Continuing our Eastward journey, we arrive in Malé, the capital city of the Asian Archipelago state of Maldives - a mere 200-some miles north of the equator!

Not much is known about the ancient history of Maldives, so here is a succinct account of the country from the visitmaldives.com website: "ancient history of the Maldives scholars and historians believe that the Maldives is an old nation populated well over 2500 years ago. The Maldivian race is the result of several waves of settlement from various parts of the Indian subcontinent and thousands of years of interactions of people of different races and ethnicities that crisscrossed the Indian Ocean over several centuries. The country’s culture and traditions and the diverse physical traits of the people bear witness to the fact that the country was, due to its geographical location, a melting pot of people and cultures."

This idyllic island country is like something straight out of a science fiction novel. Aesthetically, this sky scraper filled city appears to rise out of the middle of the ocean. Then, you have underwater hotels and restaurants where "sleeping with the fishes" is not such a bad deal after all! If you like summer heat with an ocean breeze, the weather is nice, too - with lows around 77 and daytime highs averaging 88. While it rains a lot, it doesn't last long, and there is plenty of sunshine to help you dry off. At night, the ocean and beaches literally GLOW! Top it all off with boat rides, plane tours, diving, and all kinds of outdoor recreation and relaxation...ah, utopia!

So, where does one begin when arriving to this densely populated floating metropolis? Watch below and you decide!

Now, let's take a closer look at a few things which set Malé apart from the rest of our destinations:

• Underwater Restaurants

The Maldives features numerous underwater restaurants. One of the most famous is the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant. This may be one of the few times in life these days where there is no thought of pulling out our cellphones for some quick distraction between courses. It's a strange role-reversal, dining while being the one in the aquarium, surrounded by coral reef, schools of fish, and other sea life.

• Explore a shipwreck

How many chances in life will you have to explore an actual shipwreck off the coast of a tropical island? Throw on some scuba gear and get an up-close tour of The Victory, which sank in 1981 after striking coral. Be warned, the currents can be vicious for inexperienced divers. So, you can substitute for snorkeling or parasailing. If you'd rather relax, book an appointment at a spa!

• Experience the "Sea of Stars"

Get freshened up from all your fun in the sun, then book a trip to Vaadhoo Island. Prepare to spend a night on a glow-in-the-dark beach with glittering blue waves crashing in at your feet. This is real life! Experts explain that this "sea of stars" effect is caused by bioluminescent organisms that live in the waters of this island: "The aquatic critters that account for the phenomenon are actually ostracod crustaceans that glow for seconds or even minutes at a time when they come into contact with the water’s surface...The bioluminescent creatures use chemical energy that’s released as light. They contain a unique compound called luciferin, which, when exposed to oxygen, causes a chemical reaction that emits a beautiful glow." It should be noted, to witness this effect, you must visit between the months of June and October. 

Being an archipelago state between the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, east of Africa, but south of continental Asia, Malé is bound to have some one-of-a-kind dishes! Click the name of the dish to link to its recipe! 

Kulhi Boakibaa (Fish Cakes)

From themaldivesexpert.com: "Kulhi boakiba or fish cakes have been eaten by Maldivians for thousands of years, particularly on special occasions like festivals and feasts. Prepared with smoked tuna, grated coconut, chopped chili peppers, ginger and rice, the fish cake is also eaten as a short-eat during evening tea."

Handulu Bondibai (Sweetened Sticky Rice)

From themaldivesexpert.com: "Handulu Bondibai is a unique dessert made for extra special occasions like the birth of a child. Eaten with ‘kulhimas’ or ‘bondibai’ (breadfruit, sago or rice parcels), this sweetened sticky rice dish is distributed to all households in the islands."