Maldives - The Sunny side of Life

The Maldives has always been a unique nation. Apart from a period of Portuguese domination in the Sixteenth century and carrying the status of a British Protectorate from 1887 to 1965, the archipelago has been an independent archipelago for at least twenty-five centuries.

The Maldives is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement. The Maldives maintains a very cordial relationship with the international community and the Maldivians themselves take pride in their hospitality and friendliness!

The population of the Maldives currently stands slightly in excess of a quarter of a million. A common language (Dhivehi) and a religion (Islam) have been two blessings that unite the people into a cohesive and peaceful society. Pride is taken in tradition though not at the expense of development and modernization.

Maldivians are generally not race conscious, perhaps because the country has been inhabited for centuries during which visitors from as far apart as China, Africa, Arabia and Persia have been assimilated into the society. This tradition of welcoming visitors continues?..

We dare you to come here and count exactly how many islands there are in the country. They say that counting the islands including the sand spits is like trying to count how many stars there are in the sky! So, the commonly agreed upon figure of 1190 is but an approximation. These islands are grouped into natural atolls that are protected by surrounding reefs. The islands are of pure white coral sand are low lying, the highest point on any give island being no more than a meter and a half above sea level. Coconut palms and an abundance of tropical plants make these islands an idyllic place for your holiday if you want to see nature at its best.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary

Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary, Pahang is a rare and fantastic opportunity to get up close to endemic Malaysian elephants.

This truly unique Elephant Orphanage of Kuala Gandah in Pahang will give you a very rare opportunity to learn about these displaced gentle giants.

Get the chance to ride them through the jungle, with the help of an elephant guide, or mahout.

For the brave and adventurous, there are opportunities to take the elephants down to the river and help give them a bath! There really is no better opportunity than this to get in touch with these grey giants.

It is estimated that there are only 1,200 wild Asian Elephants, also known as Elephus Maximus, left in Malaysia and this is the only conservation centre set up to relocate these displaced pachyderms.

The elephants here have been rescued from all over Peninsula Malaysia, providing them a safe sanctuary in the wild.

Destination of the week: Rome

Rome is one of the world’s large tourist destinations. The city’s seductive Old World atmosphere, with more than 2,000 years of record, art, religion and food, draws hordes of camera-toting invaders. However, it is still possible to have a quiet, environmentally friendly trip to the Eternal City.
You wouldn’t have to stay long in Rome to realize that eating is a main part of life there. Luckily, food is one of the city’s most environmentally friendly aspects. Nowhere else in the world is such a premium put on new, locally sourced ingredients. For visitors to Rome, even gluttony can be green.

With a host of green transit options, from walking to trams to Vespas, it is easy to keep your commutes clean. Green hotels (including one that takes recycling to the extreme — see below) and a unique approach to sustainability lift Rome above several of Europe’s other urban destinations in terms of environmental friendliness.