The Maldives

I was in the Maldives twice this past year, once during Ramadan, once after. If you plan to visit and choose to stay on a resort island, it really doesn't matter when you go. But if you like to experience a little bit of local life, I'd really recommend going before or after Ramadan. There are more people out and about, and they are too warm and friendly a people to not get to know them. 

I don't think there are enough words to describe the beauty of the Maldives, and photos probably fail as well. Nonetheless, here are a few. We ate our weight in seafood and all things coconut and mango. In the evenings we would see flocks of fruit bats - so large I couldn't believe my eyes. We swam with sea turtles, one of the most exhilerating things I've ever done. One day, we had a boat drop us off at what felt like the middle of the Indian Ocean so we could go snorkeling. As soon as they drove off, the skies broke loose and it begun to storm. The least ideal snorkeling conditions, but the most memorable.