Date : 10th March 2025
Travelled : 430 NM from Sri Lanka to Malรฉ in the Maldives
Visited : Malรฉ
Stayed : Holland Americaโs Zuiderda
A relaxing sea day was definitely in order after our big day in Colombo. The seas remain calm as the Zuiderdam continues west at a leisurely 12 knots. The ships clocks moved back another 30 minutes overnight. The clocks changing back by 30 minutes or an hour every few days is the only unsettling feature of a cruise this long.
As usual of day starts in the Crows Nest with a coffee, this morning with the Maldives coming into view.
Malรฉ is the capital and most populous city of the Maldives. With a population of over 200,000 people it is said to be the most densely populated on earth. A long bridge joins the island of Malรฉ with HulHule island and the airport. A second large bridge is being constructed to link Malรฉ with Villingili island.
All the shipโs tours associated with our stop in Malรฉ involve going to one of the various surrounding island resorts for the day, but we decide to do a walking tour (free) around the city instead. Most tourists to the Maldives arrive by aeroplane transfer straight to a ferry to the island resorts for their vacation.
After a relatively short but very bumpy tender ride we find ourselves in Maลe. First thing that takes our attention is the plastic bottles and bags floating around the marina !
100 metres to our first stop the markets. But first behind the markets there are schools of stingrays moving past looking for a handout. Not the best photo so use your imagination.
The market is colourful and aromatic, though not always in a pleasant way. Tuna is the main catch in the Maldives and we see large plastic containers being dragged past. However the variety of dried seafood was extensive.
Malรฉ is the business heart of the Maldives, certainly not a tourist destination. Once away from the waterfront the streets are narrow, lined on both sides with scooters. Cannot remember seeing so many scooters both parked and moving anywhere, in our travels. The footpaths are very narrow if there is a footpath.
Armed with a map of the highlights we wander off in search of the real Malรฉ.
Pictured above the Tomb of Sultan Muhammad Thakuraufaanu, he ruled The Maldives from 1573-1585 and remains something of a local hero.
Pictured below just a couple of random examples of Malรฉ.
With thanks to Google maps we find the Hukuru Miskiy or the Old Friday Mosque. Being Malรฉโs original mosque it was built in 1658 using local coral stone. The external walls having been carved in decorative patterns. Inside the timber work and doors are also ornately decorated. Made our walk around Malรฉ in my opinion.
Being Ramadan we were a little surprised we were allowed to go in and wander the mosque and cemetery as we did (perhaps the US$1 helped).
Pictured below and just on the other side of Medhuziyaarai Magu (street) is the Muleeaage the original royal palace, now the official residence of the President of the Maldives.
Pictured above the Grand Friday Mosque or at least the best photo I could manage of the gold dome and minuet.
Thatโs it weโve done the best we can in the heat and humidity. We turn and make our way back to the waterfront and the pleasant breeze that doesnโt seem to extend more than a block away from the water. In retrospect maybe visiting a resort would have been better, but lifeโs an adventure. We can go to the best beaches in the world only a short drive from home.
Another short tender ride back to the Zuiderdam and a swim. Todayโs final challenge is reviewing tonightโs dining room menu. As a post script I went for two servings of the coconut prawns. The lamb chops which were extra trimmed Australian lamb cutlets, medium rare, so good !
Michael + Pam
One thought on “Malรฉ, Maldives ๐ฒ๐ป 2025”
As usual a wonderful report you are seeing a lot. The seafood looks amazing.
Safe travels
Johannes โค๏ธ