From The Desk of ElleDeeEsse

One Day I Want To Visit The Maldives

2026-03-31T15:56:01.904+11:00

The Maldives - I've Always Dreamed Of Going There

One day, about 30 years ago, while I was sitting in the hairdressers waiting for my perm to take I picked up a Cleo magazine and read an article on the island nation of The Maldives. I was instantly hooked! To me, The Maldives epitomises everything I dream about in a fantasy holiday destination. Tropics, beaches, exotic culture and cuisine. I had traveled abroad just once in my life, with my parents to the States and that trip had kindled a lifetime love of traveling. This article had fanned the spark into a flame.

Contents at a Glance

Some Maldivian Facts

The Maldives - Island Nation of The Indian Ocean

The Maldives is a nation made up of more than 1,000 islands located in the Indian Ocean. It’s nearest neighbours are Sri Lanka, around 700km to the North-East, and India.

Although its territorial area is 90,000 square kilometres, only around 300 square kilometres is land which means the country is 99.9% water! Only around 200 of the islands are inhabited. The islands are grouped into 26 atolls which form two chains in a north-south line.

The average height above sea-level of The Maldives is a whopping 1.5 metres making it the lowest lying country on the planet. Its highest point is a mere 2.3 metres (careful you don’t crick your neck looking up!) I want to visit this place before the oceans rise and completely gobble it up.

The Lonely Planet Guide To The Maldives

If you plan to travel to The Maldives then you should consider taking with you one of the very best guide books there is. Lonely Planet guides are fantastic because of the way they are researched and put together. Real people on real trips having real experiences – good and bad – all combine their knowledge into a guide that is up to date and thorough.

The Lonely Planet Guide To The Maldives provides information on everything you would expect from accommodation and where to eat to local sights and customs.

Things To Do In The Maldives

From Lying on a Sun-Lounge All. Day. Long. to Getting Into All the Water Activities - It's Your Choice

The Maldives is a tropical island nation. A nation made up of lots and lots of tropical islands. So the essential thing here revolves around water, sand, palm trees and that’s pretty much it. The Maldives is a diver’s paradise. The perfect combination of year round warm water and incredible visibilty sometimes as much as 50 metres. Other activities include snorkelling and fishing. The abundant marine life makes it a haven for underwater photographers. There is also whale and dolphin watching. There is also limited surfing opportunities. Most resorts however lie within the protected waters of the reef. For those who prefer to stay dry or who are unable to partake in scuba diving there is now the German built Whale Submarine, where divers and non-divers alike can enjoy the enchanting beautiful coral reefs and magnificent tropical fish from the comfort of an air-conditioned submarine.

Me? I’m going to sit in a sun-lounge with a good book and a cool drink. Oh, I might get up to stroll around the island occasionally.

I'm Going To Need Some New Sunglasses

To Spend All Day In The Sun in The Maldives

Male, Capital Of The Maldives

Surprisingly Densely Populated

This amazing photo of the capital of The Maldives, Male, is used under a Creative Commons licence from Wikipedia

A Bit About The Maldivian Culture

The culture of the Maldives is similar to that of its closest neighbours, India and Sri Lanka, with a smattering of sea-faring past thrown in for good measure which is reflected by a largely Islamic religion. From 1887 until 1965 it was a British protectorate. The main and official language, Dhivehi, is similar to several languages from Sri Lanka and South East Asia and includes many Arabic, Hindi and English words. English is commonly spoken and is now taught in schools.

Not surprisingly, the Maldivian cuisine revolves around its proximity to the sea and features many fish and rice dishes, usually with the addition of coconut milk.

And I'll Need A Few Good Books

For My Vacation in The Maldives

More Things To Do In The Maldives

For Those Who Want to do More Than Just Lie on a Beach

Staying on Addu Atoll offers the opportunity to cycle to three neighbouring islands connected via a causeway. The additional benefit of this is that it is the only place in the Maldives outside Male where interaction with locals can freely occur. Since resorts occupy 88 of the 200 inhabited islands the only locals normally encountered by tourists are service staff.

Boating activities of various sorts are abundant and there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in activities such as sailing, wind-surfing, day cruises and fishing.

If at all possible, a trip to the Maldives should include a day trip to Male for its local culture, its interesting shops and bustling markets.

I'll Definitely Need A Hat

that provides plenty of shade

Boxing Day Tsunami

In December 2004 a sub ocean earth tremor caused a tsunami of devastating proportions to rip through many South East Asian countries, The Maldives was one of the worst affected. Although loss of life was thankfully small in comparison to other countries, the overall destruction affected the entire country. The cost to rebuild was estimated to be almost $0.5billion which amounts to approximately 62% of that countries GDP. According to an article on Asian Development Bank’s website “Of the 198 inhabited islands in the archipelago, 53 suffered severe damage, and 10% of the islands were totally destroyed. Schools, clinics and pharmacies were destroyed in some 50 islands.”

Would You Like To Meet Up With Me Under A Palm Tree?

I'll get the first round of fruity cocktails

noriukeliauti Oct 23, 2013 @ 2:51 am

I also dream about going to Maldives, I think this place is really like a paradise...
siobhanryan May 23, 2013 @ 6:38 pm

A super lens
khatha0808 Jan 28, 2013 @ 9:27 am

This is my dreamed place to visit
Pukeko Jan 09, 2013 @ 9:00 am

I guess I will now be adding the Maldives to my bucket list. Wonderful. Blessed.
Waxing-Lyrical Jan 09, 2013 @ 6:32 am

Yeah, I'd love to visit The Maldives :)
BarbaraCasey Aug 23, 2012 @ 10:40 pm

The Maldives look lovely. And that's coming from someone who's lived in Florida quite a few years.
daria369 Aug 23, 2012 @ 9:49 pm

Breathtaking place indeed! :)
mumsgather Aug 23, 2012 @ 8:48 pm

Yes, let's meet up under a palm tree. :) My brother went to Maldives for his honeymoon. It's beautiful.
swathymenon Jul 18, 2012 @ 2:10 am

hi ElleDeeEsse, Great lens and well presented. As your title says, i would also like to visit Maldives one day.i heard that Maldives is the world's most beautiful islands..
thanks for sharing this information with us :)

The Best Goulash Soup Recipe

2025-09-29T13:08:00.002+10:00

A Thick Rich Warming Soup. Or Is It A Stew?

I love a good casserole and I also love thick, rich flavoursome soups. Sometimes it can be hard to determine one from the other. In fact in many cultures a good stew will have plenty of broth for the sole purpose of mopping up with crusty bread. When I travelled to Germany I thought I had discovered a brand new dish - something called Gulaschsuppe. It was on the menus in many of the small cafes and bars we visited since much of the time we were there was in the colder months. It tasted very similar to what I knew as Goulash but was more like a soup. I have since learned that the traditional Goulash is exactly that - a broth or soup, traditionally cooked in a big pot over a fire. Here is what I think is the Best Goulash Soup recipe.

Image used under a Creative Commons licence from Jametiks' photostream

Contents at a Glance

Before You Start
What You'll Need To Make The Best Goulash Soup
I Love My Cast Iron Pot
A Good Cutting Board Makes The Job Easier
How To Make The Best Goulash Soup
You Can Make The Best Goulash Soup In A...

Before You Start

Have your ingredients ready. Chop your meat and vegetables. Have your utensils ready and your workspace prepared. And of course, wash your hands.

What You'll Need To Make The Best Goulash Soup

* 2 lbs.- beef (cut in small cubes)
* 35 grams/1 oz butter
* 2 Tbsp. olive oil
* 4 medium onions, chopped
* 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
* 2 Tbsp. paprika
* salt & pepper to taste
* 1/2 tsp. caraway seeds
* 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
* 1 bay leaf
* 3 cup water
* 2 -cup beef broth
* 1/2 cup red wine
* 4 medium potatoes, diced

I Love My Cast Iron Pot

This is by far the best item in my kitchen. I love my cast iron cooking pot. It goes on the stove top or in the oven. I can do soups, stews, curries casseroles in it. It is fabulous for slow cooking. I can fry off my vegetables and brown my meat in it without having to change pans. And it heats really well. I also find cleaning it easier than my stainless steel pots. It's just brilliant

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round French Oven

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A Good Cutting Board Makes The Job Easier

of preparing your ingredients for the best goulash soup

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How To Make The Best Goulash Soup

Heat the oil and butter together and brown the meat in batches so it doesn’t stew in its juices. Return all the meat to the pot. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions have softened and become translucent. Add paprika and stir until well combined. Add caraway seeds and bay leaf. Stir tomato paste into broth then add to pot along with water and red wine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to the boil then cover and lower heat until just simmering. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour. Add potatoes and cook for a further 45 minutes or until meat is very tender and potatoes are soft but still retain their shape.

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You Can Make The Best Goulash Soup In A Slow Cooker

This recipe is ideal for a slow cooker. I still like to brown my meat first and soften my vegetables but you could just add the whole lot to the pot and go.

The 4 quart slow cooker from Hamilton Beach offers:

VERSATILE COOKING WITH 15 PROGRAMMABLE OPTIONS: Mix and match warm, low or high heat settings with your choice of 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours of cooking time.
SET IT AND FORGET IT: The programmable slow cooker automatically switches to keep warm after cooking is complete. No watching or stirring needed. You can set it and forget it.
PERFECT FOR FAMILY MEALS, POTLUCKS AND PARTIES: The 4 quart slow cooker has a stoneware crock that can fit a variety of foods, from lasagna and desserts to meat. It will hold a 4 lb. chicken or a 2 lb. roast. Serves 4 plus people.
EASY TO CARRY: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has full-grip handles that make it easy to carry.
EASY TO CLEAN: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has a removable stoneware crock and glass lid that are dishwasher safe, and the touchpad easily wipes clean.

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Goulash - Soup Or Stew?

So what's more right for you - is an authentic Goulash a soup or a stew?

CarolHoule Jan 22, 2014 @ 3:51 pm

Looks Yummy, thanks.
kabbalah Mar 03, 2013 @ 9:41 pm

I don't think I've ever had any
White_Roses Feb 21, 2013 @ 7:04 pm

Yummy, yummy! I think I am hungry now and it is very late for me to eat :) I love goulash, thanks for sharing this, I think I will have one for lunch tomorrow.
john9229 Feb 14, 2013 @ 9:36 am

I love the Goulash Soup Recipe your have share! Nice!
greenlungsofpoland Jan 20, 2013 @ 6:33 am

Love the Polish version of hungarian goulash that my husband's mother makes :)
SynchronicityHouse Nov 10, 2012 @ 8:22 am

This sounds delicious - we'll be trying your recipe out now that Winter is making his way to the UK! Fab Lens - thanks
Ilona1 Jun 25, 2012 @ 11:51 am

Oh my- now I am sooo hungry. This is a great recipe, thanks!
KimGiancaterino Jun 07, 2012 @ 11:56 pm

My husband likes to make Goulash in the slow cooker. I'm a vegetarian, but don't mind because it makes the house smell wonderful. He will have to try your recipe next time.
lftypjk900 Jan 29, 2012 @ 9:36 am

what a great lens and great recipe I plan on making some this week! Thanks!
Stazjia Aug 12, 2011 @ 5:32 am

This sounds a long way from the so-called goulash we had for school lunches. I'm going to try this recipe which sounds delicious.

Do You Love Goulash at Your Place?

Share your variation here

How To Hold A School Reunion

2017-07-23T08:23:00.003+10:00

There were five of us sitting in the pizzeria just down the road from the pub where the wake was still under way. The funeral had been held at the crematorium in the northern suburbs of Sydney. "We" are a group of school mates and it was now 29 years since we'd left that esteemed establishment. The discussion moved through shock at our friends death, scandal at the unknown cause and the strange manner of his finding and laughter at our reminiscences. Then someone happened to mention that next year would mark the 30th anniversary of our leaving the institution that had taken us in as precocious pre-teens and spat us out six years later as world-wise budding adults.

We should have a reunion, one of us suggested.

So that's how it started.

Our school was complicated. When we started there, we were the Girls' school and next door was the Boys' school. Five years later, upon completion of another brand spanking new high school a few suburbs away, our two schools split with half our numbers disappearing off and the remainder reforming to form a new co-ed school. This was sensational for all of us 17 year-olds going in to our final year and having been segregated from the opposite sex for the past five years! I know my result in my final exams was a disaster. I can't speak for anyone else...

What this meant was that we were not just having a conventional Class of '76 reunion. We needed to include the other school. Those guys had been our mates for so long and they should be a part of this as well. We also decided to included those who had been with us up until Year 10 and left after completing their School Certificate Exams.

This was going to be a huge undertaking. We'd firstly need to try and track down as many people as we could think of, the boys of course would be easier than the girls. But first we had to identify who was in our year. This would mean tracking down old class lists. How were we going to find people and spread the word?

We then had to think about a venue, music, food, activities, speeches, announcements, prizes?, photos. Pulling it all together and making it work. Making it worthwhile for people to spend money to get there. Some people live inter-state now. Others live overseas. How could we organise an event when we didn't know how many people were going to be there? What sort of venue should it be?

We each took on a role and set about our tasks. We met monthly, at a pub, to compare notes on where we were up to. We mailed and emailed, compiled lists, door-knocked businesses for vouchers and gifts to be given as prizes, we had t-shirts produced. We called on the collective expertise that we knew lay amongst our numbers. We produced newsletters, name tags, tickets and online message boards.

And when it was all over, everyone agreed it had been a huge success. Who's going to take on the 40th? I don't know but I'm happy to hand over the reins. And all the knowledge I've gained.

My First Jump - First Time Skydiving Tips

2016-03-23T07:47:00.005+11:00

If you are considering skydiving and are deliberating on whether or not you should take the plunge then perhaps reading my experience may help you decide.

Tandem Skydive. PSST... this is how they do it now - with a babysitter! By Skydiving Parachutisme: Jef132 derivative work: Ximonic (Skydiving Parachutisme) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], Wikimedia Commons

How I Came To Jump Out Of An Aeroplane

You know how it goes. Your flatmate comes home one night with a great idea and the next thing you know you're jumping out of an aeroplane!

It seemed like a good idea at the time. I mean, who doesn't love a bit of excitement, right? Back then, in the early eighties, it was done as a solo static line jump which means your chute pull is attached to a wire that automatically pulls your chute open as you exit the plane. None of this namby pamby tandem jump stuff where you are strapped to an instructor who does everything for you while talking calming thoughts to you for us.

We were the tough. We were the brave. Well, you can see for yourself just how brave I was....

My First Jump - The Idea. How it came about

It was during my early flat-sharing days. I was co-habiting with two men and a lady in a large house in one of Sydney’s leafy Northern Beaches suburbs. One of the young men, Pete was also a work colleague. I was to discover while sharing the bills with these three that they were into extreme sports and trying out new things.

Pete and Chris were already certified Scuba divers and would flit off from time to time to throw themselves into the deep. They skied and rode horses, they abseiled and grass-skied. One evening, Chris came home from work and suggested we all go take parachuting lessons.

Wha….. ??????

Hold on. Run that by me again. Parachute lessons. You know, skydiving. Actually, I preferred it when you called it parachuting. You really can’t avoid the literal when you call it skydiving.
"No, really, it’s easy. We just go into the city a couple of times and practice landing."

First Time Skydiving Tips: Capture Every Amazing Moment!

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First Time Skydiving Tips: Practice Your Landing Rolls

Actually, if you are making a tandem jump you won't need to do this. In fact your jump buddy probably won't thank you if you do attempt to roll on landing with him attached. But back when I made my first jump knowing how to land was essential.

I still don’t know how they convinced me. A few weeks later here we all were, assembled in a small room on the third floor of an office building in the centre of Sydney; a more unlikely place I could not imagine. The instructor took us through the theory first which consisted of statistical information like how fast you plummet, how long it takes for you to reach planet earth, what happens if you hit power lines, stuff like that. Then we donned our suits and chutes so we would know which buckle went where and what handle was for what.

The climax of the evening was climbing up onto desks and jumping into practice rolls. That’s the part where all the gigglling started because you could briefly forget that you were actually in rehearsal to hurl yourself out of an airplane at 2,000 feet all by yourself relying solely on a metal thread to open your single link with life for you. We all looked quite ridiculous.

The session concluded with our date set for our first jump and several alcoholic beverages in a nearby establishment.

Skydiving Adventure Tin Sign

My First Jump - The Jump. The day had arrived!

Global Vision Z-33 Foam Padded Anti-Fog Motorcycle ATV Riding Paintball Safety Skydiving Goggles
It was a glorious pre-dawn the day we set out to throw ourselves into nothing from a fast-moving object 2,000 feet above the earth.

It was one of those crisp cool autumn mornings. We had an hour’s travel to reach the airfield at a place called Wilton to the south-west of Sydney.

By the time we reached the small shed where we were to assemble there was a heavy dew and an early morning mist as the sun started to brighten the tree tops.

I admit I remember very little of the pre-jump instruction I was given as I was climbing into my jump-suit. I can tell you nothing about packing my chute, putting it on, putting on my helmet or closing and clasping buckles and ties although I must have done all those things. I also admit that I remember nothing about walking out onto the airstrip to climb into the tiny aircraft that would take me on this insane journey. I remember exiting the plane. I remember counting – one thousand, two thousand, three thousand, four thousand, then being yanked upward as I felt the tug of the opening chute. I remember looking around at the incredible sight below me. Tiny little buildings and toy cars. The dots I suppose were people.

Somehow, I managed to do all the right things and make an almost perfect landing.

THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My First Jump - Afterwards: The Epilogue

Men's If At First You Don't Succeed, Sky Diving Is
LET’S GO AGAIN! LET’S DO IT AGAIN! That wasn’t me, that was Chris.

We knew that if we took our second jump today it would only be an extra $17.

I knew that this is the only time ever I would be enticed to do a second jump. I still had the adrenalin pumping through my body. I was still shaking. My legs were still wobbly even after the 200 metre hike back from where I had landed to the aerodrome shed.

Yes! That was exhilarating! Yes, that was the most incredible thing I had ever done but somehow I already knew that this was not going to become my passion.

My Second Jump

They convinced me to go up again. I think the impressions of my fingers clinging to the open doorway of the plane are probably still there. The instructor ended up having to push me out of the plane.

I forgot to count. I piloted badly. I ended up in the bushes about a kilometre from the shed. It wasn’t pretty. I think during my second jump I found my fear.

I can honestly say that this is the most exhilarating and the most frightening thing I have ever done.

One Time Experience or A New Interest?

For me, once was enough. Exhilirating? Yes! Memorable? Absolutely! Would I take it up as a hobby? No, never. But you may feel completely different. For a small number of people, skydiving won't be simply an experience. It will become a passion. If this is you then at some point you want to get your own Skydiving Rig.

What's The Most Extreme Thing You've Done? Did this inspire you to take your first jump?

Loretta L 18 months ago from Chilterns, UK.

Yow! Not for me. But I'm glad you enjoyed it. I might enjoy paragliding, but not jumping out of planes. My husband did it once and thoroughly enjoyed it though