Would the Maldives be a mistake?

[Somanykiddies]

Dp and I are marrying in March. We are having a 'two centre' honeymoone, first week with the children at Centre Parcs then we want to go off for a week/10days. Have always joked about the Maldives being the ideal place but would it be a mistake as I don't actually like water so I would have one of the huts on stilts over the water (would really freak me out) and I don't swim in the sea! Would this be a mistake? If so, any recommendations?

not all accom is on stilts over the water.

tbh, other than swim there isnt much else to do in the maldivres.

not much else to do but swim in the maldives - but I am with you when I say I don't swim in the sea - which I don't apart from in the Maldives - it is calm and warm - just like a bath!!

That's what I thought Tiredemma. I know lazing on a beach is fab but for 7-10 days?!

Maldives are fab -- but nothing to do except swim, dive, read, drink, eat and be in love with other half... if you could not do that for 10 days avoid as I think you could get very claustrophobic there... I loved it but then I love reading diving nad swimming.... and DH is quite sweet!!

How about Sri Lanka, loads to do and see there

I adored the maldives, but I like lying on a beach reading a book, eating and snorkelling. The sea (tsunami notwithstanding), is like a millpool btw, like nowhere else I've been.

What's the update on democracy in the Maldives? i understood that the tourist islands were ve isolated from the general population, and you can't go off sightseeing and locals are not allowed to mix?

The High Commission had a letter in the Observer saying things are improving, but then he would, wouldn't he?

What sort of thing would you like, if you're not keen on water, smk?

We honeymooned in the Maldives. We were in a 'hut' on the beach - I didn't do the snorkelling or anything either as I don't really like going in the sea but I still loved it there. Paddled at the edge, dangled my feet in off the jetty and just generally lazed around admiring the view!

We went to the Maldives last year and although it was fantastic, having stumbled across staff "quarters" inadvertantly having taken a wrong turn across the island, and heard the odd whisper amongst staff that we got friendly with of 'slightly questionable' working practises/democracy etc we have chosen not to return this year. This article may help and i am sure if you google/search archives on MN maldives you will be able to find other articles which explain the reasons why its not a great idea.
times article on maldives from this weekend and observer article on maldives

I'm up for lazing on the beach reading but worried might get bored. I like a bit of sightseeing and of course shopping so wondering if a bigger more commercial island would be better, having said that there is something about the Maldives!

Mauritius?
The Seychelles?
Somewhere in the Caribbean?

Thought about the carribean. Saw a lovely hotel in Antigua but was very formal in the evening, shirt and tie, dp didn't like the idea, too much like going to work! Really should get cracking on all plans not just the honeymoon, not done a thing yet, small wedding though, well tbh, tiny!

I've always fancied this fantastic romantic getaway from it all

OMG Mrs Pink, that's fantastic, thank you!

After reading those articles on maldives i would definitely not be going again.

so many kiddies I have been to the beach where Petit Bacaye is and it's not all that tbh. It looks nice in the piccies but I wouldn't stay there.

Now if you want total bliss, try Sea Steps at the blue mango. It is my fave place on earth, totally unspoiled and very very romantic.

Gasp CD, that is beautiful!
Also would rethink returning to the Maldives after reading those articles. Did not realise leader was a dictator, and I thought that I was aware of these things.

ssshhhh I don't want the whole of mn knowing about it!!!

Following on from the Observer articles:-

www.tourismconcern.org.uk/campaigns/the-maldives.html

This is another website to look at (beware a picture at the bottom of this page is graphic in nature).

Life for local people is a rather different experience from that of its guests. The Maldives is not a member of the International Labour Organisation, there is no minimum wage for the private sector; there is not statutory provision for hours of work; there are no laws governing health and safety conditions and there are no trade unions. Over half the 200,000 people employed in the Maldives come from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangledesh (many of whom pay an agent in their own country up to $700 for each job). To earn the average wage of $75 per month tourist workers toil for 12 hours per day, seven days a week and only have one day off a month.

Workers living conditions on the tourist islands are cramped, with up to 15 of them sharing a single room.

Whilst tourists enjoy deserted beaches locals endure severe overcrowding. In Male, one of the non tourist Maldivian Islands, there is a population density of 40,000 per square km (one of the highest rates in the world).

CountessD, it looks like pure heaven, promise I won't tell anyone (seriously looking into this one). Thank you.

Castara is lovely, two little beaches with sea steps on a tiny beach of its own between them (not private but you have to swim round to it from the others). Not a lot going on there though it is developing fast, when we first stayed there there were only 2 places to eat now there are about 10!

Sounds wonderful, when did you go?

will CAT you....

aargh you don't accept CATs!

my sisters best friend and her dh went to the maldives for a second honeymoon.
she returned home a widow, with her dh in a casket and had to explain to her young children why daddy wasnt coming home. he drowned swimming in the sea.

so im sorry, but the title of this thread just made me shiver.
congratulaions on your marriage.