We arrived in the Maldives early yesterday afternoon, sailing alongside several islands on our way to the capital of Male’. There are 1000 islands in the Maldives. Most range in size from 500’ across to 1.5 miles. They are very small! One resort takes up the whole island. Everything must be imported to the Maldives, save coconuts and fish. Getting to the islands is via flight to Male’, then taking a boat or seaplane to the specific island resorts. Most people go to the Maldives for relaxing or diving. There isn’t much else to do.
Our ship anchored near Male’ and transported us via tender boat to the city. We visited on Friday, the day of prayer for Muslims (Islam is the national religion, required by law since 2008). We arrived late in the afternoon, after 5 pm, and everyone was out in the streets and parks with family and friends. “The last Buddhist king of Maldives converted to Islam in 1153, learning about the religion from Arab traders. The king adopted the Muslim title and name of Sultan, initiating a series of six Islamic dynasties consisting of eighty-four sultans that lasted until 1932, when the sultanate became elective.” We saw the oldest mosque on the island, built in 1153, the adjacent cemetery with several sultans buried, the market, and beautiful Sultan Park.
Our ship anchored near Male’ and transported us via tender boat to the city. We visited on Friday, the day of prayer for Muslims (Islam is the national religion, required by law since 2008). We arrived late in the afternoon, after 5 pm, and everyone was out in the streets and parks with family and friends. “The last Buddhist king of Maldives converted to Islam in 1153, learning about the religion from Arab traders. The king adopted the Muslim title and name of Sultan, initiating a series of six Islamic dynasties consisting of eighty-four sultans that lasted until 1932, when the sultanate became elective.” We saw the oldest mosque on the island, built in 1153, the adjacent cemetery with several sultans buried, the market, and beautiful Sultan Park.
