When I was a kid, the Maldives were the stuff of dreams. A colleague of my father’s gave me a hardback Maldives-themed calendar one year for Christmas, with glossy photos of atolls peeking out of perfect blue seas in between calendar pages. The sand was so white and the palm trees were so green. Could any tropical islands be more beautiful than these?
Years later the low-lying Maldives began cropping up in stories about climate change. Rising sea levels may well make the Maldives uninhabitable by the end of this century. In the meantime, tourism is an enormously important to the Maldivian economy; according the CIA World Fact Book, tourism is responsible for almost thirty percent of the country’s GDP.
Frightening climate change projections notwithstanding, what more magical way is there to encounter a tropical dreamland than from a plane about to land? This image, snapped by Flickr contributor Mystrimus, captures the ineluctable anticipation that accompanies most arrivals on picture-perfect tropical islands.
Got a pre-landing photo to share? Upload it to Flickr’s Gadling Group Pool. If we like it we might just select it as a future Photo of the Day.
From the 15th century Portuguese explorers to the overconfident 18-year old who crosses the ocean with a loaded iPod, travelers are always in the business of exchanging things: ideas, food, fashion, genes and diseases. Music is right up there, and with the ease of the MP3, we freely unload playlists to one another like apples in a market.
When I look over some of the best music I own, I realize that I only discovered these bands/musicians from traveling away from home, well outside my own musical comfort zone. Certain bands are universal, others still quite local (or were, once upon a time), but despite iTunes attempts to drench us all in far-reaching world tastes, some music is still homegrown. Here’s a quick (and personal) top ten of my own discoveries accompanied by a slew of cheesy YouTube clips for your listening pleasure. Trentemøller (Denmark) Something about dark, electronic music and the Nordic countries go hand in hand. Trentemøller has become a legendary DJ who plays across the globe, but had I never gone to Denmark, I would have waited five years for his music to work its way across the Atlantic.
Zero Degree Atoll (Maldives) I met the lead singer of this band in his home country of The Maldives, right after he performed a chilling cover or R.E.M’s “Losing My Religion”. Though he masters Led Zeppelin and his favorite band is Jethro Tull, his own music is sung in the Dhivehi languages and combines the local blend of Arabic and Indian influences.
Cheb Hasni (Algeria) You can’t visit North Africa and not hear the signature sounds of Algerian Raï music blaring in the chaotic streets of the medina, day and night. Cheb Hasni is king of the genre–an Algerian man, who with his band, cultivated a global following before he was murdered by Islamic fundamentalists in 1994. I caught on to Cheb Hasni in Morocco and despite regular online research, have yet to listen to every one of his songs that make up his prolific discography. Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola (Ireland) Sometimes when you’re traveling, you just have to take a chance and buy a random CD from the locals. I picked up Lasairfhiona in Ireland’s windswept Aran Islands some 7 years ago and have been listening to this Gaelic singer ever since. I don’t know any other music that captures the spirit of a place like she does.
Faye Wong/ 王菲 (Hong Kong) Anyone who’s been jetlagged in Asia knows the thrill of watching hour after hour of sappy karaoke-style MTV all night long. And yet, I actually discovered Faye in a discount bin in New York City’s Chinatown and had to wait until YouTube came around to take in her full repertoire, which is extremely vast. Somedays she the Chinese Celine Dion, other days the Asian Alanis Morissette–Faye is constantly reinventing herself and loves to do Cantonese covers of western indie classics. So don’t judge too quickly–Faye grows on everybody.
Architecture In Helsinki (Australia) Admittedly, big city Melbourne’s got a pretty crazy independent music scene but Architecture in Helsinki might just be the trippiest of them all. Going on a decade strong, the bizarre musical set-ups of AIH evokes a lot of “What?” reactions while still gaining global fans for their deliciously infectious, irresistibly toe-tapping and hip-shaking songs. As ambassadors from down under, AIH begs the question, is Australia an actual country or just a constant spaced-out party?
For a Minor Reflection (Iceland) Four 20 year-old dudes wailing thoughtfully on guitars. It’s a tried-and-true recipe but somehow, this post-rock band from Reykjavík adds something wonderfully new, delivering long, drawn-out ballads completely devoid of lyrics. Heard them first at Iceland Airwaves, which might be the greatest music festival in the world.
Marisa Monte (Brazil) Fairly popular in Brazil and France, I only came upon Marisa myself while passing through South America earlier this year. Her voice, songwriting, rhythms and melodies fall slightly outside the typical Latin American canon, which is why she’s succeeded in crossing over to an international following.
Springbok Nude Girls (South Africa) Compelling band name and even more compelling music, there’s not a South African out there who doesn’t have a strong opinion about these guys, thumbs up or down. That’s why I started listening to them in London, where there are more South Africans than Brits, I think. Springbok’s broke up a few years back but are apparently back together and playing sold-out gigs in South Africa right now.
Iryna Bilyk (Ukraine) Countries with dysfunctional governments always promise a steady flow of talented artists, and after living there for several years, I can say without irony that Ukraine is no exception. Of the many divas that rock Ukraine’s airwaves, Iryna Bilyk is the most classic–a kind of bottle-blond Slavic Madonna that plays in every cab in Kiev. Like the actual Amereican Madonna, Iryna caused no small scandal when the 40-year old singer married her 22-year old backup dancer. This song is called, “I’m not sorry.”
Feel free to add your own great musical finds in the comments below–Just make sure it’s music you discovered while traveling abroad.(If you spam me with your favorite Beyoncé or Coldplay clip, the world will know that you don’t even own a passport.) Thanks!
When an unidentified couple headed to the Vilu Reef resort in the Maldives, they thought they were participating in a traditional renewal of their wedding vows. And to be honest, watching the video above seems to confirm that. It wasn’t until the video clip was uploaded to YouTube that the translation painted a different picture.
Instead of romantic reminders of their love and affection for each other, the two were told they were swines and infidels. The vulgarities didn’t end there:
“Your marriage is not a valid one. You are not the kind of people who can have a valid marriage. One of you is an infidel. The other, too, is an infidel – and we have reason to believe – an atheist, who does not even believe in an infidel religion
You fornicate and make a lot of children. You drink and you eat pork. Most of the children that you have are marked with spots and blemishes. These children that you have are bastards.
Before buggering a chicken, check if the hole is clean. That is because the people of the countries that you are from are familiar with the taste of the ****holes of chicken,” he chants, still with hands held over the couples”.
After the ceremony, the couple was taken to a coconut tree, where the person operating the video camera makes remarks about the bride’s breasts. The Maldives Tourism Minister told BBC news that the government was “very concerned” by the incident.
(Warning: profanities included in the video subtitles)
The ceremony at the Vilu Reef Hotel costs $1,300, and is described as a way to “mark a milestone in your amazing journey together”. The staff members behind the incident have been suspended and are under investigation by the owner of the resort.
Why settle for the beach in your backyard when you can hit the waves on the other side of the world. We found some remote islands in the Maldives that will leave you so zen your family won’t recognize you. You might need to cash in a bit on your savings account, but can you really put a price on your sanity?
Here are three great spots for soaking up the sun on the Maldives islands in the Indian Ocean:
Anantara Kihavah Villas, South Male Atoll: The opens in December and will sport 78 spacious overwater and beach villas. Think private pools, wooden sundecks, outdoor showers, and over-sized bathtubs built for two. There’s also a ‘jungle spa’ for those of you who want to test your wild side. Opening rates start at $980 for a Beach Pool Villa.
Cocoa Island, Makunufushi: Cocoa Island was recently named ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Boutique Hotel’ in the 2010 World Travel Awards. The resort is hosting some December packages inc offers seven nights for the price of six, and 14 nights for the price of 12 from November 1 to December 26, 2010. Rates start at $880 per night for a Dhoni Suite this fall and are inclusive of daily breakfast. Naladhu, Velighandu Huraa island: This hideaway has 19 secluded houses, each with its own private pool. Your House Master will serve as your concierge, butler, and personal assistant. While you’re here, go on a Naladhu Spa Journey that includes a wellbeing consultation, skin assessment, daily private yoga classes, and a 90-minute treatment per person per day with a Master Therapist. Rates include accommodations and daily breakfast and start at $2,100 for an Ocean House.
What are you waiting for?
Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.
What was once a room for foodies is now a suite for lovers.
The Ithaa restaurant at Conrad Maldives Resort & Spa normally features a “reverse-aquarium” room that seats about a dozen guests for an underwater dining experience. However, in honor of the hotel’s fifth anniversary, that room has been converted into an undersea honeymoon suite (10 other guests not included).
The glass-domed room is submerged in the Indian Ocean and must be reserved at least two weeks in advance. The rate? It’s a mystery, but HotelsMag.com found a water villa room rate at the resort for $1,725 per night.
Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.