Monday, June 13, 2016

Maldives Travel

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Picture it: A private villa stands over crystal blue water; days finish with orange sunsets that make you hungry for local citrus; gourmet room service and a masseuse are on call to avoid any unnecessary trips from your porch; and the only thing to make you want to leave is the breathtaking coral reef and underwater creatures that demand a scuba session for a proper introduction. This is the Maldives.
If you don't want that clichéCaribbean beach getaway (The Bahamas) or that trendy South Pacific retreat (See Bora Bora), you should venture to the Maldives. However, getting to and staying in this tropical paradise requires patience (i.e. no direct flights from the states) and plentiful cash. Located between the Arabian and Laccadive seas, roughly 500 miles southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives is about as isolated as you can get (or would ever want, anyway). And while the country's government and economy has recently been in flux, the sublime nature of this paradise has stayed constant in the dreams of travelers.

How To Save Money in Maldives

  • Choose Flights WiselyAirfare from the States is incredibly expensive and one of the key reasons why the Maldives has not become an American tourist hotspot. If you can pair a vacation here with one in the Middle East or Europe (where you can catch a direct flight), the cost will be less ludicrous.
  • Pick Accommodations Carefully"Budget" accommodations don't exist here; even the low-end hotels are sumptuous and advertise hefty price tags. So avoid the most expensive properties because food, drinks, and excursions there will also cost an arm and leg.
  • Consider All-Inclusive PackagesRates that include airfare, hotel stay, and meals may be your easiest and cheapest bet.

Maldives Culture & Customs

The Maldives has been an Islamic nation since the 12th century. With this rich heritage, you’ll find religious traditions entrenched in the culture. Mosques dot the capital of Male', and you’ll see some men and women dressed in very conservative attire. Should you wish to visit a mosque, you too should dress accordingly; however, be aware that some mosques are closed to non-Muslims. You'll also notice people praying in public at certain times throughout the day. Be respectful by lowering your voice and not walking in front of those who are praying. Most of these visible cultural and religious traditions have been extracted from the resorts. However, particularly during Ramadan, expect to witness some Islamic customs, such as local restaurants closing for the daytime when the population will be fasting.
With 99 resort islands, the Maldives relies on tourism as its dominant industry that draws on a large portion of the workforce. The other major industry is fishing, and this island nation exports its sea catches to countries across the world. The Maldivian currency is the rufiyaa (MVR). The exchange rate hovers around $1 USD for 15 MVR. 

Maldives Dining

The lavish dinner entrées that you'll sample at hotels are nothing like that of local meals. When you're in Male', try dining at a local eatery to sample the cuisine only if you have a hearty stomach. Some travelers report sickness after consuming local food because they haven't allowed their digestive systems enough time to adjust to the cuisine. You'll find that fish and rice are two staple dishes of the Maldivian diet
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Bora Bora Travel Tips

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The small island of Bora Bora (just 6 miles long and more than 2 miles wide) overflows with beauty. Dormant volcanoes rise up at its center and fan out into lush jungle before spilling into an aquamarine lagoon. In fact, author James Michener, who wrote "Tales of the South Pacific," called Bora Bora "the most beautiful island in the world." The 18th-century British explorer James Cook even coined it as the "pearl of the Pacific." The very definition of a tropical getaway, blissful Bora Bora abounds with luxurious resorts, sunny skies, warm waters and friendly locals.
And as you might've already guessed, the main industry on this petite island in French Polynesia and its swarm of tiny motu (small surrounding islands) is tourism. To that end, you can snorkel, explore Vaitape  (Bora Bora's quaint town), hike Mount Otemanu and more. But there's a catch: Bora Bora is expensive — very expensive. In short, visit Bora Bora for natural beauty, visit for utter relaxation and visit if you have the money.

How To Save Money in Bora Bora

  • Visit in the off-season
    The average nightly room rate for an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora is close to $1,000 USD, but you can find lower rates if you visit between December and March.
  • Take a Pacific Ocean cruise
    Many cruise lines stop at Bora Bora, so you can get a taste of the luxe life without cashing in your retirement.
  • Bring your own alcohol
    And pack lots of sunscreen. Many shops on the island sell alcohol and basic necessities, such as sunscreen and bug spray, at high prices, so make sure to pack in surplus. 

Bora Bora Culture & Customs

The main languages in Bora Bora are French and Tahitian, but you'll find that many people also speak English, especially resort employees. Bora Borans move at a relaxed pace. They have a life philosophy called "`Aita pea pea," which means "not to worry." Try to go with the flow and enjoy life at a slower clip.
Protestant missionaries, who came to the island in the 19th century, have heavily influenced the religion in Bora Bora: Christianity continues to play a major role in the island's culture. If you're interested, you might stop into the Ã‰glise Protestante Maohi (Maohi Protestant Church), which has roots dating back to the late 1700s.
Since 1946, French Polynesia (a group of islands of which Bora Bora belongs to) has been an overseas territory of France. But French Polynesia has a lot of autonomy, which you'll see in everything from their currency to taxation. The official currency of Bora Bora is the French Pacific franc (CPF). One dollar is equivalent to approximately 108 CPF.

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Award Winning Conservation

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Congratulations to The Naboisho Conservancy as the Overall Winner of the African Responsible Tourism Awards 2016, from of a selection of 24 finalists nominated for the coveted position at the World Travel Market Africa conference in Cape Town this week. Not only was Naboisho the Overall Winner, the conservancy also received recognition for its integral work on conservation in Kenya – receiving the Gold Award for Wildlife Conservation: The judges recognised that these are two outstanding examples of how tourism can be used by conservationists to protect habits and species and to uplift local communities. Naboisho Conservancy has increased lion density and providing 142 jobs, secure income to 554 local Maasai households and further indirect benefits to around 10 000 local people. To visit Naboisho in person, you can stay at one of the amazing lodges located in the heart of the Conservancy. Two known for their wildlife sightings include: Porini Mara offers safaris for the true wildlife enthusiast who wishes to get close to nature and enjoy an undisturbed personal adventure with a knowledgeable and qualified safari guide. Guided walks with Maasai warriors allow you to become engrossed in the African wilderness and track the footprints of the big cats and their prey. Night game drives in safari jeeps provide an opportunity to spot the nocturnal civet cat and caracal. And for the ultimate Migration Safari don’t forget to visit Basecamp Explorer. From mid-June to late November more than 1.5 million migrating wildebeests, zebras and antelopes scatter the vast plains of the Masai Mara, transforming the savannah into a place of dramatic action and a constant struggle for survival. The Migration Season is a time of prosperity for the predators of the Mara, who thrive on the vast amounts of available prey.
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