It is not everyday one decides to disappear

It is not everyday one decides to disappear.

Not in a morbid or depressing sense. But more towards a sense of freedom. To disappear and gain freedom.

This thought comes to us as we go through our lives – as students dreaming of summer break or as professionals counting the days to their next annual leave.

One must sometimes just disappear from their ordinary everyday life and taste freedom to be able to enjoy the rest of their moments.

So what do we do when we decide to disappear? We hop online and seek out the best places and the easiest routes.

You are reading this because you have found paradise. Or rather a heavily marketed-to-be-paradise known as the Maldives.

An ancient nation you know nothing about, with a history seemingly lost to its own people. That is where you will find your freedom. On the white sandy beaches that caress crystal clear waters full of life and mystery that the vastness of space would envy if they were so inclined.

Maldives in its more than two millennia of existence – has welcomed travelers with open arms. From famed travelers such as Ibn Batuta to castaways washing up ashore or even sailors who dock for trade and fall in love with the people and place that decide to stay and start a family.

We are a people of the sea and as such; respect the changing of tides as well as what and whom that brings.

Today Maldives is one of the leading destinations in the world. With more people visiting the country every year than those who are resident to it.

The one island one resort concept from over a 100 resorts that are owned & benefited by a small group of people, or the burgeoning local tourism industry in inhabited islands designed to address the inequity of opportunity, as well as the safari boats that beckon a voyage on the seas, give visitors a multitude of choices that few other destinations can deliver.

As you make your choice on where in Maldives you want to disappear to, I would like to take you through my first journey to the Maldives.

I chose to fly in from one of the dozens of airlines and routes that cater to the country. The flight was probably over 6 hours long – and I passed the time watching movies and sleeping.

A slight turbulence brought me back to the moment and I looked outside my window. Through the passing clouds I saw the deep blue of the sea with sunlight hitting the waves and glittering like fallen stars. Seemingly endless, the deep dark blue aroused a curiosity as to when I would reach my destination.

As I stared out I noticed that the plane was slowly descending, and that was when I first saw a glimpse of the tropical paradise. Though I was yet to compute exactly what I was seeing. High above in the sky, I looked down and saw the deep dark blue broken up by a turquoise hue and green foliage wrapped in white.

First, one that passed me by leaving me quizzical. Then two, three and more. Now in clusters instead of isolated and swathed in the deep dark blue. As the plane went down lower I realized that the passing breaks in blue are islands. Tiny little islands ringed in turquoise waters and wrapped in white sandy beaches with trees and houses dotted around.

I could also see dark shapes in the turquoise water and wondered whether it was a shadow from the clouds. As we got even lower I realized that these were coral reefs housing the rich marine life I saw videos of before setting out on the trip.

The PA system crackled and I could hear the captain speaking “thank you for flying with us, we will be landing in fifteen minutes to Velana International Airport…” I did not hear the rest as what I saw next prompted a quick snatch of my phone to capture an island with rows of wooden houses built on the turquoise water giving the island the shape of some mythical creature.

“Hmmmm, maybe I should have sprung for a water bungalow” I thought, but seeing the villas on the beach I contented myself with my choice because I was almost there.

As I looked out the window again, I saw an island like I had never seen before. A small concrete jungle jutting out of the sea connected with a bridge to another island. My eyes followed the road and I realized that this separate island is full of planes and that I was finally here and about to land.

The plane lowered closer to the sea and I could now see boats of all shapes and sizes whizzing past and around the islands. The runway came closer and closer as I gripped my armrest.

After a moment that hung for a short eternity, a sudden jolt and I heard the screeching tires slowing down the breakneck speed of flight. I look outside and am slightly disappointed to see a very normal – if efficient looking airport and its workers going about their day.

The plane taxis to a halt and I grab my luggage after the seatbelt sign turns off and join the line of expectant fellow passengers.

The heat of mid afternoon so close to the equator hit me the moment I stepped outside the plane. The smell of salt and something else I attribute to the army of vehicles catering to the row of planes made me smile. Is this what freedom smells like I wondered.

The bus I got on is reminiscent of the bus I take to work. The ride is shorter than my environmentally conscious mind was comfortable with, but I appreciated the cool air blasting from the ACs.

Stepping into the arrival building – I saw a family taking a picture in front of a “Welcome to the Maldives” sign. The army personnel at either end of the door smiled welcomingly and I took a second look at one of them who looked to be a woman wearing a headscarf.

“That is interesting,” I thought. Walking in and seeing men and women (some of who have head scarfs and some who do not) in uniform guiding newly arrived visitors – I followed their instruction and joined a line.

It was a long line. A slight bit of annoyance disappeared as I realized that the line was moving at a speed where I ought to have tipped the imigration officer. When it was my turn, I gave my passport over and got a quick few questions, a stamp and a smile.

The luggage claim took a bit longer than I had hoped but the faces that surrounded me took up my time. “There must be at least one person from each continent.” The locals were easy to pick out. Most of them shorter and wearing colorful lanyards.

As I grabbed my luggage I walked out of the arrival hall and noticed a currency exchange. Not wanting to risk not being able to do so – I quickly exchanged my money to the local currency that I learned is called “Rufiyaa.” When I stepped outside I was greeted by dozens upon dozens of smiling and expectant faces. People bursting through and hugging a weary traveler come home after a long trip. People in crisp and comfortable looking uniforms holding up wooden plaques with names on them. I looked around looking for my name and before I saw it, I heard a voice calling out my name.

Turning around I saw a smiling middle aged man – who repeated my name and smiled broader as I nodded. He shook my hand and welcomed me to the Maldives and asked that I follow him while taking charge of my luggage.

A short few steps and I looked around to see that these must have been the travel representatives and saw dozens of kiosks with different names which I took to be different hotels and resorts.

I was taken into a small room comfortably furnished and a cool aromatic breeze greeted me. After a welcome drink and some hot towels – my new friend “Ali” let me know that they were ready.

We walked a short distance and got into a van, where Ali told me that he would say goodbye to me here and wished me a pleasant stay in the Maldives. The driver, whose name I cannot remember, told me that it would be a 15 minute drive to Hulhumale, the suburban island connected by the bridge to the capital city of Male’.

I told him that I was here in Hulhumale’ for two days before going on to the resort and if he would recommend anything I should do in the city before going. He took some time to think and said that I should just walk around and that I should check out the museum maybe. With that he turned up the radio and I got lost looking at the scenery of other vehicles and a bridge suspended on the deep dark and endless blue I had seen from above.

I did end up walking around the capital city Male’ – a 3 square mile island that felt like a haphazardly built concrete jungle. The sights and smell so familiar to the cities I was used to but somehow completely alien in scale and density. As well as Hulhumale where my beachfront guesthouse made me think that maybe I did not need to have paid for the beach villa at the resort. Although I did not think so after I arrived at my resort and realized that paradise is as apt a description as it can get for the beauty, comfort and service I received.

This was my journey, and that of millions of more visitors who have been coming to the Maldives since the early 70s when tourism was first introduced to the country. A place of tranquility and a space to both lose oneself and find oneself. I have gone back to the Maldives each year since my first trip. With each trip a new journey and a new adventure. So if you are wondering whether this is where you want to disappear to – there are perhaps only a handful of places on this Earth that can compare or compete with the beauty and hospitality of this unique island nation.