The Maldives

The Maldives is synonymous with white sands, clear waters, exotic fish and colorful reefs. Composed of approximately 1190 islands, the Maldives is nestled in the middle of the Indian Ocean. My visit to Rangali Island approximately six years ago still clearly resonates with me to this day. I can recall the helicopter ride required to get to the island- the perfect balance of anxiety and excitement of going on my first helicopter ride fueling my adrenaline, the scenic birds eye view of the thousand tiny islands scattered around the cobalt blue ocean bedazzling my eyes. It was so picturesque, as if I was seeing one of Matisse's paintings come alive before me, with the vibrant color palette of cobalt blue, seafoam green and stark white that comprised the birds eye view.

Culture:
The culture of the Maldives is an amalgamation of various cultures from neighboring regions. As the islands of the Maldives are within the trading route of the Indian Ocean, visitors from  different regions influenced the overall Maldivian culture.

Unfortunately, since I was on a tourist island, I was unable to have a firsthand experience of local Maldivian culture. One of my many regrets is not having asked my parents if we could go to an island inhabited by locals and spend a day immersing in their culture. However, from my interactions with the people within the resort, I was able to learn a bit about Maldivian culture. I learned that Maldivian arts is melded from various different cultural influences from surrounding regions. I was introduced to the "dhoni", a sailboat unique to the Maldives, and was given the opportunity to ride one. The captain of the boat explained to me that the design of these boats was derived from that of the dhow, an Arabian sailing vessel. During one dinner, the musicians were playing a bodu-beru, a Maldivian drum made of bamboo wood and stingray hide. The sounds that the bodu-beru produces resemble those of African drumming. I was intrigued by how multifaceted Maldivian culture was. It took smaller pieces from other cultures, and, once all pieced together, created a new culture so characteristically "Maldivian".

Activities:
Although the majority of the trip was dedicated to swimming in the pool and playing on the beach, there were a few activities that I remember very clearly.

The first was dining at the underwater restaurant in the Conrad resort. The Ithaa Undersea restaurant is located 16 feet below sea level. Imagine being encased in a glass dome, seeing schools of fish swim around you, almost as though you were in a reverse snow-globe. Although I can't remember the food very clearly, the feeling of wonder and astonishment still stays with me to this day.

The next activity that I still remember clearly is a fishing trip organized by the resort. Not only was I able to see the sunset produce a fusion of pink and purple, but I also caught several red snappers and barracudas, even catching a barracuda more than half my size- not bad for a first try at fishing. Instead of using a typical fishing rod as a means of catching our fish, we used the Maldivian method of using a string with a hook attached to it. Since the Maldives has an abundance of seafood (fishing is the second largest industry in the Maldives) and a large portion of Maldivian men spend their days out fishing, it was a great experience to go through the fishing process that they go through on a daily basis. Fishing is both a job and a favorite past time deeply rooted in Maldivian culture. As former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom once said about fishing in the Maldives, "Fishing is the lifeblood of our nation, it is inborn. From the soil on which we live, to the sea around us, it remains an integral part of our existence. Fishing, and our country and its people, [are] one and shall remain inseparable forever." I felt as though I was experiencing just a small piece of Maldivian culture through fishing on the traditional dhoni boat, sharing a pastime much enjoyed by the locals.

Language:
The language spoken in the Maldives is known as "Maldivian", or "divehi". Out of all the countries I've visited and the languages that I've been exposed to, I would likely peg the Maldivian language to be one of the hardest to grasp.

Hello-Assalaamu alaikum
Please- Adhes kohfa.
Thank you- Shukuriyaa
Yes-Aan
No-Noon
Goodbye-vakivelan

Phuket

Thailand's largest island, Phuket, boasts glass-like clear waters, soft sands unparalleled by other beaches around the globe and sunsets whose beauty cannot be captured by even the most skilled artists. Phuket has been an annual vacation spot for my family ever since I was four, and I had always looked forward to playing pool-games with my sister (most of which, unfortunately, were won by her), biking around the local area outside the resort and exploring the city of Phuket.

Food:
Thai cuisine is essentially a marriage of both blander, milder flavors with spicy, intense components. The harmonious balance of these both components make up a perfect Thai dish. Thai cuisine is among my top ten favorite cuisines, and here are a few of my favorite dishes:

Pad thai
My sister's favorite thai dish, pad thai, is a stir-fried rice noodle dish that contains a motley of other ingredients such as eggs, dried shrimp and garlic. Although available in most Thai restaurants around the world, the fresh ingredients used in the local eateries in Phuket is what makes authentic pad thai so mouthwatering. Although my mom tries to recreate this dish for my sister at home, the taste just isn't exactly the same (although really close, just in case you're reading this mom).

Tom yum goong
Another thai specialty, tom yam goong is a spicy clear soup that even I find spicy (bear in mind, I have basically been taught from a young age to tolerate spicy foods). The main ingredient in tom yang goong is prawns, although it is flavored with various herb ingredients.

Ko mu yang
Thai-styled grilled pork neck is undoubtedly my favorite thai dish. I was introduced to this dish from an early age, and the first thing I order at any thai restaurant that I visit is "ko mu yang". The succulent pork neck tastes great when dipped into the sweet chili sauce. Having some steamed jasmine rice on the side really helps in balancing the toughness of the meat.

Sights:
Phang Nga Bay
My family took a half day trip to Phang Nga Bay, and it was a memorable experience that still resonates in my mind to this day. The mystical grottos, the limestone cliffs that cascaded out into the clear blue sea and the stunning alcoves were amazing sights to witness.

Fantasea Show
Fantasea is a cultural theme park that is comprised of three sections- entertainment in the Palace of the Elephants, dining in the Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant and shopping in the Festival village. It's a great place to experience and immerse yourself into Thai culture. One part that I remember clearly is getting to try on the traditional Thai costume, as well as staring in awe at the elephants clad in glitzy costumes.

Jungceylon Shopping Mall
My family and I always took a day trip to the Jungceylon Shopping Mall, where we would try out different restaurants, go shopping and watch a movie at the cinema. Granted, this is not the BEST place to experience Thai culture, but I really did enjoy looking at the local stores and restaurants that were housed in this mall.

Culture:
From my many visits to Phuket, I have learned a lot about the unique culture of Thailand. Thailand has, for thousands of years, been ruled by monarchs. Respect for the king and the royal family is key. I distinctly remember having to stand up in the movie theatre while an official announcement of the royal family played. Looking around me, I saw that all Thai locals put their hands across their hearts while staring at the screen. The admiration and respect that they had for the royal family was truly amazing to witness.

Thailand is known as the "land of smiles"- a very fitting name, considering how friendly and welcoming all of the locals are. Out of all the places I've visited, I find the locals around the Phuket to be the kindest, most genuine people. In this day and age where people seem to be too caught up in hectic daily life, it's great to take a break from that and interact with people you normally wouldn't interact with.

"Sabai sabai" is a phrase that a lot of Thais say. After a few times of hearing this phrase, I asked one of the waitresses at a restaurant what it meant. She said that it means "take it easy". The relaxed way of life in Thailand really makes for a great vacation spot, and I found that after just a week of being there, I felt more rejuvenated and calm.

The Songkran festival is celebrated every year from April 13th to 15th. Since this was usually when my school's easter break took place, I got to experience Songkran a couple of times. Songkran marks the Thai New Year, and is characterized by a lot of water throwing. I've always wondered- why water? It turns out, water symbolizes cleansing and purification, and represents a clean new start. I remember riding a tuktuk and being splashed with water. Although I was quite surprised at first, seeing a whole street full of kids, teenagers and adults joyfully splashing water at each other is a really unique sight that I looked forward to seeing every year.

Language:
Hello: sa wat dee
Excuse me: kor toht
Good morning: Sa wat dee ka
Goodbye: laa gon na
Thank you: kop kun

Jeju Island

Dubbed the "Hawaii of Korea", Jeju Island is a volcanic island just an hour's plane ride away from the southern coast of Korea that boasts pristine waters, sandy beaches and lush greenery. The rich culture, cuisine and language is a testament to the years of preservation, with most defining aspects of Jeju Island being mainly untouched for years.

History:
Jeju Island's history dates back thousands of years, when the island was known as Tamna Island. Legend says that three demi-gods rose from the northern foot of Jeju Island's Mount Halla, and discovered a box on the beach. Upon opening it, they discovered a jade box that was shaped like a bird's egg with a lion watching over it. The jade box contained a calf, a foal, and some seeds. The lion said to the demi-gods: "I am the lion of Byeoknang in the East Sea. Our King has three daughters but he could not find husbands for them, even though they are of marriageable age. When he saw you three legendary founders, he commanded me to bring his daughters to you." Afterwards, the three demi-gods prepared themselves for marriage by performing a celebratory ritual in Heaven: they showered in the Honinji pond and then married the princesses. Eventually, by farming the five grains in the jade box and by raising the cattle and foal, these demi-gods were able to found the Tamna State.

Places to Visit:
Cheonjiyeon Pokpo:

The magnificent 22-m high waterfall is a hidden gem. It can be reached after a 10 minute walk through a verdant yet steep gorge. When I visited and first heard of the waterfall, my first impressions were not so good. After a day packed full of sightseeing, walking through a mosquito infested trail to see yet another waterfall did not sound so appealing. However, upon arriving at the waterfall, I was left speechless. The waterfall cascaded out of a beautifully chiseled rock face, and the loud sound of the water rushing down had a surprisingly calming effect. Due to safety reasons, I wasn't allowed to wade in the water, however it still was a sight worth seeing. If you go at night, the waterfall will be beautifully lit, thus creating a somewhat mystic, otherworldly aura.

Jeongbang Pokpo:

Yet another waterfall, the Jeongbang Pokpo differs from the Cheonjiyeon Pokpo in that it is the only waterfall in Asia that falls directly into the sea. This was undoubtedly one of my favorite places to visit in Jejudo, mainly because it was a great place for cool respite. Since it flows into the sea, you can wade around in the cool waters. Sitting on a rock while dunking my feet in, it truly was a relaxing, calming place to rest after a day full of walking.

Seongeup Folk Village:

The folk village itself was something extremely culturally packed, and it's a location that I think is definitely worth visiting. Traditional houses with thatched roofs and stone walls are scattered all around the place. There are even traditional games that you could try playing, such as "tu-ho", which is a game that requires you to throw sticks into an ornate canister. I spent almost an hour trying to beat my older sister, and finally, after much concentration and skill (or my sister let me win so we could get out or the scorching heat), I won. There are also traditional Korean swings in the folk village, and other interesting activities that will appeal to the masses. This folk village is packed full of interesting games and resembles a traditional neighborhood in Jeju island.

Hallasan:

Hallasan is the largest mountain in Korea, and is a UNESCO world heritage site. There's a hiking trail that you have to go up to, so I would advise wearing comfortable shoes and a jacket (it gets really windy). Although a hike may sound tiring, the view that you get is breathtaking and definitely worth the effort.

Trick art museum:

Although this isn't something that truly showcases the rich culture and history of Jeju island, the Trick Art Museum is a great stop to visit if you like a good laugh or if you're looking for a cool photo op. The different pieces of optical illusion art allow you to take hilarious pictures that can really surprise not only you but your friends as well. There are both 2D and 3D pieces of art that you can pose with.

Food:

Like with any other island, Jeju has an abundance of fresh seafood. The majority of specialty dishes in Jeju Island are seafood dishes, but they can be served in several different ways (grilled, raw, marinated, stewed). An interesting fact to note is that a lot of the seafood is caught by haenyeo (해녀). Haenyeo are women sea divers that populate the island, and dive up to 20 meters to harvest seaweed and shellfish. Clad in their black diving suits and diving goggles, they are nicknamed the "mermaids of Jeju island".

Here are a few of my personal favorite specialty dishes available on Jeju Island:

Godeunguh (Mackerel) 

This type of fish is my longtime favorite. Although mackerel can be found in most frozen food sections of supermarkets, the ones found in Jeju Island are mostly fresh off the boat. There's an unbelievable amount of flavor and texture, with an unforgettable aroma that permeates the whole restaurant. Most mackerel fish sold in Jeju Island are caught and served within 24 hours. This specific dish is one that I recommend you try at least once before leaving the island.

Galchi (Hairtail fish)

Hairtail fish is a major export of Jeju island, and with good reason. They can be found in most traditional restaurants around the island, and can be served grilled, raw, marinated in radishes or stewed.

Hwe Guksu

Hwe Guksu is a noodle dish accompanied by raw fish. It's great to eat in the sweltering summer months and provides a cool respite. It's slightly spicy, but definitely bearable.

Heuk dweji samgyeopsal
For those who are not fans of seafood, I would recommend going to one of the many restaurants in Jeju Island devoted to selling "samgyeopsal". Heuk dweji samgyeopsal is a black pig pork belly dish that is succulent and juicy, and a staple in Korean diets.

Hallabong

Jeju Island's famous tangerines are a must have. Although this succulent fruit is only available during the wintertime, they can still be found for sale during the summer months. They're sweet yet tangy at the same time, a juxtaposition which I'm sure no one disagrees with. There's a myriad of products available on the island made using Hallabong, like chocolate, ice cream and smoothies.

Dining customs:

-During the meal, never stick your utensil into the dish. As with other Asian traditions, doing so resembles incense sticks during ancestral memorial services. Instead, rest your utensil on top of the dish and lay the chopsticks or spoon on the table when you are done.

-The eldest at the table should eat first. Once the eldest person at the table starts eating, everyone else can begin to eat.
-Unlike Western dining, people typically eat while sitting on a mat. While they have their own bowls of rice, other dishes and side dishes are shared amongst the table.

Key phrases:

Although a majority of the Korean population can speak some basic English, I would advise learning a few key phrases to fully immerse yourself into the culture. Try these phrases out on the locals and you're bound to be showered with compliments.

Hello- 안녕하세요 annyeong hasaeyo

Thank you- 감사합니다 gamsa habnida

Bye- 안녕히가세요 annyeong hee gasaeyo

Sorry-죄송합니다 jue song hab ni da

Excuse me- 실례 합니다 shil leh hab ni da