The crystal-clear water of a turquoise color, that are overwater bungalows and long white sandy beaches are first things that come to mind when you hear Maldives. These postcard-perfect scenes are definitely its attraction, but there is much more to this island nation than meets the eye. The Maldives Beyond Beaches offers tourists to see the alternative to the face of paradise, that is, the one based on centuries-old traditions, friendliness, and a rich local culture that is worth discovering.

When you are booking your next vacation with the Go Kite Tours, do not stop at the sun loungers and resorts. The Maldives luxury tour packages with exclusivity will enable you to enjoy the beauty of islands itself as well as the real beating of local life.

Learning the Maldivian Culture at Heart

The Maldives is not a big island; however, it possesses a rich and diverse culture due to its history as a cross of trading routes. The Indian, Arabian and African influences to the native Maldivian way of life is a curious mixture of traditions, cuisine and crafts.

The Ghost of Island Communities

The Maldives Beyond Beaches is only to be witnessed when you travel to its occupied islands where the local life is flourishing. Every island is a variation of rhythms: children playing on the beach with their bare feet, fishermen taking their dhonis (traditional boats) to the sea, and women weaving mats called Thundu Kunaa.

The Maldives lifestyle can be well understood by visiting such islands as Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, and Dhigurah. You could lodge in family run guesthouses, have home cooked meals and participate in community experiences which demonstrated how locals co-existed with nature.

Traditional Music and Dance

The Maldives cultural identity is heavily dependent on music and dance. One of the most ancient and the most vigorous forms of the Maldivian art is Boduberu, the traditional drum performance. It has its origins in the African influences of the centuries past and is currently being used during festivals, weddings, and cultural evenings.

Boduberu is accompanied by singing and dancing on the rhythmic beats and narrates love, sea, and everyday life stories. Attending or even participating in a Boduberu performance provides the travelers with the idea of how the locals celebrate their heritage- which is an inevitable aspect of the exploration of the Maldives Beyond Beaches.

Food Adventures: Tasting the Local Delights

Another Maldivian culinary offering that is usually lost in the luxurious resort restaurants is the Maldivian food. The local food is closely related to the sea and the simplicity of the island life. Most of the dishes are dominated by freshly caught tuna, coconuts, rice, and tropical fruits.

Order Masi Huni, a famous breakfast consisting of shredded smoked fish, coconut, onion, and chili and roshi (flatbread). Or feast upon Garudhiya, fish soup with spices and rice and lime.

You should visit local cafes, which are also referred to as Sai Hotaa, to get a feel of how the Maldivians interact with each other; getting to hear the stories of their friends as they enjoy tea and sweet cookie lovingly known as Hedhikaa. These tiny little cafes provide you with a mothball size snapshot into the day-to-day pulse of the locals.

There are myriads of Arts, Handicrafts and Heritage

Outside the beaches, there is a rich artistic tradition in the Maldives. There have been traditional crafts like lacquer work, mat weaving and boat building, which have been shared through generations. On some of the islands such as Thulhaadhoo of Baa Atoll you can find artisans working on the wooden boxes and ornaments with very old techniques to paint the elaborate designs.

Boat building is another outstanding tradition. One of the symbols is the dhoni, which is a handcrafted wooden structure, representing the artisanship and maritime spirit of Maldivian people. A visit to a local boatyard will provide the traveler with an opportunity to have an up-close view of this craftsmanship- a living demonstration of how custom and pragmatics collide in the life of the islands.

Sacred Places and Vernacular Architecture

The Maldives has a number of culturally important sites that can be explored by tourists who want to delve into the history of the country. The Hukuri Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque), in the capital, Malé, is one of the oldest mosques in this country. It is made of coral stone and has complex carvings; this is a reflection of Islamic art and architecture that has not been encountered elsewhere in the Maldives.

The Maldives Islamic centre is another attraction site to visit and it is a representation of faith and modern architecture. Visiting these sacred places is a silent but rich experience of how spirituality is used on the daily life of Maldivians.

Community and Sustainable Tourism

Traveling to the Maldives Beyond Beaches also involves having knowledge on how the country is working towards being sustainable. Some local islands have adopted sustainable tourism, involving the creation of coral, waste management and renewable energy.

Travelers have the opportunity to engage in conservation efforts such as beach clean ups or coral planting, through programs conducted by Go Kite Tours. Such experiences do not only tie you to the environment, but also provide livelihoods to the locals and community tourism projects.

Whenever you decide to visit the Maldives, whether you choose to remain in its occupied islands or you want to go on eco-friendly tours, you will be a direct contributor towards the conservation of both the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Maldives.

Festivals and Celebrations of the location

The best way to experience the Maldivian life is to have a schedule of visiting the Maldives during the traditional festivals. The national day (different Islamic calendar dates) and Independence Day (July 26) are observed by the way of parades, music, and performances in the streets. Ramadan and Eid are very religious periods as they are characterized by communal feasts and a feeling of unity.

Participation in such festivities provides a close up view of the way the people of the Maldives show unity, faith and happiness, which are the common attributes of who they are, just as much as the beauty of their islands.

Conclusion

The Maldives is much more than a place to sunbath and have luxury resorts. Traveling to the Maldives Beyond Beaches, the visitors can find the country with strong traditions, hospitable people, the life which is determined by the beat of the sea.

In Go Kite Tours, you are able to create your own trip that will be comfortable and at the same time authentic-inclusive of the luxury of high end resorts and the cultural experiences and knowledge. Going to a family to have a home-cooked meal, seeing a Boduberu performance, or seeing local artisans, you make your visit a topic of conversation.

When deciding how to escape, browse the Maldives travel deals which are exclusive to give you both the vanity and the authentic profile of this island paradise. Finally, the Maldives is memorable not only because of its locations but also because of its people.