Luxury, Comfort & Fun - 5 Days In Maldives

In March month of this year, when COVID-19 was not a big threat, we planned our trip to Maldives to celebrate our marriage anniversary. Maldives is an Islamic country consisting of 1,192 coral islands, each unique in its own way. We left for Maldives from Mumbai, India on Friday early-morning through SriLankan Airlines which took almost 5 hours.

We had booked Grand Park Kodhipparu resort for our stay. Maldives is not the typical destination where you roam on streets or go from one place to other. It's mainly for luxurious stay and body-mind relaxation. There is not much to explore in the Male city other than museums and mosques. Each resort has its private beaches and various water activities. Tourists have to take ferry boats from Male Airport to their resorts. Ferry prices are very high, so make sure to keep them in mind while booking.

We got our tourist visas at the airport with validity of 7 days. USD is very common other than their local currency Maldivian rufiyaa. At the exit door of airport, a lady with the banner of resort name, received us. We waited in airport cafeteria for other tourists of our resort. Once everyone arrived, we left for the resort in private ferry. Crew welcomed us and gave 2 water bottles along with warm towels. 

It took around 15-20 minutes to reach the resort. Hotel staff welcomed us with garlands and played drums with music. A lady invited us to take a quick tour of the island in a "buggi". We were in the passenger seat and she drove the vehicle and showed us whole island covering restaurants, spa area, gym, sport section, beaches and at last our Ocean Water Villa. Villa was too luxurious and spacious, sea-facing view was just icing on the cake. We were greeted with "welcome-drink" and were given quick tour of th villa. Free snorkeling equipements were to be collected from the water sport center. We were hungry and already missed our breakfast so we ordered food. After finishing lunch, we took some rest and then called for buggi to roam around the island.

We spend 4 nights there and it was the perfect way to recharge and refuel. We had choosed "Breakfast Buffet" in our package so breakfast was included and trust me, there was almost every cuisine available from Indian, Mediterranean, American, Italian, Turkish to Maxican. To have such delicious food in the beautiful surroundings was such an experience. This restaurant was across the beach and there were 2 more restaurants in the island, one with beautiful swimming pool touching the horizon of the sea and other surrounded by sea.

Most of our time was spent in Snorkling in front of our villa, in the restaurants and game area. They had volleyball, table tennis, chess, xbox, foosball, carrom, domingos and pool to play. We also took couple spa during the sunset, which was an amazing experience. Spa and water sports were not included in the package and same goes with lunch and dinner.  Days passed so soon, we were already feeling bad. We planned to visit Male for some street shopping on our last day, but dropped the idea, since first case of COVID got reported on a different island. There were also a shop close to our villa, so we did shopping there. At last we bade adieu to the island and wonderful host and left for the airport in the boat.  

It was our best trip ever in terms of relaxation and comfort. Who can forget the crystal clear blue water of the ocean and the spectacular views.  

Things to do :-

• Yoga
• Gym
• Snorkel
• Dine-in
• Swimming
• Water sports
• Relax
• Video Games
• Inddor Games
• Outdoor Games
• Beach walk
• Shopping
• Spa
• Photography

Ferry Cost :- 180 $ per adult

Flight + Stay :- 3300 $ 

Total Cost (including food and beverage) :- 4000 $ approx

Tips :-

1. Invest in a decent waterproof camera
2. Spend whole vacation at a single place (island)
3. Alcohal is not allowed in public place, so don't bring. Everything is available in the property.
4. Swimwears and shorts are not allowed in public, you can wear anything in the property.
5. Credit cards are accepted in USD 

Happy Reading ! Keep Traveling !!!

- harpiytravel

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