MALDIVES STANDS OUT AT THE SEVEN STAR GLOBAL LUXURY AWARDS

Maldives is nominated for the “Seven Star Destination Winner” at the prestigious Seven Star Global Luxury Awards.   

The Seven Star Luxury Awards is the highest, most exclusive award for the pinnacle in hospitality and lifestyle.  The Seven Star Global Luxury Awards not only recognise, but also set apart the extraordinary achievements in the Hospitality and Lifestyle sectors by bestowing upon them the Signum Virtutis – the seal of excellence.  The Seven Star Global Luxury Awards, by the bestowing of the Signum Virtutis, serves as a guarantee to the luxury consumer that the recipients are truly the best in the industry.  This is and will remain a very exclusive club as only the pinnacle of Luxury enters the ranks of the Seven Star Global Luxury Awards.

The Seven Star Global Luxury Awards Ceremony will be held at the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel, Marbella, Spain on 28th June 2013.  

There were 21 competing destinations nominated for the awards along with the Maldives.  They are Abu Dhabi, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Dubai, Fiji, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, St Lucia, Turkey and Turks & Caicos

Being nominated and winning high accolades of this nature indicate the visitors’ love and confidence towards the Maldives and will enhance the product image in terms of a high profile luxury destination.

=Photo and News Taken From http://www.visitmaldives.com/en/news_posts/419

JENNIFER HAWKINS AND JAKE WALL'S HONEYMOON IN MALDIVES

 "Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall in Maldives. Since their June 4 wedding in Indonesian island of Bali, the newlyweds have luxuriated themselves in Paris as well. PHOTO/ JENNIFER'S INSTAGRAM" =Haveeru Online=

Australian beauty queen and Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall are spending their honeymoon in Maldives.

Since their June 4 wedding in Indonesian island of Bali, the newlyweds have luxuriated themselves in Paris and now the Maldives. The loved-up couple has been regularly updating their Twitter and Instagram with photos of their epic globetrotting trip.

They met just prior to Hawkins winning the Miss Universe pageant and the two continued their relationship following her return to Australia after her year based in New York

=Ali Naafiz, Haveeru Online=

SOME USEFUL INFORMATION FOR TOURIST

Visa Information  

No prior visa is required to enter the Republic of Maldives. A 30-day visitor permit will be granted upon arrival with the presentation of the following:

Possession of a valid passport for at least six months

Possession of a valid return air ticket to destination where the passenger has permission to enter, together with necessary visas for the onward journey to the next destination.

Customs

The import of firearms, liquor, drugs, pornographic materials and idols of worship are prohibited.

Language

Languages spoken are Dhivehi and English, and the resort has multi-lingual staff as well.

Weather

The Maldives has an equatorial climate, with two main seasons. December to May is light and fairly dry. June to November occasionally brings brief rain showers followed by sunshine. The temperature ranges from mid-20s to mid-30s centigrade (77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) and is highest in April and May.

                                           100 Rufiyaa

Currency

Local currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa. Although all billings are made in US dollars, most other foreign currencies can be exchanged at the resort. Please note, however, that the Maldavian rufiyaa cannot be exchanged for any other currency.

Information Taken from One & Only Reethi Rah Island Resort website

AN UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE

Cruising along the aquamarine waters from atoll to atoll is an unforgettable holiday experience. Boats with bunk-beds or private cabins can accommodate anywhere between eight to twenty passengers for such island-hopping trips, normally lasting ten to fifteen days. The central atolls of north and south Male', Vaavu and Alifu are usually the most frequented since services are readily available for tourists. these atolls also have some of the best surfing and diving spots Maldives has to offer. Aboard the yacht, the crew is highly professional.

The resident cook dishes out for you excellent seafood recipes. Dining under a clear, star-studded night sky in the Maldives is indeed an experience in itself. An excursion to a fishing village or an uninhabited island should make your holiday cruise more worth while. Some resorts also have glass-bottomed boats and catamarans for hire. Parsasailing on multicolored parachutes over the warm waters of Indian Ocean is an incredible experience. Water sausages as and water scooters also make interesting rides. Besides these, equipment's for beach volleyball, football, lawn tennis and indoor games such as badminton, table tennis, billiards and chess are usually available free of charge in many of the resort islands.

PLACES OF INTEREST 3

                                           Photo: Sultan Park & Museum

Sultan Park and the National Museum

Maldives changed from a Republic to a Sultanate and back to a Republic in a span of just 16 years (1953 to 1968). The Sultan's Palace however was demolished except for a three-story building and the palace grounds were turned into a public park known as the Sultan Park. The surviving palace building within the park is today today the National Museum.

Opened on November 19, 1952, the National museum displays a large and varied collection of a glorious bygone era including stone objects from the pre-Islamic period; royal antiquities like thrones, palanquins, costume, coins, and ornaments, arms and amours. Two of the most significant items on display are the coral stone head of Lord Buddha and a wooden panel erected in the Hukuru Miskiiy. Timings: 9 AM - 3 PM. Closed on Fridays and public holidays.

                                              Photo: Artificial Beach 

Artificial Beach

Despite so many beautiful beaches in Maldives, the capital is not blessed in this respect. Today the people of Male' can enjoy a good swim at artificial beach. this is a popular place for parents who take their kids for some fresh air and space to enjoy. Today it is not only a popular place for swimmers, but a variety of sports, games shows and other events such as live music shows as well. On a regular day, it is a place for swimmers, children, parents and active sportsman. On special occasions, it is a place for get together, music shows, carnivals, parades and you name it. On Fridays the beach is quite packed, so consider this fact before getting there for a swim. 

PLACES OF INTEREST 2

                                          Photo: Mulee-aage

Mulee-aage

Mulee-aage, the former presidential palace, was originally built by Sultan Shamsuddeen III for his son just before the first world war. Soon after banishment of the sultan and his son in May 1936, the house was declared a government property.

The Mulee-aage was officially and used as an office complex by subsequent governments. After the country becomes Republic in 1953, the Mulee-aage became the 'President Official Residence'. However in 1986, the house was renamed the 'Presidential Palace' and was upgraded to hold official functions and to accommodate visiting Heads of States and other foreign dignitaries. 

                                           Photo: Islamic Center

                                           

The Islamic Center 

Male's most famous architectural landmark is the three-story Islamic center, opened in November 1984. The center's Grand Friday Mosque, Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A'z'am is the biggest in the Maldives, accommodating more than 5,000 Worshippers. The shining golden dome of the mosque is a standout as are also the interior walls decorated with beautiful woodcarvings and Arabic calligraphy. The center also house a library and a conference hall.

PLACES OF INTEREST 1

                                                             Photo: the hukuru miskiiy

Hukuru Miskiiy

The Hukuru Miskiiy or the old Friday Mosque, was built in 1656 during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar 1. The interior and exterior walls of this historic mosque, built with coral shores, are intricately curved with Arabic writings and ornamental patters. the roof, window frames, and doors are made of different types of wood including teak, red sandalwood, and redwood. there is an abundance of beautiful coral carvings and expert lacquer work inside the mosque, the latter being most conspicuous in the laage, or domes, built as part of the ceiling. The compound of the mosque also encloses a number of ancient tombstones erected in memory of past Sultan's, heroes and nobles.

                                                                    Photo: Munnaaru

Munnaaru

Close to the Friday Mosque is this gleaming white minaret also built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar in 1675. the chief muezzin of Male' called the faithful to prayer from this minaret before the Islamic Center was built.

                                                             Photo: Medhu ziyaarath

Medhu ziyaarath 

Opposite the Hukuru Miskiiy is the Medhu Ziyaarath, the shrine of Abu al Barakaath Yusuf al  Barbari, a North African, believed to be responsible for converting the Maldives to Islam way back in AD 1153.