Another day and another morning. Sadly my last moments here on this island as I packed my bags yesterday before sleeping because I'll be back in Male in a few hours. I'll spend nearly the whole day in Male as my flight is at 11:00 PM. That will give me plenty of time to wander around. Yet my first stop is the airport.
One of the lovely couples I met here told me a life changing trick. I can leave my luggage in the airport up to 8 days as each airport has a locker room. (And it charges nearly to nothing. Maybe about 2-10$.) I did NOT know that. (Yes, I spent my day in Istanbul with my suitcase.)
Oh, that's my breakfast. I asked for it to be delivered to my room last night. I want to go swimming for the last time before going. Maybe I'll have my breakfast in the pool then go swimming in the ocean, then check out. I still have got time before my flight to Male.
I went with a full breakfast. The crabmeat with avocado toast was amazing so I ordered it again. I wanted to try the acai bowl here (Simply it's like a thick smoothie topped with nuts or fruits or both). I wanted to try the local coffee so I postponed it for later. instead I asked for a berry smoothie and a bowl of exotic fruits. It looks so delicious and it tastes as good as it looks.
2 hours later...
Ah, now I'm running late. I lost track of time when I jumped into the ocean. I can't believe I didn't do that till now and I can't believe that I was about to leave without doing that! The water is so nice and warm and there was corals and a lot of small fishes beneath my villa. I didn't want to leave and I still don't. GRRRRRRRREAT, that's my seaplane. I'm glad it didn't leave yet. See you after I put my luggage at the airport.
I'm back! Now I'm walking light I can wander around but I need to make my lunch reservation first.
OK, I had 2 places in mind for lunch. The first one was Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, which is from it's name, an undersea restaurant. I liked it because from the pictures, it's like you are living an under experience from eating a meal.
The second one is Subsix. What's special about this one is the interior. The interior is like something out of the little mermaid life action movie, if they decided to include a undersea restaurant.
I'll make my calls and be with you after that.
Sadly the first restaurant is fully reserved for the day but the second one has an opening at 2:00 PM. That's cool with me. Now where shall I start?
Leave it all to google to make a day trip for you. Hey Google, may I work with you after a while from travelling? Pretty Please?
First stop is in the other island. There are 2 parts of the main island. One has the airport along with some attractions and the other part of the Male island has some other attractions, like my first one, Sultan Park.
I'll try to go through the places to be visited on this island before lunch, which is before 1:30 pm as I'm taking a flight to the resort where the restaurant is.
Here I'm. At the park... I'm not saying I'm pleasantly surprised yet I'm surprised.
From outside, it seems so overrated! Still, I'm going inside, It's simply a half an hour here and It has a relaxing feeling to it. It isn't the most glamorous place I'll ever visit. I've already visited the glamorous side of this place. I'll simply give this side a chance.
OK, It's nice. The humidity overall is high, kinda higher than on the island, but It's tolerable and the place here is really nice. Oh look, those swings looks cool. Now I'm acting childish,,,, Like hell, who cares!
OK, That was fun. The over all feeling is nice. The fountains are nice. The sculptures are nice as well. I already like the greenery. It's a good start, A relaxing place. Next!
My next stop is the National museum which is in the park which is so small!
It looks kinda,, kinda,, let's say I'm not impressed, again.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely don't want to be received as rude, but,,, OK. Let's see the inside, shall we? You can have a look yourself.
The place is nice, old with some weird Buddhism stuff. I'm not saying it's weird weird, I'm saying weird enough to be kept! There are some lounging seats?! It's said that this was a private garden for the rulers at some point in time. So these are theirs? OK, moving on to the canons....
The things here are really questionable to me an international museum. They say that there is another newer one. They say that there were a large collection of historical artifacts, ranging from stone objects to fragments of royal antiquities from the Buddhist era to the rule of Islamic monarchs, that was destroyed in 2012 revolution against the rulers. Let's go to the the newer museum.
OK, now we are talking! This building is a finer one with glass windows! It's nice, That looks like a good sign, I think. Let's go inside. First of all, this place is a gift from china.!!!! The building was designed, built and financed by the Chinese government.
The inside is really nice. I like this much more than the other one. The pieces here is much more polished, the variety in the pieces is great and they are well kept. It's a diverse collection of artifacts that includes relics from the foregone pre-Islamic period era, thrones, royal sunshades and furniture, costumes and shoes, coins, ornaments, arms and armor.
There are also textiles such as ceremonial dresses, turbans, fancy slippers and belts used on special occasions, mats,Lacquer work and other creative embroidery. There are some Buddhism pieces that I approve off. Maybe there is no much difference but the display plays a huge rule in my rejection/ acceptance game. I'm really enjoying the fossil of the realistic animal section, I'm not sure what they are calling it.
Next on my list which is in the same square, not sure if it is part of the park or it's separate.
'Kalhuvakaru Miskiy', (Old Friday Mosque) they say. WOW! OK, on to the Islamic part I see.
WOW! That thing is really nice. It's said here that it is the oldest religious structure in the Maldives at 'Hukuru Miskiiy' (Old Friday Mosque), which is built entirely out of crushed coral in 1658. I really like the intricate decorations carved into the coral walls. They say it's customary to throw a coin into the small well in the courtyard for good luck. (Maybe I should do that). Wait, what! Isn't that a Cemetery?! I really want to know what's the romantic thing about cemeteries! OK, if that is on the list, why not wander through the small graveyard at the back of the mosque then go into the mosque. After that I'm going for lunch! This cemetery is kinda weird,,, OH, that's why. The height of the tombstone indicates the person's social status, with round tops for women and pointed tops for men. That's one of the weirdest things I've ever seen! What is even weirder is that in order to enter, non-Muslims must obtain permission from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Like why! These people are dead already! And it's a cemetery! MOVING ON! The Grand Friday Mosque. From outside it looks nice and elegant. It's said that this is one of the oldest mosques here. It doesn't look that old to me at least. I have to say. It looks pretty ordinary from the inside. A mosque, not a A tourist attraction! Non in the least, I'm going to do my prayers then catch my plane.
OOOOH shit, I'm late again! Pleaaaase don't go without me. YAAAS! I can see they didn't take off yet. See you at lunch guys.
Hello and welcome to Niyama private islands everyone, where we are going to dive six meter under the ocean for lunch.
I'm laterally speechless, see for yourself. I could have never imagined a place like that could be real or that it would be better in person than in the pictures. Really the videos and the pictures don't do it justice, at all!
The ceiling is a work of art! Like really?! Can a place on earth be like this? I can't believe that I'm under the ocean! It looks unreal to me from it's beauty and charm. Here is the waiter and there is my table. The scene is breath taking! And here is the menu. Well ,it's quite simple yet very elusory. I have quite a good selection between meat and vegan options. I think I'll try the Lobster again because it has a fancy name and watermelon.
'Spiny Lobster Medallion with watermelon'. I'm continuing with the seafood theme and I'll get 'Marinated Salmon'. (The name looks much less harmful than the description) (Another side note, I'll include the menu for your ultimate pleasure. You are welcome.)
That is for starter. Now on to the main course.
I'll get 'Pan Seared Seabass' to continue the seafood theme, again. (I could't find a picture to fit the description, live with that. Thanks.) For dessert I'll get 'chocolate jivara tonka Chantilly' because it screams chocolate and the other options aren't that tempting.
To tie this all up I think White Wine is the best companion. 'Chardonnay' seems to be the best fit.
The food looks Amazing and tempting. The quantity is quite small as well (anything will be small compared with what I've done with breakfast this morning).
It tastes incredible. I didn't anticipate that! And the wine choice was really right! Contrary to my expectations I'm full. Enjoying the view and living the under ocean experience really are giving the food a great taste. Now onto my dessert.
MAN!!!!!! When I thought nothing can top what I'm feeling now! the 'chocolate jivara tonka Chantilly' is perfect. Not too sweet, the right amount of moisture and the prefect chocolate ever. It laterally melts in my mouth. that's perfection in its' pompous form.
Do I really have to leave here? I want to stay more. Time to go...
Back to the main Male island. Oh, there is a diving center with sharks here! Why didn't I pack my swimwear with me? I wanted to try that! I think I'll have to postpone that to the next opportunity and go to the bazaar.
You know what! Why don't I get another plane to Vaadhoo? Why you ask? To see the See of Stars of course! I think I've seen enough of Male for this trip. I'll wind down for now till my fight.
The island here is so lowkey. It's simply a slow pace village with a small attraction.
It's around 5 now. I'll walk around till I reach the beach the relax there til I need to catch my last plane.
It's kind nice here. It's like I walking around one of the rural areas. A small school, small play grounds, greenery and scrubland everywhere, unpaved beaches and it's getting kind of dark now. It's easy to get lost yet it's kinda hard to. It's a small island anyway. It's really beautiful.
I think I reached my destination already. Look at the water. I'll set here and wait for it to be dark.
I can't believe I've lived to see this!
The water is really sparkling. It's as if I'm really touching the stars with my hands. The sky is a little bit starry. As if the stars have fallen down into the ocean for me to catch. walking around the beach is so nice and way too relaxing.
I think I'll sit here listening to the waves and playing with the water for a couple of hours.
Couple of hours later...
I can't believe it became so late that I almost missed my fight to Male and my flight to Istanbul. Ya I lost track of time for real couple of times today. I'm really clumsy and absolutely lucky.
Thank you Maldives for these unforgettable days. I wish to be back again next time with someone to share my time with you.
Shukuriyaa & vakivelan...
(Which means Thank you and good bye.)
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