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Male', The Capital
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Male', complete with its own artificial beach, swimming track, historic sites,
and a spectacular skyline of candy-coloured skyscrapers, manages to be both an island
and a city. Previously a sparsely populated island, Male' has evolved into a
world-class city with all the modern facilities like schools, hospitals, restaurant.
The resultant effect juxtaposes its islander roots and its forward-thinking attitude
- a laid-back town with both quiet and fast lanes, of course the latter being more
predominant.
Places to see in Male'
The Hukuru Miskiyy, (Friday Mosque) built in 1656 contains finely fluted coral block
walls, and intricately engraved beams; Mulee-aage, the current Presidential residence
was built right before the First World War and overlooks the Friday Mosque; the
Islamic Centre that was built in 1984 and has a lovely, geometric stretch of white
steps leading up-to the grand mosque; the sultan park and national museum that are
housed in the same compound, the latter consists of an intimate collection housed
in a quaint building surrounded by trees; and the artificial beach, and swimming
track, both ideal for a refreshing swim.
Another interesting aspect of Male' are the names of houses. From names that
pay tribute to island culture, like 'Sea-Breeze', and 'Sunshine Lodge',
there are also slightly eccentric variations, like 'Forget-Me-Not', and
‘Always Happy House’. A quintessentially Maldivian feature, it provides an amusing
accompaniment to a walk around Male' and an insight into the mindsets of the
Maldivian people.
The Male' surf point Raalhugandu and the artificial beach lie on the south-eastern
side of Male'. The area comes to life in the late afternoons and evenings, with
hundreds of Male' dwellers coming out to relax and enjoy the fresh sea air and
the day's end. The surf-huts overlooking Raalhugandu, built by local surfers
and residents of neighbouring houses provide a vantage point for watching the waves.
Whether you are there to see the surfers expertly guide their boards over the waves,
or the strong curls of the waves themselves, the sight will not disappoint.
Shopping in Male’
Male' also hosts a wide range of shops that sell every imaginable good including
supermarkets, chemists, electronics, books, clothes, footwear, and jewellery.
Notable shopping areas of Male’ include the two markets, one which sells local agricultural
produce, and another that sells fish.
The local market stocks agricultural produce from all Maldivian islands. It is located
on the northern side of Male', and distinguished by the sight of hanging clusters
of bright yellow bananas throughout the market. The market is favoured by locals
and expatriates alike, mainly because of the availability of fresh, local fruit
and vegetable produce at inexpensive prices.
The fish market is located a mere two blocks away from the local market. The main
feature of the market is its unmissable odour of freshly caught fish. Once your
nostrils adjust to the strong smell, the market is a veritable delight of colour
and energy. The best time to visit the fish market would be in the late-afternoons,
when the local fishermen bring in their catch. Make sure you see the fish-cutters
at work, with their practised blades slicing and dicing the fish neatly.
Slightly off the usual tourist track are the plentiful textile shops dotted around
Male'. Favoured by local women who often get their clothes tailored instead
of bought ready-made, these shops number in the hundreds and offer fabric of every
imaginable texture, design and colour. Air-conditioned and well-maintained, these
shops are well worth a visit if only to get a glimpse of local women in their element.
Any tour guide will be able to point you in the direction of the larger textile
shops, and you will come across a dozen stores on a walk along the main roads of
Male'.
Male’ also has a range of bookstores, where you purchase stationery as well as a
range of popular fiction, non-fiction and self-help books.
To take back memories of your holiday in a more material form, the souvenir shops
on the northern end Chandhanee Magu provide the perfect outlet. Wooden ashtrays,
turtle shaped salt and pepper shakers, shell necklaces and packs of playing cards,
these shops offer kitsch of every kind and shape for the discerning traveler.
Eating Out in Male’
Open from early morning till 1 am in the night, the Male' restaurants aim to
please. Menus ranging from Thai, Italian, Indian and other international, regional
and local cuisine. They are served in a range of restaurants, from the cool air-conditioned
bistros to the laid-back open-air cafes. For a truly Maldivian dining experience,
try the fish, preferably while listening to the waves at a waterfront restaurant.
The local version of fast-food are served at what are known as Sai-Hotaas (teashops).
In chatter-filled environment, these hotaas serve ‘short-eats’: a variety of (often
deep-fried) sweet and savoury finger-food, mostly fish and coconut based, as well
as local bread ‘roshi’ to be eaten with a variety of side dishes. Hotaas have a
robust clientele, and serve food on communal tables. The atmosphere is extremely
informal and should you want to engage in conversation with a friendly local, this
may very well be the place to do so.
Cafés are big with the locals of ages and sexes in Male’. Over cups of steaming
coffee, tea and hot chocolate, friends catch up on the day’s affairs and business
deals are conducted. In addition to various beverages, cafés also serve snacks and
smalls in an environment more tempered than that of the hotaas. Ranging from the
cozy and air-conditioned to water-front and laid back, they are the perfect place
to satiate a caffeine fix or to quench dry throats with a fresh juice.
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