How do people live in the Maldives, particularly in Thoddoo?
The local population of the Maldives lives in good conditions in terms of climate. Any resident of Russia would be happy with the sun 365 days a year. There is plenty of vitamin D, you can swim all year round, there is no off-season – in general, the climate is quite comfortable. The locals do not complain about this. But what about other aspects of life.
Naturally, we will tell our story using the example of local life on the island of Thoddoo.
What do the locals do?
Tourism business
The overwhelming majority of the local population is tied to the tourism business. Residents of the Maldives are fully engaged in it: from owners and marketers to cooks and cleaners. Such people have a better standard of living compared to others.
Fishing industry
Fishing from the Maldives coast is two parts of a whole. It is worth noting that only men are involved in the fishing industry. Fish is caught both for food and for export.
Gardening
Let’s take Todd as an example. On our island there are many plantations for growing:
- coconuts;
- pineapples;
- cucumbers (oddly enough);
- and other fruits and vegetables.
During periods of high temperatures, people involved in gardening and farming have to spend a huge amount of time on plantations, mostly watering. Of course, hoses have been installed and sprinklers have been made for a long time, but all this works with difficulty without constant monitoring.
Work in shops/souvenir shops
It is precisely here that women work predominantly. It is worth noting that the working day in all such places in the Maldives is shortened.
Water transport drivers
On the small islands there are no cars as such at all. There are golf carts and mopeds. These are the most convenient means of transportation around the island. They are usually used to transport tourists to guesthouses.
Locals are also captains of watercraft: from small boats to large cargo ships.