Where are The Maldives?

Long regarded as the ultimate in luxurious holidaying, the Maldives comprise an archipelago of 1,190 ancient coral islands fringed with white sandy beaches and lapped by the bath-warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Originally formed by volcanoes, the underwater reefs surrounding the Maldives support more than 1,000 species of fish and other marine creatures – ranging from tiny fan-like coral structures to sharks and manta rays. The unique structure and rich abundance in marine life has ensured the Maldives reliably appears on lists of the world’s best dive sites.

In the Maldives diving holidays frequently take place on special live-aboard boats. These give divers access to the remoter atolls and, with up to four dives a day included in the price, can provide good value for money.

Other divers choose to base themselves at a particular resort and take day boats out to the various dive sites. However, with 644km of coastline and 200 inhabited islands, choosing a particular resort can vex even the most decisive of divers.

As a rough guide, stay on the western side of an atoll between May and November, as the visibility is better and life more varied on the reef. Divers arriving between December and April should opt for the eastern side of an atoll.

South Ari atoll and North Male atoll provide divers with the chance to feast their eyes on turtles, sharks, schools of game fish and the brightly coloured reef dwellers that inhabit the steep drop-offs known in the diving world as ‘walls’.

Some of the most popular dive sites for beginners include Banana Reef on the south-eastern side of North Male atoll and Maaya Thila off the North Ari atoll. Expect to see white-tip reef sharks, batfish, eagle rays and barracudas.

More experienced divers may choose to explore the protected marine park at the southern end of the North Male atoll. Known as Lion’s Head, this wall dive is subject to strong currents that attract large pelagic species such as tunas, giant barracudas grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasses and turtles.

Other popular spots for caching glimpses of gray, silver- and white-tip reef sharks are Rasfari and Cocoa Corner off the North Male atoll. Both are suited to more experienced divers.

To book an unforgettable holiday in the Maldives with some of the most remarkable marine life on the planet, planet diving holidays in the Maldives promise an unforgettable time.

The Lonely Planet Guide to The Maldives

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One Great Reason to Visit the Maldives

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the pristine waters which allow for some amazing diving experiences.

The Maldives

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Where is El Nido?

Miniloc Island, El Nido by bingramos

El Nido is an isolated travel destination in the Province of Palawan. It’s also referred to as the Philippines ‘last frontier’. El Nido is approximately 420 kilometres south-west of Manila and is reached by air from Manila. Boat services are regular to the outlying islands of Palawan.

Some of the key highlights of the area include Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Sites, El Nido Marine Reserve Park, the spectacular limestone cliffs, isolated coves and lagoons.

Lagen Island and Miniloc Island are the home of the beautiful El Nido Resorts. Both these resorts are very popular with international visitors and honeymooners, offering first class accommodation in a serene destination.

Philippines: Islands of Enchantment

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One Great Reason to Visit El Nido

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for its sheer beauty. I read a statement whilst researching this post, it read “God spent a lot of time here making it perfect!”

El Nido, Palawan

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Where is the Tonle Sap and the Sangke River?

Floating Community Centre

The Tonlé Sap is the vast lake in Cambodia and The Tonle Sap is the largest lake in southeast Asia. In Cambodian its name means “Large Fresh Water River,” but it is more commonly translated as “Great Lake”) It is a combined lake and river system of huge importance to Cambodia. Julie Wilson writes of her trip to this region in Cambodia.

One of my favourite days was travelling up the Sangke River into the Tonle Sap Lake on our way to Siam Reap (the town near the Angkor Wat temple complex). We started our river journey from Battenbang. Our long boat was just one of many watercraft on river – all long and narrow and paddled or with tiny motors.

Floating Pig Pen

Our boat followed the Sangke as it meandered north for hours – the riverbank always dotted with interesting small settlements of two or three houses on either side along its length. After around 4 hours of serene travelling the river widened out, and then began to widened out again and again until it became a vast delta. And imperceptibly the delta became a vast and beautiful lake – the Tonle Sap Lake. Now dotted with waterlilies and low long pieces of ground almost level with the water and covered with lush green vegetation and even small trees.

We passed whole villages of four to eight houses either on tall silts of five or six meters high or, even more fascinating, floating on bamboo rafts. The floating settlements of houses all on rafts were so picturesque. Each house was floating on each own bamboo raft. And not only houses but small sheds, vegetable patches, chicken coups and pig pens – each on its own bamboo raft base and linked by a rope to a house.

As our long narrow boat travelled on up into the great lake we went through small floating towns – shops, community halls, schools, and school playgrounds were all floating on their own raft. Truly a beautiful and amazing sight.

So if you get the chance, I highly highly recommend that you include the river journey on the Sangke from Battenbang to Siam Reap as a travel destination to Cambodia. I loved it! For me it was, with the temples, the highlight of the trip and such a relaxing and enchanting way to travel too.

Cambodia (Country Guide)

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One Great Reason to Visit the Sanke River and Tonle Sap Lake

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to view the communities living upon the water. Houses on stilts or floating out on the water on bamboo rafts. Fascinating!

Tonle Sap, Cambodia

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Where is Devi Garh?

Devi Garh, Rajasthan

Devi Garh is nestled in the Aravali Hills in the State of Rajasthan, India. The 18th century palace is located in the village of Delwara and forms one of the three main passes into the valley of Udaipur. Devi Garh, has undergone extensive restoration and rebuilding in preparation for its guests since it was purchased back in 1987 when it had been left empty for more than 20 years. The fort palace was built as a place where the past meets the future.

The grounds have been immaculately landscaped and offer fabulous views over the surrounding hills and a lovely pool to relax by. It really is a splendid travel destination in the Rahasthan landscape in which to base yourself to explore the region which has so much to offer.

The Rough Guide to Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra

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One Great Reason to Visit Devi Garh

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to enjoy the utmost luxury in the magnifent, historical hill-top palace.

Devi Garh – Luxury Hotel in Udaipur, Rajasthan

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