The Maldives. The place conjures images of white sand, crystal clear waters and luxury resorts. The first resort opened in 1972 and since then tourism has flourished with now more than 105 foreign backed resort islands ranging in price from $50 to $30,000 per night.

These 105 islands together with another 95 local and fishing islands make up the 200 inhabited islands of the Maldives - still dwarfed by the 1,800 uninhabited islands.

One island has a unique history, once a resort throughout the 80’s and 90’s, now being reclaimed by nature; the island of Villingillivaru (Villivaru).