Ambassador of Germany to the Maldives, Mr. Jens Ploetner, has paid a courtesy call on President Mohamed Nasheed. The meeting was held this afternoon at the President’s Office.

Meeting between German Ambassador Ploetner and Maldives’ President Nasheed

In the meeting, President Nasheed and Ambassador Ploetner discussed the friendly relationship between the two countries and ways to strengthen the current relationship between the Maldives and Germany. Mr. Ploetner gave additional details on the President’s upcoming official visit to Germany.

The President was joined at the meeting by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy to the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and Political Advisor to the President Hassan Afeef.

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It is a medical therapy in which oxygen is administered to a patient in high pressure

It was once used to treat decompression sickness but now it has multiply practical applications.

Hyperbaric chambers are now being used by athletes who need to increase their performance because hyperbaric chambers significantly increase the production of red blood cells of the body. Which in turn greatly increases the oxygenation process of the body resulting in increased stamina and strength.

As for scuba diving, decompression sickness is usually caused by a scuba diver that has ascended to quickly from a significant depth not allowing the body to adjust to the sudden change in pressure. Also divers should not go on a flight 24 hours after their last dive.

Scuba divers should be aware of where the closest hyperbaric chamber is when they are diving.  In the Maldives, there are three hyperbaric chambers:

Bandos Medical Clinic and Hyperbaric Centre, Bandos Island Resort, North Male Atoll

The Maldives has the most beautiful beaches in the world and these beaches have a wild side!

Wild mean waves at the Maldives. Quite not all about rest and relaxation the Maldives also hosts the most prestigious surfing events in the world.

There are a lot of islands in the Maldives that cater to a lot on the surfing criteria.  The best time for surfing in the Maldives is at March or October,  similar to the surfing of Indonesia. But the biggest baddest waves are said to be found between June and August.

Waves in the Maldives are usually between 4-8 feet high, but sometimes the tides tend to show off and whip out much bigger waves. Many of the Maldives surfing breaks are reef breaks because the Maldives islands do have a lot of reef to go around. They both can be mellow or really massive sowers of destruction.

Surfers appreciate the super clear and warm water of the Maldives. This means that surfers can stay longer in the water and not get cold. Also the clear water and amazing breaks make the reefs visible.

The most famous of the surf spots at the Maldives can be found at Jailbreaks. The Jailbreak is a amazing right-hander in the North Male and Sultan’s.

The Maldives has been the proud host of the internationally-renowned O’Neill Deep Blue Surfing Tournament for the last three years. This is testimonial to the surfing prowess and promise of the Maldives!

For advanced scuba divers who want to experience more of the Maldives.

The Maalos Thila Dive Site

Starts with a depth of more than 25 meters the Maalos Thila dive site is famous for its huge collection of corals. Three large coral heads immediately welcome the diver upon entering the Thila, All three of the coral heads are covered with colorful soft corals.

It is a good idea for divers to look around while venturing further into the Maalos Thila because there is just a great variety of marine life swimming everywhere from Giant sweet lips and White tip reef sharks around the coral heads.

A good place to spot numerous Blue stripped snappers would be around the caves and overhangs they blue colored fish blend in contrast with the blue and yellow soft coral which is an delightful sight. Along the top of the reef divers will be able to sea a large diverse array of hard coral growth.

As usual the Maalos Thila dive site is for advanced divers and a surface balloon is always a must. Especially when the current is running out the atoll.

Branded as the first international luxury resort despite being the youngest of the lot.

The Shangri-La standard is now set at the the Maldives.

The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort is comprised of a delightful collection of impressive villas that is synonymous to the luxury Shangri-La is known for. Villas include all the amenities you can expect from a luxury hotel, like high speed internet, flat screens, bose sound systems, private sun decks and swimming pools.

Shangri-La Villingilli Resort Facilities

The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort transcends a feeling of tranquility throughout the resort. The Pool villa and the Villa Laau in particular is the most expensive but the most capable and luxurious. For the more adventurous guests there is scuba diving, sailing, sports fishing, kayaking and even a day cruise on which lunch is served on the equator. For those seeking the ultimate unwind and rejuvenation the Shangri-La Villingilli Resort’s Chi Spa offers a plethora of world famous treatments from the four hour long Himalayan Blue Moon Ritual to the oil infused soak tub, healing stone and mud body mask. All of which are guaranteed to rejuvenate the Maldivian traveller.

Shangri-La Villingilli Resort Cuisine

The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort has two main restaurants the Javvu and the Khazaanaga there is also a total of four lounge-bars, all of which serve a great selection of drinks both non alcoholic and alcoholic the flavors and the mix drinks mostly are unique and were only concocted in the Maldives.

If you are looking for a perfect romantic holiday and you love the sun, then Meeru Island is definitely the place to go. This video shows how beautiful the island is. Meeru Island  is a luxurious island resort, set on its own private island, with very attractive, yet simple beach villas, water villas and honeymoon suites.

Check out more reviews from the guests by going to Meeru Island Resort

Leave the world behind and get rid of all the stresses of everyday life. See the beauty of Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Resort. The place is very luxurious, intimate and secluded. A perfect holiday getaway for the most discerning traveler.

Visit the customer reviews on Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.

The newly-launched liveaboard, Theia, is currently cruising the Maldives, having set off  on Wednesday, February 24 with 9 scuba divers.  The orientation dive was held at Maagiri Thila, and a second dive on the first day was held at Boduhithi Thila.

Boduhithi Thila Dive Site Map

Manta Rays Spotted at Rasfari North

After the dive at Boduhithi Thila, Theia cruised on to Rasfari North, where guests were able to snorkel with some manta rays.  This had been a great day’s diving and everyone was excited for more exciting dives throughout the rest of the week.

Rasdhoo Atoll: Day 2 of Theia Cruise

The second day of the Theia dive trip began at Rasdhoo Madivaru in the Rasdhoo Atoll, a dive site known for hammerhead sharks, manta rays, reef sharks and other large species.  The Rasdhoo Madivaru dive started early in the morning, just before 6.00 a.m., which is the best time of the day to see the hammerhead sharks.

Rasdhoo Madivaru Dive Site

Maaya Thila Dive Site

After a successful morning hammerhead dive at Rasdhoo Thila, the guests took another short dive at Bathala Maaga Kan Thila and later two dives at Maaya Thila.  Maaya Thila is one of the most popular dive spots in the Maldives, famed for grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and turtles.  The site is also regarded as the best night diving spot in the whole archipelago.  Divers on Theia were lucky enough to do an afternoon and a night dive here at Maaya Thila, making for an unusual four dives in one day!!!  That’s what you can achieve when you wake up early!  Reports of both Maaya Thila dives were excellent, including reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, moray eels (swimming freely in the night dive)

Theia Liveaboard

Theia Liveaboard continues to cruise the Maldives for the next few days.  Check back here for more diving reports and updates.  After she returns from this cruise, the next cruise sets off on March 3.  There are many more cruise dates confirmed for this brand new luxury diving liveaboard.

To book a space on Theia, please contact us today!

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The Maldives President’s Office has reported that 67,478 tourists arrived in the Maldives during January 2010, making it the country’s strongest January in five years.

***Check out Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE for unforgettable liveaboard diving holidays!***

Moosa Zameer, Head of Planning and Statistics for the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, said that January 2o1o was “the best [January] we have ever had.”

Tourists Arrive in the Maldives on Cruise Ships

Sim Mohamed from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), added that many of these tourists are “surface arrivals,” such as passengers on a cruise ship who arrive for a day or two.

Sim Mohamed noted that a number of services have begun bringing tourists regularly from India and Sri Lanka.

Under normal circumstances, most tourists coming to the Maldives are at “the high end of the market – those who have the disposable income to go wherever they want to go,” he says.

Airlines and Resorts Have Cut Rates

However, in light of the recent economic crisis, many resorts and airlines have reduced their rates significantly, he explained, with some resorts cutting their rates up to 30-50 percent. More airlines opening their routes to the Maldives also means more competitive air fares. Get more information about flights to the Maldives here, like flights from Germany to the Maldives!

Because resorts are operating at lower rates, “there isn’t a significant rise in financial activity in Malé or even in other islands,” Sim said, but “it’s still a win for the government since they get bed rent.”

Zameer believes that the rise in tourist arrivals is not only accredited to cheaper rates at resorts, but to all the “work in promotions carried out after the [economic] crisis at the end of 2008.” He believes both the private sector and the ministry have put a lot of work into promoting the Maldives as a tourist destination, even for those who are more budget conscious.

Shift in the Tourism Market in the Maldives

Traditionally, the key markets for tourism in Maldives have been the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, China and Switzerland, according to MATI. But this trend has already seen a change this year.

Zameer says there has been a “shift in the market,” as European seasonal tourist numbers are dropping and the Chinese and Indian markets are emerging. Kuwaitis have also helped the market “enormously,” he says.

Zameer believes people are starting to realise this is the right time to travel, and they can “go to the destination they have been waiting to go to.”

Sim agrees “there has been a big rise in tourists coming from India. There is also a very sharp rise in Chinese arrivals after Chinese New Year, and there will be another one towards Easter, mostly Italians.”

He added that MATI is “feeling good vibes” from the market, especially from Germany and the UK.

***Check out Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE for unforgettable liveaboard diving holidays!***

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Most scuba divers that visit the Maldives are anxious to observe large pelagic species, such as manta rays, whale sharks, napoleon wrasse and reef sharks. However, the vast array of smaller Maldivian fish provide an unending amount of eye candy for underwater explorers.

Seamoth, or Pegasidae

The seamoth, or Pegasidae, is a small Indo-Pacific family that includes 2 genera and 5 species, of which one has been spotted in the Maldives.

The seamoth is an easily overlooked (yet funky-looking) species. Seamoths are often missed by divers since their exterior is camouflaged by the sandy ocean floor. Adults tend to bury themselves in the sand during the day, making it even more difficult to apperciate this odd-looking underwater species.

Seamoths can be easily spotted during the spawing period, when the female is pregnant and males, after having changed their colors, are courting their female counterparts (which generally occurs at dusk).

Slender Seamoth, or Pegasis volitans

The Slender Seamoth, or Pegasis volitans, can be found in the Maldives, due in large part to its long pelagic stage.

Additional Information About The Seamoth

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 – 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 19 – 22. Color in life variable; body usually light to dark brown, with dorsal and lateral area darker than ventral surface. Pectoral fins hyaline, distal margin white and spotted. Pelvic fin spine and 1st ray forming an elongate, tentacular structure. 3 pairs of dorsolateral body plates; 4 pairs of ventrolateral body plates; tail rings 8 (rarely 9), mobile. A pair of deep pits posterior to orbit. Suborbital shelf concave, eye visible in ventral view. Ventral ridges of rostrum greatly expanded than dorsal ridges, each with laterally directed denticles. Anal papilla absent.

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