An over due entry on Maldives...it's ALREADY September. Before I go into where did the whole month go, let me bring myself back to paradise. From Singapore to Maldives, there are two flight options - one by SQ and the other by Tiger Air. There was a good deal by SQ so off we were on our national carrier reaching slightly short of midnight. Being 3 hours behind local time, we gained some time!

A stayover on the airport island is inevitable and thank god we chose to because it was raining cats and dogs.

The morning view that greeted us was a gorgeous shade of blue.


 
We saw a couple sunbathing and the man enjoying a sand spa of some sort. No bikinis allowed on the beach but naked men are.



Maafushi Island a 2 hour public ferry ride away was worth a visit - to do touristy activities at half the prices of resorts.



The first time I actually bothered to admire how crisp the US dollar notes are and a stark reminder of "In God We Trust".



We found that postcard worthy famous coconut tree that grows horizontally and stole a snap!



Seagulls were also spotted on the island, a super tame one that reminded me how rambunctious and overpampered my furprince is.



Whoops, attempting a bikini shot and failed quite horribly here. :P



We managed to squeeze in a visit to the sandbanks in our 30 minute jetski rental session - phew! Saved us a good USD 25 each for a separate excursion. Well really, sandbanks are just miniature beaches and they're so small, I probably finish walking from one end to the other in 3 minutes flat. Yes you do get the idea.



My virgin jet ski experience that ended so unglamourously in the sea, no thanks to my reckless daredevil driver pictured above. AHEM.



I fell in love with blue this holiday. All shades of it in a single frame.



Will you bring me to the moon?



We could have tried to squeeze too many activities, after failing to catch dolphins we headed off for sunset fishing! That's our dhoni behind us, mostly open air and no life jackets provided - that sounds like a proper fisherman!



The hubba with his xth catch, he had better luck that me with all the fishes. My luck stopped after the first catch. A grilled fish dinner ensued after the rockety boat ride that was probably the scariest I have ever attempted but I had memories to last a lifetime.

Our time on Maafushi Island ended after two full days of fun and off we were for a pampering good time on a resort!



Ta-dah, our selected resort - Shangrila Maldives. It was a pity the skies were not kind to us when we arrived!



Being buggied to our water villa - hoorah!



I could live in my bathroom if it looked like this - or better still, this set the standards for my dream bathroom.



And that bed with that high ceiling - *swoons* Fly me back to Maldives already?



A welcome bouquet by the lovely folks at welcome center.



Even in the drizzle, we were aching to see the island! With our bicycles, we rode all over and this reminds me of home somewhat - that lush greenery.



I figured my cycling skills were honed by those two days alone!



There are a range of complimentary activities on the island - from seeing the coconut climbers in action to attempting to climb one like Hubba and coral planting...we had fun indulging in the free and paid ones!





Finally caught dolphins in action! And they even performed tricks for us.





Our explorations even brought us to restricted grounds, like the football training ground of their staff!

Spice garden where they grow all the delicious smelling herbs and plants for the restaurants.





The highest point on the island - 5.1 metres above sea level had us laughing in fits. I suppose this is why Maldives is worth a visit because the rumours of them sinking could be earlier than thought.



The gift of a beautiful sunset too, just the Hubba and I, arms interlocked and gazing at it. It is moments like these that make my bucket list grow extra long. :P



The only time I had time to even don the bikini was to pose for pictures like that...haha...and of course...



Snorkel! I won't say I enjoy snorkelling very much because I don't even count swimming as a favourite sport. The sea and I aren't best of friends - and I say so with a lifejacket on. Cannot quite imagine if I went without one. With reef scars to match, for sure it was memorable.




Under the sea!



For all of 5 seconds, I finally got my underwater shot!



Night time was particularly enchanting, infact the skies turn dark alot earlier than in the city.



Another shade of blue I so love.




Another must do on the island of Vilingili is to indulge in a romantic seaside dinner!



Leaving early in the morning was a pain - and why did we even book a noon flight home?!





Goodbye Shangrila, you have been nothing short of amazing.

 

The amazing journey ended the moment we boarded our domestic flight bound for Male City. 

I never thought Maldives could be this memorable and we were the exact same ones who waved this off as an expensive place to do nothing - I think I'll retract that. Dying to return if the piggy bank would allow!


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