Athuruga Island: A Paradise in the Maldives

• Helloމިއަކު
  [Miaku]
• Goodbyeދިވެމުޅުވެން
  [Dhivehiyameh]
• Yesއާ
  [Ae]
• Noނު
  [No]
• Please/You're welcomeޝަލީ
  [Jaza]
• Thank youޝިޞަލް
  [Shukuriyya]
• Excuse me/Sorryޝާބީން
  [Jaziban]
• How are you?އަހާފުޅައި
  [Ahaafahuri]
• Fine. And you?ކެޅި. އައި?
  [Keli. Aai?]
• Do you speak English?އެކްޓުއައި ބަލައިނަށް?
  [Akeedhu bahahinga?]
• I don't understandއެޅޭނެއި
  [Elaane]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseމިލިކާނާއި މިނިއިތުޅުވަން
  [Milikanaindhu]
• I don't eat meatއެޅެ މިއިތަކުވެން
  [Ela miidhakameh]
• Cheers!ޝާބިކުވެން!
  [Jazibikameh!]
• I would like to pay, pleaseމިކެނާއި މިނިއިތުޅުވަން
  [Mikanaaindhu]

• Help!ހިލްފައި!
  [Hilfi!]
• Go away!ގޮއާލު!
  [Hulhu!]
• Call the Police!ޕޮލިސެން ގުޅޭއި!
  [Pulisigulhi!]
• Call a doctor!ޑޯކޭއި!
  [Doktai!]
• I'm lostމިކެނައި އަލެވުނަށް
  [Mikanaai aluvefaai]
• I'm illމިކެނައި އިލލުވުނަށް
  [Mikanaai illuvaai]

• I'd like to buy...މިކެނައި މިކަލައި
  [Mikanaai mikalei]
• I'm just lookingމިކެނައި މިތަކުވެން
  [Mikanaai miyakameh]
• How much is it?ހަމަދު އެއި?
  [Hamadhoo aai?]
• That's too expensiveތާވަމަވެނަށް އައި
  [Dhaahamaa aai]
• Can you lower the price?ހަމަވެނަށް މިއައިވިކަން
  [Hamahamei mi aai vikkan?]

• What time is it?ހަމަދު މިއަށާއި?
  [Hamadhoo miaahuri?]
• It's one o'clockއެއި ދާލައި
  [Aai dhaalai]
• Half past (10)ހަލައި (10)
  [Hulai (10)]
• Morningމައިދަށި
  [Maidhashi]
• Afternoonއަލަމަނަ
  [Alaamaa]
• Eveningމަރަދަ
  [Maradha]
• Yesterdayއެއިމަނަ
  [Aai maana]
• Todayމަބަދެނަ
  [Mabaden]
• Tomorrowޓޯމަދު
  [Dhomadhoo]
• 11
  [1]
• 22
  [2]
• 33
  [3]
• 44
  [4]
• 55
  [5]
• 66
  [6]
• 77
  [7]
• 88
  [8]
• 99
  [9]
• 1010
  [10]

• Where's a/the...?މިއަކަށް މަސްއަލާ?
  [Miakamei masala?]
• What's the address?ހަމަދު ބަލައިނަށް?
  [Hamadhoo bahahinga?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?ހަމަވެނަށް މިއައިވިކަން (މަޕުލާ)?
  [Hamahamei mi aai vikkan? (Mapulha)]
• When's the next (bus)?ވިނައް އައި އަހައްމައި (ބަސް)?
  [Vinai aai aamai (Basu)?]
• A ticket (to ....)މިކެނައި (.... އަށާއި)
  [Mikanaai (.... aashai)]

Athuruga Island, like many islands in the Maldives, has a history that dates back to ancient times. The first settlers are believed to have arrived more than 2,500 years ago, predominantly from South India and Sri Lanka. These early inhabitants were skilled in fishing and seafaring, laying the foundation for the island's thriving marine culture.

Before the advent of Islam in the 12th century, the Maldives, including Athuruga Island, was predominantly Buddhist. Archaeological evidence, such as statues and stupas, indicates the significant influence of Buddhism on the local culture and practices. Temples and monasteries were central to community life, serving both spiritual and educational purposes.

In the 12th century, Islam was introduced to the Maldives, and Athuruga Island was no exception. The conversion is attributed to a visiting Islamic scholar from Morocco named Abu al-Barakat. The island became part of a larger Islamic sultanate, and mosques replaced the Buddhist temples. This shift significantly influenced the island's cultural and social practices, aligning them with Islamic traditions.

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the Maldives, including Athuruga Island, experienced various colonial encounters. The Portuguese briefly occupied the Maldives in the mid-16th century, but their influence was short-lived. The Dutch and British also showed interest in the region, but the Maldives managed to maintain a degree of autonomy through strategic diplomacy.

In the late 19th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate. Although the British did not directly administer Athuruga Island, the islanders were subject to the broader political and economic policies imposed by the British. This period saw the introduction of modern education and healthcare, which had lasting impacts on the island's development.

The Maldives gained full independence from Britain in 1965. Athuruga Island, like many other islands, began to modernize rapidly. Infrastructure development, including improved transportation and communication systems, transformed the island. The tourism industry also started to flourish, attracting visitors from around the world and significantly boosting the local economy.

Despite the rapid modernization and influx of tourists, Athuruga Island has managed to preserve its rich cultural heritage. Traditional music, dance, and crafts are still practiced and celebrated by the locals. The island's mosques and historical sites are maintained as symbols of its enduring cultural and religious history.

Athuruga Island is accessible via Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. From Malé, you can take a seaplane transfer directly to Athuruga Island, which typically takes around 25-30 minutes. Seaplane transfers are usually arranged by your resort and operate during daylight hours. Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight to Maamigili Airport followed by a speedboat transfer to the island.

Athuruga Island is small and walkable, so no internal transportation is needed. Most resorts offer bicycles for guests to use. To explore nearby islands or for excursions, resorts provide boat trips. These can be arranged through your resort’s concierge or tour desk.

The official currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), but US dollars are widely accepted. Credit cards are commonly used in resorts, hotels, and most shops. It's a good idea to carry some cash for small purchases or tips. ATMs are available in Malé, but they are scarce on smaller islands, so plan accordingly.

Athuruga Island is generally very safe for tourists. Resorts have their own security measures in place. There are no high-crime areas targeting tourists on the island. However, it's always wise to take standard precautions, such as securing your belongings and avoiding isolated areas at night.

In case of an emergency, contact your resort’s front desk or concierge for immediate assistance. Resorts usually have medical facilities and staff on hand. For urgent medical emergencies, you may be transported to a hospital in Malé. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses and emergency evacuations.

Fashion: Do wear light, breathable clothing suitable for a tropical climate. Swimsuits are acceptable on the beach, but modest clothing is recommended in public areas. Avoid wearing revealing clothing in dining areas. Religion: Do respect local customs and dress modestly when visiting inhabited islands. Public Transport: Public transport is not available on Athuruga Island, but do use the resort’s transport services responsibly. Greetings: Do greet locals with a smile or a slight nod. Eating & Drinking: Do try local Maldivian dishes offered at the resort. Don't waste food, as it is considered disrespectful.

To experience Athuruga Island like a local, engage in activities such as snorkeling or diving to explore the rich marine life. Participate in cultural activities offered by the resort, such as Maldivian cooking classes or traditional music and dance performances. Don’t miss the opportunity to go on a fishing excursion or a sunset cruise for a truly local experience.