A Maldive' snorkel!

1 A land of white sand, pristine beaches and coral life. I’m enchanted by the beautiful country of more than 1,000 islands surrounded by blue waters. I tried scuba diving with Fleetfoot Adventures for the first time in my life. The feeling was exhilarating.

2 Snorkelling at the various reefs spotting marine life, it was like I was watching Nemo live. Among the many marine families represented are Pufferfish, Fusiliers, Jackfish, Lionfish, Oriental Sweetlips, reef sharks, Groupers, Eels, Snappers, Bannerfish, Batfish, Humphead Wrasse, Spotted Eagle Rays, Scorpionfish,  Lobsters, Nudibranches, Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Squirrelfish, Soldierfish, Glassfish, Surgeonfish, Unicornfish, Triggerfish, Napoleon wrasses, and Barracudas.

3 Alcohol is banned on the islands as it’s an Islamic state, although some resorts do serve to tourists. I had my share on a floating boat called Kaani Princess. I had shrimp cocktails along with my poison. You can find a variety of seafood to gorge on.

4 The highlight of the trip was sighting planktons in the evening when I went kayaking at midnight.  The ocean was quiet and calm with some Manta fishes floating. The sight was breathtaking.

5I also parasailed and jet-skied to reach a sand bank which is nothing but a small dune of white sand in the middle of the ocean. It’s a small place somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I brought back a sarong as a souvenir for myself.

— As told to Namita Gupta