Maldives – where you’d want time to stand still

Maldives – where you’d want time to stand still

This is a review of Paradise Island Resort , and Male city.

Much is known about Maldives being one of the most beautiful and exotic destinations of the world and certainly, the Maldives lives upto that title. Maldives, a must visit destination is the ultimate beach destination with powdery white sand beaches opening into the lagoon with colors that vary from light green to dark green and eventually opening into the Indian Ocean. Somewhere in the late 1980’s the islands were open for tourism and I’ve learnt that its consciously kept exotic to regulate the numbers and types of tourists that come into the islands. No wonder, Maldives is sparsely populated either with tourists and locals , thereby keeping it pristine and virgin. With approximately 90 islands leased out to private resorts, there’s almost no name you wouldn’t find. Every resort is a self contained ecosystem in itself with everything available in-house. One of these is the paradise island resort in Lankanfushi island. Some resorts can be 100’s of kms from Male international airport (which is the only international airport) and you may need to take a domestic flight or a seaplane ride, which may cost quite a bit depending on the mode of travel. There are also ferries available to most islands (except on Fridays) which are very cheap , but coordinating your flight arrival time / dates with the ferry timings may become difficult. One of the most immediate advantages of Paradise Island resort is that it’s situated only 20 mins from Hulhumale island by speedboat (which is where the airport is across from Male island city). You can actually see Male island city from the resort on a clear day / night. Paradise island resort is a mid segment in terms of cost , however it’s a rated 5 star resort as it boasts of being one of supreme quality and comfort. The resort would arrange transfers for you from Male international airport by speedboat. Look for the kiosk of Villa Hotels as you come into the arrival lounge and they would assist you. As you get into the Indian ocean a spectacular sight of islands and lagoons on both sides beckons for a few photos. 20 minutes later you enter the Lankanfushi island lagoon and the arrival / departure jetty. One cant stop but stand on that jetty and simply gaze around them being in the middle of the lagoon is for one the most spectacular sight, especially for one that hasn’t had this experience earlier. There are two categories of areas within the island. The superior beach bungalows and the aptly named “Haven” (comprising the water villas / haven suites and ocean suites). The superior beach bungalows are nice , adequately furnished and give you easy access to the beach a few steps away. There are various facilities at the resort (available at a extra charge):

1. External excursions: trips to other islands, resorts and male city excursion
2. Water sports / air activities : These can cost quite a bit depending on what you take. There’s Sea plane ride, submarine ride parasailing , canoeing, jet skiing, banana boat ride and it’s available 9 am to 5 pm.
3. Fishing activities: there’s deep sea fishing, night fishing, dolphin spotting rides, also includes cooking / bbq activities.

All the above activities are over and above and can be purchased at the resort itself.

If you don’t want to indulge in any of the activities also, just lazing by your personal beach chair under a palm tent and gazing into the open blue / green lagoon and ocean has the ability to transcend you to another paradise altogether. The lagoon tides vary across the day and highest during noon to early evening. The colors are also most brilliant during this time. Waters are predominantly warm, which is also why there’s so much of marine life around the island itself. You’d spot lots of aquatic life of various colors , shapes and sizes, even baby sharks and sting rays roaming around. With the corals at the sea bed, it’s like being in a giant natural aquarium. There are also various indoor sports available, (like TT, badminton , basketball etc.) and a large swimming pool (but do you really require it ? ). Here are some of the upsides of the resort and a few things you can do:

1. Parasailing / JetSkiing / Canoeing and a wide variety of water sports (timings are specific though and some of the activities can be quite steep on the pocket)
2. Enjoy a cocktail and a meal at the ocean front pan Asian restaurant while sitting on the deck and looking at the endless ocean in front of you. Here is a great spotting point for fish. Baby sharks,  ray fish, glass fish, even some varieties of flying fish and multicolored fish I don’t know the names of.
3. Feed the sharks – every night near the restaurant area there would be fish feeding. If you’re up for it, try it and get some pics. The ray fish and baby Sharks some right up to you on the shore, grab the food and retreat back into the water.
4. Go for a walk around the periphery of the island and take some great shots. Indulge in some indoor sports like TT, Badminton etc. An SLR camera is almost a must have on a trip to Maldives. The side facing the Gili Lankanfushi resort and water villas is particularly beautiful.
5. Most packages include half board or full board plans. The food served at Paradise island was an awesome spread – each time for breakfast or dinner. There is a separate Maldivian section and the rest is all continental food. The food quality is excellent , sumptuous and the service is also amazing right from the reception staff to housekeeping to maintenance. They are always willing to help and very polite.
6. If you’ve got the budget for it, do try out the water villas , they are simple amazing. It’s an out of world experience. Suggest you try an upgrade at the resort itself by speaking to the reservations desk. If there’s availability, this is a good option. Water villa comes equipped with a private sun deck, bath tub on the sun deck, a stair leading straight into the lagoon. The room is exquisitely furnished and decorated with all amenities. Looking out of every blind / window you feel as though you are floating on water. It’s class at it’s best. Even if you upgrade for one night, you’d probably remember that one the most out of all.

Male City:

We also visited Male City for a night. Typically from what we realized eventually, there isn’t really a need to stay at Male city as there really isn’t too much to do there. Male is a small , pretty congested yet charming city. Roads are cobbled but narrow, and you can walk end to end across an evening dusk. While (and if) you’re there though a few things you could do are:

1. Visit the Jumorhee Maidan, Mulaa’gee (president’s palace), Grand Friday Mosque (both, the old and new mosque). I’ve heard the national museum is also worth a visit, but unfortunately by the time I had reached it was after hours already and closed.
2. Do some shopping at one of several possible souvenir shops (yes, prices on tags aren’t reasonable but do bargain and they offer a good deal). The souvenir shops are also in close vicinity of the other attractions as in the previous point.
3. Eat some Maldivian Seafood at a famous restaurant or grab some Thai food. Quite a few Thai restaurants in the city.
4. Take a walk by the docks (where ferries, resort speedboats , private yachts) are all docked and it makes for a beautiful site , especially by evening / night.

All in all a great experience. The beauty of the place is also complemented or supported by the fact that the resorts have been constructed in a careful manner so as to not disturb the ecological balance of the area. There’s also adequate garbage / waste disposal thereby ensuring the islands stay garbage free and absolutely pristine.

Tips:

-        Going through a travel agency may help in terms of getting a good deal on the resort as against directly contacting them or booking on their website

-        Dress modestly when visiting Male city. Also, liquor is strictly banned on Male and other islands having a local population , so ensure you don’t carry any when entering into Maldives

-        Keep an SLR handy at all times…be it on the islands or Male city , you’d find yourself always wanting to push the camera trigger. Carry light clothes and swimwear, the islands can get pretty hot and humid (you’re on the equator remember J)

-        Do keep both Dollars and Maldivian Currency (Rufiyaa) with you. Though most places like restaurants and shops accept dollar, the rufiyaa is also used around especially if in Male city.

On a closing note, deserves to mention that, even if you do nothing in terms of excursions / activities, the sheer beauty of the surrounds and environment makes for an ideal retreat for the mind and soothes the soul.