Is it all it’s Cracked Up To Be 

I will preface this by saying I’m not the type who likes to arrive at a destination and sit by the pool or on a beach.  I can probably do that one or two days, but I get bored really quick, so going to the Maldives for five nights was somewhat of a concern for me and how I would cope.  We had just spent ten days travelling around Sri Lanka so a rest after such a hectic tour was something I was looking forward to.   Read more about Sri Lanka here.

Staying in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives was something that had been on the bucket list for a while, read about that here, but the expense of a trip like this always left me weighing up a week in the Maldives or two or three weeks somewhere else.  The longer trip for the same price won every time, but the one hour twenty-minute flight from Sri Lanka seemed the perfect opportunity to finally see for myself if it is all it’s cracked up to be! 

The answer to that question is a big Yes!  From the minute you walk out of Male airport and head towards the boat transfers to your accommodations the water is that amazing blue color you see in the photos.  We arrived at our accommodation and there was something instantly relaxing about being dropped in the middle of the ocean with nothing but beautiful turquoise water for as far as the eye can see.  

Everything is charged in US$ and outrageously expensive so finding yourself accommodation where all meals are included is something I highly recommend.  I didn’t have great expectations when it came to the meals but was pleasantly surprised by the quality and different cuisines to choose from at the place we stayed.  Alcohol was also included in our package and the drinks menu was extensive.  Most nights after dinner we would make our way to the bar for a drink where there would be live music.   

The days were spent by the pool keeping cool with the occasional swim or lounging on the deck of our overwater bungalow and making our way down the stairs into the ocean when you could no longer resist the inviting blue water of the ocean.  I felt nothing but peace and tranquility when in the water and most evenings before the sun went down, I would grab my snorkeling gear and explore the area before drying off on the deck and watching some of the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen.  

By day three I was looking for something different to do so we booked ourselves in for a half-day snorkeling tour.  We boarded a speedboat and were taken to a reef not far offshore from a neighboring resort.  The water was so clear and there was an abundance of colorful fish darting around the reef.  I was impressed by how many different species of fish I was seeing, and it instantly became one of the top snorkeling spots I have ever visited.  Our second stop was further out in the ocean at a deeper reef and was equally impressive.  The small reef sharks were a definite highlight in the Maldives and could often be seen swimming close to the shores of our resort.  

 The five nights came to an end, and I still couldn’t put into words what it was that had me hooked on this place.  It is as stunning as any picture you see on the internet, but there was something else about it.  It is an island paradise with the most incredible crystal-clear turquoise waters, soft white sandy beaches, shallow lagoons, endless sunshine and some of the best coral reefs left on the planet. All of this coupled with the most wonderful warm friendly people in my opinion, makes the Maldives heaven on earth and a perfect place to embrace your Sense of Adventure in a kind of serene and relaxed way!