Why so little American interest in The Maldives
Dec 8th, 2006, 08:54 PM
#21
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This is for those of you who think Maldives is a place to visit.I personally feel that Maldives is one beautiful places on earth,worth a visit,atleast once in a lifetime.Its in one of these islands,I suspect,that Crusoe was marooned or rather Daniel Defoe was inspired to write.
The Islands are simply mindblowing.Azure waters,abundant marine life it sure is heaven on earth,not worth a miss.
Its all along catering to the European travellers who charter flights enmass.The island nation depends on import of practically everything from food to water.Their only resource being the sea.Heavily dependent on tourism primarily catering to the highend.Now there has been a concerted effort to being in mid-range tourists too.
To some of us who are budget conscious there is still hope.Some of the resorts like the Sun Island etc have packages starting form a little over USD 100 full board.
Indian airlines,a domestic carrier,which flies to Male,has introduced daily flights from Bangalore,India.There is an introductory offer (don't know how long it would last)of Rs.10,000/- ( approx USD 210 )return.You could fly into Bangalore direct from any part of the Western hemisphere( 20 hrs max ).
Indian airlines also has a package to offer along with the airfare.
Check their web site at
indian-airlines.nic.in/scripts/overseaspassenger.
Its been predicted that Maldives won't be around for too long (because of global warming & rising sea levels), as the islands are a few meters above sea level.
So all of you who have Maldives on your wishlist,go there before its gone!!
The Islands are simply mindblowing.Azure waters,abundant marine life it sure is heaven on earth,not worth a miss.
Its all along catering to the European travellers who charter flights enmass.The island nation depends on import of practically everything from food to water.Their only resource being the sea.Heavily dependent on tourism primarily catering to the highend.Now there has been a concerted effort to being in mid-range tourists too.
To some of us who are budget conscious there is still hope.Some of the resorts like the Sun Island etc have packages starting form a little over USD 100 full board.
Indian airlines,a domestic carrier,which flies to Male,has introduced daily flights from Bangalore,India.There is an introductory offer (don't know how long it would last)of Rs.10,000/- ( approx USD 210 )return.You could fly into Bangalore direct from any part of the Western hemisphere( 20 hrs max ).
Indian airlines also has a package to offer along with the airfare.
Check their web site at
indian-airlines.nic.in/scripts/overseaspassenger.
Its been predicted that Maldives won't be around for too long (because of global warming & rising sea levels), as the islands are a few meters above sea level.
So all of you who have Maldives on your wishlist,go there before its gone!!
Dec 8th, 2006, 09:52 PM
#22
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Well said harsha!!! There have been so many negative replies to this post. I'm utterly amazed at how so many people refer to it as just another beach holiday. The Maldives are unique.
Dec 9th, 2006, 12:14 PM
#23
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Thanks for all of the information. Here is the US the only stories I have seen in the press are about the top-end hotels..there was a recent article, I think in Conde Nast Traveler magazine, which implied that those were the ONLY options for visitors. The culture blend there has always fascinated me...it is just so very far away...
Dec 9th, 2006, 05:34 PM
#24
LeighTravelClub, I am confused. I don't understand why you are amazed at people thinking Maldives is a beach vacation. You stayed at a beach resort. Sounds like a beach vacation. I am sure it is a unique experience, but so would jamming my thumb up my nose. harsha basically said that it is a <u>very beautiful</u> beach vacation and not all that expensive.
But, basically, I disagree when you suggested that the replies here were negative. They aren't. You asked for the reasons why we don't go to Maldives and we explained. Maybe we are misinformed.
My interest in going to the Maldives is low primarily because it is too far away. I'd have to fly to TWO interesting places (Japan and Thailand, Germany and India, for example) before even getting there. If I wanted a beach vacation I could stay home.
But, basically, I disagree when you suggested that the replies here were negative. They aren't. You asked for the reasons why we don't go to Maldives and we explained. Maybe we are misinformed.
My interest in going to the Maldives is low primarily because it is too far away. I'd have to fly to TWO interesting places (Japan and Thailand, Germany and India, for example) before even getting there. If I wanted a beach vacation I could stay home.
Dec 12th, 2006, 07:14 AM
#25
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As mentioned by some folks above, I like to also travel mostly for the cultural experience.At one time, I had considered the Maldives out of curiosity. But then I rethought it and couldn't imagine spending that kind of money to basically sit on a beach. I'm from California where I can do that nearly all year...beach and sun. Plus, it's a lot cheaper to go to Barbados if I want a different kind of ocean experience. Barbados is absolutely beautiful, quiet, and restful. Happy Travels!
Dec 13th, 2006, 04:33 AM
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Actually, the Maldives are on my must see list, but in combination with a trip to Sri Lanka or India. The flight on Emirates is only 1 stop from NYC, so not that bad.
But, as others have said if Americans want a beach vacation closer to home, the Caribbean can be wonderful. Last month my husband and I chartered a sail boat and sailed ourselves around the Grenadines. An area called the Tobago Cays is called the Maldives or Bora Bora of the Caribbean. BEAUTIFUL water and uninhabited islands.
Take a look:
http://www.usual-suspects-sailing.co...arine-park.htm
But, as others have said if Americans want a beach vacation closer to home, the Caribbean can be wonderful. Last month my husband and I chartered a sail boat and sailed ourselves around the Grenadines. An area called the Tobago Cays is called the Maldives or Bora Bora of the Caribbean. BEAUTIFUL water and uninhabited islands.
Take a look:
http://www.usual-suspects-sailing.co...arine-park.htm
Dec 13th, 2006, 08:12 AM
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Oh yes cruisinred. Point taken! Very nice pics and yes I can see why you would call this the maldives of the caribbean. Looks like another destination to add to my list of 'must visit'. I only made this post because usually we come accross American people on our travels all over the world and here we didn't. I did ask if this was normally the case and the general opinion was that very few Americans do visit .
It is along haul but yes if you can tie it in with somewhere else it is a very beautiful location.
It is along haul but yes if you can tie it in with somewhere else it is a very beautiful location.
Dec 13th, 2006, 09:37 AM
#29
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Leigh...Out of curiosity, what part of the world are you from? As many have stated here, those of us in the U.S. have a lot of gorgeous beach locations to go to and that cost far less money. Happy Travels!
Dec 13th, 2006, 10:53 AM
#32
Guenmai, I've been thinking about doing just that (again), going to Hawaii for a long weekend from California. Funny, but when I lived in N. Virginia I used to come out here for a long weekend, and now Hawaii is that close.
LeighTravelClub, thanks for the heads up about Maldives. I had checked it out in the past and took another look because of this post. I do appreciate your enthusiasm. I feel the same way about Japan. The beauty of a holiday place is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.
Can't say that Maldives has moved up on my list. It is problematic that when I go to a new place it usually doesn't get removed from my list of places to go. I almost always want to go back because I find that I enjoy the trip more than I expected. I am certain that I would feel that way about Maldives too. The list just keeps getting longer.
LeighTravelClub, thanks for the heads up about Maldives. I had checked it out in the past and took another look because of this post. I do appreciate your enthusiasm. I feel the same way about Japan. The beauty of a holiday place is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.
Can't say that Maldives has moved up on my list. It is problematic that when I go to a new place it usually doesn't get removed from my list of places to go. I almost always want to go back because I find that I enjoy the trip more than I expected. I am certain that I would feel that way about Maldives too. The list just keeps getting longer.
Dec 13th, 2006, 11:07 AM
#33
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Hi Guenmai, for your curiosity, a suburb of London. Leigh-on -Sea. Surely nobody would go to The Maldives to sit on the beach all day. Culture? well, if you do a LITTLE research, you will find more than you think. Yes Barbados is beautiful but a bit like MacDonalds-----allways the same. Calafornian beaches----WONDERFUL!
The Maldives are different and in my opinion worth the effort to visit.
It seems there are an awful lot of hostile replies to this post. Why?. I thought this forum was about sharing travel experiences and Tips.
Oh and I have followed many of your posts on this site and look forward many more. I too have a deep affection for S.E.A.
The Maldives are different and in my opinion worth the effort to visit.
It seems there are an awful lot of hostile replies to this post. Why?. I thought this forum was about sharing travel experiences and Tips.
Oh and I have followed many of your posts on this site and look forward many more. I too have a deep affection for S.E.A.
Dec 13th, 2006, 12:13 PM
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I haven't found the replies hostile at all. I guess it's all in how one reads into them. And as for doing a "Little" research...well,actually I've done quite a bit of it in the past and from what I've read I personally haven't read much on the Maldives being promoted as a place for any big,"cultural" experience.And if I'm going to travel that far and for that much money, I need to have some variety. Of course all places have culture...it's just that in some places it stands out a lot more than in others. And as far as I'm concerned, I would never put Barbados in the category with Disneyland. But to each his own. Happy Travels!
Dec 13th, 2006, 05:12 PM
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I'm in Australia, and personally, I found the Maldives a little boring. Takes up to 2 days to get there, and you can end up on an island that takes barely 30 minutes to walk around. So you just lie in the sun and relax, specially if you are not into snokelling. Once you are on the island there is bugger all culture and not much by way of architecture, and certainly no tours or shopping in local markets.
If I was in the US, and had 14 days vacation, why on earth would I spend 4 or more days travelling (could be up to 6 days travelling if one has to spend 2 nights in Male as part of the getting there and getting home flights), and heaps more money, when I could trot down to the Caribbean or even Hawaii - if all I wanted was sun and sea?
Sure, the Maldives are pleasant, but locally give me Bali or far northern Queensland any day. Then at least I can maximise my holiday time. And I am not a slave to the resort food - In Bali or Port Douglas, for instance, I can go to any number of restaurants that are as good if not better that the one on the resort.
If I was in the US, and had 14 days vacation, why on earth would I spend 4 or more days travelling (could be up to 6 days travelling if one has to spend 2 nights in Male as part of the getting there and getting home flights), and heaps more money, when I could trot down to the Caribbean or even Hawaii - if all I wanted was sun and sea?
Sure, the Maldives are pleasant, but locally give me Bali or far northern Queensland any day. Then at least I can maximise my holiday time. And I am not a slave to the resort food - In Bali or Port Douglas, for instance, I can go to any number of restaurants that are as good if not better that the one on the resort.
