Ocean City Maldives !!!!!!!

 The name of the capital of Maldives derives from the word "Mahaalay", who came from the Sanskrit (ancient language), which means "Maha" - "big" or "great" and "aalay" - "home." In Sanskrit, the word "Mahaalay" called the Royal Palace. And was dubbed Male.

A whole group of islands Maldives (Maldives), and called the name of the capital thanks. The word "Maldives" means "Island (Dives) Male (Male)" - Male Dives

Male Island, just 2 km long and 1 km wide, fully built buildings, covered roads, and so there are very few places open. At the same Male stays clean and tidy city with mosques, markets, a maze of small streets, wrapped in a blanket of charm. Although Male sometimes gives the impression of quiet country town, but overall the construction of new modern buildings and life abounds. Officially, the population of the capital city of about 65,000 people, but with foreign workers, tourists and residents of other islands, often coming here, the city is usually 100,000.

The size of the island was doubled by implementing projects to restore the land and surrounding islands are used for different purposes, and one of the islands of the airport is located. The government plans to develop other islands to reduce the pressure on the island of Male. In the past, the island of Malé was known as the island of the Sultan. In the capital, there is all that is necessary to have the eastern city: mosques, markets, shops with souvenirs, small cafes with exotic meats, and more.

 Right in front of the marina, opposite Joumhoury Maidan park or Republican, is the Islamic Center, the main building of which - the Grand Mosque. Its golden domes shine so bright that they can be seen from the sea, when approaching from the north to Male. The Grand Mosque, accommodating 5,000 people - an amazing building. Its interior is decorated with wooden carvings and Arabic calligraphy, finely crafted by local artisans. Remember, the mosque - a place of prayer, and the crowds of tourists here are undesirable. If you do decide to go there, it's better to do it, accompanied by the Maldivian. Visitors must be dressed appropriately and maintain complete silence. Across the street - Sultan Park and National Museum. In his exposition of a large collection of clothes and jewelry sultans, the manuscript of the Koran and interesting pre-Islamic statues found during archaeological excavations of Thor Heyerdahl; most ancient finds and stone statues are described in his book "The Mystery of the Maldives." Around Malé is located about 20 mosques, some of them are just coral room with a tin roof. The oldest of them, Hukuru Bowls, is famous for its carved stone panels. A series of panels, carved in the 13th century dedicated to the arrival of Islam in the Maldives, and the cemetery is also the grave of Abu al-Barakat and tombstones of former sultans.

 Among the unique monuments - the head of a statue of the Buddha from the island Todd relating to the pre-Islamic period, and the wood panel of the XIII century, covered with ancient inscriptions. Fruity, ovoschnoyi wood markets are never empty and are picturesque places where islanders from other atolls trade their goods. Fish Market, located nearby, initially empty, until the fish is caught, and in the afternoon the fishermen here are beginning to flock with his prey. Fishermen, cutting and cleaning the fish, the process turned into art. It is clean and well mastered an area that attracts many tourists and provides insight into the life of a typical Maldivian fishermen. Other attractions include the Singapore market - Cluster shops - selling quality local crafts and Maldives and imported trinkets and souvenirs. In addition, there are shops selling electronics, marine equipment, fishing equipment and household goods for the local villages. Many small tea can eat, smoke and chat with the locals.

There are no high buildings, and a lot more bikes than cars. In Male virtually impossible to get lost, all the streets are located on three major roads. The island has many hotels. Each hotel has its own dinghy, where you can take a cruise in the archipelago for a few days.

 Entertainment in Male simply vast. Suffice it to mention only a few of them. The most interesting, according to many, it is evening fishing. Staff working the boat will help you cope with the initial difficulties, and then everything will depend on your skill! The next evening, you can enjoy a dinner with barbecue of fish that you have caught. You can also hunt and big game fish. Departure for such an event occurs on special boats far beyond the territory of the atolls. It will be interesting to ride on a glass bottom boat. Through this miracle can make a lot of colorful images of the underwater world. A can be yourself diving - scuba diving. Each hotel has a diving training center, where at the end you will receive a special certificate courses.

It also offers activities such as windsurfing, catamaran sailing, canoeing, "water banana", water-skiing, etc. Riding pleasure will become a helicopter tour.In Malé you can find cheap hotels and fast food, but the nightlife is limited to tea and a few small restaurants in the western style. In two theaters show Indian and Hollywood movies.

Artificial beach - this phrase may surprise in a country renowned natural beaches, but residents of Male 'really chosen an artificial beach, built on the eastern side of the capital. The beach is ideal for swimmers and for those who do not have access to nearby islands. There you can have a snack and just relax on one of the benches overlooking the ocean. In the North Malé is artaktsionov park, there are also restaurants, cafes, shops ...

 Some restaurants are air-conditioned Male, others offer a more relaxed outdoor setting. Choice of cuisine is quite extensive reorganization: from the exquisite international menu to local versions of Asian and European dishes. Some restaurants are open in the morning, the other with lunch. All restaurants close at 1 am. Traditional tea is still enjoyed by the residents of Male 'immense popularity. Here you can try a variety of local food, and sometimes even in noisy environments. Numerous tea are scattered throughout the island. If you hurry, you really should drop by there - these caves serve as a fast-food chain.Tea is usually open early in the morning (some even at 5 am) and close at 1 am. Coffee House - a modern version of the Maldivian tea. Hdes serves a variety of snacks and fast food at low prices. Open between 8 and 9 am and run continuously until 1:00 the night.

Despite the modest size of Male, a taxi in the city you can come in handy, especially if the rain comes. The cost of taxi services in the range of 15-20 Rufiyaa for travel anywhere in the city, with extra charge of 5 Rufiyaa per item of luggage. You can catch a taxi on the street, but decided to Male cause the machine by calling one of the many taxi companies. The fare for the ferry 10 Rufiyaa until midnight and 20 Rufiyaa after midnight. If you travel in a big group, profitable book a private ferry flight - the cost for the day Rufiyaa 250, 350 Rufiyaa after midnight. Pier No. 9, where the ferry is moored to the airport, located on the waterfront Boduthakurufaanu Magu, not far from the hotel Nasandhura Palace Hotel.

The country has four domestic airport of destination. Local airline Island Aviation operates scheduled flights from Male International Airport on the island of Gan in Seenu Atoll, Kadhdu in Laamu Atoll, Kaadedhdu in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and Hanimadhoo in Haa Dhal Atoll. Between Malé and the atolls plying no scheduled passenger and cargo ships, although maritime transport is carried out quite often. Book a place on a seaplane and book a private flight to Male possible, while at the airport or at the resort. Motor Dhoni useful only to short distances, mainly because of the speed is low. They are ideal for trips to the dive dive. In Malé there are several companies that provide high-speed boats for rent and Dhoni.

The official currency of Maldives - Rufiyaa. One Rufiyaa is 100 Laari. In circulation are banknotes of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Rufiyaa and coins of 1 and 2 rufii and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Laari. The exchange rate as of December 2004 is 12.75 Rufiyaa per 1 U.S. dollar. All the resorts, hotels, large shops and restaurants are authorized to provide services for the exchange of currency and accept payment in currencies of many countries, as well as credit cards.Department of the Bank of Maldives (Bank of Maldives), located at the arrivals terminal of the international airport, also provides currency exchange services.If you need rufii during his stay in Male, you can always contact one of the local banks.

 State Bank of Maldives The Bank of Maldives has several branches in Male '. Its branches are also in Seenu atoll (island Hithadhoo), Xaa dhal (island Kulhudhufushi) and Lhaviyani (island Naifaru). Bank branch is located also at the international airport of Male. Among other banks with offices in Male, the bank HSBC, State Bank of India, Bank of Ceylon and Habib Bank. Most banks with offices in Male offer services automated teller machines (ATM). ATM The Bank of Maldives and other banks have enough conveniently located and serve most major credit cards.

Telephone services and mobile services in the country are carried out by Maldivian telekomunnikatsionnoy Diraagu (Dhiraagu). GSM mobile phone services provided by two operators - Diraagu (Dhiraagu) Telecoms and Vatanen (Wataniyya Telecoms). Available as an advance payment and payment for services after the fact. Operates an international mobile (roaming). Internet cafes can be found in different parts of the city. Internet connection services provide two providers that own a state license. Maldives Post Limited Company provides regular and express mail EMS. Most of the international courier services have offices in Male.

Male - the shopping center of the country with great choice of shops that meet the needs of 100,000 residents and thousands more buyers coming from the islands. The small shop on the outskirts of the capital can take visitors for 6-7 hours in the morning, while the main streets of shops open around 9-10 hours. All shops close at 11 pm, as well as to small 15-minute breaks during prayers.

The northern part of the street candanam Magoo (Chaandhanee Magu) known cluster of souvenir shops, although they are similar in other parts of the city. Attention buyers are offered to local craftsmen, t-shirts, batiks and a wide range of books about Maldives in different languages.

In Male few bookstores and lazok stationery. They trade mainly textbooks, fiction and scientific literature, translated books for children of well known international publications. On Majidi Mary (Majeedee Magu) and other central streets of the city are many shops offering clothes, shoes, and accessories.Among them are specializing in the sale of sports goods, clothing electronics from the world famous brands. Shops are open from morning until 11 o'clock at night.