Maldives Master Thread

[eliteflyer]

So how do you plan on landing in MLE?

Completely valid point. If you have an issue visiting a Muslim country, MLE is far more conservative in that regard than DOH, AUH, and DXB. We had a fine day in AUH on our recent trip and I wouldn't hesitate to go back again. Turkey has its own security/political instability issues which I think are separate from it being a majority Muslim country.

[moisheyb]

Anyone have a recommended packing list?

[Emkay]

Anyone have a recommended packing list?

Bathing suit and pom meals.

[moisheyb]

Bathing suit and pom meals.

Now we're getting specifics!!

What do you recommend to eat for breakfast?

Should I bring a burner and frying pan?

[cholent]

Sunscreen

[Aerial Dag]

Anyone have a recommended packing list?

Bring an underwater camera. I brought a see through drybag for my cellphone (this) and it was terrible. All the picture were crappy. I rented a legit underwater camera from the hotel and my pictures were amazing. You're going to see some of the most beautiful coral, fish, sharks etc. Your'e going to want to photograph them. Don't be left with a bad camera.

[moisheyb]

Bring an underwater camera. I brought a see through drybag for my cellphone (this) and it was terrible. All the picture were crappy. I rented a legit underwater camera from the hotel and my pictures were amazing. You're going to see some of the most beautiful coral, fish, sharks etc. Your'e going to want to photograph them. Don't be left with a bad camera.

Now that's a great idea!
Any specific activities worth doing besides snorkeling, and any I should stay away from?

[Aerial Dag]

Now that's a great idea!
Any specific activities worth doing besides snorkeling, and any I should stay away from?

I went swimming with manta rays. These things are like 20 feet and it was a very cool experience. I'm sure your hotel will have similar excursions. You flew halfway around the world so you might as well take advantage of what they offer.

[moisheyb]

I went swimming with manta rays. These things are like 20 feet and it was a very cool experience. I'm sure your hotel will have similar excursions. You flew halfway around the world so you might as well take advantage of what they offer.

Wow that's an epic picture!
Ya there are so many different activities they offer I'm just trying to weed out the best of the best

[Joe4007]

i cant say for certain that the app works merely on wifi... Im not a techie. I always buy a local sim card so it certainly works for me

I had the same ? about Shabbos time because OU.org couldn't do it. So you guys are saying I can do it either with the coordinates on Chabad.org or if I get this app and run it when I'm actually there it will give me the correct time?

It should work on WiFi. It uses your phones GPS to get the coordinates and then checks online for the zmanim.

[CS91]

Now that's a great idea!
Any specific activities worth doing besides snorkeling, and any I should stay away from?

Scuba diving is a must.

[moisheyb]

Scuba diving is a must.

Is it ok for a first timer? Or do you need experience to do it?

[CS91]

Is it ok for a first timer? Or do you need experience to do it?

I was a first timer. Don't need any experience. One disclaimer though – you might be setting a really high standard for future times. I went scuba diving in Hawaii two months after and all I was doing the whole time was thinking about how lame it was compared to MLE .

[moisheyb]

I was a first timer. Don't need any experience. One disclaimer though – you might be setting a really high standard for future times. I went scuba diving in Hawaii two months after and all I was doing the whole time was thinking about how lame it was compared to MLE .

That's good to hear! True say, never know when I'll get another chance to go to mle so and can't think of a better time!

[AJK]

Yup, the diving in MLE is fantastic.

Though so was the diving in GBR... and DPS... and I found diving in LIH to be pretty wonderful as well...

Monday:

We arose bright and early for a two-tank day of scuba diving.
 
 . . .

We took the Kauai Revealed recommendation and booked with Fathom Five, and found them to be pretty good.

We dove the Sheraton Caverns and another site of which I unfortunately do not remember the name, and it was very enjoyable. The Sheraton Caverns is described well by Fathom Five:

“Sheraton Caverns has got the most popular boat diving site on Kauai. Located about 400 yards off the Sheraton Kauai (go figure that one) this site offers something for everyone. Three partial lava tubes make of the majority of this spot with lots of nooks and crannies for the critters to hide in. Archways and partial overhangs give this site some of the most spectacular scenery found underwater. Everything from Frogfish to Black Coral lives on this site, with Sea Turtles being so prominent that we don't call them Turtles but A.F.T.'s (Another Freaking Turtle).”

And it was true, we saw AFTs in abundance.

Random Frogfish:




What the description does not mention is that because it was whale season, we were serenaded with underwater whale singing during the entirety of both of our dives. Really special experience to hear these creatures singing under water.

Overall, Kauai does not compare to the diving in the Maldives or Bali, but we did end up seeing dozens of large sea turtles, one of my favorites and something which unfortunately have been a rare sight in my previous dives, so that was exhilarating.

[Dan]

Bring a GoPro.

[shiframeir]

So how do you plan on landing in MLE?

Valid point, but the Mrs and mother have never heard of the Maldives (as opposed to turkey, abu dhabi and Qatar) so i havent told them . No exec decisions power since i need my parents to watch my kids, plus my wife needs to be happy on our trip or its a waste. going to push harder for abu dhabi since we know jews who went there and were fine. but its an uphill battle. I'm too much of a softy and I'll prob end up settling to go back to miami

[yochiek93]

Valid point, but the Mrs and mother have never heard of the Maldives (as opposed to turkey, abu dhabi and Qatar) so i havent told them . No exec decisions power since i need my parents to watch my kids, plus my wife needs to be happy on our trip or its a waste. going to push harder for abu dhabi since we know jews who went there and were fine. but its an uphill battle. I'm too much of a softy and I'll prob end up settling to go back to miami

Wow that's a big difference

[12HRS]

Valid point, but the Mrs and mother have never heard of the Maldives (as opposed to turkey, abu dhabi and Qatar) so i havent told them . No exec decisions power since i need my parents to watch my kids, plus my wife needs to be happy on our trip or its a waste. going to push harder for abu dhabi since we know jews who went there and were fine. but its an uphill battle. I'm too much of a softy and I'll prob end up settling to go back to miami

tell them miami has zika now

[yochiek93]

tell them miami has zika now

+1