Our little paradise on earth

When you travel for the first time, you should have some patience. The immigration officers check your passport and the lady next to him checks if your health certificate is OK. But once done with all the paperwork you can pick up your luggage. Please remember that you are visiting a Muslim country. Respect their way of life; don't try to bring in pork, alcohol or drugs. Don't even try to hide it in your luggage, they will find it.
Then it's time to wander, once outside the airport you will notice you have landed on a very small island, that up till now, has only one runway. So your next way to travel is either by boat or by plane. But don't worry, all travel agencies have people waiting for you and they are friendly and will bring you to the waiting ferry. But don't rush; take your time. It's too hot to worry and to rush!
Visiting Embudu you will see one of the fast boats waiting for you in the harbor, and there is the your next surprise. The sea is really blue, just like you saw in the brochure and it's not modified, it's real! Once on board of one of the "Noors" sit down and relax. Leaving the harbor and on the way to Embudu you will see Male, the capital, with the gold plated roof of the mosque. And if, you are lucky, dolphins will accompany you on the way to Embudu. The first island you see isn't Embudu Village but Embudu Finolhu. The Noor will pass Finolhu and you will have Embudu Village in full few within seconds.
Try to sit in the front of the Noor. It gives you a great opportunity to make beautiful pictures of Embudu. The "buidings" you see first are the "Water bungalows (see Embudu fact sheet for more details).
When you set foot on the jetty you will be asked to go to the reception, don't worry about your luggage, the crew will bring it to the reception Once you know you your room number they will carry it to your room. Don't forget to tip them; their income depends on it. At the reception one of the waitresses will welcome you with warm cloth to freshen up. And after filling in the forms, walk to your room, unpack and start enjoying your stay on Embudu.
Once in your room, the first thing you should do is to take off your shoes. Hide them and try to remember where you left them the day you have to leave Embudu.
As you will be tired after the long flight, don't go to bed as soon as possible. It turns out that the best way to conquer the "jet lag" is to accustom to the local time. So take your time to unpack. After unpacking sit down outside and enjoy the view, the lovely sun and of course the blue sea. If you have some spirit left, change into your bathing suit and "try" the water. Be surprised, it isn't as cold as you are used to at home. Normally the temperature of the water will be about 280 Celsius. So nice warm. If you haven't been to these regions before, don't run away, you can see the fish right next to you. Don't be afraid, they don't attack you (well at least not immediately).
Some people feed them, please don't. Fish aren't used to human food and besides that sometimes the fish are so used to be feeded; they think every one will feed them and than, yes they approach you and can scare children!
Being here for the first time you will see that all stories you heard about the blue water are through. It is really blue and you can really see the bottom and the beaches are exactly you hoped they would be: white!
A beautifil lagoon surrounds Embudu. Starting at the beach (of course) and in some places it's over a 100 meters before you reach the reef. Especially at low tide you can walk at knee high to the reef. Try it and enjoy the sun on your back and the fishes will accompany you. Once at the reef, PLEASE do not stand on it. The reef is not just a "stone" you can stand on. The reef is alive and every time some one is standing on it, you will kill! You will be wondering the ignorance of some people. They think they can touch the reef, take something off it, and stand on it. Especially the island hoppers from the other islands think the reef is a kind a rest place when they are snorkeling.
Well after your first meeting with the Indian Ocean it will almost be time to have your lunch. When you gone to have a meal, please wear at least a T-shirt (men and women) and shorts. The headwaiter will seat you and that is the place where you will enjoy your meals during your stay. Most waiters appreciate it when you ask their name. They will do their best to fulfill your wishes. Though it is a Muslim country, on the tourists resort they serve alcoholic beverages. All meals are a buffet.

After your first lunch (most European visitors arrive in the morning) it is time to get accustomed to the habit in the tropics. Get out of the sun from about 11.00 - 3.00 o'clock and take a nap after lunch. As you will be tired the last won't be a problem.
After your nap it is probably time to take the grant tour. Well you know of course the size of the island (yes it is small) so take your time and walk around the island. You will notice the different types of bungalows and also the other beaches. Perhaps not at once, but when its low tide definitely.
While walking around you will pass the bar, please try to find the terrace too. Not the one in front of the bar, but the one they built above the water. It's really nice to sit there and enjoy the view. Especially at sun down. When you are lucky you will see an almost perfectly red skyline. Don't forget to bring your camera!

 In the evening it's also a good place to be. The evening is still warm and the waitresses serve delicious cocktails. Just the way you always wanted your holiday to be.
Depending where you started your Grand tour you will see on the right side some nice "hanging" chairs. Do try them. After some time you will come across the diving school. Diverland Embudu (see Diverland) is the place to be when you are a scuba diver or when you want to rent snorkeling equipment
 Ibrahim will tell you every thing you have to know about using the mask, fins, and the snorkel. Please check the opening hours before asking around. When you are a scuba diver check the diving spots on the map and check in for the orientation dive in the morning. There is an orientation dive almost every morning. Check in time 10.30.  For those who didn't bring their own equipment, Diverland Embudu also rents BCD's, regulators etc.

Every evening just before dinner (depending on what time you are hungry) the diving school announces where the boats trips will go the next day. In the morning and in the afternoon they are heading for one of the beautiful dive spots. (see map dive spots).
Now you will have almost ended your Grand Embudu Tour. And it didn't take you hours. In fact the island is so small that early in the morning some joggers do their morning exercise by jogging the whole island a couple of times. You will hear them, running around. Turn around a sleep on. Or perhaps join them, when you think it's good for you.

When you awake the next day, you will be confused. The weather might not look that nice, but do not be afraid, the glass in the window is colored. Get up, and take a look outside and I bet the sun will have risen while you were still in bed. Or perhaps you are one of the early risers and see the sun wake up. Go to the beach in front of bungalow 78 (yes the same bungalow where you can go over the reef) and enjoy the sunrise. You will be able to see the most wonderful colors. To be honest in all these years I only have seen it once.
Try to see at least once the sunrise while you are on Embudu. I know it might be a tremendous victory to get out of your bed so early, but I promise you it is worth all the trouble :). And do remember where you put your camera the night before because it might be the one and only time. Well I think most people will not get up that early. And once you are outside, take a beach chair, sit down, and simply enjoy the view, the silence. You will probably be alone and that is the opportunity to feel like Robinson Crusoe. For a short moment of time you can imagine the whole island is yours and you are the only living soul on the island. Well you must of course forget the staff, already preparing breakfast. Otherwise you could feel like Robinson and his servant Friday.
After breakfast it is time for more serious matters. At 10.30 it is time for the orientation dive. Bring with you the medical attest and your logbook. When you have 30 logged dives you are allowed to dive unguided. At the check in the instructors will update you about all the things you have to know about the diving school during your stay.
When you did not bring your own stuff, Embudu Diverland also rents the gear. Depending on the current you will enter the water at the dive jetty or at "78". Before "going under" you will have to demonstrate you know how to clear your mask and that you and your buddy know how to "buddy breath".

When you do not dive, no problem either, just jump into that large pool. Yes, I know Embudu has no fresh water pool, but who cares, you have the largest warm water pool around you! Even people who have never been snorkeling, rent a mask, fins, and a snorkel and try it. Start at the beach and swim to the reef. Please do not cross it anywhere, there are five exits and use those. In this way you do not damage the reef. Once you are accustomed it is time to wonder. You think, that you are swimming in a large aquarium, you will see the most colorful fish swimming under and sometimes even next to you. And do not be scared every once and while you will see a (small) shark passing by. Turtles are often seen and of course, the big Napoleons. The first time you see them, you will feel your heart beating, but the napoleons are very friendly and besides that they do not eat meat.
When you are snorkeling for the first time, remember you are on vacation, so take your time and do not rush. Lay still in the water and you will see even more amazing fish.