Unexplored Maldives Male’ in 1959) the Heart-Shaped Addu Atoll Lies Just South of the Equator
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Destination R eni and Marcel Kaspar eni and Marcel eni and Marcel Kaspar eni and Marcel R ‘Gaaffaru’ once used to chug between Male' and Colombo The vast hulk of 'Skipjack 1' THE SHIPYARD “Thar she blows!” Her rusting “Skipjack 1” was due to be scuttled cargo vessel between Male’ and bow protrudes 5m above the between Lhaviyani Atoll and Baa Colombo. In 1992 it sprung a leak water at a 45-degree angle, like a Atoll but caught fire and sank on the and the captain urgently tried to breaching whale. ‘The Shipyard’ in spot it lies on today. divert it to Felivaru, but it sank just Lhaviyani Atoll is one of the most The origin of the second ship short of its destination. dramatic-looking scuba dive sites in (submerged 30 metres underwater) The allure of a shipwreck is the entire Maldives and it consists is a mystery but it is believed to indisputable, and today both wrecks of two thrilling shipwrecks. The first have entered Maldivian waters are encrusted with beautiful corals one, rearing up out of the water, illegally before running aground. and sponges. Angelfish, batfish, was once a cold storage ship for a The authorities seized it, named stingrays and napoleon wrasse Japanese cargo company. In 1985 it ‘Gaaffaru’ and operated it as a frequent the ethereal remains. ADDU AtOLL Once part of the tiny breakaway United Suvadive Republic (a short- lived attempt at independence from UNEXPLORED MALDIVES Male’ in 1959) the heart-shaped Addu Atoll lies just south of the equator. Usually travellers in the THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED Maldives have to rely on boats, but here in ‘Addu City’ you can island- We’ve all heard of the luxury resorts and powdered sugar beaches the hop by bicycle! This is because the Maldives is famous for. But uncover some of the island nation’s less well- British built a causeway linking Gan known attractions and you’ll be rewarded with some unique experiences… with Feydhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Maradhoo and Hithadhoo, thus WORDS SARAH HARVEY Lucie Mohelnikova Akthar Naseem providing no less than 16km of road Natutally, being the Maldives, Thoddoo also has a spectacular beach Tales of fairies, queens and princesses surround the mysterious 'Fairy Lake' to zoom along. 2 August 2016 www.srilankan.com/serendib www.srilankan.com/serendib August 2016 3 majority were transformed into of Thoddoo’s Buddhist temple. In a resort and shops, while the 1959 archaeologists uncovered an hospital became a dive centre, extremely “unusual” stupa where but Gan still retains a distinctive a huge statue of Buddha had lain atmosphere unlike anywhere else. hidden for almost 800 years. According to legends, According to local narratives, queens (who in Maldivian folklore when the Maldives was declared were also fairies!) were said to an Islamic kingdom in 1153 the have bathed in the pale green inhabitants of the then-Buddhist waters of the ‘Queen’s Lake’ island wanted to save their relic (also known as ‘Fairy Lake’ and Lucie Mohelnikova Lucie Mohelnikova so they removed it from its prime ‘Princess Lake’) in Hithadhoo. Passion fruit grown in Thoddoo A farmer carefully inspects his produce position and placed it upright on the It’s a beautiful spot where temple floor. Stone slabs and sand you can soak up the tranquil THODDOO were carefully piled up around it, atmosphere and admire the Watermelons, papayas, forming a mound. Some versions shimmering water. While the bananas, passion fruit…the lush of the story say the inhabitants Naj Hameed fairies themselves might not make island of Thoddoo in Alif Alif Atoll habitually decorated the stupa with A reminder of Gan's British military past an appearance, one ‘fairy’ you’ll is bursting with mouth-watering flowers. What lay beneath it remained be guaranteed to spot is the tropical delights. It may be only a secret to outsiders for centuries. In 1941 the British established until its closure in 1976. Today, many Fairy Tern (White Tern) which can 1km long, but this Garden of Eden And it appears to have been a scared a naval base and airstrips in Gan, of the original military buildings and be found in no other area of the is one of the biggest producers of site since ancient times; Roman which later operated as RAF Gan a war memorial still remain. The Maldives, save Addu Atoll. fruit and vegetables in the country coins minted in 90 BC, a ceremonial hea S – no mean feat in such a sandy ' silver bowl and a gold cylinder were O nation! But even more enchanting also discovered there. The head of than the verdant landscape is the Michael the Buddha statue was transported mythology surrounding the ruins The head of the ancient Buddha statue to the National Museum in Male’. FUVAHMULAH The one-island-atoll of Fuvahmulah was also once part of the United Suvadive Republic. Its distinctive features include two freshwater lakes, marshland, tropical woodlands and taro fields. But the beaches are the most eye-catching aspect. Unlike anywhere else in the Maldives, they are made up Lucie Mohelnikova of smooth, shiny, white pebbles of varying sizes, while “kalho- akiri” (black pebbles) appear on the southeast shore. The most impressive of all these beaches is Thundi beach on Fuvahmulah is said to be the most beautiful in the Maldives Thundi, where a natural, shallow swimming pool forms annually, Maldives – and that’s really saying frequent rough seas, which makes it attracting hundreds of locals. something! tricky to approach by boat, that has Naj Hameed Maldivians consider this beach to Perhaps it is the island’s isolation ensured Fuvahmulah remains one of 'Addu City' is a collection of islands be the most beautiful in the entire (300 miles from Male), combined with the Maldives’ best-kept secrets. 4 August 2016 www.srilankan.com/serendib www.srilankan.com/serendib August 2016 5.