FRIENDS OF THE MALDIVES
Life is made up of loyalties. Loyalty to one's family and friends, loyalty to the truth and things both beautiful and good and loyalty to one's sovereign and country.
Such attitudes of mind, such a coalition of human instincts and principles are, today, constantly under siege by opposing appetites and interests, most of which, and essentially being born of the harsh realities of commercialism, constitute a major assault on the principles to which I refer and, in turn, a collapse of the sense of community such principles created.
When I first visited the islands I witnessed a scale of human relationships, and awareness of belonging to a sharing community which both inspired me and reminded me of a gentler age and indeed of the guiding lines of life taught me when I was young.
My association with the Maldivian people has now lasted seventeen years and on this very special occasion I wish to record that I have learnt as much as I have tried to give in guiding the people into the world of international tourism.
Indeed, I have been conscious as serving the Maldives as if it were my own country. I can only hope that as the islands continue to grow as an international, independent tourist destination, these very same principles which I found so attractive, so inspiring will endure.
I now pledge myself to continue to do all I can towards such end and, in the process, to continue to advance the interests of the Maldives and all its people.
Love Toni The Maldive Lady
Such attitudes of mind, such a coalition of human instincts and principles are, today, constantly under siege by opposing appetites and interests, most of which, and essentially being born of the harsh realities of commercialism, constitute a major assault on the principles to which I refer and, in turn, a collapse of the sense of community such principles created.
When I first visited the islands I witnessed a scale of human relationships, and awareness of belonging to a sharing community which both inspired me and reminded me of a gentler age and indeed of the guiding lines of life taught me when I was young.
My association with the Maldivian people has now lasted seventeen years and on this very special occasion I wish to record that I have learnt as much as I have tried to give in guiding the people into the world of international tourism.
Indeed, I have been conscious as serving the Maldives as if it were my own country. I can only hope that as the islands continue to grow as an international, independent tourist destination, these very same principles which I found so attractive, so inspiring will endure.
I now pledge myself to continue to do all I can towards such end and, in the process, to continue to advance the interests of the Maldives and all its people.
Love Toni The Maldive Lady