Arriving in Gulhi
To get to this island, not that far from Male', we took the public ferry that leaves from the Vilingili terminal. The trip lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes and costs 22 MVR per person, that is about 1.50 USD. The dhoni is certainly not luxurious, but it is an absolutely unmissable experience. It leaves every day at 15.00, except on Friday when the service is suspended.
On arrival at Gulhi the managers of the few accommodations on the island are all on the pier waiting for you, equipped with wheelbarrows to carry the luggage. We had booked the Orchid Island Lodge, a small guesthouse with only three rooms a few steps from the bikini beach. 250 USD in total for 5 nights, breakfast included. The guesthouse is clean and pretty. The room is large, comfortable and equipped with air conditioning, television and minibar. The two young guys who run it are nice and will do everything to make you feel at home, and as the days go by they will open up, proving themselves friendly and affable. They also have two umbrellas with sun loungers on the beach and they will make sure to reserve your spot! The only hotel on the island is the Tropic Tree, of which everyone spoke very highly.
Here it is possible to eat in a nice and intimate little garden, perfectly served for just a few dollars more than the other options! Here too they organize the Maldivian evening, open to everyone, which gathers and brings together the tourists present at a single table to the rhythm of music played and danced by the guys of the island... strictly male!!
To eat, the real institution is the surfer café! Where we always were, like the meeting point of the group. Local dishes, meat and fish. With 15 USD two people eat abundantly!!!
And now a few small precautions... the prayer that resounds during the day reminds you that you are in a Muslim country, together with the absolute impossibility of finding a beer!! Don't even try because it's not the thing... The only precaution required is to cover your legs down to the knees and your shoulders, men no bare torso. It doesn't weigh on you at all. Furthermore, it is worth saying that no one will say anything if a shoulder gets uncovered or if the shorts are shorter...
The inhabitants of Gulhi: the first impression was not exactly positive, it seemed that we were more tolerated than welcomed. But every day showed us more and more the opposite... they will start smiling at you and greeting you, it just takes longer than elsewhere.
The island: it is very small, with no paved streets, their houses are certainly not an example of cleanliness and care. But a lot is under renovation. Unfortunately in some parts of the island you notice the little care they have for their paradise. But this too is changing, and every day we saw them cleaning up plastic and leaves. Life is simple... in the morning you see them at their activities and at sunset everyone comes out onto the so-to-speak hammocks of the square, the children play, the others chat. At night there is really little light and you keep seeing them chatting sitting on the doorstep of their houses. No bars, no nightlife, no activities.... The rhythms are those of the sun. The bikini beach is wonderful, the sea a fairy tale. With a swim you reach the coral reef, here the corals are rather damaged compared to other spots, but the fish are plentiful. There's everything!
The excursions: absolutely not to be missed is the excursion to the sandbank, which costs about 70 USD. Absolutely worth spending. You will spend hours in paradise. On the same occasion they will also take you snorkeling and dolphin watching.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a wonderful sea, peace and silence, no glitz and no nightlife, a real experience, try Gulhi... it will enter your heart.
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