Malé is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives.
It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll (Kaafu Atoll). It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King’s Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where the palace was located. The city was also called Mahal. Formerly it was a walled city surrounded by fortifications and gates (doroshi). The Royal Palace (Gan’duvaru) was destroyed along with the picturesque forts (kotte) and bastions (buruzu) when the city was remodelled under President Ibrahim Nasir’s rule after the abolition of the monarchy. However, the beautifully decorated Male’ Hukuru Miskiy remains. In recent years, the island has been considerably expanded through landfilling operations. Over the years there have been many coup attempts and protests centered in Male as a result of demand for greater democracy in the Maldives.
The island of Male is incredibly small and the motorbike is king.
Motorbikes in Male Maldives
We arrived around 2pm on January 25th and decided to take a tender from the ship into the City of Male.
Minaret in Male
Male Maldives Harbour
Male
Prior to arriving in the Maldives, we had researched the possibility of going to one of the resort island close to Male. We were very cognizant of the fact that the ship would sail at 8pm, with or without us. After an email exchange with the General Manager and Sales Director, we were able to book a shuttle from Male to the resort island of Kurumba. Fellow passengers, George and Suk joined us for a day of sand, sun and water, with a lunch thrown in. The bungalows on the island rent for $700/day and the clientele is mostly Russian and eastern european honeymooners.
Shuttle to Kurumba
Shuttle to Kurumba (Wheelchair as a backup)
Private lunch at Kurumba
Sue & Suk in loun
Lounge chairs by ocean
Sue in Lounge ch@ Kurumba
Tables by the sea @ Kurumba
We made the last shuttle from Kurumba to Male and ran to catch the last shuttle to the ship. We set sail at 8pm and will be at sea for a day heading north to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
kensuesbigadventure20122013 