ICE TEA: Dazzling Maldives

In our route the Maldivian republic was round end across Asia, but it seemed to me that the photoreport on this country in cold February days will be most interesting to compatriots.

It is a little about the country. The Maldivian republic is located in the central part of Indian ocean on Maldive Islands which are to the south from the Indian coast and to the southwest from island Sri Lanka. The archipelago consists of 1200 islands from which are occupied only 200, more than thousand are uninhabited. Islands - a coral origin, round them are not present a continental shelf. For this reason the country height is above sea level insignificant – the highest point of Maldiv only 2,5 metres. Here there is no lake or the river. Pure water receive from the sea water or gathering the rain. Because of global warming and lifting of level of ocean by 2050th year, under some forecasts, the most part of Maldive Islands will appear under water. Already now the country government carries on negotiations with representatives of Sri Lanka and Indonesia for resettlement of all citizens of the country in these states. The blessing, the population small – all 300 thousand persons.

Well, the facts will suffice, let's look, as here all looks actually.

We lie alongside, we wait a boat to an island. The cart for luggage can be rolled safely to the mooring. After the arrival of a boat young sailors will load your things into a luggage compartment, and after the arrival on island will carry on to the reception.

Near island Hulule on which the airport is located, in 1981 the ship has sunk. Now it is very popular in divers.

And this is our boat

After apr 40 min we're at our paradise

It is our room. To tell the truth, for such money it would be possible to be better.

On a little table near the entrance has cheap type of a wine for which ask 27.5$. Thanks, drink it by yourself...

This is the price for a minibar. The price for a box of juice from a concentrate 200ml - 3.75$ most of all touches.

Lets walk across the island...

Black shark, grows to 2 metres at length.

The slope on stones is heated. Has lowered a hand that it to stroke, only with a finger has concerned - it as a wind has blown off.

On island the buffet with self-service practises - eat that you want, in any quantities. And here for any drinks - juice, water, to a stake, alcohol - be so kind as pay under the threefold tariff (potable water litre - 3$, 300 grammes of non-fresh orange juice – 4$).

Having dived once to a reef, more therefrom did not get out - from a decline till a dawn dived and shoot of small fishes on a disposable film soap tray which lay in our number. For quality of a photo corresponding, very much I regret that has stinted a water-proof case for my digital camera.

In one of days while the wife remained to be heated on a beach, has decided to go to capital of Maldivian republic - a city of Male.

The president drives of Mazda 3, and at it only one bodyguard. But the guide has told that the president with the spouse usually go on foot and in general without the bodyguard.

In general, Male - the smallest capital in the world. Its sizes make 2,5 x 1,5 km. C the north on the south I have on foot crossed island for 25 minutes. The population thus 100 thousand persons, i.e. third of population of Maldiv. Roads, by the way, are only here.

All right, I still can understand motor scooters... But what for on the closed island such cars, my limited brain could not comprehend.

Historical part of Male poor enough. It is a crypt of last governor Maldive.

And it is a crypt of sultan of Ibrahim (1648-1687) at which the Friday mosque has been constructed.

100 % of the population of Maldiv - Moslems. Not 99 % and not 99,99 % namely 100 %. To obtain Maldivian citizenship, it is necessary to accept Islam. But to accept Islam and to adhere to its canons - different things. There are very religious families, as this, for example.

And this girl though also the Moslem, especially does not muffle up in a yashmak.

In general Maldivian girls marvellously the beautiful. The population of Maldiv consists of natives from India and Ceylon.

This oldest tree in Male, it grows in sultan park, opposite to the National museum - to it more than hundred years.

And it is the largest mosque in the country - the Islamic centre, it is opened in 1984.

And it is the fish market. The boats filled by a tuna here swim up.

It is the vegetable and fruit market. Under below cost prices it is possible to buy everything that grows on Maldives.

After visiting of the fish and vegetable markets has come into a souvenir bench. This souvenir has amazed both in the sizes and the price - costs more expensively then real motorcycle.

Just wolk arround...

And it is the area of Dzhumuri - a place of meetings and parties of local youth, and also a place where any tourist who has lagged behind group should come immediately.