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Though Male’ is the capital island, it is too
small to have an airport. Therefore, your flight would land on the
neighbouring island called Hulhule', which looks more like an aircraft
carrier from the air, with the only runway in the world that begins and
ends in water. You own your first Maldivian memorabilia when you gain an
unforgettable image in your mind of the unique landing on the runway.
Just as your flight seems about to splash into the greenish blue crystal
clear waters of the Indian Ocean the wheels suddenly bounce onto the
asphalt. The island of Hulhule’ is just over a kilometre from Male' and
for years the island served as the holiday destination for the Sultans
(Kings who ruled before the country changed into a Republic in the early
1950s).
The only runway in the world that begins and ends in water.
The Maldivian weather is sunny and the temperature is usually between 28
- 31 degrees Celsius. If you are not used to continuous exposure to
sunlight, it is advisable to apply skin lotions on your body to protect
it from ultra-violet rays.
Once you have gone through Customs and Immigration and collected your
luggage, you could either meet your holiday representative if you have
already arranged your travel plans through a travel agent (advisable),
or you could book a hotel resort through the Tourism Ministry’s Booking
Counter. Also, if you want to exchange your currency, there is a foreign
currency exchange counter to assist you.
Transport from Hulhule, to your next stop is mainly by ‘dhoni’ or
Maldivian ferries. These are usually motor boats which could accommodate
about 30-40 people and take about 10 -15 minutes to reach Male’. If your
destination is the capital, you could hire one of these dhoni from MRf.
75.00 - 100.00. (about US$ 7.00 -10.00). You could possibly bargain a
fare with the ‘Falhuveriyaa’, the Captain of the dhoni. Sometimes, if
you are not hiring a dhoni yourself, you could get transportation to
Male’ as an ‘extra’ guest for about MRf. 10.00 (about US$ 1.00). The
most economic option would be for you to join with other tourists to
form a group and share the dhoni fare.
If you prefer faster forms of transportation, you have smaller speed
boats which can accommodate about 5-7 people. These take only 5 minutes
to reach Male’ and you might have to pay anything from MRf. 150 (about
US$ 15.00). Further destinations such as the atolls in Ari Atoll could
be reached by helicopter transport. If this is your choice you would be
in for a breath-taking trip which would never fail to impress you with
the most beautiful scenery of endless waters. These waters have an
incredibly large spectrum of colours, which range from the dark blue of
the deepest seas, and the light green of the shallowest lagoons.
Frequently, you will see the white sandy bands which enclose the green
vegetation of coconut palms. Transport by helicopter is expensive but
certainly worth the price. |
