Beyond the Resorts: Our Last Day of Adventures in Male City!
Hi, travellers! It was our final day in the beautiful Maldives, and we had a very important mission: shopping for souvenirs and local goods before our early morning flight home. We spent the day exploring **Male City** and the unique **Hulhumale Island**, getting a feel for the local life beyond the luxury resorts.
We quickly learned that there are some fantastic deals here! We started our shopping trip at the **STO shopping mall**, which is controlled by the government. We were told that because many goods, including branded items like Zara, are imported from Dubai without high taxes, things like perfume, shampoo, and certain brands are much cheaper here than at home. We also stocked up on handy canned goods, especially tuna (with varieties like chili and olive oil), which is perfect for future trips!
💡 Tip:
Look for deals on chocolates and nuts! We found a huge variety of chocolates and nuts that were priced much lower than at home, making them perfect to take back as gifts.
Fresh Catch and Dried Delicacies at the Fish Market
Next, we headed to the heart of the city: the **Fish Market** and the **Local Market**. We saw local fishermen cutting and preparing their fresh catches. If you want the freshest fish, you need to arrive early in the morning! We weren’t buying fresh fish, but we were on the hunt for dried fish and **Umbalakada** (Maldivian fish chips), which are famous here.
We visited the local dried fish shops right next to the market and were happy to meet a Sri Lankan shopkeeper named **Manoj** at shop number 24! He showed us huge dried Sailfish and Yellowfin Tuna, along with Maldivian dried sprats. We learned that many Sri Lankans living abroad buy these from him because of the great quality. We bought a large amount of Umbalakada because everyone told us it tastes the best here! Manoj was kind enough to pack and wrap our purchase securely in a box so we could safely carry it home.
Hulhumale: The Man-Made Island of the Future
For the rest of the afternoon, we decided to explore **Hulhumale Island**. This is a totally **man-made island** that is still being developed. We learned an important fact: because there is a serious risk that Male City could be completely drowned if the sea level rises, the government is moving many businesses and residents from Male to Hulhumale.
Hulhumale is much greener than Male, with lots of trees, a beautiful garden, and even a natural pool and a skate spot. It feels spacious and modern. The airport is also located here. We caught a local bus from the **Maafannu Bus Terminal** to travel around the island—it’s the public transport method, though motor-bicycles and taxis (which you can book on an app like Avas) are the most common ways to get around.
Final Farewells and the Journey Home
We finished our day with a quick check-in at the airport. Our flight was early in the morning, so we used the **Duty-Free area** to grab some last-minute coffee and souvenirs. We were worried our bags might be over the 23kg limit, but thankfully, they were fine! The airport was quiet, making it a sad but peaceful farewell.
The Maldives is a place that truly captures your heart. Unlike other countries where we felt ready to go home, we both wished we could stay here longer! The tranquility, the friendly Sri Lankan community we met, and the unique beauty made this trip unforgettable. We’re sad we missed the **submarine tour** due to heavy rain on our last day, but that just means we have a reason to come back!
Thank You, Maldives!
This trip showed us that there’s so much more to the Maldives than just the resort experience. It’s a country with a unique culture, a strong sense of community, and a fascinating plan for the future. We want to thank everyone who helped us along the way and wish the many hardworking Sri Lankans there success in their difficult journeys. We hope to see this beautiful island nation again soon!