Maldives

Blue pristine clear water, is this what comes to your mind when you think of Maldives?  In that case, you are very right.

Maldives is a set of around 1,190 coral islands and one needs ferries from travelling from one island to another.
The airport called Ibrahim Nasir International airport is on Hulhule island and is about five minute ferry ride to Male', the capital island which houses most commercial, government and diplomatic buildings.

I have been to many island countries earlier, but honestly had never expected to see such clear water around the capital city except for Port Villa in Vanautu.

ferry parking

Male' in background

Ferry parking at airport

A plane landing !

The landing of aircraft gives an impression of its landing on water.  My absurd imagination took me to think what if it doesn't land properly on the tarmac !!!

My husband and I decided to take a day trip to one of the resort islands. There are plenty of them with sandy beaches and blue lagoons. We, having brown skin, had no intention of soaking ourselves in the sun. We are born with a tanned skin :)
The monsoons had not hit the country so it was hot and humid. The place was busy with tourists, for once the rainy season begins, the purpose of sunbathing is lost.

On getting off the boat, I was taken aback by a black mass on water.

a black mass !

On looking closely at this black mass I was surprised to see thousands of fish in  huge school. Did you also feel the same?  Look at the short video below.

The water was so clear and it was a pleasure looking at the baby sharks and different types of fish.

baby sharks and parrot fish

I was mesmerized by the beauties of the sea and in all haste to take pictures, forgot to apply sunscreen and within a span of 15 minutes had badly sunburnt myself :(

such quaint places do exist

A vast expanse of sea invites you to a good dip, but for me it was a big no. The rest of the day, we spent just lazing around. I wouldn't say it was comfortable being outside in the humid breeze.
We returned to Male' the same day.
Male' is small, but a contended place.

The President's House

Grand Friday mosque with its golden dome dominates Male'. It  is closed to public on Fridays but when we went to see it on Thursday, we had no idea that cleaning of floors would be in process.  We had to satisfy ourselves by just looking at it from outside.

The fish market in Male' is definitely a place to visit.
Early morning the trawlers come with fresh catch.

offloading fresh catch

It is fascinating to see fish all lined up.

Fish lined for sale

I saw the fish monger clean and make fillets in just one minute.

vegetable market

Being an island country, a majority of produce is imported from nearby countries and that of course adds to the cost. Yes, the place is expensive.

Hulumale' island

This picture of Hulumale' island was taken from aircraft. This new island is being developed since Male' has become overcrowded.

As I end this post, I am reminded of a cuckoo bird who used to live on a tree near our hotel. She obviously was not a native of that island and would coo at the most unearthly hours.  Her cooing somehow conveyed a very sad message to me and I am putting her feelings.

पंछी हूँ वीरान जगह में, रहती सोने के पिंजरे में हूँ।
इस डाली से उस डाली पर, आशा कर फुदकती हूँ,
कोई तो होगा  जो मेरा दर्द सुनेगा, अकेली इन तनहाइयों में।

साथी कोई मिलेगा, यही सोच कूकती बेसमय पर।
अपना सा कोई लगता नहीं, सपना कोई दीखता नहीं,
दम तोड़ूंगी यही कहीं, कफ़न भी नहीं होगा जहाँ।

Let me make a literal translation of the above words.

"I am a bird in this lonely place, though live in a cage of gold,
keep on jumping from one branch to another in hope,
that there would be someone who would listen to my pain in this solitude.

With the hope of finding a companion, I cuckoo at unearthly hours
I do not see any well wisher, do not see any dreams
I will die here with no one to cover me with a shroud."