Maldives: The Journey as Fun as the Destination

When we were raising our three kids, My husband, Darren, and I promised ourselves that “one day” we would travel. By the time our youngest was nearing the end of high school, one day arrived.

Coming out of COVID, we noticed there were good deals on travel to a number of locations. Friends suggested we travel with them to The Maldives. It seemed like a wonderfully exotic place to visit, so we booked nine days at a resort. As a treat to ourselves, we also booked business class on Singapore Airlines. If you can afford this splurge, I highly recommend business class for long trips. We’re fine on coach to Europe or South America, but a full day of flying in business class is a vacation in itself.

One thing The Maldives are known for is that resort cabins sit over the water, and ours was no exception. The rear of the bungalow was all glass and looked out on the Indian Ocean. During low tide we could climb down a ladder with our snorkeling gear and explore the reef. Once you get past some initial nervousness, it’s a stunning experience.

Our resort was two small islands connected by a mile-long bridge over the water. Our bungalow included two bicycles we made good use of. The restaurants were on the other island, so our two-wheel transportation was a must. You could also request a golf cart ride if dinner and dancing included a few too many beverages.

Interesting note: The Maldives is a Muslin nation, and alcohol is prohibited…except at the resorts. They know tourism is their main industry and they know their audience.

The buffets at our resort were fantastic, and you could also book meals at several stand-alone restaurants. This is similar to what you experience on cruise ships. 

Among the activities we signed up for was a demonstration of the island’s farm with a meal prepared by the main chef. While it was seafood-based, he also prepared a vegan version for me. It was delicious. We also took a sunset tour to see dolphins. While the dolphins didn’t cooperate, the sunset was spectacular. We also took advantage of an included couples-massage. 

One thing to be prepared for in The Maldives is down time. While I enjoy relaxing at a pool or beach with a book, Darren prefers to be active and check out the sights. You are on a small island in the Indian Ocean, so there is no town or countryside to explore. If you want your vacation to be relaxing and pampering, this is a great location for you.

We saw sharks, rays, barracuda, and other amazing sea life. Our island also was home to massive fruit bats that are active during the day. We found them to be amazing and adorable.

For The Maldives, you can pack light. Shorts, t-shirts, a few nice outfits for dinner, and swimsuits. Leave your heavy clothes, and cares, at home.