Maldives Atolls holidays - travel guide - lifestyle

Shopping

Due to the nature of the Maldives, shopping is not as profilic as other destinations. The hotels all have souvenir shops which include items such as sarongs, jewellery, and beachwear. For more places to shop, many of the local islands that you can visit during your stay have souvenir shops. Malé is the best place for shopping, but again, do not expect a significant range of souvenirs and goods for sale.

Cuisine

Fish is the main ingredient of a Maldivian meal and combined with onions, chillies, coconut, lime juice and rice it forms the basic diet. The most common fish is tuna, which can be served freshly caught, boiled, smoked and sun-dried (called 'Hikimas') or just smoked (known as 'Valhoamas'). Vegetables such as the taro and sweet potato are locally grown - either actually on the resort island or nearby local islands. Freshly squeezed juices are popular amongst Maldivians, particularly watermelon. A Maldivian meal is usually finished by serving a tray of thinly sliced betel (areca) nut, betel leaves and lime paste to chew as a digestif. For a unique dining experience, islands also offer candle-lit dining on the beach or even a sandbank in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Night-life

Although this varies from island to island, entertainment is generally fairly low key. Some of the larger islands such as Kuredu, Sun and Bandos offer a regular entertainment programme from live bands to magic shows and karaoke. The traditional Maldivian music and dance is Bodu Beru which is performed by a band of dancers, singers and percussionists. Traditionally made from hollowed coconut wood and manta ray skin or goat hide, the drums give off a distinctive sound.