Male' & Cocoon

About the destination: Malé is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. With a population of 133,412 and an area of 5.8 square kilometres it is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city is geographically located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll (Kaafu Atoll). Administratively, the city consists of a central island, an airport island, and two other islands governed by the Malé City Council. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient royal dynasties ruled and where the palace was located. The city was then called Mahal. Formerly it was a walled city surrounded by fortifications and gates (doroshi). The Royal Palace (Gan'duvaru) was destroyed along with the picturesque forts (kotte) and bastions (buruzu) when the city was remodelled under President Ibrahim Nasir's rule in the aftermath of the abolition of the monarchy in 1968. However, the Malé Friday Mosque remains. In recent years, the island has been considerably expanded through land-filling operations. Over the years, Malé has been the center of political protests and milestone events.

About the destination: The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean, are an archipelago of 1,192 coral islands grouped into 26 coral atolls. From these small islands, only 203 are populated. Kaafu is where the capital, Male, and the airport are located and it is home of most tourist resorts. The Maldives really are the dream destination it appears to be in the holiday brochures, the water really is that crystal-clear and turquoise, the sand really is that white, and the sunsets really are all the shades of red and orange you could imagine. The Maldives are famous for blissful surroundings, its excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities, its beach villas, its dark-blue sea with turquoise-colored lagoons and its exquisite food. A trip to the Maldives is always an unforgettable experience, a satisfaction for the soul and a pleasure for the eyes, crystal clear waters, tropical white sand beaches, colorful flora and untouched nature. But beware, paradise is not cheap.