COVER STORY | THE MALDIVES everything comes to a standstill , and locals don ’ t understand why I am not married and have no children !
As a single female in an Islamic society , many think life would be complex or challenging . On the contrary — except for ensuring I dress modestly and respectfully , I have always felt I have lived my life as I would have back in the UK . I feel safe , at ease , welcomed , and respected . Living locally , you may see and hear things that you don ’ t necessarily agree with or that are not in line with your own values and beliefs . My belief , however , is that no country is perfect ; it is my choice to make the Maldives my home , but that does not give me the right to criticize or express an opinion on how others should live their lives .
Like everywhere I have lived , I tend not to do the things on my doorstep . I dive much less than when I visited as a tourist . Still , whenever I find myself on the water , traveling by speedboat or ferry to visit and explore other islands , I look across the aquamarine water and reflect on how lucky I am to call this tropical paradise home .
ABOUT RUTH FRANKLIN
Ruth discovered the Maldives 20 years ago , visiting as a scuba diver in search of mantas and whale sharks . An instant love and appreciation of the country , its people , culture and traditions resulted in 30 return visits . In 2012 , an opportunity to move there appeared . Ruth swapped her corporate life in the U . K to live and work in one of the most dreamed about places on earth . She continues to promote Maldives ’ sustainable and local tourism .
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