| How to Go to the Maldives Posted: 28 Aug 2019 05:00 PM PDT The Maldives is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean made up of 1,190 islands, 200 of which are inhabited. It's a popular vacation and honeymoon destination, and it's well known for its turquoise waters and pristine beaches. When traveling to the Maldives, choose to stay on a resort island for a relaxing and picturesque experience, or visit some of the islands inhabited by native Maldivians for a less expensive vacationing option. From snorkeling with bountiful marine life to island hopping, there is plenty to do and enjoy! [Edit]Booking a Flight - Visit the Maldives from November to April for the best weather. These months make up the dry season in the Maldives, which means the chance for rain interrupting your afternoon at the beach is much lower than during the wet season. Expect to pay more for accommodations and be around more people, as these are the most popular months to travel here.[1]
- Regardless of what time of year you travel to the Maldives, you can expect temperatures in the range.
- Arrange to go from May to October for less expensive lodgings. If you are looking for accommodations that are a little more wallet friendly and don't mind a little rain, book your trip during the wet season months. This is also a great time to travel if you'd prefer a less crowded vacation, as the peak travel time to the Maldives is from November to April.[2]
- If you like to surf, this is the time to go to the Maldives. In addition to more rain, there will also be more wind, which means the waves and swells will be bigger.
- During the rainy season, there is generally about of precipitation on a monthly basis. The mornings are normally clear, followed by cloudy afternoons.
- Obtain a valid passport. If you don't already have one, fill out a passport application several months before your trip. When you book your flight to the Maldives, you'll be issued a 30-day visa automatically. If you want, you can extend that to a 90-day visa, depending on your travel plans.[3]
- If you have a passport that will be expiring within 6 months of your travel dates, you'll need to get it renewed before you travel.
- Research and book your flight several months in advance. Flying directly from the United States to Malé (the capital of the Maldives) is really expensive, with tickets ranging anywhere from $1300 to $2000 per ticket (with some airlines pricing tickets as high as $6000). It's generally less expensive to fly to Europe or the Middle East and then fly directly to Malé from there.[4]
- Most travelers fly into the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, located in Malé.
- British Airways is the only European airway to offer a direct flight to the Maldives.
- Depending on your credit card programs, you may be able to use miles and points to decrease the cost of your flight to the Maldives.
- Prepare for a long flight and pack a carry-on bag. It's a great idea to pack a bag with some kind of entertainment, like a book, magazine, or electronic device with movies or television episodes downloaded. You also may want to pack a change of clothes, deodorant, and a toothbrush to help yourself feel fresh for the duration of your flight.[5]
- If you're flying from the United States, your flight time will take anywhere from 18 to 23 hours, depending on layovers. Flying from the UK will take about 10 hours.
- Pack for your trip several days before you leave for the airport. If you'll primarily be on a resort island, you'll need to bring clothes for the beach and for hanging out at the resort. If you'll be traveling off of resort islands, you'll need to wear clothes that adhere to the Islamic code of ethics (women need to keep their legs and arms covered, and men shouldn't be bare chested).[6]
- Because the Maldives is a Muslim country, pork products, alcohol, and religious texts are banned, so make sure to leave these items at home.
- Even on resorts, the dress code is fairly casual and relaxed.
- Don't forget to refill any prescriptions you might need while you're away, and bring chargers for all your electronics.
[Edit]Reserving Lodging - Choose a resort island for a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere. If you just want a place to relax and enjoy your beautiful surroundings, there are about 105 resorts you can choose from, each located on its own island. Many of these resorts include breakfast, and many of them offer deals which include dinner, too.[7]
- Because the Maldives is a fully Muslim country, you won't be able to find alcohol on non-resort islands. Also, beaches on non-resort islands often won't allow bikinis and those islands also don't allow public displays of affection or homosexuality.[8]
- Book your lodging ahead of time if you're going to stay at a resort. Several months before your trip, take some time to review the different resorts to find one that caters to your likes and wants. There are resorts with golf courses, private villas, lagoons, extensive beaches, and lots of other luxury accommodations. Resorts fill up quickly, especially during the dry season, so book your lodging as soon as you know your travel dates.[9]
- Because the Maldives is such a popular and beautiful location, there really aren't very many budget hotels available. You can expect to pay about $200 per night for a room at most resorts, but depending on what you're looking for, you could end up spending closer to $600 or $800 a night.
- Book an over-the-water villa for a picturesque experience. If you're staying at a resort, you'll probably have the option to book an over-water villa for some extra privacy and miraculous views. They're generally a bit more secluded from the rest of the resort, which can be nice if you're interested in a romantic getaway.[10]
- If you're staying in the Maldives for several days, you could spend several nights in a villa for the experience, and then relocate to another resort to enjoy the beauty of a new location.
- Check out B&Bs and Couchsurfing if you're traveling on a budget. Couchsurfing is a network of individuals who allow travelers to stay with them for free. B&Bs or budget guesthouses provide accommodations for $30 to $60 per night. You'll generally get a room, shower, breakfast, and free WiFi, though many guesthouses offer additional accommodations, like bottles of water and air conditioning.[11]
- The site https://www.hotelscombined.com is recommended for finding guesthouses in the Maldives. But take some time and search online through different sites to find an option that fits your budget.
- Airbnb is also becoming much more popular in the Maldives, and those houses generally range from $50 to $100 a night.
- You can also pay about $80 for a day pass to most of the resorts.
[Edit]Getting Between Islands - Take a seaplane for a quick, yet expensive, trip to your island. Once you fly in to Malé, you need to get to your resort or guesthouse, which is most likely on a separate island. One option is to take a seaplane for an additional charge. This is a more expensive option, running about $250 to $500 per person for a flight that will take 30 to 60 minutes.[12]
- Some resorts include transportation to their island from Malé, so check out those options when making your reservations.
- There are no predictable schedules for seaplanes, so you might have to wait several hours after your main flight lands to get on a seaplane to go to the resort.[13]
- Book a speedboat to quickly get from one resort island to another. Ferries generally don't stop at resort islands, so speedboats are a quick way to get to and from your destinations. While less expensive than taking a seaplane, speedboat trips are also expensive, sometimes charging $200 per person for a 30 to 40 minute trip. Unfortunately, there aren't many other options to get to the resort islands.[14]
- Check your resort to see if they offer a discount on speedboat rides to the island. Some will include the speedboat fee in your room fee.
- Ride a ferry for an inexpensive way to travel around non-resort islands. You'll just pay several dollars per trip to get from one island to another, as long as they don't house a resort. This is a great way to explore the different islands, especially if you're staying at guesthouses in the Maldives.[15]
- Ferries run on unpredictable schedules, so you may have to wait several hours for a ride.
- Walk around the islands to explore the beautiful beaches. Most islands are very small, and you can walk from one end to the other within a few miles. When you're on an island, you don't need to worry about renting a car or motorcycle, though some islands rent bicycles for you to enjoy. It's generally very safe to walk around any island in the Maldives.[16]
- If you're walking around local islands, native Maldivians may approach you to offer you bits of Maldivian chocolate.
[Edit]Seeing the Sights - Go fishing at sunset to enjoy the beautiful views. Whether you're staying at a resort or at a guesthouse, you can arrange a fishing trip for about $50 per person. You'll get to go out on a 60-foot dhoni, which is a wooden boat traditionally used by Maldivians.[17]
- Sunset fishing is super popular because of the views, but you can also go fishing during the day. Just ask your host or resort for details.
- Book a snorkeling excursion to swim with marine wildlife. If you're interested in snorkeling, choose a resort that offers that excursion. You can also book a Liveaboard boat (like a large yacht), which will take you to different reefs and areas for you to explore.[18]
- You can even snorkel underneath some of the islands because of the way they're formed.
- You can expect to see many different kinds of fish, clams, sharks, turtles, and octopus. You may even get to see and swim alongside a whale shark, which is one of the largest fish in the ocean.
- Hop from island to island to explore the different beaches. Book an excursion for about $50 per person for a day of island hopping. You'll get to relax on a large boat and explore the different beaches in the Maldives. Even though the islands are relatively close together, each one boasts its own special beaches, water features, and beauty.[19]
- Many local islands have beaches designated for tourists, which means once you're on them, you can wear your bathing suits and bikinis. Topless sunbathing is illegal, so keep your suit on at all times!
- For "long-term" hopping, book rooms at several different resorts over the course of your trip to spend time on multiple islands, rather than doing all your hopping in one day.
- Reserve a private island for a romantic picnic. When booking your accommodations, search for resorts that offer private island stays. Apart from a resort, you can also search for "private islands for rent" in the Maldives for options to rent directly from an individual who owns an island. You can expect to pay upwards of $1600 per day for a private stay on an island.[20]
- Uninhabited islands are also often rented to resort guests for private excursions.
- Dine underwater at Ithaa, an undersea restaurant. As of 2018, this option is only available for guests staying at the Hurawalhi Island Resort, and reservations are needed months ahead of time. You can join 14 other guests in a dining room completely surrounded by water and watch the vibrant marine life swim around you as you enjoy your meal.[21]
- Make a reservation for lunch for a less expensive dining option and to enjoy the water while the sunlight is still streaming through.
- The water in Maldives is treated in such a way that it loses all its natural minerals, which could mean you feel less hydrated than normal even if you're drinking a lot of water. You can purchase rehydration salt packets from the pharmacy to add to your water if you feel sluggish, or try to primarily drink bottled water.[22]
- Make sure to alert your bank before you travel so they don't block your credit cards.
- Restaurants, ferries, and shops on local islands mostly accept Maldivian rufiyaa. You can exchange currency for rufiyaa in Malé and at most resorts.[23]
[Edit]Warnings - Maldives is an entirely Islamic country, so if you leave a resort island, be prepared to adhere to Islamic laws. Mainly, women need to cover their arms and legs, there is no alcohol permitted anywhere, and homosexuality and public displays of affection are illegal.[24]
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Clean Soap Scum from Glass Shower Doors Posted: 28 Aug 2019 09:00 AM PDT If you have glass doors in your shower, you've probably noticed that after a while, a white film tends to build up on the glass. This soap scum is caused by the mixture of animal fats in soap with some of the minerals in your shower water. Fortunately, you don't have to put up with this scum on your door! You can easily clean off the scum with a commercial cleaner or ordinary household products. Then, all you have to do is make a few simple lifestyle changes in order to keep the scum from building up again. [Edit]Using Commercial or Homemade Cleaners - Clean soap scum with a commercial glass cleaner if you have it. Spray a little bit of the cleaner on a small area of your shower door, then wipe it off with a clean cloth. If this "test spray" works, repeat this process on the rest of the shower door to clean all the soap scum off of it.[1]
- You can buy commercial glass cleaners like Windex or Glance at any grocery store that sells cleaning supplies.
- You can also try removing the soap scum with an all-purpose bathroom surface cleaner, although this isn't as likely to be effective as a glass cleaner.
- Opt for a damp magic cleaning eraser or dryer sheet for small jobs. Soak the magic cleaning eraser or dryer sheet in a small amount of clean water. Then, scrub the scummy area in a small, circular motion to clean it. This is the best option to take if there's only a little bit of soap scum you have to clean.[2]
- You can buy Magic Erasers and dryer sheets at any grocery store.
- Using a magic cleaning eraser is also the best method to use if you don't want to put any chemicals or scented products on your shower door.
- Use a homemade cleaner made out of vinegar and dish soap. Bring a small pot of vinegar to a boil. Then, using a measuring cup, add equal parts of hot vinegar and dish soap to a spray bottle and mix the ingredients together. Spray this mixture onto the soap scum and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Finally, rinse the mixture off of the door while scrubbing it with a microfiber cloth.[3]
- Be very careful when working with hot vinegar, as it will burn you if you get it on your skin.
- For best results, leave the mixture on your shower door overnight before rinsing it off.
- If there's any scum that doesn't come off when you scrub it with the microfiber cloth, switch to a stiff-bristled brush and scrub a bit more forcefully.
- Mix vinegar and baking soda to clean stains as well as soap scum. Pour 1/2 cup (115 grams) of baking soda into a small bucket, then add about of white vinegar to the bucket. Use a spoon to stir these ingredients into a paste. Dip a clean sponge into the paste and wipe it on your shower door. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse the paste off the door while scrubbing it with a microfiber cloth.[4]
- The paste that forms in the bucket should be about the consistency of pancake batter. You may need to add a bit more baking soda or a bit more vinegar to the mix in order to get it to this consistency.
- This is the best method to use if there are also hard water stains on your shower door that you want to get rid of.
- Go with toilet bowl cleaner if that's all you have. Although it's not designed for cleaning glass shower doors, toilet bowl cleaner is occasionally effective at removing soap scum. Soak a sponge in hot water, then apply a small amount of toilet bowl cleaner to the sponge. Wipe the shower door with the sponge to clean off the soap scum, then rinse off the residue once you're done.[5]
- Be sure to keep your bathroom well ventilated when using toilet bowl cleaner. The odors from the cleaner can be pretty powerful, especially in a small room.
- Use lemon juice and salt if the door frame is made of metal. This is the best cleaning method to use to also remove any rust on your door's metal frame. Mix of lemon juice with 2 tablespoons (34 grams) of salt to form a cleaning paste. Use an old toothbrush to scrub this mixture into the door frame and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Finally, rinse it off with warm water.[6]
- Make sure you apply this paste to the corners of your shower door's frame, as this is where rust and soap scum are likely to build up and harder to clean otherwise.
[Edit]Preventing the Buildup of Soap Scum - Switch to body wash instead of bar soap in the shower. Soap scum is caused by the organic animal fat contained in bar soap. If you don't like using synthetic body wash, you can also opt to use fat-free soap and shampoo instead of ordinary bar soap.[7]
- You can buy body wash at any store that also sells bar soap. To buy fat-free bar soap, you may need to go to a health and beauty shop or a cosmetics store.
- Dry the door with a squeegee after every shower you take. Keeping your shower door dry whenever you're not actually in the shower is a great way to prevent the buildup of soap scum as well as mold. If you don't have a squeegee, you can also use a clean towel to keep your door dry.[8]
- Squeegees tend to be pretty cost-effective and you can usually buy them in the cleaning section of most grocery stores and mass retailers.
- This may seem like a chore to do in the short term, but it's much easier to squeegee your shower door after you shower than it is to clean off soap scum that's been building up for a long time.
- You should also open your bathroom windows or leave the fan running for at least 30 minutes after every shower. This will help dry out the bathroom and prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
- Apply baby oil or white vinegar to the shower door. Put some baby oil or vinegar on a scouring brush, then scrub the oil or vinegar onto the entire surface of the door. Finally, rinse off the door with warm water. Repeat this process once a week to keep your shower door scum-free.[9]
- The chemical compositions of baby oil and white vinegar both work to repel soap scum, making it much less likely to accumulate on your shower door.
- Be sure to rinse the door really well if you use baby oil, since it may cling a bit to the door.
- You can also use commercial glass-cleaning products, such as Rain-X, to prevent buildup.[10]
- You may want to lay down some tarp or old sheets on your bathroom floor to protect your floor during this cleaning process.
- Before you start cleaning your shower door, take a hot shower or just let the hot water run for a while to steam up the room. This will help loosen and soften the soap scum on the door so that it's easier to clean away.
- As an alternative to vinegar, try mixing up 1 part ammonia to 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on your shower door and scrub away the soap scum, then rinse the door with water and dry it with a squeegee or lint-free towel.
[Edit]Warnings - Be sure to wear rubber gloves and a safety mask when working with cleaning chemicals in a closed space.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Make Soy Sauce Posted: 28 Aug 2019 01:00 AM PDT Soy sauce is one of the most popular condiments in the world, and it's been used to flavor food for over 2000 years.[1] Making your own soy sauce is a long (and smelly) process, but the final result is a delicious, complex flavor you'll be proud to serve to your family and friends! [Edit]Ingredients To make soy sauce - soybeans
- wheat flour
- Koji starter
- water
- salt
[Edit]Making the Soy Sauce Base - Wash and sort of soybeans. You can get soybeans (or edamame) from some grocery stores, although you may need to visit a store specializing in Asian produce.[2]
- Make sure you remove the soybeans from their pods before you soak them.
- If your market makes a distinction between soybeans (mature beans) and edamame (young, softer beans), use the soybeans.
- To wash the soybeans, place them in a colander and rinse them under cold water. Pick out any beans which seem shriveled or discolored.
- Soak the soybeans overnight. Place the soybeans in a large pot, then fill the pot with water until the soybeans are completely covered. This should take about of water. Drain the soybeans and add fresh water to the pot.
- Boil the soybeans on medium-high heat for 4-5 hours. When they're finished cooking, you should be able to mash the soybeans easily with your fingers.
- You can also use a pressure cooker to cook the soybeans more quickly if you like. Place the beans in the pressure cooker, add about of water and close the lid. Place the pressure cooker over high heat, then reduce the heat when the pressure cooker begins to whistle. Cook the soybeans for about 20 minutes.
- Mash the soybeans into a paste. Use a food processor, the back of a spoon, or a potato masher to mash the soybeans until they are a smooth consistency.[3]
- Mix of wheat flour with the soybean paste. This should create a dough-like substance. Knead the mixture together until it's thoroughly blended.[4]
- Add koji starter to your soybean mixture and mix well. Soy sauce gets its flavor from the microbes Aspergillus oryzae and A. flavus. Traditionally, the fermenting mold was developed by allowing the soybean mixture to sit for a week. However, you can purchase the mold spores, known as koji starter, online or from some specialty health food stores.[5]
- Read the packaging to determine the amount of koji starter you should add, as it may vary by brand.
- If your soybeans were still warm when you mixed them with the flour, cool the mixture to about body temperature before you add the starter.
- Transfer the koji mixture to a tray that's about deep. You will leave the koji in the tray while it ferments. Spread the mixture out so it's no more than deep.
- Use your fingers to make furrows in the mixture to increase the surface area. Press down to make long rows through the koji mixture. The furrows should be about deep and apart. They should resemble furrows for planting seeds in a garden.[6]
- Allow the koji mixture to rest for 2 days in a warm, humid place. This will allow the cultures to develop. You should see the Aspergillus bacteria growing on the soybean and flour mixture. It should appear light to dark green.[7]
- After the 2 days have passed, move on to fermenting in a brine mixture.
- Choose a spot where the koji won't be disturbed as it ferments. The kitchen is ideal if you can handle the smell — try placing the tray in a kitchen cabinet or on top of the refrigerator.
[Edit]Fermenting and Pasteurizing the Sauce - Dissolve of salt in of water. Pour the salt into the water and stir until it's completely mixed together. This salt water brine will help keep unwanted bacteria from growing as you ferment your koji.[8]
- Mix the koji into the brine to create moromi. Place the koji into a large jar with a tight lid. The jar should hold about of liquid so you'll have room to stir your mixture. Pour your brine over the top of the koji and stir it with a long-handled spoon. The thick koji paste will not dissolve into the brine, but the soy and Aspergillus will begin to seep into the water.[9]
- Cover the moromi and stir it once a day for the first week. Keep the moromi in a place with a warm, stable temperature and stir it daily with your long-handled spoon.
- As the koji ferments, it will probably produce a strong odor, so keep it covered tightly when you're not stirring it.
- Stir the moromi once a week for the next 6-12 months. The fermenting process is what really allows the flavors to develop. You'll need to give your soy sauce at least 6 months to ferment, although for a deeper flavor, you might want to wait up to a year.[10]
- Strain the mixture once it's finished fermenting. Once you feel your flavors have developed enough, you should strain your moromi mixture. Place the solids in a press or a piece of cheesecloth to ensure you get all of the liquid out.
- Discard the solids from this process.
- Pasteurize the soy sauce by heating it to . Heat your soy sauce over medium-high heat, then use a thermometer to ensure the mixture stays at this temperature for 20 minutes. Once you have finished pressing the mixture, transfer the liquid to a heat-safe pot and use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Proper pasteurization will ensure there is no harmful bacteria in your soy sauce.[11]
- Bottle and serve your soy sauce. Pour your pasteurized soy sauce into a container with a tightly-closed lid and refrigerate it. You may prefer to pour some of your soy sauce into a smaller container to make it easier to serve.
- The finished soy sauce should last for up to 3 years if it's sealed and 1-2 years in an opened container.[12]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Colander
- Bowl for soaking soybeans
- Long-handled spoon for stirring
- Large pot
- Press or cheesecloth
- deep tray
- jar with tight-fitting lid
- Candy thermometer
- Bottle
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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