Practicalities from A to Z
Address: Your address will be Bandos Island Resort, North MaleŽAtoll, Republic of Maldives.
Cellular phone: See Mobile phone.
Climate: Tropical. Air and water temperature typical ~30°C.
Clothing: Light clothing (see climate) recommended. You would probably appreciate a nice trouser, shirt and possibly even a tie at the graduation ceremony/women's summer dress. A cap or hat protecting from sun is strongly advisable. Remember that both men and women are expected to wear appropriate clothing (shorts and covered upper body (e.g. with T-shirt) during visit to fishing village.
Computers: Available in the reception area.
Credit cards: All major credit cards accepted at Bandos and usually in the larger shops of Male, you should otherwise bring a modest amount of USD to cover minor purchases during the excursions and for any gratuity at Bandos.
Currency: Maldivian Rufies. 1 USD=12,75 Rfs (Nov 2005)
E-mail: Available at the business center. If you would like to contact the resort at e-mail use: info@bandos.com.mv. You may leave this e-mail address for your family/business partners as well, but ensure that any e-mail forwarded to this (common/bulk) e-mail postbox is clearly addressed to yourself in the subject field like this: "For the attn of:..". When arriving at Bandos you should inform any likely contact person about your room number to facilitate forwarding and avoid loss of messages. Probably a better solution would be to reach your mailbox through a web-based e-mail service (e.g. hotmail or similar). Cost: See internet.
Gratuity: When you live at Bandos, the conventional and most convenient way of paying your drinks, souvenirs etc is to put the bill on your room and pay when leaving. We usually collect a small amount at the end of the stay for the Dive School and for the waiters, further it is common to leave a small amount in your room for the cleaners. The final decision on payment of this gratuity will be up to yourself.
Internet: Two computers, connected to the internet, are available for the guests (for free), located in the reception. Wireless network (Wi-Fi) available in the reception area (free of charge). Connection may be slow during peak business time.
Laundry: There is a laundry service available at the island. ~2 USD for a shirt.
Mobile phone: The Maldivian telephone company (Dhiraagu) has develop a steadily growing system of GSM coverage compatible with European GSM 900 standard. However, only a limited number of telephone companies have roaming contracts with Dhiraagu, so though your phone is technically compatible, it may not be allowed access to the network. As of September 2004 one Danish (Telia), two Norwegian (Netcom and Telenor Mobil) and two Swedish (Europolitan and Telia) had roaming agreements with Dhiraagu. We will try to update this status at regular intervals, but if this is of major importance to yourself you should contact your (mobile) telephone company at home or the Dhiraagu roaming webpage. Norwegians would pay in the order of NOK 30/min for outgoing calls and NOK 15/min for receiving calls (Telenor mobil). Swedes would pay ~SEK 20 to receive calls and ~SEK35 to place a call (Telia). But think about it: Why not leave the mobile phone back home - even though it may work down here? That would be a contribution to yourself and some time away from work and responsibilities you (probably!) deserve. And indeed it would be a contribution to fellow students and family allowing a quiet and relaxed atmosphere without annoying tunes from the ever-present mobile phone.......
News and newspapers. Some newspapers are available for reading in the reception area (they are not sold). But you won't be up to date concerning national and international developments while you're down here. Do you really need to?
Nudity: Not allowed anywhere. Women must wear bra/bikini tops.
Payment and prices: See shopping and credit cards on this page.
Photoprocessing: Not readily available.
Postal service: Stamps and postcards can be bought in the souvenir shop, a mailbox is available in the reception area. You use it for post cards and it works fine. But you would probably not use it for business purposes due to the time lag. Stamp for Europe: USD 1/postcard (Nov 2003).
Power: 220V AC, British/UK style plug. See picture
Security: To the best of our knowledge, no theft has ever occured for any of our students (though no guarantee can be given for future incidents). A combination lock safe is located in each room allowing you to store your valuables securely.
Shopping: There are two main opportunities for shopping: At Male (we usually make a trip there during the stay) or some of the other inhabited islands (we usually make a trip to a "native" fishing village). Genuine Maldivian souvenirs are rare, however, so you would not go to Maldives for shopping purposes. Dive computers may be cheaper to buy in Male or at Male airport compared to the scandinavian countries. Be prepared to bargain significantly - no prices outside Bandos are "fixed" and you are expected to bargain!
Telefax: Available in the business centre. Faxes could be sent to the resort at +960-44 3877. If you leave this fax number for relatives or business purposes, please ensure that they address it with "For the attn of: ...." and preferably supply them with your room number when you arrive at the resort.
Telephone: International direct access from room but at a significant cost, ~USD 7,- /min (one min. intervals). E-mail may be a better option. Country code to Maldives: 960. The Maldives are connected to the international telephone network through Inmarsat and has a limited number of lines available. Similarly the Bandos Island have a limited number of lines available. In practical terms this means that you may experience problems/occupied line trying to fax or phone the resort. This will usually be resolved if you retry a few times (important to tell your relatives back home)! The resort may be reached through phone: +960-44 0088. There is no direct access to each room (phones must be connected through the switchboards).
Television: A TV set is placed in each room with major international TV-channels.