Maldives, Paradise
For normal people, AKA not born from super rich parents that go to deserted islands every winter vacation, having the experience to go to a small island lost in the ocean is trully out of this world. Even for the most travelled the experience is trully new. There is a sense of wonder and fear when your small, sounding like it’s gonna drop into the ocean at any moment, hydroplane takes you up in the air and majestically drops you in an island. A small, not really deserted island, where you can circle the place in 30 min and see nothing but water in the horizon. Its flabbergasting.
But you are in paradise now. The perks of the good rich life. The bungalows are exactly what you had been dreaming off, the water is as blue as the skie, the fish are abundant, colorful and sharky, there is amazing food and off course the pool cocktails. It accurately is a dream come true.
I don’t think there is much to say to these types of vacation. It is what you see folks…utterly amazing. And now, not that expensive. Or at least affordable to more people.
Options
Ok there are different levels of island vacations, whether it’s here, the Philippines or Bora bora. We decided we did not want the cheapest ones. Although I haven’t been there before, so can’t really have a proper opinion on the places, but from reviews and photos it seemed more like a summer resort in the south of Spain, filled with screaming kids and drunk northern Europeans. Maybe I’m wrong but I sure was not going to put 5k in that chance.
So, we looked for a bit higher. Not highest off course, cause that can get you premium butler services, underwater restaurants, and almost truly Robinson alone experiences, but also cost you 5 times more. We went for a medium price range, in a not crowded island, with an all-inclusive option. And I think it was the right choice!!
I’m all about saving and valuing your money. So, spending a small fortune in a crowed hotel would totally remove the worth of the money spent and the experience we wanted. On the other hand, is it truly worth the extra money for the higher hotels? Probably, but we simply could not justify it in our budget. But I would definitely go if I could afford it.
The all-inclusive
Well as someone that is very money minded, I wanted a free hassle honeymoon. A vacation where I would not go berserk every time we got the bill for a beer or a cocktail. So, an all-inclusive was our best option. I have to say the serve A LOT of alcohol. You are not being scammed here. I mean they constantly serve you double dose, even without asking, and it’s almost hard to get a proper mixed drink, as the staff wants to please you and pours as much alcohol as its possible. Calm down you northern Europeans…we actually want proper drinks, not half a glass with rum and a tiny taste of cola. Now, all depends on how much you drink. But if you’re having a beer for lunch a glass of wine for dinner, and one or two cocktails by the pool, or in your bedroom 😉 it’s well worth it. Also, not sure it happens in all the hotels, but it’s perfectly fine to go to the bar to get a drink and take it to your private pool
Yes, private pools. If you want the full experience, go for the villas with private pools. It was just amazing. After all who wants to be in a pool with other people in your honeymoon?!
Another amazing thing about this hotel (or the time of the year we went) is that you had a lot of the feel of having the island for yourself. Yes the lunch buffet was always full, but then, as if by magic, people simply disappeared. We would roam the beach, swim all around in the coral beds, and see no one. Seriously. Sometimes another couple distant on the beach, or also trying to look for some fish, but that was it. Until today I wonder what did all those other guest did all of their vacation?
Experiences
When in a place like this, there is more than just snorkeling for fish or sunbathe. There are usually some options for water sports, fishing and scuba. We did the paddle and such (I still cannot find it amusing at all). About the fishing, we talked to the staff, and it seemed super boring, as there wasn’t that much barracudas or swordfish at that time so they offered a net fishing day. So we skipped it. We went for the free dolphin boat ride at sunset. So cool! We saw dolphins and the sunset. It was nice.
But the most amazing experience was the whale sharks. I mean it, if you go you need to save some money for this. Yes, save money as the prices are high (we paid around 350 dollars each). Should I say again it is amazing? Swimming alone, these friendly whale sharks are massive animals. Their size is impressive. You feel so small. But at the same time, it is not scary at all. I thought I was going to be terrified but no. they are such peaceful creature. The scariest part is the huge amount of people in the water. I guess being affordable for most (including us) as its disadvantages, specially for nature.
Yes, I would definitely do it again, and I am grateful the prices are not more accessible. But it is sad to see the destruction and intruding on natural ecosystems in these places. The coral reefs are dying! You can see the lack of color in them. It’s truly sad. And all of these resorts have “shark and rays feeding activities”. They have daily times when a crew member goes into the beach and feeds the animals. Off course there are a bunch of rays 20min before the schedule time every day, and the sharks come as soon as there is some food. Animals are smart and learn habits. But these habits can be destructive of their nature. But off course, as a tourist it is still pretty cool to see.
The dream
All in all, I truly felt like Brooke shields in Blue lagoon. It was my favorite childhood movie. My grandpa had it and I saw it (and also return to the blue lagoon) hundreds of times. I just loved the idea of living in a deserted island. I think somehow this idea remained on the back of my head, and since I got a French Polynesian Taschen like book when I was 18 I dreamed of a honeymoon there. But it was not until I came back (from the low-cost version of Bora bora), that I realized that childhood dream had actually came true.
I do not know what you dream, but whatever it is, do it. It is definitely worth the money 😉
