Arriving in the Maldives, it is hard to believe the islands are real. 1190 of them, stretching 800 kilometers across the Indian Ocean. Their sheer remoteness is breathtaking: all are coral atolls surrounded by crystal-clear water, their reefs dancing with exotic fish and dotted with fishermen who still use a pole and line to catch them.

It seems unreal, but it is no illusion.

The Maldives is a paradise that has been carefully preserved by a government aware of the value of its environmental treasures. Almost a cliché of white sands, turquoise seas and palm trees, the islands are uncrowded (there is never more than one resort on each), and offer every kind of water sport, particularly diving, for which the country has gained a reputation as one of the world’s premier destinations. For those who prefer to remain above water, though, there is game fishing, island-hopping by dhoni (traditional fishing boat), seafaring, or just lying for weeks on a perfect beach.

The island resorts offer high-end facilities including spas, fine dining, expert service and an arrival that is more James Bond than Robinson Crusoe, involving sea planes and speedboats. Everywhere it is obvious that this is a nation doing what it does best: offering a unique experience to visitors from all over the world, inviting them to a place devoid of modern life’s hard edges, its stresses and pressures.

Maldivians enjoy life – it is impossible to exist there without doing so. More than an escape, the islands offer an entirely different philosophy. There are few places left on earth that are truly the end of the line. Once you find one, there is nothing left to do but look around, and take pleasure in the view.