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What you can buy – Anything hand made like wooden handicrafts and products made from coconut husk. Also try the local coconut sweet called bondi.
Where you can buy – Male’s small shops and those in the resorts.
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Some resorts have live entertainment featuring local bands, dancers. Outdoor discotheques on the beach or around the swimming pool, and theme
nights including beach barbecues, lavish seafood buffets and cuisine from other countries. Don’t forget to try the local Arecanut: an oval nut chewed
with betal leaf, cloves and lime.
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Noteworthy events are Kuda Id, the sighting of the new moon (celebrated at the end of Ramadan), and the Prophet’s Birthday, which commemorates
the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. Fixed holiday dates include: National Day (the day Mohammed Thakurufaan and his men overthrew the
Portuguese on Malé in 1573, the first day of the third month of the lunar calendar); Victory Day (victory over Sri Lankan mercenaries who tried to
overthrow the Maldivian government on 3 November 1988); and Republic Day (which commemorates the current republic, founded on 11 November
1968).
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Don’t miss the rich treasures of The National Museum which has many things that were once owned by the Sultans. Visit Hukuru Miskiiy, the oldest
mosque in the country and enjoy the elaborate wood carvings within. The protected marine area of Banana Reef has a little bit of everything; caves,
cliffs and overhangs and brilliant coral formations. Its an excellent site for divers and snorkelers alike. As for the avid diver, visit one of the most
famous dive sites: Fish Head.
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Snorkelling and scuba diving are the biggest attractions – novice as well as professional courses are available; sailing, para-sailing, wind sur fing,
water-skiing, game fishing and sur fing; many varieties of massage including Ayurveda, Thai, Swedish, spas featuring hydrotherapy; yoga sessions and
exotic per fumed baths.
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