and I gave some mangoes to the guest as well, for helping me deliver the package. But, my friend did not get it. Instead she got a phone call from the guest that told her the mangoes were very tasty and guest insisted to keep the mangoes. I am not complaining that guest kept my mangoes, but the point is these mangoes insanely tasteful. Mango that beautifies women of Gaafu Dhaalu, Gaafu Alifu Atoll and Fuvahmulah. # es #Mango #Fruits A Thai company has invested in the es to reclaim an island that is 7km long. Work was started months back and progressed without being noticed to the general public. Emboodhoo (also spelled as Embudhu) is situated just 5km from capital Male'. The place that was once a lagoon is now a reclaimed land that can be seen from the south side of Male'. It is more than 3 times longer than Male' itself and reclamation seems closer to completion. According to Bangkok Post the lagoon was leased to Boon Rawd Brewery of Thailand. The project is managed by Boon Rawd Brewery's subsidiary Singha Estate Plc which has teamed up with Cafe Del Mar to build a beach club. Cafe Del Mar is known to operate beachfront entertainment vanues internationally. Cafe Del Mar was founded in 1980 in Ibiza of Spain and expanded internationally, including Australia and Hawaii. Thitti Thongbenchamas, the chief investment officer of Singha Estate, reportedly told Bangkok Post that Cafe Del Mar's beach club in the es would be spread over an area of 5,000 sqm. International travellers sailing in yachts could now join the party. Emboodhoo is building its own yacht marina and will have world class accommodations and shopping facilities. Thai mega project is focusing clients who seek out international DJs and beach parties. The company plans to open first phase of the project in 2018. Reclamation of 7km long land appears to be near completion. Unconfirmed sources say Hard Rock is has signed with Singha Estate to operate one of the 9 resorts on the island. Bangkok Post reports the lagoon was leased to Boon Rawd Brewery for 50 years. The es government has so far not revealed any detail of the project to public. Local newspaper Mihaaru said it attempted to obtain information from tourism ministry but was unsuccessful. 7km long man-made island will be a world class beach club # es #BeachClub #DJ #BeachParty #Paradise #BeachDisco es Finest is pleased to introduce an amazing budget holiday package that includes full day trips and Half Board meals, starts at $58 per night. No one wants to stay indoors when you are in the es and this package allows you enjoy everyday. Keyodhoo in Vaavu Atoll is home to some 803 locals. Many young men who used to work in resorts before have now moved back to their home island, to work in booming guest house business. Keyodhoo used to be a popular fishing village. Today there are more guests fishing than the local fishermen. Despite small population the island is pretty much occupied by the houses and public infrastructure such as school, island office and mosque. Don't be surprised to find a school in such a small island, there are even smaller islands that have it. I have seen one with 200 registered locals of which less than half actually lives on the island. Even that island had a school and exactly 6 students, that was some years back. To cut long story short, Keyodhoo is a small island with a small population that is spread all over the island except few empty areas at the beach. Every island in es have a football ground, Keyodhoo is no exception. There is a beautiful beach at one side of Keyodhoo. But, this is nothing compared to sandbanks and uninhabited islands. There are two sandbanks in easy travel distance. Most of the uninhabited islands have been leased to different individuals who look after the island while charging a small entrance fee from guests visiting the island. The only free to visit uninhabited island near Keyodhoo is called Bodumohoraa and it’s a beautiful one. Photo: Bodu Mohora island Keyodhoo Holiday Package This was a promotional package. Prices have been removed after it ended. Visit after some days, just in case promotion comes back. If you would like us to receive you at the airport on arrival it costs $8 per person. Then your ferry ticket to Male' and taxi to the point of transfer will be provided by us without an additional charge. We highly recommend that to use this service for your convenience, otherwise it might be difficult to find the exact speedboat you need to board. There are many speedboats travelling to different islands. If you have the wrong boat coming back to Male' the same day is almost impossible, unless you are extremely lucky. Male - Keyodhoo Transfer by Vaavu Atoll Speedboat Ferry Transfer costs $60 per person each way, by speedboat, combined with other passengers. Transfer is available only on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. MALE - KEYODHOO Saturday: Departure at 11:00 hrs Sunday: Departure at 11:00 hrs Tuesday: Departure at 11:00 hrs Thursday: Departure at 11:00 hrs Speedboat departs from Male' behind Kalhuthuhkalaa Koshi. The boat way stop at other islands to drop off passengers. It is a combined transfer to many islands in Vaavu Atoll. Check with captain before you get off the boat to ensure it is right island. KEYODHOO - MALE / AIRPORT Tuesday: Arrival at 16:00 hrs Thursday: Arrival at 16:00 hrs Saturday: Arrival at 16:00 hrs Sunday: Arrival at 16:00 hrs The boat will first go Male' and then to the airport. If you have several hours before departure you may want to go airport first and drop off the luggage and visit Male'. Between Male' and airport there is ferry throughout the day and night (except after midnight). If you wait for about 10 - 20 minutes you will catch a ferry and it takes just 10 minutes of travel in between. Airport luggage deposit charges USD5 per piece for 24 hours. You can easily find the information counter between arrival terminal and departure terminal. It is a small airport, it would not be difficult to find it if you ask anyone. Trip to different islands everyday This holiday package includes trips to different islands, everyday there is one trip happening. Some islands are held by private people and there is an entrance fee to be paid by guest. You will get free snorkeling equipment provided by the guest house. If you would like to have lunch it is payable extra. Below are the entrance fees at the time of writing this post. • Aarah: $15 per person • Hulhidhoo: $15 per person • Ambara: $5 per person • Bodu Mohora: Free • Sandbank small: Free • Sandbank big: Free Accommodation Local guest houses are often very small with few rooms. Guests spend most of the day time on trips and we often combine guests from different guest houses. This holiday package includes 2 types of Accommodations: • Accommodation A (the price mentioned on top) • Accommodation B (Less $10 per night) See pictures in the photo gallery in the bottom. You can mention the preferred accommodation in the booking request. If that is not available we will book the next available accommodation and notify you. Payment and Buyer Protection For half of the nights payments needs to be paid to Airbnb who holds it with them until 24 hours after your check-in to the hotel, the balance direct to guest house after arrival (USD cash only). This way we get payment guarantee to keep the room blocked and get actual payment after guests arrive to the hotel. Contact us and we will give you the link to make payment. This payment method is available for this deal only. Photo Gallery Keyodhoo Beach Keyodhoo Dive Centre Fish Accommodation B Soft Coral Accommodation B Aarah Island Lunch At Aarah View Of Aarah Fohtheyo Fohtheyo Beach Fallen Palm Tree Makeshift Table Bigger Sandbank Lunch on Sandbank Smaller Sandbank Ambara Island Lunch At Ambara Bodu Mohora Island Lunch At Bodu Mohora Accommodation A Accommodation A ‹ › X Keyodhoo Guest House Deal With Activities Included $62. # es # # # # # A new startup, Farefetch is now live connecting travelers who have fixed airfare budgets with people who can find flight deals within their budget. Alex wants to travel from London to es and he could not find a deal for $800. Alex posts it on FareFetch to notify thousands of Fetchers. First Fetcher who finds a matching deal for Alex receives the deal and FareFetch company buys the ticket for Alex. If the deal costs $600 the Fetcher earns $200. It is a win-win situation. This new service could be a wonderful opportunity for travel gurus and airline industry workers to earn a side income by helping people meet their airfare budget. Online search experts who could dig up special deals buried deep in the searches could now make use of their special ability while customers save time by getting what they want at the price they state. Not all are internet savvy. After all, if you know the price you want to pay for your ticket what’s the point of wasting time opening page after page? When you google “London to es airfares” it returns 1.1 million webpages of which first page is dominated by bigger companies. No matter how low a company sells “London to es” tickets there is no way to get it to Google first page unless that company invests in heavy online marketing and Search Engine Optimization. This loophole makes many good things to pass without being noticed much. This is where human hand becomes helpful. Airlines usually run many different promotions at any given time. When you google search you find some of these discounted fares. Best offer could be on a page that you skipped as there are tons of websites offering several deals. The most recently added deals may simply be not picked up by google as well. Unlike machines Fetchers are humans who are there to earn an income by helping you get your ticket. Think of Uber, it connected taxis with customers. FareFetch connects travelers with Fetchers. To be a Fetcher you need not be travel industry expert. Fetchers are people like you and me but knows how to find cheaper air airfares that meet traveler budget and other conditions such as the class. If you have access to discount codes which are not available to general public, or publicly available but not common, this is an extra advantage on your side. But that doesn’t necessarily ensure you get the deal. You have to act quickly and propose a deal before other Fetchers. Act as soon as you receive a notification! New start up allows crowd source airfares to meet your budget. # es #AirFares #CrowdSource #BudgetTravel BLOG: I spent over a decade working at different resorts and made lot of friends over the years. Many of them are guests I met at resorts, to some I helped booking their holiday. Among them are some Chinese and few years back I had a trip to China. When I was in China I was with my friends. In China any would hardly understand English. If you want to take a buss or train everything is written in Chinese, you don't have clue where you would go. I learned few Chinese works and after few days I was able to order my regular Chicken soup, rice or noodles. That was some years back. Last week I made purchase on eBay. Chinese company shipped my item and provided the tracking number. Today I thought of tracking down my package. When I entered tracking code on the website they gave all information appeared in Chinese. I used the translator and it showed the package has left Beijing on the 15th. Then I thought to myself, these Chinese symbol-looking letters are quite amazing. A long English word in Chinese could be just 2 letters. But then every letter comes with lot of detail in it. That sounds pretty difficult to read, especially if you want to read faster. Then I remembered when I was China my friends were very much focused when they go through menus at restaurants. The same way they read magazines in the hotel. Many of them put on their glasses whenever there is something to read. It seems like, just as I thought, detail in Chinese letters need your eyes to be really focused. I looked at the tracking information again. When I tried to see how each letter is different from other letters I noticed my eyes were getting small. Unlike English some Chinese letters have lines very close to each other. To read tiny detail in anything your eyes need to be focused and when you do that your eyes become small. So, I thought to myself, may be this is why Chinese people, in general, have small eyes. In young age you start attending school and read things. Over several years you get used to keeping your eyes opened small. When you keep your eyes opened small, hundreds of years of evolution may have made eyes physically smaller. Now I am thinking about those western girls who are always on high heels. After hundreds of years what would their feet look like? Would the newborns have their feet pointed straight down? Even clawing would be so much difficult. Anyway, I would be long dead before such a time. But, somebody from new generations might see this blog ended up on someone's wall. Why do you think the Chinese have small eyes? # es #China #Chinese #Holiday #Blog #News #Breaking Anastasia is a es lover who is visiting the country every year, sometimes twice, at least that was the case in the past 3 years. She is currently enjoying her second trip to Four Seasons Kuda Huraa. Every holiday is special to her and she enjoys it to the fullest. In her previous trip to the same island she met Freddie, the little flying fox that needed help and she devoted much of her holiday time helping Freddie. She enjoyed doing taking care of the animal. On her second trip she is getting pampered with amazing baths that are unusually attractive. She knows how to enjoy a es holidays. Spa and baths, whole fish and seafood lunches, diving and many more keeps her pleased in paradise. Amazing baths by Four Seasons Kuda Huraa es # es #Amazing #Bath #BathDecorations #Breaking #Island A start-up bakery in a local island of es is seeking interested candidates for the position Baker. This is not a resort job. It is a commercial bakery in local residential island that has a population of 2000. The opportunity is for Srilankan nationals. If you have 1 year experience as baker forward your application to us. Job Title: Baker Salary: USD500 Other benefits: Food, accommodation, paid annual leave with ticket to Srilanka. Minimum 1 year experience required. We are seeking to fill this position urgently. Forward your application to info@ esfinest.com This is a wonderful opportunity to those who want to gain intentional experience, especially if you want to build a career in hotel and catering field in the es or internationally. Seeking Srilankan baker to work in es local island. #Job # es #Srilanka #Bakery #Kitchen The local media reports that Trans ian seaplane has crashed this morning while landing at Velana International Airport. The accident happened around 8:30 am, the seaplane flew from Conrad es Rangali to airport with 9 passengers and 3 crew. Reports say some people suffered minor injuries, no one suffered a significant injury. Announcement made by the world’s largest seaplane company said all passengers were rescued safely, an internal investigation has begun. Following the incident all flight operations were put on hold, resumed an hour later. Photos circulating on the social media show one of the floaters being split in half. Cause of the accident remains unknown while fuselage of the aircraft rests on the sea floor. es Coast Guard tried to tow the fuselage to the shore before it sank but was unsuccessful due to strong current. Trans ian, more commonly known as TMA, keeps at least 1 rescue boat on standby. The airports company operates multiple rescue boats while Coast Guard has their own vessels for rescue. Trans ian enjoys a great reputation for passenger safety and seaplanes are still the safest method of travel in the es. Every year there is a million tourists visiting es and more than half fly seaplanes. Seaplane crashes with 9 passengers aboard. # es #seaplane #landing #aircraft #airports #flights Hulhumale’ hospital has released all the passengers from yesterday’s seaplane crash. The passengers were released yesterday itself. This corroborates the initial report that too said there were no serious injuries. Following an accident of this nature it is common practice to take all survivors to hospital, even if there is no visible injury. Meantime, the Civil Aviation Authority has said they have recovered all the parts of the crashed aircraft and investigation has begun. Earlier yesterday the efforts to tow fuselage of the aircraft turned unsuccessful due to strong current present in the area and it sank to the bottom of the lagoon. It was recovered later the same day, according to Civil Aviation Authority. The place did not look like too deep, when you are on the surface you could see something big shining on the bottom of the lagoon. Passengers of crashed seaplane released from hospital. # es #seaplane #landing #aircraft #airports #flights Movies may be the last thing to talk about when it comes to es. I have been to many resorts where there is a movie night once a week. This usually happens in the bar after dinner. In my visits to different resorts most of the time I saw action movies, occasionally there were romantic ones and some comedy too. Sometimes I saw German and Chinese movies too. None of the movie nights I took part got remarkable support from guests. Guests would rather enjoy talking to each other. That was the traditional movie night. Now there is a whole new concept to this. Overwater Cinema At Soneva Jani At Soneva Jani there is a large screen standing alone in the lagoon. Nearby is a small pavilion for people to stay, it has indoor areas and outdoor hammocks over the water. When you go there you see the pictures on screen, but no sound at all, only sound is the waves. Then they give you ear pods to listen. You enjoy watching movies in the silence of nature, without being disturbed to other guests. When you are on a three week honeymoon holiday it would be a great idea to visit this overwater cinema and enjoy the first movie you watched together. Back home in the cities, things you can do are very limited. That’s why many people go for movies. After you start dating it wouldn’t often take long before you end up on a movie. But, I am quite not sure if you really remember the first movie watched together. If you do remember, it would be a nice idea to watch it once again when you are in the es. Watch it the es style! You could also make it a surprise to your partner. Just arrange a private movie session with some drinks. It would be great to bring back the memories of your early life together. Cinema Near Beach At Constance Halaveli At Constance Halaveli the cinema is near the beach, under palm trees. This is wonderful private cinema. There is a large red daybed full of cushions. You could order whatever food you like and have it setup on a table next to you. Can you imagine what would you feel when you see the first movie you watched together with your partner? I am guessing the comfort of this bay bed and tranquility in the atmosphere will make you spend much more time here than just the movie time. Sunset Beach Cinema At One&Only Reethi Rah If you are on holiday with some friend One&Only Reethi Rah is home to an amazing make-shift cinema on the beach, under the palm trees. While it is also possible to make this a private affair it is an amazing atmosphere to watch a movie together and dine together as you enjoy talking about the highlights of the movie. What kind of movie you want to watch? There is a real bon fire in front of you. I would personally prefer something that shows winter time, something that has a beautiful story with some action. Cinema In Natural Vegetation At Gili Lankanfushi Gili Lankanfushi is one of the top resorts on es Finest Ranking and they too have an outdoor cinema where screen stands still on the white sand. Natural vegetation runs behind the screen and around. This exposes the screen better and makes pictures more vibrant as you enjoy watching your favourite movie on a lounger. Your drinks are placed a side table. You can watch the movie while having dinner, or decide your own way. You should also watch a movie when you are in es. # es #movies #honeymoon #cinema # es is general known for leisure tourism. But, every year there are some corporate events happening at different resorts in the es. Kurumba es has a long history of MICE tourism. They have dedicated venue and a team of experts to organise the business events indoors. From banquets, to lighting and sound they could arrange everything, just like any other international convention centre but in a smaller scale. Bandos is also anther well known destination that is known for hosting events. These two resorts are very close to Male', hence there are many local invests hosted in these resorts. The new trend of business travel and events in the es comes barefoot. A round table setup on quiet area of the beach comes with sound system and the delegation who holds the meeting comes barefoot. Do not ask me if they have clothes on, or if women are in bikinis. The deletion often wears short and t-shirt as they hold corporate meetings on the beach. This is the new es style of corporate meetings. I was lucky to have taken part in a Chinese awarding ceremony on the beach. While I was working at resorts, I was in charge of organising the event and preparing the venue. We selected an isolated beach area and put a stage, we put a roof and background and chairs on the beach. That was a Chinese event for about 110 participants. A big company gave gifts and awards to best employees. The event started around 18:30 and after few hours it ended with a gala dinner setup right next to the stage, on the beach. All the guests enjoyed the event, few ended up drunk at late night and the staff helped them to their rooms. This was my first red carpet event on the beach. The opposite of the barefoot business meeting on the es beach could be the service provided by Southern Airport Travel of UK. You could have a quick meeting in London airport or any other location in London. London airport chauffeur service provided by Southern Airport Travel offers luxury S class Mercedes car, Viano or Vito's luxury people carrier to receive your team at the airport and drive to the venue. This hustle free service enable you to focus on your business meeting, leaving the task of driving and parking to people who are familiar with the place. These chauffeurs are experts at transferring clients to any of London's airports or private jet centres. You and your clients are treated as VIPs, including availability for London Heathrow airport transfers. If you want to set a business lunch in London, Essex Kent or Suffolk, Southern Airport Travel offers a smooth luxury ride. So, which style of business meeting you want to have? Barefoot beach meeting in the es or an indoor ballroom event followed by fun on the beach? Or a quick business lunch in London? Drop your comments to the forum or our facebook page. Barefoot business meeting on es beach or business lunch in London? # es #London #Luxury #BusinessTravel ians are literally born to beaches. Most of the toddlers eat sand at some point of their first year. They learn to crawl on the sand, that's where they learn to walk too. ians are sandy people. Everyone enjoys beach and sea in young age. Once grown up people want to discover new places and go for new experiences. Ahmed Imthiyaz is a ian swimmer who contested in the Olympics. More commonly known as Freddy, he likes high altitude. es is a low lying country, so people like to experience high grounds. Freddy started his journey from sea level of the es and went high up on Himalaya mountain of Nepal. From tropical temperatures to freezing cold. Before Freddy went for trekking in Nepal he did an extensive training in the es, at a metre above sea level. It started from swimming. He intensified to his favourite sports to gain general physical fitness. Freddy also started walking up and down stairs of constructions sites. He was seen in the roads wearing backpack. After all, that seems to be what he could do as es islands are just flat lands. After weeks of training Freddy was finally ready for Nepal trekking trip. Freddy and his friends flew to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and took another flight that landed in a small airstrip in the mountain ranges. They strapped their backpacks and proceeded on foot for two hours. Trekking uphill made Freddy completely exhausted and it didn’t take long to catch altitude sickness. They were lucky to have reached their resting point. The team rested there for two days and started trekking again. As they went higher the sight of Himalayan snow peaks looked more beautiful, temperatures were dropping. At an altitude of 5,600 metres Kala Pattar is the highest point of trek. The journey that started from sea level reached its highest point here. Kala Pattar is enough for most of the trekkers. It was the same place where Nepal government had their cabinet meeting to rise global awareness on melting glaciers due to global warming. Freddy decided to climb higher. He went on to cross Cho La mountain pass and reached the edge of Ngozumpa glacier. Freddy said it was the most difficult part of whole trek, a climb of 40 metres took an hour. At one point he was broken down and had to rest for a while. After nine long hours Freddy reached Ngozumpa glacier. Locals told Freddy the mountain had lost much of its ice and snow over the years, Freddy could see the cracks in the ground. Over a billion people living down below depends on water flowing from these mountains. That was when Freddy realized it was not only es that was hit by global warming. Be it sea level or mountain top, global warming is risking peoples’ lives. The ian who went Nepal for mountain trekking at Himayala. # ian #Nepal #MoutainTrekking A coconut crisis has hit es last Saturday following start of this year's Ramadan. Prices are soaring like never before in country's history. A small size coconut that was available to purchase for MVR5 (USD 0.32) before Ramadan has now gone up to MVR35 (USD 2.30), that's 7 folds. From curries to desserts coconut is a basic ingredient in ian cuisine. Many consumers visiting Male' local market have become upset of the rising coconut prices. Some are blaming government while others point fingers at businessmen. Recently the Ministry Of Fisheries And Agriculture announced that they have started permitting local parties to source coconuts from uninhabited islands that are under the ministry. Some coconut dealers say palm trees in many of the uninhabited islands have become too old, they are too high and bears little fruit. They suggest planting a new batch of palm trees across the country. Mature coconut, locally called Kaashi, is the one used in cooking. Some blame low supply on young coconut businessmen. They say too many people are drinking water of young coconut and dealers are supplying it to the market, leaving few to get aged on the tree. Kaashi collectors usually collect when it falls from the tree, sometimes people also climb and cut down the bunch. Coconuts fall down soon after becoming matured, but it usually happens one by one or few at a time. Climbing up and cutting down the whole bunch means you get many coconuts without having to walk to every tree collecting one from each. Coconut trees in their healthy age could deliver 10 - 20 coconuts in each cutting. Another group of people blame it on the tourism. They say, in some atolls, too many islands are leased to develop resorts. They claim some atolls do not have any easily accessible island for locals to harvest coconut. Resorts are usually self sufficient on coconuts, so they don't have this problem. es hit by a coconut crisis. # es #coconut #palmtrees #palmtree #palm #coconuttree # Hammocks are one of my favourite attractions in the es and when I recommend resorts to guests I always try to suggest a resort that comes with nice hammocks. Budget is the first factor I check. No matter how nice the resort is if the budget does not give way the tourist will not be booking it. So, budget comes as the first factor followed by my personal tastes and experiences I got after interacting with guests in resorts and here on es Finest. Gili Lankanfushi lagoon and beach hammocks Gili Lankanfushi is ranked as one of best resorts in es. The resort that was named by Tripadvisor as the best resort in the world has an amazing over-water hammock. Nature inspired concept is not only amazing but things like this contributes greatly for guest satisfaction. There are 7 Crusoe Residence at Gili Lankanfushi. These are massive over-water villas for people who want peace and privacy. The villas are totally disconnected from the island and is only accessibly by boat which is made conveniently available day and night. The hammock is situated one side facing the villa and other facing the lagoon that fades into deep sea at a distance. Two sides of the white hammock are held by an uprooted tree erected upside down. It is a beautiful shallow lagoon with crystal clear waters and the amazing concept is loved by all guests visiting Gili Lankanfushi. If you are beach lover and still like hammocks Gili Lankanfushi has not forgotten about you. The beach hammock is more attractive with a stunning view of palm tree, beach and the lagoon. Sight of boats sailing around and people enjoy and having fun or relaxing is pleasing to your eyes. Soneva Jani deep lagoon hammock Soneva resorts are amazing. This group is doing a fantastic job when it comes to style, comfort and nature inspiration. es is about nature, so when there is a nature inspired concept it blends perfectly. Not only that, es Finest Ranking shows Soneva Fushi is one of the top resorts in terms of guest satisfaction. Gili Lankanfushi was originally developed by Soneva Group, headed by its chairman Sonu Shivdasani. Latre it the property was sold out to a Singaporean company that keeps the original concept as it was and ensure it runs smoothly. The latest of the hammock design is the one in Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll. It is very similar to the one in Gili Lankanfushi. In Soneva Jani the location is a deep lagoon and colour of uprooted tree is more rustic. When you are enjoying this hammock you are partly in water that is when the ride is right. There is a small boat if you want to get there, otherwise you could also swim. The lagoon being deep the water is more turquoise in colour. You could spend hours and hours enjoying this perfect spot. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hammock near the beach Not everyone can afford two high end resorts on top. Sun Siyam Irufushi is beautiful resort in Noonu Atoll that is relatively large in size. There are over 200 villas on the island. Some years back the resort was managed by Hilton. During their time they built a hammock in the lagoon. It is very close to the beach and gives a great view of the island while you enjoy. Constance Moofushi with hammock on sandbank Constance Moofushi is another high ranked resort on es Finest Ranking. This resorts offers a great all-inclusive package and that keeps guests happy while overall guest service and facilities are up to the mark. The hammock at Constance Moofushi is unique, it is on the beach but lagoon runs on both sides. This does not stay this way whole year as beach moves. But, it is a beautiful location and hammock is at the perfect place. How many of you dream of relaxing on hammock at a sandbank? You could take a nap, read a book or just relax and enjoy the views. Which side you turn or face does not matter at Constance Moofushi beach hammock, you have a great view. Constance Halaveli hammock hanging to palm trees If you want relax on a beach hammock and enjoy view of a jetty the place to go is Constance Halaveli. This hammock is lays between two swaying palm trees. Shade of the palm tree goes on the hammock or the beach, depending on the time. This gives you option to enjoy in the shade or in the sun. Palm shade on the beach is a beautiful site. es still needs more hammocks There are various types of hammocks available in the market. In es mostly we have white ones to match with the white sand. It would be great if there is a variety though. I have seen some hammocks that narrow in shape, comes in fabric rather than netting. These fabric hammocks are ideal for camping or taking a nap, it is more comfortable stay in longer but ideal only for 1 person. This camping hammock buying guide showcases most of the types available in the market today. In es we have many luxury resorts. But the growing trend of guest houses comes with a new concept; spend day time enjoy at various islands and get back to guest house to spend the night. This kind of holidays keep you more active and engaged, but it also ample time to rest and relax. For example when you are on a sandbank you swim, rest, sunbathe or snorkel. You have everything happening in your holiday. Guest houses are cheaper but offers an amazing experience as well. So far the role of hammocks in guest house sector is not much. 5 es Resorts With Amazing Hammocks # es # #Hammock #Hammocks #Camping #Picnic #Trip It is well known the es is popular for honeymoon holiday, annual couple holidays and solo trips to witness the beautiful nature of the country. But, have you ever heard of student trips? It is not very common at present it is a growing sector of tourism. This week, I have been communicating with few parties to host groups of students in the es. One group is from Nigeria, another from Malaysia. The college students want to see the es, understand its economic activities, know the kind of tourism business we have. Having finalized some of these deals, I thought that they are doing something great. es is known for highest class of hospitality and visitors to es includes senior government officials from various countries, Hollywood stars, Bollywood stars, football celebrities and supermodels. Many of these high class people have one thing in common; their love in es. Hence, if you are studying tourism in college, or even business or economics, I think you would benefit by understanding the tourism industry of es. The activities I have set for one group of students includes exploring the island they stay, fishing trip, sandbank trip, snorkeling trip, local island exploration trip, shopping, visit to national museum and historical places, ian lunch, barbecue and many more. I consider student trips to es is a rewarding experience for various reasons. The first is experiencing a robust tourism product. The second is the ideas and possibilities to start a business. There are lot of new tourist related businesses breeding in the es and some of them involve foreigners who jointly invest with their ian partners. Tourism and business students to witness such a vibrant market could mean a lot in their future career. A solid foundation is important to build tomorrow's business leaders to innovate and develop new ideas. You can show slideshows and provide reading materials to your students. But, without showing the real es it is most likely that student will not get the real picture. When you say es is a different type of country where there is no big land mass and people are literally living on patch of sands with palm trees it is difficult grasp it. When the first group of tourists arrived es in 1972 people did not believe much what the ian people told them about our country. But, George Corbin was convinced to hate a look. That’s how everything started. So, how matter how much explain about es the student won’t comprehend it if you do not physically take to the es. That’s the exact reason student trips are nowadays becoming more frequent. Student trips are nothing in the world. It has been happening every year, since decades or centuries back. Every year there are thousands of students visiting US, London, Paris, and exotic places like es, Seychelles etc. When I was in College, I had my trip to Shangai on the Shanghai Expo event. The purpose at that time was to experience a global trade fair. It was a good experience. Before that I had never a trade fair which welcomes over a million visitors daily. Yes, the last Shanghai Expo welcomed over a million daily, most of the day. Despite vast number of visitors the security arrangement was wonderful, had to wait for about 20 minutes to pass through the gate, but it was no problem as security is something important. Student trip to the es. # es # #StudetTrip #StudyTrip #Holiday #Trip #Exotic #Islands BLOG: Last year Samsung recalled their Galaxy Note 7 series of phones worldwide. Ever since then there has been reports that smartphones are catching fire. There has been reports that some of the iphones have also caught fire, credibility of the those sources are questionable while the possibility is likely. I have seen some reports that claim Samsung Galaxy S7 also catches fires. I didn't believe this before. Now I believe many of the smartphones could potentially start a fire, not only Samsung. I have been using my Samsung Galaxy S7 for the past 3 years. I love Samsung, in the recent years they always came up with the best smartphone camera in the market, the design is great and feel premium when I hold my phone. There are many other good features of Samsung phone that you are familiar with. Last week, I put my phone on charger and went away. I came back about an hour later and when I checked my phone it was overheating, it was so hot that I could not hold it. I used my shirt and put the finger print. The screen showed it didnt charge at all, battery indicator showed the same 6%. I checked the cable if it was not properly plugged in, cable connection was perfect. I unplugged it and kept for a while to cool down, then restarted the phone before putting it on charger again. It started charging and this time it did not start overheating. I am not a tech expert to trace the fault. But, having come across this incident I was thinking of the possibilities. I used the phone for 3 years and this did not happen before. There were very few times my battery went that low, usually I plug in the charge when the indicator drops below 15%. One possible reason, I thought, was some part of the software stopped working properly. Because of this it obstructed the charging process. Imagine a water pipe, if something gets struck inside it would build pressure causing horse to expand. Likewise I thought the charge might have ended up somewhere when it got blocked by a malfunctioning software function. Software malfunction could happen to any phone. Samsung Galaxy S7 comes with fast charging. So, it had more power entering the device than some other phones. After the incident I decided not to trust any smartphone on this matter. Any phone on charger could potentially ignite a fire, this is what I am believing now. An incident like this may never happen again, but if it happens it would be devastating my life. So, I want to stay at a safe distance. I am still using my Samsung smartphone that I always loved. I still love it. But, I when I connect it to the charger I always keep it on a hard surface. From the amount of heat I felt to my hand that day I believe it could start a fire but only with a fire-prone material next to it. Before my phone used to stay very close to the curtains, sometimes touching it. Now, I make sure no fabric touches it. I still leave it on the wooden table. Even though wooden catches fire the table top is hard material. It is not easy to start a fire on. But, I would prefer a glass table to leave my phone while charging. I was lucky that my phone did not start a fire that day, it was a close call. I am writing this post in hope that some of you will take some precautions while leaving your phone on charger, no matter which brand or model you use I advice to leave it only on a hard surface that does not catch fire easily. My Samsung Galaxy S7 almost started a fire, changed my habit. # es #Samsung #GalaxyS7 #GS7 #News #Breaking BLOG: ians were not internet savvy at that time. For many students who go abroad it is their first international trip. Before you go you have no idea about the place, especially the kind of food in town. ians are used for tuna and rice since childhood and that’s their favourite. So, ians always take some food with them when they go abroad to stay. Common items they put in baggage include dried fish, tuna cans, chili, breadfruit chips, rihaakuru etc. Rihaakuru is a thick liquid extract of fish. This black source gives fish taste that is several times stronger than fish itself. When you overcook fish soup to evaporate all water out the remaining is basically rihaakuru. In late 90s a friend who went UK carried a biscuit tin full of rihaakuru, locally we call rihaakuru dabiyaa. He was staying there for some years, so with him he took enough of his favourite local foods. Landing at Heathrow airport in London was an exciting moment to my friend, being it his first international trip he was nervous too and it was a big airport. He followed other passengers as he passed through the airport. He was carrying that rihaakuru tin which he checked-in as hang luggage. Carrying a tin of that size by hand is not easy in an airport. The easiest way is to put the lid facing a side. At some point my friend was on an escalator. As he was coming down the lid fell off and and rihaakuru spilled all over the escalator. Among the rihaakru were some fish balls that rolled down some steps before getting stuck. At the bottom the black fishy substance looked like used lubricant oil that is very thick. Airport officials ran to the scene. Whole place smells fish. The gentleman who came down the escalator couldn't refuse for it, he got some rihaakuru on his pants too. Security officers inspected the substance but could not figure what it was. Eventually they left him go. And that was the first and last time he brought rihaakuru United Kingdom. Note: This incident is written the way it was told to us by a friend who said it happened to his friend. If you know of a hilarious incident that happened to a ian or took place in the es use the contact page to report to us. Rihaakuru tin that fell on London Heathrow airport escalator. # es #London #Heathrow #Rihaakuru Government of es has recently announced that it has cut political ties with Qatar. The decision came after Saudi Arabia broke political ties with Qatar on grounds of suspicion that Qatar helps Iran and Hezbollah group of Palestine. Following this unprecedented political move the citizens of es are expressing their concerns in various forums, including social media and commentary of news websites. Large majority of es public seems to oppose this action of the government. Last year es made history by cutting bilateral relations with Iran. For the first time ever es cut bilateral relations with a country. Second country has now become Qatar. Commentary on news websites (in Dhivehi language) show these actions contradict public view of the ians. Relations with both countries were cut under the leadership of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayoom. Opposition parties vow to reverse the decision if they get power in upcoming presidential election in 2018. Current president’s party lacked public support in the last local council election that was held in May this year. es has good economic tie with Saudis. The recently started airport re-development project is mainly financed through loan from Saudi Arabia, the project has been awarded to Bin Laden Group of Saudi Arabia. King Salman's private yacht arrived es for his state visit earlier this year. Earlier this year Saudi king Salman Bin Abdulaziz was scheduled to arrive es on a state visit, last was cancelled last minute due to a viral flu. There were speculations that Saudi king or his son prince Mohammed wanted to buy some es islands to develop an international city. Government had given some indications on the project which claims the islands were to be leased for 99 years. The deal did not go through as king cancelled his trip. es president later said the deal was still on. Lot of countries give grants to es as country’s income source of tourism and some fishing is not enough to manage its expenditure. People dispersed into some 200 islands need medical, educational and general administrative facilities in every island of which some have populations less than 500. Having school with only few dozens studying in not uncommon. These are basic needs and every government struggles to deliver. The last pledge from the state of Qatar was to build a world class football stadium at Hulhumale’, planned modern city of the es that is just 10 minutes away from Velana International Airport. Fate of this project is uncertain as governments have no political ties at present. Football is the single most popular sports in the es. The overcrowded capital city has 2 official football stadiums while a large area houses several futsal grounds, there are some more mini-futsal grounds in various locations. One of the two telecom operators in es belongs to a Qatar based listed company. The local wing called Ooredoo es holds about 40% of the market share, it is a listed company in es that provides mobile communication service, internet and now they are penetrating into broadcasting sector. Local news say, following cut of political ties the Home Minister met the CEO of Ooredoo es, contents discussed was never revealed to public. Qatar Airways conducts 8 flights to es every week. After the political dispute the airline is still operating as usual. es government has said that economic activities will not be affected and Qatari tourists are still allowed in es. One of the locals supporting Qatar on this matter said to es Finest that Saudi is cancer in both the islamic world and es politics. He said if Qatar is clever it is time to usher more grants to es to downplay Saudi's role and influence in the country. He claimed the government's decision to cut political ties was result of Saudi's growing role in es economy, another party needs to balance this before it goes any further. es cuts political ties with Qatar. Economic ties still exist. # es #Qatar #Saudi #KSA #KingSalman Smartphone cameras have advanced remarkably over the past couple of years. I use my Samsung Galaxy S7 which has a great camera. Prior to this I was using Galaxy S6 Edge. The main resort I updated was the camera quality. For your es holiday you will need a smartphone that has a good camera. I would recommend Galasy S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 7 and the recently released HTC phone. Now the biggest challenge with smartphone is its battery. My phone last a day with a single charge. If I use it as hotspot I have to charge twice a day. That’s not very convenient but that’s easier than carrying a large DSLR camera with you. Smartphone battery capacity is a big problem. One thing you must remember is never try comment on social media when your battery is 1%. A friend of mine learned this hard way. His boss posted a selfie on facebook. Wanting to impress his boss immediately he commented “nice pic”. It got auto corrected to “nice pig” and the moment it got posted the phone power went off. I told to my friend never even try to explain what had happened, just look for a new job. Few hours later when he got home he could not find his boss on facebook. He was blocked. Bring a wireless charger. That makes charging easy every time when you are not using the phone. I also use a wireless charger. I keep it on the bedside table. When I don’t use my phone I leave it on the charger. Since you do not have to plug in and out it is very easy to answer calls. There are various bands and types of charges. You can figure out the best wireless charger for S7 or any other brand you use. For me, Galaxy S7 has the best came, S8 may be slightly better but I have not tested it yet. I fell in love with Samsung after finding out photo quality of S6 and that was some years back. In addition to wireless charger a good size power bank is also very helpful. Imagine you have a dolphin cruise on a calm day and your phone don’t have charge. Some videos of the good times are good memories to later go through, to bring back wonderful memories. Not all guests can afford visiting es every year, when you are here in the es you must make the most out of it. Nowadays drones are not that expensive, unless you want a real pro one. Drones could help you capture in great angles which otherwise is impossible. For example say you are on the jetty and you want capture with water, to do that you will have to shoot over the water, done could fly and capture you. Samsung Galaxy S7 is waterproof, but I do not recommend using it as an underwater camera. I recommend GoPro Hero 5 Back or Session if you have budget. Cheaper Chinese models like SJ Cam is also bad if you want cut down the budget. But, bring an underwater camera with is very important. Remember that 99% of es is nothing but sea. Essential gadgets for your es Holiday. # es #Samsung #GalaxyS7 #GS7 #News #Gadgets #smartphone You may be a devoted no-news no-shoe es traveler. But, there are many who love different gadgets. In this post I am going to reveal my personal experience on some of the gadgets and the gadgets I would buy when I have a budget. I like snapping pictures. I must confess, I actually have an addiction on this. I use my Samsung Galaxy S7 which I carry all the time. Once bought a Canon DSLR for better image quality. Guess what? I kept it at home most of the time. Whenever I saw something I liked to capture my camera was not with me. After some months I sold my DSLR camera as I thought was bad investment. Now, for professional photography I just borrow one from my friends. This year I bought a GoPro Hero 5 Black. I am very happy with this investment. My smartphone is waterproof but I don’t take it to water. I believe the level of waterproofing that comes in my phone is only for accidental drops, if I start using it underwater it would develop problems. I have never tested this and I never want to, But IP68 is simply not for using in salt water. At least that is what I believe. GoPro Hero 5 Black itself is waterproof, you need no housing or Super Suite to get up to 10 metres. That's what they say. For me, I always want to guarantee safety of my equipment. For my GoPro Hero 5 I use third party housing which is much cheaper than the original Super Suite. Third party housing is good enough and high quality. Then I have a rig to mount the camera, underwater lights and a floater. Gopro frame, grip, handle and other names are called for this. One light is enough to normal use at night but I prefer two lights. If one light I could put it on top. Lights on the sides means it is not comfortable to grip the handle. But, I could sacrifice on comfort to give extra-good lighting and capture perfect shot. This set costs me about $230, I bought parts from different suppliers and assembled at home. The screws used in attaching the parts to rig are also bought separately. It took about 2 months for me to get piece by piece and order what I what I needed next. Lights on two sides and floater in the middle gives excellent balancing. The floater pushes the rig up. The aluminum rig is considerably heavy and pushes the right down. These two forces make the camera stay upright perfectly balanced. If you leave it on the surface it goes down, up to some depth and stays at that level without going all the way down to sea floor. I have not figured out the exact depth but it’s about 5 - 15 meters. Sometimes I use one light, at night I prefer two but one is enough as well. If you not a scuba diver and want to capture the deep you can attach a string to the floater and drop the camera down. Of cause you have to push record button before dropping and figure out the scenes while you stay on the surface. I think you could easily do this for up to 10 meters. Too deep means difficult to focus the camera to right spots you want to capture. If you want to turn the camera you need to attach 2 strings on 2 sides of the rig. If you want to tilt camera up and down while keeping it in same depth you need another string in the middle. I have not done this but I believe you can do this. I always dive and capture shots the way I want, it gives all the freedom to capture perfect shots. The only limitation is the time you spend underwater. These underwater lights last for an hour at full power, on power saving mode they get close to 2 hours. I prefer full power mode as I do not compromise on quality. The lights are good for day time use as well. When you are at 25 metres it gets little darker and sometimes you come across caves that are pitch black. Extra lighting helps reveal best colours in the underwater world. GoPro Hero 5 Black is gives quality that is close to some of the best DSLR cameras with underwater housing. When I get a good budget I would buy a Sony A7Rii which gives great dynamic range. Gimbal is an essential part of the camera to shoot the island, interior and exterior. Videos become much smoother and high quality. I consider this absolutely essential, unless you are doing for Instagram fun. Despite having a GoPro I snap more photos with my phone. Battery drains quite fast, a single charge lasts only for a day. When you are in es you may have planned activities such as dolphin trips or an escape to an uninhabited island. You do not want your smartphone be dead. So, always carry power bank when you are travelling and keep it fully charged. My power bank had saved my life lot of times. If you are really into photography, for business or just out of passion, you also need a drone. I use Phantom 3 which is very intelligent and captures high quality videos and still photos. There are many videos on YouTube about this. When I have budget I am planning to buy GoPro drone to attach my GoPro Hero 5. Their drone is called Karma. If you are visiting es and want to have this rig please contact us on advance. We can buy the parts and assemble the full system. GoPro Hero 5 Underwater Rig (Frame) For es Photography. #Gopro #Hero5 #Photography #Underwater #Scuba #Diving Water slides are not only for kids and these es villas are popular among honeymoon couples and families. For people who love water villa there are 2 options. Other two are beach villas. To get a water slide you need not comprise the type of villa you want. But, these are all luxury five star resorts. There is no four star resort that offer villas with water slides, not even a public water slide. One of the resorts need to fix a water slide in the main pool, so everyone can enjoy. Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi Built on 1700 sqm the Private Reserve in Gili Lankanfushi is widely known as the world's largest water villa. This giant abode has 2 Master Suites, one with one bed room and another with two bedrooms. The very front part of the structure is the swimming pool and sun deck. Pathway leads to both left and right, on each side there is a Master Suite. Mid-section of the structure is dedicated for entertainment lounge. There is a water slides that drops you in a private lagoon. Yes, it's a private lagoon area amid Private Reserve. Various facilities are built around this lagoon area, giving much needed privacy for ultimate indulgence. To attend all your wishes there is a personal butler living in your abode. Named Mr. Friday, he has his own room next another living area, kitchen and spa. All these facilities are on the ground floor. When you go upstairs there is a gym that could be converted to Nanny's room if you have todlers to be looked after while you enjoy your holiday. There is also a library and games room. Diving Pavilion on upstairs is an amazing spot feast under the stars while staring at the Indian Ocean on a full moon night. Soneva Fushi Private Reserve This beach villa is humongous and comes with a water slide. There are 9 bedrooms (yes nine) and occupies an area of 5540 sqm. There is everything you need; children's bedroom, private pool, spa, sauna, steam room, fitness centre. One of the highlights of this villa is the lounge that is located inside the pool. This place is perfect for dining in groups. Wonderful memories be made in places like this. The water slide not being very high up, makes this ideal for kids. There is easy to access to get up as stairs are right next to it. Kids would want to repeat what they love. The designers may have considered this factor and put the stairs so they can enjoy sliding over and over again. Soneva Fushi Villa 15 This one has 4 bedrooms and comes with a water slide too. Villa 15 is the name given to this beach villa. It occupies an area of 2375 sqm and is another giant villa anywhere in the es. This villa is built on the idea of self-sustenance, meaning everything you would want is provided in the villa. If not, your personal butler is there to get you anything that you wish. Soneva Jani Water Villa All the water villas at Soneva Jani comes with water slide. Get in and enjoy the fun of being throw in to clear lagoon that had been preserved for thousands of years before this island become a resort in the recent years. Soneva resort have a nation-wide reputation for being nature friendly. Most of the interior and exterior comes with rustic finishing that is just wonderful. These luxury villas have a high demand. Few months back I visited Noonu Atoll and met the colleagues working here, the island enjoys full or near full occupancy through the year. Oh yes, these little pool hammocks look gorgeous. Something new to es. You want to be in the sun or the shade? Choose the time of day to your liking. Even in the sun if you want to cool down just make few turns and you will land in the pool. If you think that would be too cool, just dip the feet. Please don't dip the head (:D). 3 es Resorts With Water Slide In The Villa. # es # #Waterpark #waterslide #fun Did you know that there is a 9 bedroom beach villa in the es? Well, it may be more appropriate to call this a mansion or residence. It is built on an area of 5540 sqm which is about half the size of a small es resort. Next time when you have difficulty finding a es beach villa that can accommodate all your family think about this. I am pretty sure most of the families will run out members than rooms. The only family that I can think of will not fitting to this expansive 9 bedroom villa is the family of Saudi king to whom a single resort is usually not enough. At least that was the case on his holiday trip some years back, and what was planned for this year's state visit which got cancelled in the last minute. Now you must be wondering where is this huge beach mansion located? Open the map of es and move to Baa Atoll, locate the atoll capital Eydhafushi, just next to it is the home of this wonderful 9 bedroom beach villa. The resort that is well known locally and well recognised internationally for its nature friendly luxury concepts is called Soneva Fushi. Photo: Sonu with his wife Thanks to its pioneer Sonu Shivdasani. He is the owner and founder of the Soneva Group which currently owns 2 resorts in the es. This is not the first time I am mentioning his name. After recalling his creativity many times over I am feeling like he is the "James Bond" of the es tourism industry. When there is a new James Bond movie you get excited to see what's new in his car? I get a similar kind of excitement whenever Sonu opens a new es resort. Though Soneva currently manages two resorts in es, two more were actually built by the company. Gili Lankanfushi was formerly called Six Senses Soneva Gili under Sonu's ownership and the other was Six Senses Laamu. The nine bedroom family heaven on the beach has more than just sleeping. Breathe fresh air when you are in the es! An outdoor lounge sunken into the pool makes this possible as you enjoy breath-taking views of tropical atmosphere reflected on the crystal clear waters around you. At night, candle-lit family dinners could go for hours and hours as resting and dining happens all together, right there in the sunken lounge. The water slide is a unique feature of this villa and it is for children and adults. Everywhere in the villa there are places to sit and unwind. Every location gives a different view that is awesome to just be there, do nothing. At the heart of the compound is the Master Suite that is its own separate pool. The master bedroom has two bathrooms; indoor and outdoor. Three additional rooms in the Master Suite include Nanny's Room, Children's Bedroom and Dressing Room. Nanny and children have another indoor bathroom and one outdoor. In Soneva Fushi this grand 9 room beach villa is called Private Reserve. Keeping privacy in mind this place is designed for pleasure in total privacy, without compromising beautiful views of the es and outdoor leisure. Other facilities in the Private Reserve include bar, gym, spa treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, kitchen, television lounge, study room. In addition to this your person butler is there to take care of your during your holiday. But, if you say 'butler' in Soneva Fushi is may be a strange term. They call him Mr. Friday. Luxury es: Incredible 9 Bedroom Beach Villa. # es # #beachvilla #mansion #luxury Just 35 km from Velana International Airport is a breath-taking lagoon. Two patch of white sand in this lagoon is home to a stunning resort. Wooden jetties connect the two little islands and a small village of water villas. Welcome to Ozen by Atmosphere at Maadhoo es. Opened in 2016, Ozen Maadhoo is one of the newest resorts in Male' Atoll. To get there it takes just 45 minutes by speedboat that operates day and night. Among the locals this resort is known as Maadhoo. Many years back it was a sandbank, named Maadhoo Finolhu. Plantation of trees converted it to an island, and now to a resort with an additional island just next to it. At Maadhoo there are six different categories of accommodation. Earth Villa is the term for Beach Villas that measure 185 sqm in size and there are 14 villas in this category. Water Villa is known as Wind Villa and there 24 such villas, the room size is 85 sqm. There are 17 villas of Earth Villa With Pool. Wind Villa With Pool counts to 25. Both the villa categories have lap pool that measures 20 sqm in pool size. The villas that come with pool also gives sunset view. If you are planning a family holiday with two children the Earth Family Pool Suite would be perfect. It has two bedrooms, one master and one with twin beds. All bedrooms have their own bathrooms while the living room stays common. There is a large fiber optic-lit pool and an outdoor lounge. There are 10 rooms in this category. Ozen Water Suite is the biggest villa at Ozen Maadhoo. Measuring 430 sqm this luxury over water abode comes with 3 bedrooms, in-villa gym, maid's room, small kitchen and outdoor dining pavilion. This is the best location of the island and gives uninterrupted views of beautiful lagoon. This New Resort In Maadhoo Island Will Steal Your Heart. # es # #beachvilla #watervilla #luxury A lot of men seems to think es is the symbol of love and romance. That’s why many of the travelers visiting es are honeymooners. You want your honeymoon to be once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. Yes, es fulfills your paradise dream, that works to almost all tourists. But, to one unlucky man his es trip turned to a once-in-a-lifetime bad experience. A Swiss couple chose a five star resort in northern parts of the es. The woman looked in her early thirties, the man close to forty. Everything was wonderful on arrival and they quickly fell in love with the beautiful nature. Days passed, nothing was out of the ordinary. Both enjoyed like any other couple in the resort. After 2 weeks their holiday came to an end. It was time for departure. After good byes the seaplane took off and they were gone. Two months went by, and all of a sudden the same woman comes to resort. This time she was all alone. Perhaps her partner couldn’t get leave from his job or he was too busy with work, so he couldn’t come. And the woman must have had a really good stay before, so she couldn’t resist coming back quickly. For many staff it was remarkable but not unusual. Like other solo travelers the Swiss woman kept enjoying her holiday in paradise; joining excursions, enjoying cocktails in the bar and talking to different staff. Things seemed happening as usual as staff comes to duty, work hard to make all guests happy and end their duty shifts. A week passed, and her man arrives. This time he stays alone, in a different room. They don’t dine together and don’t talk much. Both were on their own. He was not just more frequent in the bar, he became a heavy drinker. Woman spends most of her time in the room. Now the other waiters had realized everything. They had noticed the woman was spending a lot of time talking her waiter. The couple was not staying together. But the man never reported the incident to the management. He shared it with some staff working at the bar. Restaurant waiters were able to get the full picture. After holiday both of them departed the same day. None of them ever came back, at least not yet or not to that resort. The woman realised her mistakes and man forgave her? Or both went their own separate ways? Author’s Note: I personally know this waiter and but the incident was written the way his colleagues told me, he himself did not share this with me. If this post gets shared on social media it would eventually reach this waiter, and possibly the guests as well. It would be nice if they reveal their current status! If you are planning a trip to es and concerned about this, remember its not the place but people who make wrong turns. es is probably the least risky destination even on the concerned aspect. Married Woman Falls To Her Waiter On Their es Holiday. # es # #LoveStory #Honeymoon Recently I received an inquiry from a couple who plans to stay in es for 4 nights and want to learn windsurfing. Since I am familiar with almost every single resort it didn’t take any time for me to come up with some of the best resorts for windsurfing. When I recommend a resort for a particular purpose I also consider other factors which guests may never ask. I asked their nightly budget as it is pointless to recommend islands that clients can never afford, or maybe they can afford but do not want to spend that much. Once I knew the amount I really did not have any resort to recommend, except one. That’s Kuramathi. After exchanging some emails I realized guests had the impress that all islands with large lagoons are ideal to learn windsurfing. That’s wrong. So, I decided to give some clues as to what you should look for while choosing an island for windsurfing. Lagoon next to water sports centre Most of the guests are not good swimmers. If the lagoon is deeper than your height it may be difficult to get on the surf board. While you are learning you would fall off very easily. The learning process is literally getting on and off the board. Once you are able to stay aboard the rest is easy. Lot of people find turning difficult, but with practice you will learn that. The ideal lagoon should have water up to your chest level. Every 24 hours there is a high tide and low tide timing. Based on the tide you can decide whether you want to windsurf in the morning or in the afternoon, or midday. Looking at the pictures you may see a large lagoon. You need to locate the Water Sports Centre in the resort and check if the lagoon right next to it is good enough, have enough space or if the conditions are good. Having a large lagoon near the water villas or the arrival jetty does not matter much if you are a beginner. Those far away locations are for experienced windsurfers. In some resorts the entire lagoon is shallow, in other places it starts shallow and there is a steep drop down to the deep water. The ideal condition is when the lagoon starts shallow and gets gradually deeper after some distance. Islands surrounded by corals in shallow water The tip of live corals are very sharp and some-what poisonous if not disinfected. You may not rush for this, but at least once you are back you need to apply the disinfectant. Some islands are almost entirely surrounded by corals in the shallows. If you are a windsurfer beginner you do not want to fall off on the coal. That could give some serious injuries. Pros could pass over if its a small area and do windsurfing out of the reef. For that weather must be good or the windsurfer must be highly experience. Don't get me wrong. Corals in the shallows are beautiful and many such resorts enjoy a great reputation for excellence in guest satisfaction. Not all tourists love windsurfing. It is just one of the several water based sports offered at different es resorts. Sand on the sea floor Looking at the picture you may see a beautiful lagoon. But, there may be pieces of coral or stones where you can’t walk barefoot. Lagoons with white sand on the sea floor mean you will never have to worry about what your feet might touch. Sometimes there are string rays in the lagoon, they usually go away when you go near. Also, water sports centre staff may be able to tell you if there is any place that is known to have string rays. Usually there are particular areas of the lagoons where string rays stay. Because of frequent activities they don’t stay near water sports area. They like it when the sand is very fine and soft, when you walk on this type of sand you will a get muddy feeling. So the best condition is the sand that is not so fine but free from any coral. I have seen some tourists wear anti-slip shoes, but most of the windsurfers prefer to do barefoot. Obstacles in your way Many resorts have water breakers to protect the beach sand from erosion. Unfortunately this is not ideal for windsurfers, especially beginners. If the water breakers are really far from the island and there is enough space then it does not matter. Experienced windsurfers could maneuver through the channel, go in and out without getting stranded. Other than water breakers some resorts also keep their boats in the lagoon. Every resort has few boats used for various purposes. When they are not in use they are anchored in the lagoon. So, the lagoon near water sports centre should have enough space without any obstacle. Professional and friendly instructor In es the water sports people are generally very good and helpful. The management monitors their service quality and they do a good job. For windsurfing beginners the practice starts right on the beach. They teach you the basic skills before taking you to water where the skills are demonstrated repeatedly while observing your mistakes. After a while all it takes is more practice. How to pick an island to learn windsurfing in es. # es # #Windsurfing #Watersports Many of the es resorts do organised fish feeding once a day, usually in the afternoon or evening. While some resorts allow guests to feed stingrays during the feeding time others do the activity only by their trained pontoon. Other than this feeding session fish feeding is generally forbidden in resorts, to let fish use their natural hunting skills to survive in the wild. But, a Chinese guest decided to try it on her own and went to the arrival jetty with some food. Half way in the jetty there is a ladder to go down. At high tide the water is deeper than an average person. Non-swimmers wear life jacket and stay afloat holding the ladder while looking at the fish. This guest was enjoying fish feeding down there, but soon ran out of food. When that happened she pointed her own index finger towards fish. That’s when a medium-size trigger fish came and bit it. May be in panic, she threw the fish to the jetty. Security officer at a distance saw a fish being landed. As he was walking towards the scene a guest came up the ladder and was looking down to fish. The guest showed him her figure, there were slight cuts and it was bleeding. Guest was not concerned of her finger, rather it looked like it was an exciting experience. She quickly attempted to go down again but the security officer was too curious to ask her why she was going down. To his surprise guest said she wanted to catch another fish. It looked like she just found an easy way to catch fish. The security officer briefed her about resort’s fishing policy and asked her to release the fish back in water right away. She complied. He also suggested her to visit doctor’s clinic to get a dressing on the bleeding finger. Carelessly she said she would do later and enjoyed watching fish from the jetty. Guest uses her own finger as bait to catch fish. # es #Fishing #Catch #Triggerfish #Accident If you want to create a customized itinerary according to your travel profile, Tripomizer is great app to help you. This online trip planner helped me to find an optimal way to visit all the cool attractions without making me feel strapped for time. I've created this itinerary in Malé using Tripomizer, which is one of the best Trip Planners of the market. Velana International Airport is the main gateway to es, it is located at Hulhule’ island. The capital Male’ (also written as Male or Maaley) is just 10 minutes from the airport. Day time flights landing and taking off at Velana gives you an amazing view of Male. Unlike other es islands the capital is full of high rised buildings, people and vehicles. The economic hub of the es is a busy place for everyone except tourists. Most of the tourists visit Male’ on their way to departure. Seaplanes fly only in day time and most of the resorts offer transfer by seaplane. If your international flight is at night the seaplane transfer will take you to the airport in day time. This is a window of opportunity for most of the tourists. They chose to visit Male’ for setting foot on the capital ground, do sightseeing and enjoy the local foods while capturing last minute memories of the paradise republic. If you are international flight is in day time you could always request an early departure at the resort. Seaplanes are schedule in accordance to international flights and they often combine passengers from different resorts. So, your early departure is always subject to availability. If you make your at the time of booking your holiday with the tour operator you stand much higher chances of getting an early departure. Velana International Airport operates 24 hour ferry service. There is a ferry every 10 or 20 minutes, except late night after 00:00 hrs till 05:30 during which the ferries are not frequent. The ferry boats cost just $1 each way and takes 10 minutes. While you are on the way to Male’ you could a large high-rised flag waving in in the skylines, many of the tourist attractions are located there. When you walk past this flag and keep on the harbour-side road you will meet the fish market and local market. The flag site is park called Jumhooree Maizan (or Jumhooree Maidan). Hundreds of pigeons come to this place in the morning and afternoon, tourists love to feed them and take pictures. Next to the park is the grand mosque, there is a notice for non-muslim tourists that forbid getting inside without being covered in Islamic way. If you are accompanying a tour guide he may provide you sarong and scarf in the afternoon hours when it is allowed for tourist visits. The harbour-side road towards east takes you to Male’ Artificial Beach. Many people regard Male’ as a concrete jungle, few places like the Artificial Beach gives you a feel of tropical nature. On the west side of Male’ there is Rasfannu beach, but the artificial beach more attractive if you want to swim or enjoy the beach. Rasfannu has little huts and traditional benches to enjoy the views rather than getting to swim. There are many restaurants throughout Male city. Citron on the sea side overlooks the airport, it takes only couple of minutes to walk from the ferry point. Next to Citron is Dolphin View café. Both are idea for dining at any time of the day or just chill with some drinks. Male City Tour And Tourist Attractions. # es # # #Male #Velana #Islands #Travel Ania and Manfred Muench, from Germany, have just completed their 55th holiday to Baros es, making them the first guests to stay so many times on the top ranked es paradise. Their first trip to Baros es was in 1984, over the years they have brought their children and grand children in several occasions. On their first visit to Baros they fell in love with “Robinson Crusoe and romance feeling” of the resort. Back then things were very basic and simple - shower had only cold water, breakfast was butter and jam toasts with coffee. Not only they enjoyed it, but always wanted to come back which they did for years and years. The couple kept coming back, usually twice a year until 2009, and appreciated the improvements they witnessed in the resort. After their 49th trip, one day Mr Muench received a letter from Baros es, inviting them to visit Baros for their 50th holiday. That’s when they realised that they had stayed that many times. Mrs Muench explained: “Baros is such a wonderful and beautiful place. Over the years we have seen the resort, and the staff, grow. We have built up friendships with people here and Baros has become linked to our lives. Even our children and grandchildren have been here on holiday too.” Mr Muench said, “When we first stayed at Baros, we were young and looking for adventure. Now we come because we enjoy the beach and like to relax by the infinity swimming pool at the Lime Restaurant. We are looking forward to returning soon for our 56th visit.” Based on trusted guest reviews es Finest ranks Baros es on the Top 10 of the es. The ranking compares guest satisfaction of all es resorts and generate an index from best to worst. Other factors such as luxury, quality of meals, professionalism of staff, atmosphere etc. may contribute to overall happiness of guests and Baros es stands out as one of the top es resorts in every aspect. A spokesman for Baros es said, “We are honoured to have Mr & Mrs Muench stay with us so many times. Over 30 percent of our guests have been here before, which is testimony to the personal care and attention shown by our staff, as well as a tribute to the facilities Baros es has for the perfect holiday.” Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort award was presented to Baros es on 8th July at a ceremony held at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef in presence of tourism industry officials from various countries and international media. The winning of the regional award by Baros es automatically qualifies the resort to be considered in the voting process for the award of the World’s Most Romantic Resort 2017, which the resort has won on four previous occasions. Baros es is a small, lushly landscaped, private tropical island of 75 overwater and beachside garden villas and white sand beaches set in a turquoise lagoon, just 25 minutes by speedboat from the es International Airport. The house reef of Baros is recognised by the es Finest as one of the TOP 10 and it has its own manta point for who people love to spend time with the amazing creature. Couple Visits Baros es 55 Times Since 1984. # es # # #Baros #Islands # # e GoPro Hero 5 Black seems to be the most popular action camera out there in the market today. This camera costs about USD400 without accessories. Many people finds this expensive. Alternative action cameras include Yi 4K, Yi 4K+, SJCAM SJ6 Legend, SJCAM SJ7 Star. Photo taken with SJCAM SJ7 STAR with default settings SJ7 Star costs USD200, it comes with some accessories including the underwater housing and variety of mounts. SJ7 Star uses Sony IMX177 image sensor and Ambarella A12S75 processor. GoPro Hero 5 Black also uses a Sony sensor but that is a later version than IMX177. A video comparision between GoPro Hero 3 and Hero 5 Black revealed the differences are often not noticeable. This would probably leave you amazed. But, the video is there on Youtube. GoPro Hero 3 uses the same sensor used by SJ7 Star. But the processor used in SJ7 Star is more powerful than GoPro Hero 5 Black. Both the Gopro Hero 5 Black and SJCAM SJ7 Star supports 4k video recording. SJ7 Star has Gyro Stabilization where as in Hero 5 it is electronic. Some still image comparisons on Youtube showed SJ7 Star is sharper than Hero 5 Black. I have taken some still images at different conditions. Unfortunately I don't have any sample of the GoPro Hero 5 Black. In the settings you can find the EV Value, increasing the exposure to +2 give this result. Increased exposure removes the overall dark layer and the over-exposed areas are very minimal. Slightly reducing the EV Value may give perfect capture, but slight over exposure does not hurt either. After capturing the shot with EV Value +2 you can adjust the brightness and contrast and this is how it looks. This is perfect for social media and other normal usage. SJ7 Star has a wide angle fish eye lens. Personally I like wide angle but I hate fish eye affect in most cases. To get fish eye effect to minimal I always focus middle of the picture to horizon or the center of the object. This is a close-up camera sample of SJ7 Star. It was captured about 1 foot away from the subject. As you can see the image is not clear, it is blurred. It was not because of the camera shake. For some reason this camera cannot focus on close-up objects. I took some other pictures about 2 feet from the object and it was still blur. If the subject is about 6 feet away from the camera it can focus without a problem. So, if you are thinking to buy this camera for selfie I do not recommend it. The problem could be related to firmware and a future update might fix this problem. But, at present I have the latest version V1.15 and still photos turn out blur in close up shots. Here is another close up shot, from same 1 foot distance. The blur remains very significant on both the pictures. There was no camera shake and object was not moving. These are souvenirs on the shelf, they don't move. On a slightly overcast sunny day the beach looks like this. EV Value was set to default 0. This image could have been much better with EV Value 2. This is the unedited version of the ocean. SJ7 Star seems to handle blue colour very well. The same picture with minor contrast and brightness adjustments it looks much better. This shows other unedited pictures would be enhanced too. But, you would also want to see images without edits. The dynamic range of the SJ7 Star action camera is quite impressive. Focus on part of the boat does not leave the sandbank out of focus, even the sky shows great detail. From every close to extreme distance the clarity and detail are captured very well. Here is an underwater sample. Visibility was not the best on the day of capture. So, without comparing the exact same shot with capture from another camera it may be hard to tell how good or bad is SJ7 Star. But, if you want to have an idea of how it looks here it is. After using the camera for few weeks I found SJCAM SJ7 Star is great for landscape photography. I think it does a better job than GoPro Hero 5 Black. However, GoPro Hero 5 seems doing a better job at underwater photography. I have uploaded some samples to Youtube. All in all, for $200 this camera is definitely worth it. Please note that all the images have been compressed and resized. The quality deterioration due to compression is minimal, hardly noticeable if you compare side by side. I wanted to compare every in practicality rather than technicality. SJCAM SJ7 STAR Still Photo test in the es. # es # # #sjcam #sj7star Now you have no excuse to miss a single frame of your dream holiday. Not when you have world's best action camera in your hand. Save more, enjoy more. GoPro Hero 5 Black that costs $400 now comes to you at no cost, that’s when you enjoy your es holiday in a place where the management and staff understands you better than any other. The es resort that is well known for honeymoon escapes has observed many of their guests carry GoPro Hero 5 Black when they come for holiday. In a bid to help guests create lasting memories the resort is now giving GoPro Hero 5 Black to all their guests, for FREE to use. Your heard it right, now you need not buy a camera just to use on your holiday and later to leave to build dust while you are back to busy life. Thanks to Kandolhu es for their excellent anticipation of guest needs. Many years back the es tourism trend turned to iPods - luxury resorts started equipping guest villas with iPod. Most of those luxury resorts continue that trend to this day and it become the norm in the luxury club. But, Kandolhu went a step further by equipping each villa with a full size tablet sitting on the dock next to your bed, with tons of music. Joining that, is the world’s most popular action camera. It comes with underwater housing and micro SD card. Make use of this cool gadget and enjoy limitless fun as you capture. Kandolhu is a luxury 30 villa honeymoon resort in the North Ari Atoll. It takes just 25 minutes to fly there by seaplane. Once landed you are in absolute paradise. The island is quiet, peaceful and calm. Staff are very friendly and professional. es Finest ranks Kandolhu as third best resorts in the country. See the es Resort Ranking to check out the latest updates. es resort starts giving free GoPro Hero 5 Black to all guests. # es # #Kandolhu After enjoying a es holiday at one of the newest resorts in Baa Atoll Leonardo DiCaprio went airport yesterday for departure and got stuck there for hours. A source told es Finest he was travelling by Qatar Airways and missed the flight. Most of the guests conveniently fly seaplane to connect their international flights. But for some reason Leonardo and his team chose the domestic flight from Dharavandhoo Airport and ended up missing their Qatar Airways international flight scheduled for departure at 19.30 hrs. What exactly went wrong remains unclear. Leonardo DiCaprio visited es about a week back and stayed at Finolhu es (see more pictures in the link) in Baa Atoll. The celebrity was accompanied by several people who were thought to be friends and family. About an year ago Kate Winslet visited the same atoll and stayed not far from Leonardo's island. Coincidentally, both islands belong to the same company. Are they still keeping in touch or is this just a mere coincidence? After getting stuck at Velana International Airport for few hours Leonardo and his group departed the same evening on an Emirates flight. es is a popular holiday destination among Hollywood and Bollywood stars. Many of them come and go without being noticed to media. But, some of them like to share their photos on social media and that's how the news spreads. It has been over a week since Paris Hilton visited the es. She is staying at Amilla Fushi, the same resort Kate Winslet stayed and called her favourite place. This is the second es holiday for Paris who first came to Velaa Private Island about an year ago and shared many exciting photos on her Instagram. Amilla Fushi has hosted many celebrities over the past 2 years. The resort is well known for its dining fantasies. Australian celebrity chef Luke Mangan did the kitchen setup and trained the chefs in the first year after opening. The most recent addition to already popular food lovers’ destination in paradise is Gordon Ramsay's restaurant. If you want to taste Gordon Ramsay in the es there's only Amilla Fushi to go. Managed by The Small es Island Company, both Amilla Fushi and Finolhu Island Resort were conceptualized by Tom McLaughin's WTF (What The Fushi) which sparked a reputation after successful launch of Huvafen Fushi several years back. Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio gets stranded at es Airport. # es # #LeonardoDiCaprio #Finolhu Food and Hospitality Asia es (FHAM) exhibition is an eventful happening every year. Part of the exhibition is the International Culinary Challenge, almost all es resorts take part in this contest. This year’s exhibition has been particularly special to Baros es. Thirteen chefs from Baros es have won the highest total of medals and awards. That’s not all, their chef Ibrahim Nathif won the award of Most Outstanding Chef In the es. Nathif also won the Best ian Chef award and five gold medals. Nathif, 32, has worked at Baros for 13 years and currently cooks in the resort’s fine dining Lighthouse Restaurant. As a result of this achievement he has been selected to represent es up-coming Malaysian Culinary Challenge in February 2018. The Food and Hospitality Asia es (FHAM) – International Culinary Challenge and Exhibition 2017 held in the capital, Male’, is held annually for chefs from different resorts to demonstrate their skills before a panel of international judges. A total of 67 resorts in the es represented by 564 competitors took part this year. Another top award was won by K. Y. M Gunasekara from Baros who emerged as the Best Young Chef. He is 24 and has been working at Baros for the last 3 years. Thirteen chefs from Baros took part in this year’s challenge and won a total of 5 gold medals, 12 silver and 8 bronzes. The award winning team of chefs work at three different restaurants in the resort. These included hot cooking of meat, seafood and poultry, biryani, plated desserts, breads and pastries, ian dish and wedding cake. More than 40 chefs work at Baros es in its three gourmet-standard restaurants as well as catering for off-island dining on a sandbank, lagoon deck or local sailboat (dhoni) cruises. Also available is In Villa Meal Service in each of the resort’s 75 elegant overwater and beachside villas. Baros es is a private bijou tropical island only 25 minutes by resort speedboat from the es International Airport. Creative team of chefs from Baros first reached es Finest spotlight when they made screwpine ice cream, a flavour that is second to none. Screw pine is an authentic ian fruit that grows naturally in the wild. It is a type of mangrove tree that bears this decision but hard to eat indigenous fruit. This type of thorny mangrove trees usually grow 20 – 50 feet tall, whole tree from trunk to leaves is thorny. A courageous man could climb half way up and poke with a stick to get the fruit or wait down to collect pieces falling from the bunch. It has a very pleasant aroma when the fruit is ripe, you can’t get unnoticed if walking down a mangrove tree with ripe Screwpine on it. Ibrahim Nathif from Baros - Meet the most outstanding chef in es. # es # #Baros #Chef #Food Are you struggling to decide if you should book a 4 star resort or 5 star for your next es holiday? This es resort located in Dhaalu Atoll says they are anything but ordinary. Looking at the pictures you will think it is just another 5 star resort. But, the management disagrees. This is Kandima es. In es-size Kandima is a large resort. The island is nearly 3 km long and has 274 rooms of 7 different categories. Transfer to this resort is by domestic flight which takes a 30 minute flight to Kudahuvadhoo Airport followed by a 20 minute boat ride. This lifestyle resort is for every kind of tourist, from honeymooners to families and adventurers or divers. Freshly built earlier this year (2017) the island is like a beautiful present when you first open the package. Read more about Kandima in our previous post. Kandima Photo Gallery Beach Villa With Jacuzzi Beach Villa With Jacuzzi Beach & Sky Studios Beach Club Kandima Aerial View Beach Villa Exterior Beach Villa With Pool Forbidden Bar Kids Club Beach Villa Bathroom Watersports Spa Smoked Grill Beach Smoked Grill Aqua Villa Sky Studio Dining at Breeze Pool View Palm Tree Aqua Villa Bathroom Breeze Beach Club Breeze Beach Club Arrival Jetty Honeymmon Aqua Pool Villa Beach Kandima Aerial View Breeze Pool View ‹ › X 30 new photos of 3km long es resort. # es # # # # # # ler The es island that is well known for lush green farmlands is also the island with an amazing beach overlooking a large lagoon where water is clearest it could get. This is Thoddoo, located in Alif Alif Atoll, also called North Ari Atoll. It is home to a population of 1826 living in east side and centre of the island. Photo: Thoddoo lagoon and beach aerial view The populated area is almost surrounded by farmlands where tourists do their own exploration. Every family in Thoddoo owns a farm and guests often buy fresh tropical fruits from farms directly. You can get a ripe papaya on tree for a dollar or two. Thoddoo is duped as water melon island because it is their favourite fruit. Growing tourism has made Thoddoo a popular spot for budget tourists, but not all who visits Thoddoo are actually budget tourists. The island is so peaceful and these is an great sense of freedom in this island. West side of the island is largely isolated from locals and there is a tourist beach area where guests could wear bikinis and swim in the lagoon. Bikini wear is prohibited in other areas in respect of local community. Other than bikini beach most guests are seen wearing top and short, that seems to work well everywhere. Tourist beach area is the nicest spot on the island where lagoon extends upto 750 metres. After that it is house reef which almost encircles the entire island. Swimming to the house reef from shore is not a good idea, it is just too far. Some guesthouses offer snorkeling trips which takes you there by boat. Price is very reasonable and inexpensive. Photo: Exterior and Interior of King Room - Thoddoo Retreat Thoddoo Retreat is an 11 room guest house located in the centre of the island. None of the hotels in Thoddoo are near beach. Thoddoo Retreat is one of the closest to the tourist beach and staff members help serve lunch on the beach so that guests need not come back to hotel. When the beautiful lagoon ends it is the house reef that starts and takes you deeper. Thoddoo house reef attracts manta rays almost all year round. Locals say best period to see mantas is from October till April, in this season manta cleaning station is found to be common. Spottings of this amazing creature is more rare in other months of the year. To explore beauty of the underwater world Thoddoo Retreat operates a fully equipped dive centre on the island. Serene Ocean is just a few minutes walk from Thoddoo Retreat and serves to beginners and experienced divers. The shallow area of the lagoon is perfect atmosphere to train new divers. Thoddoo Retreat official website: www.thoddooretreat.com Trip to Madiwaru Madiwaru is an amazing virgin island near Veligandu Island Resort. From Thoddoo it takes about 20 minutes to go there by speedboat. Trip to Madiwaru is a full day trip that includes snorkeling at different reefs and enjoying the beaches and sandbanks of Madiwaru. Fish feeding takes place in a small lagoon area there. A picnic lunch served there, or sometimes visits near by Rasdhoo for lunch. This is true paradise everyone enjoys and time passes quickly before even realist it. On the way back is dolphin watching. The trip costs $100 per person. Compared with the amazing experience that is great value. Download Thoddoo Retreat fact sheet for more specific features and facilities. Photo Gallery Trip to Madiwaru Madiwaru Beach Madiwaru Beach Madiwaru Beach Triggerfish Triggerfish Triggerfish Manta ray Thodoo sunset Thoddoo Retreat Thoddoo Retreat Friendly fish Friendly fish Lot of fish Jetskii Madiwaru Beach Madiwaru Beach Dive Centre Dive Centre Sandbank Thoddo palmtrees Soft coral Manta Ray Snorkeling with mantas Manata rays at Thoddoo Snorkeling with manta Manta point Madiwaru Escape to Madiwaru Fish Feeding Guest House Lot of fish Guesthouse interior Exotic atmosphere Modelling on beach Thoddoo bikini beach Thoddoo Retreat Beach Beach fun Amazing beach Madiwaru beach Wedding proposal Watersports Watersports Thoddoo Retreat interior Tropical vegetation Trip to Madiwaru Thoddoo vegetation Thoddoo sunset Thoddoo lagoon Thoddoo Retreat Thoddoo lagoon Thoddoo reef Snorkeling ‹ › X es Farm Island With Amazing Sea Life Offers Great Budget Holiday. # es # # # # # #Thoddoo Founder of Microsoft and prominent business tycoon Bill Gates has arrived es today. The man widely considered as the richest on earth visited es on a family holiday. Undisclosed sources indicate Bill Gates and family are staying at Naladhu es Resort by Anantara. es Finest Ranking shows Naladhu is the 6th best es resort. Prior to arrival of famous billionaire a luxury yacht and body guards reportedly arrived es. Earlier this month the Environment Minister of es Thoriq Ibrahim met Mr. Gates on One Planet Summit held in France. Bill Gates is well known for his global welfare efforts under the umbrella of Bill And Malinda Gates Foundation. Microsoft’s co-founder Paul Allen is somewhat a regular visitor to the es. His private yacht named Octopus was spotted in several locations of es in the recent years. Visiting mega yachts are very common in the es and most of the time the local community has no clue as to whom these yachts belong to. Naladhu es Photo Gallery Naladhu Naladhu Naladhu Naladhu Naladhu Naladhu ‹ › X Bill Gates Arrives es For Family Holiday. # es # # # # # # ler #GillGates #MelindaGates A local island 68 km on the west of capital Male' is a beautiful farm island known as Thoddoo. It has a large lagoon on the west side while east is developed to a harbour. Thoddoo is traditionally known for growing watermelons which they still do. No other es island harvests watermelon like Thoddoo. Photo: View from tourist beach Thoddoo The holy month of Ramadan is the season for harvesting watermelons in Thoddoo. Every home of Thoddoo owns a farm and in Ramadan the islanders ship out boats full of watermelons to sell in local market of Male'. Watermelon is the favourite fruit during the Ramadan as it helps quench thirst. Photo: Exterior and Interior of King Room - Thoddoo Retreat Growing tourism in the es quickly saw potential of Thoddoo and today there are over 15 guesthouses mainly serving to budget guests while some prefer living and interacting the local community. The local inhabitants of Thoddoo occupy only about 25% of the island. Other areas are just farmlands. The farmlands are protected from salt water by a thick border of natural vegetation. Photo: Tourist beach / bikini beach The prime beach location is dedication for tourists. They can wear bikini and sunbathe in seclusion from local community. The lagoon is shallow and gets gradually deeper as you go away further. This feature makes Thoddoo an ideal destination for family holiday. There is no strong current in this location and it is peaceful in every sense. Many tourists take their breakfast in the guest house and head to tourist beach where they spend all day. Not wanting them to be interrupted some guesthouses serve lunch to them while they enjoy on the beach. Tourist beach, more commonly known as bikini beach, is also the sunset location. Guests enjoy being in the waters of this beautiful lagoon from morning to sunset. Scenery of Thoddoo farmlands is a beautiful sight. Many palm trees and plenty of uninhabited land makes Thoddoo a peaceful place for guests. Exploring the island itself is interesting and it takes several hours. if not a full day. If you are staying in Thoddoo you may want to buy some fresh local fruits. If you walk to farmlands you may not meet the owner. The easy way is to head to harbour side where there is a shop opposite to mosque. Farmers usually sell their harvest to this shop and people can easily buy from there. Getting to Thoddoo is very convenient. There are speedboat ferries all day of the week except Friday. It costs $70 for return transfer which takes 80 minutes. If you are arriving to airport you can take the airport ferry to Male’ that takes 10 minutes, from there Male’ to Thoddoo ferry leaves at 1600 hours in front of Bank Of Ceylon building. After your holiday the departure from Thoddoo is at 0700 hours in the morning. Photo: Manta Ray captured while snorkeling at Thoddoo house reef Thoddoo house reef attracts manta rays almost all year round, but the best season is from December to April. There is a manta cleaning station just outside the harbour. You can do snorkeling with manta or diving. If snorkeling you need to swim fast to catch up with them. Otherwise staying for them to pass by you may take lot of time. At the cleaning station the depth is about 15 metres. So, diving there gives the best experience. Not far from harbour is a turtle spot where guests frequent with friendly turtles. Divers get just inches away from this amazing creature. Snorkeling means you are on the surface while turtles swim underneath. Turtles eat algae and often bites coral for that. That’s when divers get close and just stare at them. Thoddoo has a large lagoon which makes snorkeling on your own difficult and unsafe as reef is quite far from shore. But, many guesthouses offer cheap snorkeling trips with equipment, guide and boat. Bringing your own equipment is not worth it as you still have to take part in the trip. Photo: Madiwaru beach Nearest resorts to Thoddoo are Veligandu Island Resort and Kuramathi. Veligandu is about 15 km while Kuramathi is 19 km away. Madiwaru is an uninhabited island with sands and amazing lagoons around, it is 18 km from Thoddoo. Other local island in this area is Rasdhoo, it is 19 km from Thoddoo. There are many dive sites around in this region. There is another manta cleaning station near Veligandu resort. The house reef of Veligandu is very beautiful with lot of coral and plenty of fish, perfect for snorkeling as it is not too deep. Madiwaru Beyru is popular dive sight to see schools of jackfish, red snappers and sharks. Serene Ocean is the best dive centre in the island. Some guesthouses like Thoddoo Retreat offers trip to this beautiful island, the full day trip is very cost-effective as it includes snorkeling, lunch, fish feeding and enjoying in Madiwaru. Thoddoo has few convenient stores if you want to buy anything, usually these shops are small. Bright Store is the best shop located at the harbour, opposite to Masjid Abdulla mosque. You can buy most of the household items, toiletries, slippers, cigarette, fruits, vegetables, soft drinks etc. There are two mosques for Muslim tourists, one is at the harbour and other in the centre of the island. If you follow the telecommunications antenna you will find a very beautiful mosque. If you are on breakfast basis there are 5 restaurants in Thoddoo. Some restaurants are more expensive than guesthouses. But, it is nice to go there every once in a while as you get many dishes to select. If you want to save more and use that budget on excursions you may want to dine in the guesthouse as most of the time there is a buffet with a main course, salad and fruits. Photo: Beautiful palm trees of Thoddoo Thoddoo Retreat is a very exotic guesthouse. The sandy walkways make you feel the nature. Tropical vegetation on the sides and flowers make the atmosphere attractive. The rooms are spacious enough, not too small and not extra-large, just the right size for cost effective stay. All the rooms are air conditioned and comes with hot water, shower gel, shampoo, bath towel, face towel, hand towel. There is a minibar fridge with complimentary bottle of water per day. If you want you can buy some soda from convenient store and stock this up for entire stay. Photo Gallery Trip to Madiwaru Madiwaru Beach Madiwaru Beach Madiwaru Beach Triggerfish Triggerfish Triggerfish Manta ray Thodoo sunset Thoddoo Retreat Thoddoo Retreat Friendly fish Friendly fish Lot of fish Jetskii Madiwaru Beach Madiwaru Beach Dive Centre Dive Centre Sandbank Thoddo palmtrees Soft coral Manta Ray Snorkeling with mantas Manata rays at Thoddoo Snorkeling with manta Manta point Madiwaru Escape to Madiwaru Fish Feeding Guest House Lot of fish Guesthouse interior Exotic atmosphere Modelling on beach Thoddoo bikini beach Thoddoo Retreat Beach Beach fun Amazing beach Madiwaru beach Wedding proposal Watersports Watersports Thoddoo Retreat interior Tropical vegetation Trip to Madiwaru Thoddoo vegetation Thoddoo sunset Thoddoo lagoon Thoddoo Retreat Thoddoo lagoon Thoddoo reef Snorkeling ‹ › X Tourists Guide To Thoddoo Local Island es. # es # # # # # #Thoddoo # ler # Motor Yacht A has been spotted in the es, most likely last week, and picture are circulating on the social media. Exact local of the super yacht remains uncertain, it is like to have spotted near Male' as most of the yachts enter the waters of es through the shipping channel near Male'. The luxury super yacht named A is owned by a Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko who is said to have net worth of $10 billion. Some reports say his wife Aleksandra Melnichenko personally involved in designing the interiors of the floating abode that measures 119 meters in length. Launched in 2008, the luxury floating heaven weighs almost 6000 tones and has a top speed of 23 miles per hour. Build by Blohm + Voss it costs $300 million. The superyacht is registered to port of Hamilton in Bermuda, hence named as A Hamilton. The vessel hosts 14 guests in 7 suite rooms. The stateroom comes with rotating bed and comfy white sofas and loungers. Weeks after the superyacht was first spotted near Male' it has come to sight once again, on 11 February 2018. This time off Jumeirah Vittaveli. Photos obtained by es Finest show side panels being opened, indicating some shuttle boats have been deployed or it is in process. Guests may have gone to Jumeirah Vittaveli for a day visit or spending a few nights there. Designed by Philippe Starck, Hamilton A comes with swimming pool, sauna and helipad. Small but fast shuttle boats are onboard and can be launched through a panel that opens up from the side of the hull. Photo Gallery ‹ › X Motor Yacht A spotted in es. Luxury is mind blowing. # es # # # # # ler # Updated: Fairmont's credibly detailed architecture is about to be adored by guests for the first time in es. The all villa Sirru Fen Fushi will welcome its guests on 1 February. If you are looking for some great bargains on luxury resorts you don't have so much time before the already planned official opening on 1 April, as Fairmont es Sirru Fen Fushi. During the two months of soft opening the resort will run as Sirru Fen Fushi, branding will commence upon official opening. At present there are two food and beverage outlets ready to serve guests. The spa is not finished yet, an alternative arrangement has been made to provide spa services. Located in largely unexplored Shaviyani Atoll in the north, the resort can be reached by seaplane that takes 55 minutes from Velana International Airport. Enjoy the scenery of jem-like islets thrown away over the Indian Ocean. Various shapes of islands forming atolls and reefs of different depths keep you amazed all through the flight. Opening of Sirru Fen Fushi will introduce underwater sculptural art with coral gardening to support protecton of es coral reefs. Experience the captivating harmony of land and human art submerged underwater. Sirru Fen Fushi is ideal for couples, honeymooners and regular family holidaymakers. Several room categories starting from single bedroom villa to 5 bedroom villa means you can pick the villa that suits you the most. Room Categories Beach Sunrise Villa: 360 sqm + 14 sqm pool area Deluxe Beach Sunrise Villa: 750 sqm + 48 sqm pool area Deluxe Beach Sunset Villa: 750 sqm + 48 sqm pool area Two Bedroom Beach Sunset Villa: 750 sqm + 48 sqm pool area Three Bedroom Beach Sunset Villa: 1155 sqm + 48 sqm pool area Five Bedroom Beach Sunset Villa: (to be updated later) Water Sunrise Villa: 164 sqm + 19 sqm pool area Grand Water Sunset Villa: 234 sqm + 19 sqm pool area Two Bedroom Water Sunrise Villa: 428 sqm + 36 sqm pool area Two Bedroom Water Sunset Villa: 428 sqm + 36 sqm pool area Three Bedroom Water Villa: 525 sqm + 73 pool area Tented Jungle Villa: 525 sqm + 95 sqm deck Dining Options Raha Market: All day dining restaurant Onu Onu Bar: Bamboo pool bar KATA - Flavours of Japan: Restaurant and rooftop bar Azure: Epicurean indulgence In-room Dining: Breezy barbecues served to Villa's private sala Photo Gallery Beach Villa Deluxe Beach Villa Deluxe Beach Villa Deluxe Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Deluxe Beach Villa Deluxe Beach Villa Deluxe Water Villa Water Villa Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Beach Villa Premium Underwater Sculptures Mohito at Sunset Underwater Art ‹ › X Fairmont es Sirru Fen Fushi To Welcome First Guests. # es # # # # # ler # Today we organised the wedding proposal of Marc Degelo from Switzerland. He proposed to his girlfriend at the most beautiful setting, just the two of them on a tiny sandbank in the es. I was the organizer from es Finest, even I stayed at a distance, I could hardly seem them. They were on their own, on their private sandbank. Marc and his girlfriend visited es for holiday and stayed at Paradise Island Resort. His marriage proposal was arranged with way on advance. On their arrival to es, an official from es Finest welcomed them at the airport. Weddings and proposals are once-in-a-lifetime event and personally meeting them prior to event gives assurance to guests. We arranged a cool box with drinks, chairs and a small wooden table. Everything was loaded to speedboat, at 15.15 we departed from Hulhumale'. It took about 15 minutes to reach Paradise Island Resort. When we went guests were already waiting for us on the jetty. They boarded quickly and off we went. During the trip Marc whispered me that he wants his girlfriend to be blindfolded when it gets close enough to see the sandbank. Since this was already planned I had a piece of cloth just for that. Marc kept talking her diverted her attention from looking ahead. I was already tracking distance to the sandbank with smartphone GPS. It took about 20 minutes to reach the sandbank. When it was time I gave the signal and Marc blindfolded his girlfriend. In few minutes we reached the sandbank. There were two sandbanks connected to each other with a narrow pathway of sand with a foot of water. I have been to this kind of locations over a hundred times but still beauty of the magic view was captivating. Marc grabbed his blindfolded girlfriend and took her to the sandbank, I started unloading bags and other items. We were on the tiny sandbank. Marc thought the other one was looking even nicer. He grabbed a chair and his drone before walking his girlfriend through the shallow water. In 10 minutes they reached it and the rest was between the two. In a few minutes our perfect arrangement was little disturbed when another speedboat came in the lagoon and anchored at the sandbank, there were half a dozen or so guests. I was on the other sandbank I could only see figures at a distance. I saw Marc approaching them to talk, the guests stayed in the boat for a while and later went off, may be to another sandbank. Then it was just us on the two sandbanks bridged by a pathway of sand. It took about an hour, Marc and his girlfriend were isolated on the sandbank doing carrying on with Marc's proposal. When the guests returned to the sandbank we jumped off from the boat I already had the drinks setup done. They enjoyed their drinks while taking photos and enjoying the magnificent surroundings. Every once in a while there were sea birds flying around. Sun was about to set and I left them enjoy there and walked to second sandbank to snap some pictures for myself. I met some crabs, saw many shells of and then were was a large flock of black terns with few white terns. When I got close the birds flew off and they were all around me. It was an incredible moment. When I returned to the guests the sunset had gone. I started loading the items back to boat and in few minutes the guests boarded the speedboat with drinks still in their hands. Sea was not so smooth today and small speed of ours kept bumping. They finished off the last sips quickly and in some minutes were maneuvered through the lagoon and was in open sea at full speed. We had to travel against the waves and wind, it took twice the time to go back to Paradise Island Resort. Me and the crew shook hands and let the happy guests walk away to enjoy rest of their special day. COUPLE AERIAL VIEW PRIVATE TRIP LONG WHITE BEACH WHITE SAND ROMANCE AERIAL VIEW ‹ › X Wedding Proposal On Amazing Sandbank Of es. # es # # # # # ler # #Wedding #Proposal #Girlfriend FHAM 2017 The International Culinary Challenge supported and endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) is widely recognized as the region’s most prestigious International Culinary Competition that has a strong emphasis in promoting culinary excellence. This annual competition is the key decisive platform on which hundreds of culinarians converge to display their skills, and seek accreditation and feedback for improvement from an internationally acclaimed panel of judges. Last year, as in the previous years, over a hundred resorts, various hotels and restaurants took part in the event. FHAM International Culinary Challenge is the only internationally recognised platforms chefs working in the es, it is endorsed by Chefs Guild of es and Chefs Guild of Sri Lanka. The annual competition of the chefs also serves as a meeting point for fellow chefs from various other resorts and make new friends, share their experiences and familiarize with new trends. Vakarufalhi culinary team took part in the challenge and achieved medals in several categories. Photo: Executive Chef Riccardo Rizzoli in the middle with winners, in Vakarufalhi Island Resort Silver Medal for dressing cakes: DCDP Buddika Gayan R K Wijayarathna Bronze Medal for bread and pastry display: DCDP Buddika Gayan R K Wijayarathna Bronze Medal for ian traditional meal: JR SOUS CHEF G.D.Chaminda Prabath Kumara Bronze Medal for Indian biryani dish: JR SOUS CHEF G.D.Chaminda Prabath Kumara Bronze Medal for vegetables carving: SCDP Gamini Weerasekara Bronze Medal for show piece artist display: SCDP Gamini Weerasekara Bronze Medal for hot & cold appetizer: DCDP Pahala Gedara Indika Prasanna Merits for show piece artist: SCDP Gamini Weerasekara Merit for seafood dish: DCDP Pahala Gedara Indika Prasanna es Finest congratulates all the winners as we look forward more achievements in 2018 FHAM competitions. Vakarufalhi Among The Few 4 Star Resorts That Won Awards On FHAM Culinary Challenge 2017 # es #Culinary #CulinaryArts #Food #Cooking The island that was once surrounded by seagrass in the lagoon is now a popular choice to beach lovers visiting es. The narrow stretch of land that was left empty at the southern side of Canareef is no longer empty, it is now full of guests enjoying the beach and lagoon. A team from es Finest visited Canareef yesterday, the resort had 360 guests. We took a buggy and headed straight to the new beach area. On the way we inquired the driver and understood the resort had been running above 90% occupancy for the past 3 months. The seagrass that was there has been meticulously removed leaving only the coral and sand. The lagoon extends to several hundred meters from the shore. Some guests like to stay close to shore while others go out beyond eye sight. The scattered coral serves as homes to small fishes living in them. Guests in snorkeling gear enjoys watching these fish as they keep moving on to different pockets of coral. Photo: General Manager Kevin Theseira with a guest on the beach platform The beach reclamation and seagrass removal works were carried out by an in-house team guided by the General Manager Kevin Theseira. The 4 star Canareef is one of the longest resorts in the es, the land stretches to 3.8 km. Photo: The newly developed beach in Canareef Resort es Easy Access To Gan International Airport Canareef Resort is located in Addu Atoll (also known as Seenu Atoll). The nearest airport is Gan International Airport, the transfer takes just 10 minutes by speedboat. Srilankan Airlines operate direct flights from Colombo to Gan. Arriving to Velana Intertional Airport in Male' means you have to take a domestic flight to Gan which takes 70 minutes. Airlines from Europe, Middle East and Asia operates flights to Colombo and it is more cost-effective to fly from Colombo to Gan. Impressive New Beach In Canareef Fills Resort With Guests. # es # # # # # ler # #Canareef Some years back a part of Miss France contest took place here. A 40 minute boat ride from Velana International Airport takes you to this beautiful paradise, called Coco Bodu Hithi. The resort comes with 100 luxury villas in four different room categories. Photo: View from Aqua restaurant, Coco Bodu Hithi Room categories: • 44 Island Villa • 16 Water Villa • 16 Escape Water Villa • 24 Coco Residence Photo: Island Villa in Coco Bodu Hithi Island Villa is the cheapest room type in Coco Bodu Hithi. Now you are thinking these are the smallest rooms? Then you are not alone, I was assuming the same. But, the fact is the Island Villas are the most spacious rooms in Coco Bodu Hithi. It is bigger than Water Villa, Escape Water Villa, or even Coco Residence. The size of Island Villa is 188 sqm. Water Villa measures 109 sqm, making it close to half the size of Island Villa. Photo: Island Villa pool with day-bed Island Villas come with a private pool surrounded by walls, giving guests the freedom to relax and enjoy in total privacy. Compared with similar villas in other 5 star resorts the price of Island Villas in Coco Bodu Hithi is very good. This could very well be the cheapest beach villa of this size in any 5 star resort in es. Prices vary seasonally throughout the year. Exact price depends on your travel period. ‹ › X The Island Villa with private pool in Coco Bodu Hithi es. # es # # # # # ler # #CocoBoduHithi I have long been thinking about this proverb. I like seeing some proverbs whenever I get online on social media. "Something is better than nothing" is so common, but it has failed to convince me. I tell you the reason. Before that, let me tell you that in many cases something is obviously better than nothing. For instance, assume you were crossing a dessert and you ran out of water and food. You found some rain water trapped on a leaf. That few sips of water were better than keeping you totally dry. You see, something was better than nothing. Now let’s go for another example. This time you were looking for a job. Your profession was hotel management. You kept seeking jobs for two months and could not get any. On third month you were already on debt and one day you found a job as a fisherman. Since you were totally broke you took that job and managed to survive and start repaying your debts. What was wonderful right? Let's continue the story first. The new job as a fisherman was more fun, it also gave an income to meet your basic needs. The man liked it so much and stopped looking for other jobs. After 10 years his situation was the same, selling fish and living the daily life, he had no savings. You see this time nothing would have been better than something. He ended up with something that ruined his entire career. Had he waited for a few months may be he would have gotten a job in his field. While seeking a job he could have done some part-time work. I have also observed in some cases people feel fulfilled when they get something. Nothing makes you hungry and forces yourself to put more efforts, to be more creative, to think more, to achieve something. Sense of part fulfillment drives you out from your actual dreams. Going broke at some point of life is a good sign. There are so many lessons to take from it which otherwise you would never learn. What you learn the easy way also exists your mind the easy way. Hard-learned lessons stick to your mind, benefits you for a lifetime. I do agree, something is better than nothing, in general. But applying this belief to every situation is dangerous, in terms of self-development or career development, may be in some other areas as well. I am saying this out of my personal experience. When I started es Finest several years ago, I did not get $10 a month. I continued my work for years and years. The first year did not generate even $100. I kept working, of cause on my free time or while on holiday. After several years I decided to leave my full time job and move on with es Finest, even at that time the income did not each $100 a month. The job I had was something, es Finest was almost nothing, at that time. But, I saw the potential, I trusted myself and I made the jump. Today, es Finest is my full time job and the income I get is enough to manage my expenses. More than that, speed of growth highly impressive. Today I consider myself a successful person. To motivate others, I would say in some cases "nothing is better than something". If you find this interesting do share to keep me motivated to write more. Nothing is better than something. Nothing teaches you life lessons. # es #motivation #quotes #motivationalquotes #inspiration #blog #selfdevelopment An unknown Bollywood figure has booked an entire es resort for an upcoming private event. That's not all, several villas in near by resort are also reserved. Invitees are due to arrive on 14 March. The luxury resort that is entirely booked for the event has been featured on many international medias including CNN. The resort booked by the mysterious Bollywood figure is Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll es. Last year CNN featured Soneva Jani as one of the best island hotels in the world. The 24 over-water villas and one island villa in Soneva Jani welcomes guests who seeks ultra-luxury holidays in tranquility of nature. The second resort involved in the event is Cheval Blanc Randheli, another top luxury resort. It is unclear how many villas are reserved in this resort. Soneva Jani es Soneva Jani is currently undergoing an extensive preparation for the event. In addition to resort staff dozens of experts are involved. Nature of the event is kept top secret while preparation includes replacing the linen with completely new ones matching the concept of event. Soneva Jani photographed by Marco Fugazzola Unknown Bollywood Figure Books Entire es Resort. # es # # # # # ler # #Bollywood #India #Hollywood #Celebrity #Superstar #Actor #Actress #Breaking #News Many people regard es islands as some of the few remaining wonders of the world. es is not the only country that has white sandy beaches. But, what makes es so unique and popular? There are many factors and there is no other island destination like es. Official records indicate there are 1192 islands in the es. This count was taken several decades ago. At present there are several unaccounted islands there were reclaimed in lagoons, many of which are found in Kaafu Atoll near Velana International Airport. Resorts are developed on 120 islands, an additional 20 or so islands are still under development. About 800 islands are left abandoned in their natural state and resorts often use these islands for day trip excursions as many guests want to see islands in their natural state without any building or infrastructure. Haa Alif Atoll Inhabited Islands • Dhiddhoo (capital of Haa Alifu Atoll) • Thuraakunu • Uligamu • Utheemu • Filladhoo • Hoarafushi • Ihavandhoo • Kelaa • Baarah • Maarandhoo • Mulhadhoo • Muraidhoo • Thakandhoo • Vashafaru Uninhabited Islands • Gaafushi • Gaamathikulhudhoo • Gallandhoo • Govvaafushi • Hathifushi • Beenaafushi • Dhapparu • Dhapparuhuraa • Dhigufaruhuraa • Dhonakulhi • Maafinolhu • Madulu • Manafaru • Matheerah • Medhafushi • Mulidhoo • Naridhoo • Huraa • Huvahandhoo • Innafinolhu • Kudafinolhu • Maafahi • Alidhoo • Alidhuffarufinolhu • Berinmadhoo • Umaraiffinolhu • Ungulifinolhu • Vagaaru • Velifinolhu Resorts • JA Manafaru • Hideaway Beach Resort Haa Dhaalu Atoll Inhabited Islands • Nellaidhoo • Nolhivaram • Makunudhoo • Hirimaradhoo • Kurinbi • Kulhudhuffushi (capital of Haa Dhaalu Atoll) • Kumundhoo • Hanimaadhoo • Finey • naivaadhoo • Nolhivaranfaru • Neykurendhoo • Vaikaradhoo Uninhabited Islands • Hondaidhoo • Innafushi • Kamana • Kattalafushi • Kaylakunu • Bodunaagoashi • Dafaru Fasgandu • Veligandu • Dhipparafushi • Kunburudhoo (previously inhabited) • Dhorukanduhuraa • Faridhoo • Maavaidhoo • Muiri • Rasfushi • Ruffushi • Fenboahuraa • Hirinaidhoo • Kudamuraidhoo • Kudanaagoashi • Kurinbi • Vaikaramuraidhoo Resorts • Hondaafushi Shaviyani Atoll Inhabited Islands • Bileffahi • Feevah • Feydhoo • Foakaidhoo • Funadhoo (capital of Shaviyani Atoll) • Goidhoo • Kanditheemu • Komandoo • Lhaimagu • Maaungoodhoo • Maroshi • Milandhoo • Narudhoo • Noomaraa Uninhabited Islands • Ekasdhoo • Eriyadhoo • Farukolhu • Fushifaru • Firunbaidhoo • Bis Huraa • Nalandhoo • Naruibudhoo • Neyo • Dhigu Rah • Dhiguvelldhoo • Dholhiyadhoo Kudarah • Killissafaruhuraa • Kudalhaimendhoo • Madidhoo • Madikurendhdhoo • Dhonveli huraa • Gallaidhoo • Hirubadhoo • Hurasfaruhuraa • Kabaalifaru • Keekimini • Mathikomandoo • Maakandoodhoo • Medhurah • Medhukunburudhoo • Migoodhoo • Naainfarufinolhu Resorts • Fairmont Sirru Fen Fushi (Gaakoshinbee) • JW Marriott (Vagaru) • Kanbaalifaru (under development) • Dholhiyadhoo (under development) Noonu Atoll Inhabited Islands • Kendhikolhudhoo • KudafareeMagoodhoo • Manadhoo (capital of Noonu Atoll) • Miladhoo • Landhoo • Lhohi • Maafaru (Airport under development) • Maalhendhoo • Henbandhoo • Holhudhoo • Velidhoo • Foddhoo Uninhabited Islands • Dheefuram • Dhelibehuraa • Dhekenanfaru • Dhigurah • Dhonaerikandoodhoo • Badadhidhdhoo • Bodufushi • Bodulhaimendhoo • Bomasdhoo • Burehifasdhoo • Ekulhivaru • Farumuli • Felivaru • Fodhidhipparu • Fushivelavaru • Gallaidhoofushi • Gemendhoo • Goanbilivaadhoo • Kalaidhoo • Karimma • Kedhivaru • Koalaa • Kolhufushi • Kudafunafaru • Kudafushi • Kunnamaloa • Raalulaakolhu • Thaburudhoo • Thaburudhuffushi • Tholhendhoo • Thoshigadukolhu • Kuramaadhoo • Loafaru • Holhumeedhoo • Huivani • Hulhudhdhoo • Huvadhumaavattaru • Iguraidhoo • Kuddarah • Kadimmahuraa • Maafunafaru • Maakurandhoo • Maavelavaru • Medhufaru • Minaavaru • Vattaru • Vavathi • Vihafarufinolhu • Orimasvaru • Orivaru • Raafushi Resorts • Sun Siyam Iru Fushi (Medhafushi) • Zen Resort Kuredhivaru • Cheval Blanc Randheli • Velaa Private Island • Soneva Jani (Ehdhuffaru) • Noku es (Kudafunafaru) Raa Atoll Inhabited Islands • Fainu • Hulhudhuffaaru • Rasgetheemu • Rasmaadhoo • Inguraidhoo • Innamaadhoo • Ungoofaaru (capital of Raa Atoll) • Dhuvaafaru • Vaadhoo • Alifushi • Angolhitheemu • Kinolhas • Maakurathu • Maduvvaree • Meedhoo Uninhabited Islands • Badaveri • Bodufarufinolhu • Bodufenmaaenboodhoo • Bodufushi • Boduhaiykodi • Boduhuraa • Aarah • Arilundhoo • Ekurufushi • Etthingili • Dhoragali • Dheburidheythereyvaadhoo • Dhikkurendhdhoo • Dhinnaafushi • Gaaudoodhoo • Giraavaru • Goyyafaru • Goiymaru • Guboshi • Ifuru (Airport) • Hiraveri • Hulhudhoo • Huruvalhi • Faarafushi • Fasmendhoo • Fenfushi • Filaidhoo • Fuggiri • Kandholhudhoo • Kaddogadu • Kothaifaru • Kottafaru • Kottefaru • Kudafushi • Kudahaiykodi • Kudakurathu • Kudalhosgiri • Kudathulhaadhoo • Kukulhudhoo • Kuroshigiri • Lhaanbugali • Lhaanbugau • Lhohi • Liboakandhoo • Lundhufushi • Maafaru • Maamigili • Maamunagaufinolhu • Maanenfushi • Maashigiri • Madivaafaru • Mahidhoo • Meedhupparu • Muravandhoo • Mullaafushi • Vaffushihuraa • Vandhoo • Veyvah • Viligili • Neyo • Thaavathaa • Ugulu • Uthurumaafaru • Wakkaru Resorts • Meedhupparu • Dhigali es • Furaveri Island Resort Baa Atoll Inhabited Islands • Kamadhoo • Kendhoo • Kihaadhoo • Kudarikilu • Eydhafushi (capital of Baa Atoll) • Fehendhoo • Fulhadhoo • Thulhaadhoo • Goidhoo • Hithaadhoo • Dharavandhoo (with domestic airport) • Dhonfanu • Maalhos Uninhabited Islands • Bathalaa • Bodufinolhu • Boifushi • Dhakendhoo • Dhandhoo • Dhigufaruvinagandu • Enboodhoo • Ahivaffushi • Aidhoo • Anhenunfushi • Fehenfushi • Finolhas • Fonimagoodhoo • Fulhadhoorah kairi finonolhu • Funadhoo • Gaagandufaruhuraa • Gaavillingili • Gemendhoo • Hanifaru • Hanifarurah • Hibalhidhoo • Hirundhoo • Horubadhoo • Hulhudhoo • Velivarufinolhu • Veyofushee • Vinaneih faruhuraa • Innafushi • Kanifusheegaathu finolhu • Kanifushi • Kashidhoogiri • Keyodhoo • Kudadhoo • Lunfares • Maaddoo • Maafushi • Maamaduvvari • Maarikilu • Madhirivaadhoo • Medhufinolhu • Mendhoo • Miriandhoo • Muthaafushi • Olhugiri • Nibiligaa • Thiladhoo • Ufuligiri • Undoodhoo Resorts • Landaagiraavaru • Voavah • Dhunikolhu • Vakkaru • Kihaadhufaru • Kihavah-huravalhi • Milaidhoo • Muddhoo • Kunfunadhoo Lhaviyani Atoll Inhabited Islands • Kurendhoo • Naifaru (capital of Lhaviyani Atoll) • Olhuvelifushi • Hinnavaru Uninhabited Islands • Bahurukabeeru • Bodhuhuraa • Bodufaahuraa • Bodugaahuraa • Aligau • Dhidhdhoo • Dhirubaafushi • Diffushi • Gaaerifaru • Govvaafushi • Faadhoo • Fainuaadham-Huraa • Fehigili • Felivaru • Hadoolaafushi • Hiriyadhoo • Hudhufushi • Huravalhi • Kalhumanjehuraa • Kalhuoiyfinolhu • Kudadhoo • Lhohi • Lhossalafushi • Varihuraa • Vavvaru • Veligadu • Veyvah • Vihafarufinolhu • Maabinhuraa • Maafilaafushi • Maavaafushi • Madhiriguraidhoo • Madivaru • Maduvvari • Maidhoo • Mayyafushi • Medhadhihuraa • Medhafushi • Meedhaahuraa • Meyyaafushi • Musleygihuraa • Ookolhufinolhu • Raiyruhhuraa • Selhlhifushi • Thilamaafushi Resorts • Fushifaru Island Resort • Atmosphere Kanifushi • Kanuhuraa es • Komandoo Island Resort • Kuredu Island Resort Kaafu Atoll (Male' Atoll) Inhabited Islands • Gaafaru • Gulhi • Guraidhoo • Dhiffushi • Himmafushi • Thulusdhoo (capital of Kaafu Atoll) • Huraa • Kaashidhoo • Malé (the capital of es) • Maafushi Uninhabited Islands and others • Aarah (presidential retreat) • Dhoonidhoo (prison island) • Funadhoo (industrial island) • Girifushi (military school) • Gulheegaathuhuraa • Huraagandu • Kagi • Kalhuhuraa • Kanduoih Giri (Industrial Island) • Kanuhuraa • Kudafinolhu • Lhosfushi • Maniyafushi • Oligandufinolhu (near Rihiveli) • Rasfari • Thilafushi (industrial island) • Vabboahuraa • Vammaafushi • Villingilimathidhahuraa • Villingilivau Resorts • Akirifushi • Asdhoo Sun Island • Baros es • Bandos Island Resort • Biyaadhoo Island Resort • Fun Island Resort (Bodufinolhu) • Coco Bodu Hithi • Anantara Veli (Boduhuraa) • Jumeirah Vittaveli (Bolifushi) • Anantara Dhigu (Dhigufinolhu) • Ehrruh-haa • Enboodhoo (under development) • Taj Exotica es (Enboodhoofinolhu) • Eriyadhoo Island Resort • Farukolhufushi (now part of Hulhumale') • Feydhoofinolhu (under development) • Fihalhohi Island Resort • Sheraton Fullmoon (Furanafushi) • Gasfinolhu Island Resort • Centara Ras Fushi (Giraavaru) • Constance Helengeli • Vivanta Coral Reef Resort (Henbadhoo) • Hulhulé (Velana International Airport) • Angsana Ihuru • Holiday Inn Kandooma (Kandoomaafushi) • Club Med Kani (Kanifinolhu) • Grand Park Kodhipparu • Malahini Kudabandos • Coco Prive (Kudahithi) • Four Seasons Kudahuraa • Paradise Island Resort (Lankanfinolhu) • Gili Lankanfushi • Adaaran Hudhuranfushi (Lhohifushi) • Ozen Maadhoo • Madivaru (under development) • Rihiveli Beach Resort (Mahaanaelhihuraa) • Makunudhoo Island Resort • Como Cocoa Island (Makunufushi) • One&Only Reethi Rah (Medhufinolhu) • Meeru Island Resort (Meerufenfushi) • Huvafen Fushi (Nakachchaafushi) • Olhahali (picnic island) • Olhuveli Beach Resort • Adaaran Club Rannalhi • Thanburudhoo (under development) • Thulhaagiri Island Resort • Adaaran Vaadhoo • Vaagali (picnic Island) • Bnayan Tree es Vabbinfaru • Velassaru es • Velifaru (under development) • Anantara Veli (Veliganduhuraa) • Kurumba es (Vihamanaafushi) • Summer Island Resort (Ziyaaraiffushi) Alif Alif Atoll Inhabited Islands • Rasdhoo (capital of Alif Alif Atoll) • Thoddoo • Ukulhas • Feridhoo • Himandhoo • Fesdhoo • Maalhos • Mathiveri • Bodufolhudhoo Uninhabited Islands • Alikoirah • Beyrumadivaru • Dhinnolhufinolhu • Etheramadivaru • Fusfinolhu • Fushi • Gaagandu • Gaathufushi • Kudafolhudhoo • Maayyafushi • Madivarufinolhu • Mathivereefinolhu • Meerufenfushi • Rasdhoo madivaru • Vihamaafaru Resorts • Bathalaa Island Resort • Ellaidhoo Island Resort • Constance Halaveli • Gangehi Island Resort • Kandolhu es (Kandholhudhoo) • Kuramathi Island Resort • Maagaa (under development) • Madoogali (closed) • Safari Island Resort (Mushimasgali) • Velidhoo Island Resort • Veligandu Island Resort Alif Dhaal Atoll Inhabited Islands • Fenfushi • Haggnaameedhoo • Mahibadhoo (capital of Alif Dhaal Atoll) • Mandhoo • Dhangethi • Dhiddhoo • Dhigurah • Omadhoo • Kunburudhoo • Maamingili (with domestic airport) Uninhabited Islands • Bodufinolhu • Bodukaashihuraa • Bulhaaholhi • Dhehasanulunboihuraa • Dhiggiri • Enboodhoo • Finolhu • Heenfaru • Hiyafushi • Hukurudhoo • Ariadhoo • Hurasdhoo • Huruelhi • Innafushi • Kalhuhandhihuraa • Medhufinolhu • Rahddhiggaa • Rashukolhuhuraa • Tholhifushi • Villingili • Villinglivaru Resorts • Angaagaa Island Resort • Athuruga Island Resort • Club Med Finolhu (Gasfinolhu) • Lily Beach Resort (Huvahendhoo) • Drift Thelu Veliga (Theluveligaa) • Vakarufalhi Island Resort • Congrad es Rangali Island • Rangalifinolhu (part of Conrad es) • Amaya Kudarah • Mirihi Island Resort • Constance Moofushi • Thundufushi Island Resort • Vilamendhoo Island Resort • Sun Island Resort (Nalaguraidhoo) • Maafushivaru Island Resort • Kudadhoo es • Machchafushi Island Resort • Holiday Island Resort (Dhiffushi) • Lux South Ari (Dhiddhoofinolhu) • Maayafushi Tourist Resort Vaavu Atoll Inhabited Islands • Fulidhoo • Felidhoo (capital of Vaavu Atoll) • Keyodhoo • Thinadhoo • Rakeedhoo Uninhabited Islands • Aarah • Bodumohoraa • Fussfaruhuraa • Hingaahuraa • Hulhidhoo • Kuda-anbaraa • Kudhiboli • Kunavashi • Maafussaru • Medhugiri • Thunduhuraa • Raggadu • Ruhhurihuraa • Vashugiri • Vattaru Resorts • Alimatha Island Resort • Anbaraa (picnic island) • Dhiggiri Tourist Resort Meemu Atoll Inhabited Islands • Mulah • Dhiggaru • Kolhufushi • Madifushi • Maduvvaree • Muli (capital of Meemu Atoll) • Naalaafushi • Raiymandhoo • Veyvah Uninhabited Islands • Erruh Huraa • Fenboafinolhu • Fenfuraaveli • Gaahuraa • Gasveli • Gongalu Huraa • Haafushi • Hurasveli • Boahuraa • Dhekunuboduveli • Dhiththudi • Kekuraalhuveli • Kudadhigandu • Kurali • Kudausfushi • Maahuraa • Maalhaveli • Maausfushi • Thuvaru • Uthuruboduveli • Veriheybe • Raabandhihuraa • Seedhihuraa • Seedhihuraaveligandu Resorts • Medhufushi Island Resort • Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Faafu Atoll Inhabited Islands • Feeali • Magoodhoo • Nilandhoo (capital of Faafu Atoll) • Bileddhoo • Dharanboodhoo Uninhabited Islands • Enbulufushi • Faanuvaahuraa • Himithi • Jinnathugau • Badidhiffusheefinolhu • Dhiguvarufinolhu • Kandoomoonufushi • Villingilivarufinolhu • Voshimasfalhuhuraa • Maafushi • Maavaruhuraa • Madivaruhuraa • Makunueri • Minimasgali Resorts • Filitheyo Dhaalu Atoll Inhabited Islands • Hulhudheli • Kudahuvadhoo (capital of Dhaalu Atoll) • Maaenboodhoo • Meedhoo • Bandidhoo • Gemendhoo • Rinbudhoo Uninhabited Islands • Dhebaidhoo • Enboodhoofushi • Faandhoo • Gaadhiffushi • Hiriyanfushi • Hudhufusheefinolhu • Hulhuvehi • Aloofushi • Bodufushi • Bulhalafushi • Issari • Kanneiyfaru • Kedhigandu • Kiraidhoo • Lhohi • Maadheli • Maafushi • Maagau • Maléfaru • Meedhuffushi • Minimasgali • Naibukaloabodufushi • Thilabolhufushi • Thinhuraa • Uddhoo • Valla • Vallalhohi • Olhufushi • Olhuveli Resorts • Aaaveee Nature's Paradise (Dhoores) • St. Regis es (Vonmuli) • Angsana Velavaru • Kandima es (Kandinma) • Niyama Private Islands Thaa Atoll Inhabited Islands • Guraidhoo • Gaadhiffushi • Thimarafushi (with domestic airport) • Veymandoo (capital of Thaa Atoll) • Kinbidhoo • Kandoodhoo • Vandhoo • Buruni • Vilufushi • Madifushi • Dhiyamingili • Omadhoo • Hirilandhoo Uninhabited Islands • Dhiffushi • Dhonanfushi • Dhururehaa • Bodufinolhu • Bodurehaa • Ekuruffushi • Elaa • Fenfushi • Fenmeerufushi • Fonaddoo • Fondhoo • Fonidhaani • Fushi • Hathifushi • Hiriyanfushi • Hodelifushi • Hulhiyanfushi • Gaalee • Gaathurehaa • Kaaddoo • Kadufushi • Kafidhoo • Kakolhas • Kalhudheyfushi • Kalhufahalafushi • Kandaru • Kani • Kanimeedhoo • Kolhufushi 1 • Kolhufushi 2 • Kudadhoo • Kudakaaddoo • Kudakibidhoo • Kurandhuvaru • Kuredhifushi • Lhavaddoo • Maagulhi • Mathidhoo • Medhafushi • Ufuriyaa • Usfushi • Olhudhiyafushi • Olhufushi • Olhufushi-finolhu • Olhugiri • Ruhththibirah • Thinkolhufushi • Vanbadhi Resorts • Como Maalifushi (Maalefushi) Laamu Atoll Inhabited Islands • Gaadhoo • Gan • Hithadhoo (capital of Laamu Atoll) • Isdhoo • Dhanbidhoo • Fonadhoo • Kunahandhoo • Maabaidhoo • Maamendhoo • Maavah • Mundoo Uninhabited Islands • Dhekunu Vinagandu • Faes • Fonagaadhoo • Fushi • Athahedha • Baresdhoo • Bileitheyrahaa • Bodufenrahaa • Bodufinolhu • Boduhuraa • Bodumaabulhali • Bokaiffushi • Gasfinolhu • Guraidhoo • Hanhushi • Hedha • Holhurahaa • Hulhimendhoo • Hulhisdhoo • Hulhiyandhoo • Kaddhoo (domestic airport) • Kalhuhuraa • Kalaidhoo • Kandaru • Kudafares • Kudafushi • Kudahuraa • Kudakalhaidhoo • Thunburi • Thundudhoshu Finolhu • Kukurahaa • Maakaulhuveli • Maandhoo • Maaveshi • Mahakanfushi • Medhafushi • Medhoo • Medhufinolhu • Medhuvinagandu • Munyafushi • Vadinolhu • Veligandufinolhu • Ziyaaraiffushi • Olhutholhu • Uthuruvinagandu • Uvadhevifushi Resorts Six Senses Laamu (Olhuveli) Gaafu Alif Atoll Inhabited Islands • Gemanafushi • Kanduhulhudhoo • Kolamaafushi • Kondey • Vilingili (capital of Gaafu Alif Atoll) • Dhaandhoo • Dhevvadhoo • Maamendhoo • Nilandhoo Uninhabited Islands • Dhevvalaabadhoo • Dhevvamaagalaa • Dhigemaahuttaa • Dhigudhoo • Dhigurah • Dhiyadhoo • Dhonhuseenahuttaa • Araigaiththaa • Baavandhoo • Baberaahuttaa • Bakeiththaa • Beyruhuttaa • Beyrumaddoo • Bihurehaa • Boaddoo • Bodehuttaa • Budhiyahuttaa • Falhuverrehaa • Farudhulhudhoo • Fénehuttaa • Fenrahaa • Fenrahaahuttaa • Funadhoovillingili • Galamadhoo • Haagevillaa • Hagedhoo • Heenamaagalaa • Hirihuttaa • Hithaadhoo • Hithaadhoogalaa • Hulhimendhoo • Hunadhoo • Hurendhoo • Idimaa • Innarehaa • Maadhiguvaru • Maaféhélaa • Maagehuttaa • Maakanaarataa • Maamutaa • Maarandhoo • Maaréhaa • Mahaddhoo • Maththidhoo • Maththuréhaa • Médhuburiyaa • Médhuhuttaa • Medhurehaa • Melaimu • Meradhoo • Minimensaa • Munaagala • Munandhoo • Kalhehuttaa • Kalhudhiréhaa • Kanduvillingili • Keesseyrehaa • Kendheraa • Koduhuttaa • Kondeymatheelaabadhoo • Kondeyvillingili • Kudalafari • Kuddoo (airport) • Kudhebondeyyo • Kudhefehelaa • Kudhehuttaa • Kureddhoo • Lhossaa • Odagallaa • Raaverrehaa • Rinbidhoo • Viligillaa • Vodamulaa • Thinrukerehaa • Uherehaa Resorts • The Residence es (Falhumaafushi) • Robinson Club Funamaddua • Park Hyatt Hadahaa Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Inhabited Islands • Gaddhoo • Hoandeddhoo • Madaveli • Nadellaa • Rathafandhoo • Thinadhoo (capital of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll) • Vaadhoo • Fares-Maathodaa • Fiyoaree Uninhabited Islands • Badefodiyaa • Barahuttaa • Baulhagallaa • Bodehuttaa • Boderehaa • Bolimathaidhoo • Aakiraahuttaa • Athihuttaa • Dhekanbaa • Dherekudhehaa • Dhigerehaa • Dhigulaabadhoo • Dhinmanaa • Dhiyanigilllaa • Dhonigallaa • Dhoonirehaa • Ehehuttaa • Ekelondaa • Gaazeeraa • Gan • Gehemaagalaa • Gehevalegalaa • Golhaallaa • Haadhoo • Hadahaahuttaa • Hakandhoo • Handaidhoo • Havoddaa • Havodigalaa • Hevaahulhudhoo • Hiyanigilihuttaa • Hoothodeyaa • Hulheddhoo • Hunigondiréhaa • Faahuttaa • Faanahuttaa • Faathiyehuttaa • Farehulhudhoo • Farukoduhuttaa • Fatefandhoo • Femunaidhoo • Fenevenehuttaa • Fereythavilingillaa • Fonahigillaa • Isdhoo • Kaadeddhoo • Kaafaraataa • Kaafénaa • Kaalhehutta • Kaalhehuttaa • Kaashidhoo • Kadahalagalaa • Kadevaarehaa • Kalhaidhoo • Kalhefalaa • Kalhehigillaa • Kalhéhuttaa • Kalherehaa • Kanandhoo • Kandeddhoo • Kannigilla • Kautihulhudhoo • Kelaihuttaa • Keraminthaa • Kereddhoo • Keyhuvadhoo • Kodaanahuttaa • Kodedhoo • Kodegalaa • Koduhutigallaa • Kodurataa • Kudhe Ehivakaa • Kudhehulheddhoo • Kudhelifadhoo • Kudherataa • Kudhukelaihuttaa • Kurikeymaahuttaa • Laihaa • Lifadhoo • Lonudhoo • Lonudhoohuttaa • Maadhoo • Maaehivakaa • Maagodirehaa • Maaheraa • Maahutigallaa • Maarehaa • Maavaarulaa • Maaveddhoo • Maguddhoo • Mainaadhoo • Mallaarehaa • Mariyankoyya Rataa • Mathaidhoo • Mathihuttaa • Mathikera Nanahuththaa • Meehunthibenehuttaa • Menthandhoo • Meragihuttaa • Meyragilla • Mudhimaahuttaa • Raabadaafehereehataa • Rahadhoo • Ralheodagallaa • Reddhahuttaa • Rodhevarrehaa • Thelehuttaa • Thinehuttaa • Ukurihuttaa • Ulegalaa • Vaireyaadhoo • Veraavillingillaa • Villigalaa • Odavarrehaa • Oinigillaa • Olhimuntaa • Olhurataa Resorts • Vatavarrehaa (under development) • Outrigger Konontaa • Ayada es (Maguhdhuvaa) Gnaviyani Atoll Fuvahmulah is the only island in this atoll. Seenu Atoll (Addu Atoll) Inhabited Islands • Maradhoo • Feydhoo • Hithadhoo (capital of Addu Atoll) • Maradhoo Feydhoo (Collective called for Maradhoo and Feydhoo) • Hulhudhoo • Meedhoo • Hulhumeedhoo (Collectively called for Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo) • Gan (Gan international airport) Uninhabited Islands • Boda Hajara • Bodaheraganda • Aboohera (Part of Hithadhoo) • Dhigihera • Dhiyarudi • Fahikedeheraganda • Gaukendi (Part of Hithadhoo) • Geskalhahéra • Gomahera • Hankede • Hankede Hajara • Hikahera • Ismehela Hera • Kafathalhaa Héra • Kabboahera • Kandihera • Kedevaahera • Koahera • Kandihereganda • Koattay • Maahera • Maamendhoo (Part of Hithadhoo) • Madihera • Mulikede • Odessau-boda (part of Hithadhoo) • Odessau-kudhu (part of Hithadhoo) • Rasgedhara (part of Hithadhoo) • Rujjehera (part of Hithadhoo) • Savaaheli • Vashahera • Naanu Resorts • Shangri-la es Villingili • Canareef Resort es (Herathera) Islands of es – Everything you should know. # es # # # # # ler # In November 2016 I wrote to Sheikh Ben Halima requesting to question some jinn about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. I did not get any reply. Almost one and half years later, earlier today, I sent him a second email requesting the same. This time he replied saying the video is already uploaded. On the video Ben Halima summons several jinn (spirits) to a human body and asks about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. One of the jinn take control of the body and interacts with the Sheikh who controls them by reciting verses of Quran (Koran), in the process the jinn also embrace Islam. Ben Halima questioned many jinn and they said the flight was taken down by jinn themselves. According to the video it was downed to sea and plane stayed intact, it was then taken to Arizona, USA, where it is kept in an underground place located in Arizona desert. Inns say 8 Americans were involved in the mission. All the passengers of the flight MH370 were sacrificed, according to jinn that spoke during exorcism. Some of the jinn showed shape of an eye with fingers of the possessed human. In this context the eye usually refers to the Illuminati. This is not the only conspiracy theory relating jinn or the spirits with the Illuminati. Have you seen the artistic crop circles? Anyway, what the jinn said should not be taken at face value. Ben Halima on another video basically said the jinn have free-will just like human beings, so they could lie. What the jinn said means a lot when it is corroborated with other factors. For example, one of the world's most advanced companies (from America) is searching for the flight, if they turn up empty it may suggest the plane is most likely not there. Now the question is why would Americans down a commercial airliner and take it to the US to keep it hidden? Few reasons pop up in my mind. Americans may be developing a spiritual weapon to prevent another 9/11 style attack? Or they want to deliver the same style of attacks on other countries? May be during war? If the Americans were in fact success in using jinn or spirits to carry out military missions I think it has far more use than performing sacrifices to the devil, on behalf of the Illuminati. Recently Russian announced testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile that could carry nuclear warheads. If the American can capture an airliner in flight using jinn why can’t they do the same on a nuclear missile? People who research on UFOs and Aliens would not research on jinn? I let you, the readers, to decide. Do share this and see what your friends say. Jinn also says current location of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight. #MH370 #MalaysiaAirlines #MissingFlight #AirCrash #AirCrashInvestigation