Gatecrashing Paradise: Misadventure in the Real Maldives

Notwithstanding the somewhat awkward and misleading title, Chesshyre’s musings during his meanderings through the Maldives display a lovely insight into the people, the place, and the issues Maldivians find themselves facing. I read this from my sun lounger, and it was a perfect accompaniment to our vacation. This reads easily and is possibly the best introduction to modern Maldives.

This is the story of the authro's time traveling around the Maldives many islands. He is a travel writer, so he wanted to get an inside look of life in the Maldives beyond the beautiful oceans and resorts that tourist see. He sailed around almost 600 miles of islands on his trip to the Maldives discussing jobs, cuisine, politics, religion, and general life with the locals. I really liked this book. There aren't a lot of books about the Maldives that aren't travel books for tourist, so I was happy to find this one. Over the last year I have read quite a few books like this where journalist talk to locals and get a different perspective on a country. It is quickly becoming a favorite way for me to learn about a country. Chesshyre spent a long time with the locals around many of the islands that make up the Maldives. I learned a lot about the history and culture of this country thanks to his book. I am glad I found it.

I really enjoy travelogues and this did not disappoint. Loved reading about the author's experience and the Maldivian culture.

Great read about out of the way places and how to get there.

What a great book! I loved it. Ever since reading this book, I've been dying to go on a non-resort trip to the Maldives. Tom Chesshyre's book really makes you want to do the same journey he does - travel on boats between islands with long and unpronounceable name, stay in local guesthouses, eat authentic Maldivan food, and learn about this country - the real country, not just the resorts. I read the book first a year or two ago. I'm now buying it for my kindle and trying to work out how to escape my life for a month so I can travel independently around the Maldives!

I've never visited the Maldives and have always had a vague impression of beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels - I'd gladly go if I won a ticket but maybe there's not enough to see and do to put it on my 'must visit' list. In this account, Tom Chesshyre takes advantage of the recent relaxation in rules that now permits tourists to travel anywhere in the nation, rather than just confining them to designated resort islands. This seems to have been an attempt to keep western ways from tainting an islamic nation, plus perhaps a business tactic - the resorts are owned by a handful of wealthy and powerful individuals. Staying predominantly in guest-houses and with locals, Chesshyre investigates Maldivian life. He learns of political corruption and human rights issues; the aftermath of the tsunami; the fears that this, the world's flattest nation, may in the near future be deluged as water levels rise. He meets Bangladeshi immigrants, lured with the promise of good jobs but now trapped earning a pittance and unable to afford the trip home. Crime, increasing islamization ... but also beautiful scenery and friendly locals. Perhaps not enough going on to make a terribly gripping narrative, but certainly the author has investigated all aspects of life and produced an informative work on a little-known nation.

Tom Chesshyre is a thoroughly engaging travel writer who takes his readers with him every step of the way. His curiosity is limitless and compelling: in five books he has beaten an informative and entertaining track from unconsidered British cities to the dangers of the middle east (he was seized by gunmen in Libya). In his latest book he explores the Maldives archipelago, far away from the usual high end tourist beat - not an infinity swimming pool in nearly 300 pages. His destinations include islands that until recently were out-of-bounds to foreigner. There he finds plenty, including charming and colourful B&Bs, that would delight the more adventurous traveller. Chesshyre has the knack of drawing out the people he meets and a reporter's instinct for the true nature of communities - and in this case a country. Many readers, I suggest, will follow him off the beaten track. It is travel writing that starts where the public relations industry ends.

The author is an engaging traveler writer who embues his stories with a sense of adventure and humour while also sharing a decent dose of fact about the destination. Most people perceive the Maldives to be a resort-only destination. However getting out to the local islands allows one to experience real Maldivian culture, food and lifestyle. Our family of 3 loved staying at AirB&Bs on some local islands. The author inspired me to put a 2nd visit to the Maldives on our list, because there are so many islands to explore. Enjoy!

This is a well written, engaging and informative look at an Indian Ocean nation whose days are very much numbered. Sea levels rising, extreme weather changes and the possibility of another tsunami or two. After spending many holidays in the Caribbean, I was hoping that the Maldives would be something exotic and completely different. I try not to think about (though I always do) what goes on behind the proverbial kitchen doors. Happy natives etc. It might be a good idea to read this book AFTER you return from the Maldives !!!

Most reviews were positive so I bought and read this during our recent week in the Maldives. Few people get to experience what Tom managed and if like me, you’re always looking for a bit more knowledge and authenticity about where you go for a break then you’ll really enjoy this book. There is a world of difference between the tourist resorts and the actual country - you won’t find opportunities to visit truly contemporary islands as tour operations don’t offer that; this is a deeply committed Islamic country and western influence is necessarily limited. The authors style was very reminiscent to me of Paul Theroux, whose books I read years ago with no hope of visiting the places he went, proper travel writing. Loved it.

I read "Gatecrashing Paradise" while in the Maldives (at a luxury resort!) as I like to try to get under the skin of countries that I'm visiting particularly one catering for such high end tourism and the disparities this may cause. I was captivated and would thoroughly recommend it for anybody with even a passing interest in the Maldives. I also enjoyed the insight into travel writing and the affect that PR Agencies have had on the industry. I will be now seeking out more books by Tom Chesshyre.