At the check - in of
the Qatar Airways company, they asked me for hotel reservations in the Maldives, a necessary requirement to obtain the
compulsory tourist visa at Male International Airport
(Maldives).
Punctual as never before, my plane n. QR118 of the Qatar Airways Company in the
direction of Hamad International Airport in Doha (Qatar), (price of the return
ticket Malpensa - Male, including taxes: Euro 660.70). Dinner is served on the
aforementioned aircraft. Punctual arrival at 5.45 am at Hamad
International Airport
in Doha (Qatar). When summer time is in
force in Italy, there is a 1
hour time zone, compared to Italy,
when solar time is 2 hours. At Hamad International Airport
in Doha (Qatar), there is also a security
check for those entering the transit area. However, keep in mind that the same
is very fast. Punctual as never before leaves from Hamad International Airport
in Doha (Qatar), at 8.15 my plane n. QR674 of the Qatar Airways Company in the
direction of Male International Airport (Maldives), (return ticket price
Malpensa - Male, including taxes: Euro 660.70). Punctual arrival at 3.15 pm at Male International
Airport (Maldives). When summer time is in
force in Italy, there are 3
hours of time zone, compared to Italy,
when solar time is 4 hours. To enter the Maldives for 30 days, a tourist
visa (a normal stamp) is issued at the aforementioned airport, upon
presentation of the completed form. In theory they should ask for the Hotel
reservation to get it but they didn't ask me for it. Import ban: current
Islamic legislation strictly prohibits the import of: drugs (even in very small
quantities), alcohol, pornographic material, sacred images and pork products.
Export ban: exports of corals, shells, turtle items, fish and animals are
prohibited. The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa. The exchange rate is 1
Euro = 19.00 Luffiyee. Keep in mind that it is not necessary to change currency
because the US dollar is accepted everywhere (bars, restaurants, ferries,
hotels, organized excursions, buses, rentals, ferries, ect.). Be aware though
that sometimes the change is given to you in Luffiyee. Please note that on
Friday (prayer day) many of the public ferries do not operate, such as the Male
- Maafushi route. The one that connects the airport with the capital is still
in operation. In the Maldives
many people speak English and all the road and tourist signs are also in
English. Religion: Sunni Muslim. In the Maldives the police are generally
kind to foreigners and do not bother foreigners with requests for money. From Male International
Airport (Maldives),
located on Hulhulè Island, 1
km by sea from Male
Island, to reach the artificial island of Hulhumale, located about 3 km away, the cheapest
solution is to take a regular bus for the price of 20 Rf or the equivalent in
US Dollars. It is paid to the attendant inside the bus. The journey takes about
10 minutes. There are departures every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day. Hulhumale Island, made up of modern buildings, can
be explored on foot. There is also a beach where bathing suits are not allowed
and Central park, a beautiful piece of
greenery where you can take a walk. From Hulhumale Island, to reach Male
International Airport (Maldives), located on Hulhulè Island about 3 km away, the cheapest
solution is to take a regular bus from the bus stop located in Nirolhu Magu
Street near the intersection with Huvandhumaa Hingun Street, priced at Rf 20 or
the equivalent in US Dollars. It is paid to the attendant inside the bus. The
journey takes about 10 minutes. There are departures
every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day.
To go to Mafushi, the
most touristy inhabited island in the Maldives, from the airport (from the
piers located just north of the arrivals hall), the cheapest solution is to
take one of the numerous ferries (Dhoni) heading to the pier at the far end
east of Boduthakurufaanu Magu in Male for the price of 10 Rf or the equivalent
in USD (travel time: 10 ', departures every 15' every day from 6.45 to 23.45
except on Friday which there is a break from 11.30 to 14.00 ) and from there
walk for about 2 km,
in a south-westerly direction, until you reach New Harbor. From here every day
(except Friday), at 15.00 and also at 10.00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays, a ferry leaves for Maafushi which also stops in Gulhi. The ticket
costs 30 Rf or the equivalent in USD and can be purchased on board, while the
journey takes just under 2 hours.
If, on the other hand,
you want to leave at another time of the day or on Friday, keep in mind that
there are speed boats of the Maafuschi Tours Company, which 5 times a day,
every day shuttle between the International Airport and Maafuschi, also
stopping at Male (at Boduthakurufaanu Magu) and Gulhi Island. Departure times
are as follows: 8.30, 11.00, 14.00, 17.45 and 21.15 The ticket costs 25 USD or
the equivalent in Rf and is paid on board. The journey takes approximately 1
hour.
In Maafushi I stayed,
through Booking.com, at the Holiday Lodge Maldives for the price of 46 USD per
night, for a double, although in the end due to Overbooking, they put me first
at the Masaraee Boutique Hotel for the first night and they later moved me to
the Venturo Hotel for the following nights, which are also high quality
facilities. The wifi is free as well as the abundant breakfast at Buffè.
Maafuschi Island,
located in the South Male Atoll, is an inhabited island, one of the largest in
the Maldives, with a length of about 2 km and a width of about half 500 meters. At the
southwestern end of the island there is also the prison. It is the most
frequented by do-it-yourself tourists traveling on a limited budget. In fact
there are a sea
of Guesthouse. Out of
respect for the Muslim religion, it is highly recommended to walk around the
street covering your legs and shoulders. There is a private beach for tourists
at 200 meters.
about north of the port, on the northwest side of the island, where tourists
can stay in costume.
Another inhabited
island that can be easily visited is Gulhi Island, in the South Male Atoll,
reachable, every day except Friday, by the public ferry to Male departing from
Maafushi, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7.30 while Monday, Wednesday and
Saturday at 7.30 and 12.30 (the journey takes only half an hour, the ticket
purchased on board costs 22 Rf or the equivalent in USD). The Speed boats of
the Maafuschi Tours Company also follow the same route as the public ferry but
taking about half the time and with a frequency of five times a day (even on
Friday). Departure times are as follows: 7.30, 10.00, 13.00, 17.00 and 19.00.
The ticket costs 5 USD or the equivalent in Rf and is paid on board. The
journey takes about 15 '.
Gulhi Island, is an inhabited island in the
South Male Atoll, little frequented by tourists, much smaller than Maafuschi. It
turns very well on foot. There are also a couple of Guesthouse. Out of respect
for the Muslim religion, it is highly recommended to walk around the street
covering your legs and shoulders. There is a private beach for tourists, where
tourists can stay in bathing suits.
From Gulhi Island,
Maafuschi, in the South Male Atoll, can be reached, every day except Friday, by
the scheduled ferry from Male with departures from New Harbor every day (except
Friday), at 15.00 and also at 10.00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Keep in mind
that this ferry arrives in Gulhi after about 1 hour (the journey between Gulhi
and Maafuschi takes only half an hour, the ticket purchased on board costs 22
Rf or the equivalent in USD). The Speed boats of the Maafuschi Tours Company
also follow more or less the same route as the public ferry, departing from Male International
Airport, with a
subsequent stop at the eastern end of Boduthakurufaanu Magu in Male. The
frequency is five times a day (even on Friday). The departure times from the International Airport are as follows: 8.30am, 11.00am,
2.00pm, 5.45pm and 9.15pm. Keep in mind that this Speed Boat should arrive in
Gulhi after about 40 '(the journey between Gulhi and Maafuschi takes about 15',
the ticket purchased on board costs 5 USD or the equivalent in Rf).
Almost all guesthouses
and travel agencies on Mafuschi
Island offer half-day
tours to snorkel to see sea turtles and dolphins for the price of 25 USD, or
full-day snorkeling to see sharks at sea. price of 50 USD. For both of the
aforementioned excursions, all the necessary equipment is included (mask,
snorkel, fins and life jacket) and lunch to be consumed on a splendid paradise
island of white sand. Then there are full-day tours to luxury resorts, located
on spectacular islands, which include food and drinks (sometimes alcoholic) in
buffets throughout the day. Pieces range from $ 68 to $ 190. Finally, there are
the Open Sea Sunset Fishing Tours for 25 USD, including dinner. Logically they
sell sold other types of excursions.
New Port, in Male, the
capital of the Maldives can be reached, every day except Friday, by public
ferry departing from Maafushi (which also stops in Gulhi after about half an
hour), Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7.30 while Monday, Wednesday and
Saturday at 7.30 and 12.30 (the trip takes scarce two hours, the ticket that
you buy on board costs 30 Rf or the equivalent in USD). The Speed boats of
the Maafuschi Tours Company also follow the same route as the public ferry but
taking about half the time and with a frequency of five times a day (even on
Friday). Departure times are as follows: 7.30, 10.00, 13.00, 17.00 and 19.00.
The ticket costs 25 USD or the equivalent in Rf and is paid on board. The
journey takes about 45 minutes. Keep in mind that this Speed Boat makes 2
intermediate stops which are Gulhi and the International Airport,
before ending the ride in Male, at the eastern end of Boduthakurufaanu Magu.
If you are in Male and
want an alternative experience you can go to the New Port Ferry Terminal and
take a public ferry to Thilafushi in the North Male Atoll. There are departures
every day, in both directions, on average every hour and a half starting at 7.30
am and until 11.45 pm. On Friday there are 2 more departures. The journey lasts
a short half hour. The ticket price costs 11 Rf or the equivalent in USD. The
same must be purchased at the Terminal Desk. Thilafushi is an island where
there are practically only factories. He turns quickly on foot. You will almost
certainly be the only tourist on the island.
If you are in Male and
want an alternative experience you can go to the New Port Ferry Terminal and
take a public ferry to Viligili, in the North Male Atoll. There are departures
7 days a week, in both directions, 24 hours a day. On average every 5 'in Day
Time, every 10 minutes, early in the morning and in the evening and every half
hour or hour at night. The journey takes about 15 '. The ticket price costs
3.25 Rf or the equivalent in USD. The same must be purchased at the Terminal
Desk. Viligili, is an inhabited island where there are mosques, tree-lined
avenues, soccer fields, schools and beaches where, however, you cannot get
dressed up. You can quickly turn around on foot. You will almost certainly be
the only tourist on the island.
Please note that there
are no public ferries connecting Thilafushi and Viligili. One must always pass
for Male.
Male is the capital of
the Maldives
and is also the largest island. Virtually most of the population lives here. It
is crammed with narrow alleys. Traffic to the nth degree. Scooters are the
masters and before crossing a road it is good to check the conditions of the
road system. Evil looks chaotic. Things to see are: Fruit and Fish Market,
Friday Mosque, Old Friday Mosque, Republic Square, President's Palace (from
outside only), Sultan's Park (75 Rf), National Museum
(open from Saturday to Thursday from 10.15 to 15.30) and the waterfront. Keep
in mind that if you are not a Muslim, to enter the aforementioned Mosques you
must first of all be dressed appropriately, and then ask permission from the
Imam, who can only let you in when there is no prayer.
In Male, one of the
cheapest accommodation facilities is the Park House Hotel, bookable through
Booking.com, located in G. Famas Villa, about 50 meters away. from
Sultan's Park. The cost per night of a double room including free WIFI is 57
USD.
From the Island of Male,
to reach the International Airport of Male (Maldives),
located on the island
of Hulhulè about 1 km by sea, the cheapest
solution is to take a ferry from the pier at the eastern end of
Boduthakurufaanu Magu. The ticket, which costs 10 Rf or the equivalent in USD,
can be bought at the desk before boarding. (duration of the trip: 10 ',
departures every 15' every day from 6.45 to 23.45 except on Friday which there
is a break from 11.30 to 14.00).
Punctual as never
before, my plane no. 1 leaves from Terminal 1 from Male International Airport
(Maldives) at 10:15 QR673 of the Qatar Airways Company in the direction of
Hamad International Airport in Doha (Qatar), (return ticket price Malpensa -
Male, including taxes: Euro 660.70).
Lunch is served on the
aforementioned aircraft.
Punctual arrival at
13.15, at Hamad International
Airport in Doha
(Qatar).
When summer time is in
force in Italy, there is a 1
hour time zone, compared to Italy,
when solar time is 2 hours.
At Hamad International
Airport in Doha
(Qatar),
there is also a security check for those entering the transit area. However,
keep in mind that the same is very fast.
Punctual as never
before leaves from Hamad International Airport
in Doha (Qatar), at 15.20 my plane no. QR117
of the Qatar Airways Company in the direction of Terminal 1 of Malpensa
International Airport (Va), (price of the return ticket Malpensa - Male,
including taxes: Euro 660.70).
Punctual arrival at
20.55, at Terminal 1 of Malpensa International Airport (Va).
My complete travel report
with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:
https://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2018/10/viaggio-alle-maldive-nelle-seguenti.html
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