Maldives My Second Home
Maldives My Second Home
I first visited the Maldives back in 1999 flying on Emirates with a stopover in Dubai, before the airport was renovated, on route to Male for a year’s work placement for my university course on Makunudu Island, a quaint Maldivian resort set on a small island of 6 acres. I did not know what to expect, the Maldives was relatively unheard of in the UK at the time.
I was met at the airport and taken on a speedboat and whisked away speeding through the ocean with the sea whooshing past with the wind in my hair and the sun shining down with the warmth engulfing me. An incredibly awe inspiring transfer where a smile was stuck on my face the whole way through, I was not thinking of what was awaiting me on the island I was too busy looking around at the islands that we kept passing and the incredible view.
Upon arrival to the island I was greeted with the warmth of the people, who cannot do enough for you, whether you are a member of staff or a guest, this was to be my home for a year after which I had to return to the UK to finish my studies. Although studying in Newcastle where the temperature reached minus 13 one day, I sat looking at a Maldives poster which was on my wall and pledged that after I finished my course I would return.
And so I did and I never looked back, I returned to Makunudu Island where my then boyfriend was working, now my husband. I spent a further 1 and half years on Makunudu Island until I moved on to Male working from the Head Office as a Reservations Manager and then a Sales Manager for Sunland Hotels – Makunudu Island and Biyadoo Island and Coco Collection – Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Palm Bodu Hithi. Connecting me to a global network of tour operators and clients and giving me the opportunity to travel to destinations such as Cannes, Singapore and London.
Throughout my time in the Maldives I enjoyed some wonderful experiences of….
Desert island picnic’s / sunset cocktails / beach parties / night fishing / sand bank picnic’s and snorkeling / full moon picnic’s on the beach / parasailing / morning fishing / afternoon fishing / scenic photo flights via seaplane / snorkelling / sailing on a safari boat / luxury spa treatments / butler services and surfing in the maldives.
I had the opportunity to visit a number of other resort islands – Thulaghari, Kanahura, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili, Biyadoo Island, Makunudu Island, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Coco Palm Bodu Hithi, Cocoa, Herathra, Kurumba, Banyan Tree, Taj Exotica, Baros, Anantara Dhigu, Summer Island, Fihalhoahi, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa to name but a few.
I also visited many local islands to experience and understand the Maldivian way of life. The basic needs of the people and the way in which they live is very different from what you expect, but there is one thing that shines through their smile, their happiness and the lack of materialism.
I even managed to venture over the equator to visit Addhu Atoll where my in laws live, it was a great visit to see a different area of the Maldives and to see where my husband had been brought up.
I also arranged and took part in guests Wedding Ceremonies, an experience which I was honoured to be part of every time. Whilst the Wedding Ceremony in the Maldives is not legally binding it is a truly romantic and beautiful way of vowing your Love for that someone special. Not to mention being an amazing backdrop for wedding photos.
The scenery above the water is amazing, although the scenery under the water is another spectacular world to be discovered. The highlight for me so far was swimming with the Dolphin’s, swimming with the Manta Ray’s and swimming with a Whale Shark, to say incredible is an understatement. With some of the most amazing reefs, fauna and flora it is no wonder that it is a diver’s paradise. I too took the plunge and passed my PADI diving course (beats doing it in a quarry in the UK).
The Maldives is a true paradise where many ‘magical’ moments and experiences await all guests. The islands and the people embrace you with their incredible hospitality, service and genuine passion for sharing their country with you.
The Maldives prides itself on Personal Service Excellence and experiences, holidays are no longer about the room, board basis, transfers and facilities, it is now about the experiences that can be had whether staying in a 3 Star resort, a Luxury resort or to one of those Maldives family resorts.
So to discover the experiences that await you book your holiday now.
For EXPERT advise on the Maldives call 01327 702717 or 07577362392 or email angeleenn@travel-pa.com
It will be my pleasure to assist you in booking your holiday and to sharing the Sunny Side of Life with you.
