The Maldives
Day 31
Thursday 5th February
Mumbai to Male, The Maldives
27-28 degrees
Even though we only arrived at the lovely ICONIQA Hotel in Mumbai at 7pm, we were up at 1.30am, ready to be picked up at 2am to be taken to the airport. We had a two and a half hour flight at 7.25am to go direct to Male.
Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an archipelagic country in South Asia, located in the eastern Arabian Sea, within the northern Indian Ocean. Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres from the Asian continent’s mainland. Maldives’ chain of 26 atolls stretches across the equator from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south. It seemed perfectly logical to add Maldives onto our Sri Lanka and India trip! Four days in the Maldives here we come!
The Maldives are merely eight feet above sea level at their highest natural point, which is lower than every other country on the planet. The 1,200 islands are on average around seven feet above sea level. The archipelago is protected from monsoon season swells by a natural barrier of coral reefs.
There is archaeological evidence to suggest that the Maldives had inhabitants as long ago as 1500 BCE. Before the Maldives converted to Islam in 1153 CE, Buddhists are thought to have arrived from Sri Lanka and settled briefly. For years, the islands had been used as a stopping point by Arab traders on their way to Asia, and many of them decided to stay. Now the Maldives is home to around 540,000 people. Only around 200 out of the 1,200 islands in the archipelago are inhabited. Although most Maldivians can speak English, the national language is Dhivehi.
Once we arrived in Male – along with three other flights, we were sorted, and then transferred to our respective resorts by speedboat. It was a 25 minute trip through the brilliant blue waters of the Arabian Sea .
Set on a pristine island in North Male Atoll, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives was an adults-only retreat ideal for couples and honeymooners. Unrivaled luxury, stunning white sand beaches and a dazzling underwater world made this resort an easy choice for a true relaxation holiday.
We were shown to our over water villa. Stunning! We could walk down the back stairs and jump straight into the crystal clear water.
After unpacking and settling in, we found our way to the buffet lunch, then spent the afternoon discovering the island and what was on offer. Dinner was eventful – just as we headed out, the clouds opened and we got soaked – through our raincoats! To avoid getting swept off the boardwalk, we retreated to our villa, changed our clothes, waited fifteen minutes, by then the storm had passed!
Day 32 -34
Friday 6th, Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th February
The Maldives
27-28 degrees
The Maldives — four glorious days of doing very little, very well. All the days have rolled into one. Crystal-clear water, impossibly blue skies, snorkeling, swimming, cocktails on cue and delicious food. Total, tropical heaven.
Eating and drinking filled a lot of our days. Meal choices included a buffet boasting a wide selection of European and Asian fare, and three a la carte restaurants – Thai, Italian and Middle Eastern (we ate at the specialty restaurants except for breakfast), plus three bars including two swim up bars. We had all the inclusive meal/drink package – no limits!
A lagoon surrounds a big part of the island, providing an ideal location for snorkelling and swimming. The water temperature made it very easy to get into – even for me! All of this guaranteed fun and pleasure time on the island.
The service was exceptional — warm, genuine and quietly attentive. Most of the staff were Maldivian or from Bangladesh, and they couldn’t have been more friendly or obliging. Every little detail was anticipated, making it effortless to truly relax.
We only ventured out on one excursion, choosing a sunset fishing trip — which unexpectedly turned into a private outing just for us, along with three crew. It was a perfect evening on the water, chatting, laughing and casting lines as the sun dipped below the horizon. Frank even reeled in a grouper… sadly not quite big enough to keep, but still a good catch and a great story.
We absolutely loved our Maldivian escape. Leaving paradise is never easy — and right now, we’re not entirely convinced we want to.
Day 35
Monday 9th February
Maldives to Singapore
27-30 degrees
Sadly, it was time to farewell our little villa. The weather had turned slightly wet, which softened the blow — leaving paradise is always easier when the skies agree it’s time to go. A speedboat whisked us back to the airport, where we went through the familiar check-in routine, ready for our onward journey to Singapore.
The flight was just under five hours with Singapore Airlines, and I must say it felt positively civilised after the string of budget flights we’d endured over the past few weeks. Comfortable seats, attentive service and a calm, unhurried atmosphere — a rather pleasant reminder that flying doesn’t always have to be an endurance test.
Taxi to the Mondrian Singapore Duxton Hotel, to check in by 9.40pm. Once we dropped the bags off, we went in search of a bite to eat. Each of the three hotel’s restaurants/bars had finished their food/drink service for the night! It was 10.30pm by the time we’d done the circuit. So room service it was – but we couldn’t order until 11pm, with delivery just before 11.30pm. I thought Singapore would be more awake than this! I won’t complain about Brisbane again!
Day 36 – our last day
Tuesday 10th February
Singapore – Brisbane
24-32 degrees
Our last buffet breakfast – what am I going to do!!! Back to our poached eggs on avocado toast each morning.
With time on our side, we wandered down to the Marina Bay Sands precinct and spent a leisurely while exploring the beautiful gardens. The lush greenery is always a joy to see, especially after so much travel, and the skywalk never disappoints — breezy, elevated and blissfully cool, with views that make you pause and soak it all in.
On our walk to the MRT we had the most unexpected encounter — bumping into Michele, who I worked with at Insight, and her husband. Of all the places in the world! We stopped for a long, happy catch-up before all hopping on the MRT together to Chinatown. Proof, yet again, that the world really is very small.
Chinatown was its usual colourful, bustling self, but the heat was intense, so our wander was short and sweet. Soon enough it was back to the hotel for one final refreshing shower before making our way to the airport.
We arrived with plenty of time to spare — just the way we like it — allowing us to settle into the First Class Lounge and savour those last indulgent moments before boarding our very final flight home to Brisbane.
It has truly been a fabulous holiday — rich with experiences, surprises and memories — and one we have loved every single minute of.
Glammy Goes Global 