Maldives

The islands of mixed culture and generous fun.If you’re looking to travel to one place yet see a variety of cultures, the Maldives are the islands that are best for you. Mixing of cultures is very much seen in Maldivian arts because of the different genes passed on by South and Southeast Asians, Africans and Arabians. The music played with the local bodu-beru (big drum) resembles that of African drumming. The dhoni (a unique Maldivian sailboat) is an art form itself built with skilled craftsmanship, and similar to that of Arabian dows. The fine artistry of Maldavians, seen in the intricate details on wooden beams in antique mosques represents Southeast Asia architecture. This melting pot of cultures is ever changing with time and always welcoming to outsiders. Of the 1,190 islands that make up the Maldives, only 200 are inhabited, and of those 200 you can find 99 resort islands. You’re surrounded by the deep blue ocean, gorgeous turquoise reefs, white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees. Are you on the phone with your travel agent yet? While you’re visiting, there’s lot of activities you can do to keep you active. Diving is one thing that is always around due to the high visibility of the clear sea throughout the year. Over a thousand species of fish and other creatures are just waiting to be seen. Every resort of the Maldives has a sports center that provides a range of watersport activities. For surf enthusiasts, the southwest monsoon brings with it massive swells, especially from June to September, ranging from 3-8 feet. For those land lubbers, excursions to the uninhabited islands may be the thing for you. It’s easy to find one to just relax and fish and listen to the sounds of wildlife around you.