Halfway through Maldives

Quick facts you probably didn’t know: The Maldives stretch 540 nautical miles (900 kilometres) from north to south, comprising 26 atolls and 1,192 islands within these atolls. Its highest point above sea level is 2.4 meters, making it the world's lowest country. The capital, Male, holds the title of the most densely populated city in the world.

The Maldives offers an abundance of experiences. Despite mixed reports from various cruising groups, some downright negative, we decided to see it for ourselves. Personally, I find it to be a wonderful place, far exceeding my expectations with its diversity. Unlike many destinations where you follow suggested routes, here you're encouraged to explore your own secret anchorages and hideaways. It reminds me a lot of the Tuamotus in French Polynesia, which ranks among my top three places in the world. However, here, you're much closer to the rest of the world. I've been pleasantly surprised, and it seems Arabella's dream of coming here had a touch of premonition.

Our initial connection with the Maldives was through our agent, Assad, who has been excellent and incredibly helpful. He promptly responds to messages and understands the concerns of a cruising family like ours. He provided us with an excellent introduction to the Maldives, portraying the country, despite its small size, as sophisticated and organised—although, let's be honest, what country is completely without its flaws these days?

Our first anchorage blessed us with sightings of manta rays on our first two snorkels, and we were immediately captivated. The turquoise water rivals that of French Polynesia, and while the coral isn't perfect everywhere, it's still exquisite in many places. There's something about this place that exudes peace and relaxation, making it a destination I could revisit endlessly.

A few days into our cruise, a small boat approached us unexpectedly. Inside were several people (at least 8-10), politely asking if they could come aboard for a chat. It was an unusual request, and I wasn't particularly in the mood for conversation. However, some intuition nudged me otherwise, and I welcomed them aboard. We offered tea or water, but they declined due to Ramadan. As we sat on the flybridge, chatting casually, one of them mentioned that the man beside me was the Minister of Tourism. It was a moment of gratitude that I hadn't turned them away initially. We had a delightful conversation, during which he inquired about our experiences so far and how they could improve as a country to enhance our stay. It struck me how few Ministers of Tourism worldwide would pose such a question to their guests. We were honest yet polite, and I offered to provide a detailed report after my time in the Maldives. Our discussion shifted to my profession, and upon learning that I develop and operate luxury resorts, his interest piqued. We made plans to explore many of the southern Atolls together after the elections.

Following the elections, his party secured a landslide victory, winning 80 out of 92 seats in parliament. It appears his father will become the new Speaker of the House, and my agent Assad's uncle will serve as the Minister of Finance. As they say in China, I've built pretty good "guanxi" in a very short time. Moreover, the new party's close ties with China seem to be influencing the recent departure of the Indian Navy base and fostering pro-China relations. It almost feels as if someone is nudging me to invest in the Maldives.

Two days ago, Delphine, the Minister, his small team, and I traveled by seaplane to explore various Atolls. While we witnessed many beautiful sights, we have yet to find the ideal spot for our vision. I have some preliminary ideas but will save them for another day, perhaps when they materialise into something tangible. For now, it's safe to say that the Maldives will be a regular part of my future, much like the Tuamotus. My only concern is how both the Maldives and the Tuamotus will weather the rising sea levels.

[See this link for my letter to the Minister of Tourism]

https://horsfield.travelmap.net/posts/letter-to-the-minister-of-tourism