Malédiviana

Words by Shaiba Nimal

During the weekdays, Amana, and her partner, Bobbe’, go to their 9 to 5 jobs in the city of Southampton, England. Bobbe’ as an analyst and Amana as an auditor, they are – for all matters and purposes – an everyday urban couple. However, a look behind the curtain into their lives would reveal a picture far more extraordinary and unique than what meets the eye. Barely in their early thirties, this seemingly ordinary couple has lived a life laced with colors from all over the world, dipping their brush into a new country, every time they get a chance to break away from their mundane jobs. With almost 40 countries already under their belt, Amana and Bobbe’ do not intend on slowing down, anytime soon.

How they met

Originally from the Maldives, Amana and Bobbe’ first met when they were just kids. As a basketball player, Amana would occasionally visit Bobbe’s house, as his sister worked as a supervisor in her school. However, they would not start dating, until much later on, when Bobbe’ would run into her again on the streets of Male’ during his summer vacation from University in Bristol. Little did they know, that 13 years later, they would be married and living in the UK, travelling part-time around the world, and gaining experiences that most cannot even fathom to encounter in a lifetime.

The start of a never-ending adventure

Very early on into their relationship, the couple would speak of travelling the world, and their first order of business, after settling down in the UK, was to manifest these dreams into a reality. After saving up as much they can, one of their very first trips was to Paris for their first wedding anniversary. This trip was, indeed, a game-changer. Embalmed in a hold of art, literature, culture, and of course, the smell of fresh croissants, they knew – with the utmost certainty – that they had caught the travel bug, and life would no longer be the same. Since then, it has been a whirlwind rollercoaster ride, travelling to different parts of the world.

Paris – First Wedding Anniversary trip – Aug 2013

1st Wedding Anniversary trip to Paris

Paris2 – First Wedding Anniversary trip – Aug 2013

The Logistics

To finance their travels, the couple would cut corners in their daily lives, and save up as much as they can, and put it all towards their travel fund. Living in the UK proved to be an advantage in terms of ticket prices to other countries in Europe. Apart from that, they would compare cheap flights from SkyScanner as well, and compare hotels on Booking.com. Their ideal option would be below £50 per night, and hotels that have received at least eight stars on Booking.com from 100 reviews.

Weekend trip to Switzerland.

Venice – May 2016

Varenna, Lake Como – May 2016

Tuscany – First time in Italy – Sep 2013

St Gimignano – Italy Sep 2013

Route to part-time travel bloggers

Amana and Bobbe now have their own travel blogs, where they blog about their escapades and post essential tricks and tips for other aspiring travelers. Their Instagram page Malédiviana is a homage to their travels, ranging from pictures of scenic views and historical monuments to bustling streets, and city lights. When asked how they first decided to create their blog and launch their Instagram page, Amana and Bobbe said they had been entertaining the idea for some time, but they finally pulled the plug and created the page whilst on a train in Cinque Terre in Italy, hoping to inspire other Maldivians to embark on their own travel journeys as well.

Prague – April 2015

Positano – Amalfi Coast Trip – June 2015

Plitvice Lakes (this is when we got lost) – Croatia – 6th Wedding Anniversary trip – Aug 2018

Plitvice Lakes (when they got lost in Croatia on the 6th Wedding Anniversary trip)

Parasailing in Bali – Bobbe birthday March 2017

It’s the people, not the place

“It’s the people we meet along the way that makes the experience and the journey worthwhile. The countries that etch a permanent place in our hearts are the ones where we meet extraordinary people. People who invited us into their homes and displayed kindness beyond measure, people who truly embody the culture and essence of the place,” says Amana and Bobbe exuberantly.

They recall one such experience where an elderly Bosnian man spots the couple eating some snacks seated near a lake. The man approaches the couple and invites them into his home for tea. Initially taken aback, Amana and Bobbe politely decline. However, upon some gentle persistence, they make their way into his home. They say that the warmth and hospitality they received upon accepting his request will stay with them for a lifetime.

Although there was a language barrier, they managed to communicate through Google Translate, and even shared their contact details with the man, hoping to stay in touch. They left his home wrapped in a sheath of warmth and comfort. Emboldened in the knowledge that however far they may be away from home, regardless of one’s nationality, race, or culture, we are all united in the kindness and generosity we show one another.

However, it is not to say that they have not experienced any form of discrimination or bias. The only time they have experienced racism was surprisingly from another tourist visiting the country, rather than a local. While in Bosnia, Bobbe’ was taking drone pictures of a waterfall, when a man sight-seeing with his family notices the couple and assumes that they were taking pictures of them. He immediately lashes out at Amana and states, “You must be Indian. I have 2 to 5 people like you working for me in my house.” Of course, the couple is quick to emphasize that this is solely one incident compared to the hundreds of interactions filled with compassion, warmth, and amiability, and they choose to focus on the people that add vibrant and colorful threads into the tapestry of their lives, rather than those who try to unravel.