My favourite destination - The Maldives

Sharon Tiernan-Murphy 02 March 2015
If you were to ask me where my favourite destination is, my first answer is always The Maldives. What an amazing place to visit. You see pictures in brochures, on TV and on the internet and you honestly ask yourself it can’t really be like that. Well let me tell what you see is exactly what you get and more. I flew with Qatar Airways via London and Doha who were a fantastic airline to fly with. Since my visit more airlines are now offering a more direct route making it even more accessible especially if you only have a week to spare.

On leaving the airport we were instantly on water and boarding our speed boat transfer to the Island of Filitheyo. This was an unreal feeling as it was not something I ever imagined being transferred to my hotel through this vast ocean on a speed boat. On arrival at the resort we were instantly greeted with the most genuinely friendly and welcoming staff who came to meet us. We didn’t have to touch our luggage as it was whisked off to be placed in our room before us. Check-in was very efficient and before we knew it we were in our beach bungalow about 10 steps from the water’s edge, surrounded with the iconic palm trees and hammocks.

The beach bungalows are just as you would imagine with private sun deck, and semi open air bathroom with outdoor shower. We had TV, phone, in room safe, tea/coffee facilities.

The restaurant is semi open with a large thatched room and the food was very well presented and offered a great choice. It is a most relaxing feeling to dine with the sand under your feet in a calm serene environment.

The bars offer a great selection of local and international drinks and provide some light entertainment too. We had to added bonus of partaking in night fishing which was not something I thought I would enjoy but I actually did. Quite interesting to see the techniques they use to catch the fish and I actually was lucky to catch one myself.

The Maldives are notorious for diving and snorkelling so if you have any interest in this sports this is the place for you. Their reefs are kept in great condition and very well protected.

I had the advantage to visit the Island of Medufushi which I just loved, and we also got to stay on the Island of Kuramathi with a side trip to the smallest island of Kandoludu. They are all quite different in their own right but all absolutely stunning.

A good trip to take is to one of the habited Islands to explore how the locals live, work and the children play so freely on the beach after school. Their lifestyles are so simple but they are so very happy and it really touched me to see it. Especially when you come from the luxury of the Islands.

I will without a doubt be returning to the Maldives in the future, it is a pure Robinson Crusoe experience but with luxury and the most amazing people you could every meet in the world.

I recommend the Maldives for honeymoons, couples, and special occasions and especially diving enthusiasts.