Relaxing in sunny lovers’ paradise

	“water villas” which had steps leading […] straight into the Indian Ocean

SITTING in a speedboat zipping over the cobalt waves to the lush tropical island resort of Coco Palm Bodu Hithu, I couldn’t help but thinking that this little piece of the Maldivian jigsaw was almost perfect. It’s no surprise that this is one of the world’s top destinations for couples.

Bodu Hithi, which opened in November 2006, is mainly frequented by English, Germans and French, although there’s also a heavy presence of Koreans, Japanese and Russians here. Almost every visitor to the island is in a couple, and 60 per cent are honeymooners; a non-children policy is also adhered to in the main.

And, with just 100 villas dotted either over the lagoon or on the pure white sand beach, you can spend much of the day barely seeing another soul – bar the occasional chameleon, giant fruit bat, or the island’s resident tame heron.Sister resort to Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, this stylish Maldivian escape is just a 40-minute boat trip from the main airport and Male, the capital of the 1,190 coral islands that make up this predominantly Muslim nation.

Since the 2004 tsunami left parts of the archipelago submerged, and many people homeless, there’s been an extensive programme of repairs, heralding another new beginning for the Maldives. I was staying in one of the traditional five-star “water villas” which had steps leading down from the end of the private wooden sun-deck straight into the Indian Ocean.

Nothing could be more romantic than rolling out of bed and watching turtles and reef sharks swim right past your bedroom while still in your pyjamas.

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Huge interest in Maldives development after political changes

	Maldives is a country that imports everything, even sand

In the Maldives, 30 years of one-man rule by the government is now over and a new era has dawned for the people and the private sector since even the airports and the ports in Maldives are be privatized

Mohamed Ali Janah, President, Maldives Association of Construction Industry (MACI), told reporters that Maldives is a country that imports everything, even, sand and now as the entire gamut of industry such as construction industry is widely open to the private sector, the country has opened opportunities for other countries to engage in industries in an equal, transparent and competitive manner.

He was speaking at a press conference in Colombo to invite Sri Lankan construction industrialists to participate in the Maldives Construction Fair 2009 (MCF 2009) scheduled to be held on April 20 at the Dharubaaruge Exhibition Hall, Male.

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February 5th - 19th

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	Schools of blue-lined snapper

What seems an unusual name for a dive site becomes eminently clear when you first lay eyes on this reef. Normally you can expect to be dropped a short distance off the reef and you will make your way often aided by current to the large structure that features a large diagonal split down its middle - hence 'Broken Rock'.

The highest point of the reef is at around 12 metres and it drops to its base at 25 metres, where the early part of your dive is likely to be. Here it is possible to dive by going around the entirety of the rock, which can be done in slack currents. However most Ari Atoll dive guides will prefer to lead you through the canyon itself.

Obviously good buoyancy control and maintaining a safe distance from sessile life forms is the key to exploring such an area of delicate growth in conditions of current. You can enjoy an array of soft corals, gorgonian fans and sponges throughout the canyon and its smaller cracks and crevices. Marine life often spotted here includes Napoleon wrasse, turtles and moray eels. To the east of the thila is another rock formation which plateaus at around 17 metres and is worthy of investigation due to the presence of schools of blue-lined snapper and barracuda. The very fortunate may be lucky enough to spot a whale shark or two here in May and November. Since the top of the reef is around 12 metres there are no shallows in which to do your safety stop, so in the absence of a line you will likely hang in the blue and possibly drift off the site, so be sure to have your safety sausage for this dive.

Broken Rock Reef Basics: Pinnacle
Depth: 12 - 30m
Visibility: 15 - 25m
Currents: Usually gentle but can be strong
Surface Conditions: Normally calm
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Beginner to intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: All year round.
Distance: 2.5km north east of Dhigurah
Access: Maldives liveaboard

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