Relaxing in the Maldives

Doesn't this look comfortable?  (Not really...I'm one of those people who fall out of a hammock three times before I'm able to lie in it successfully.)

Today's shooter - yum!

So I'm in love with our resort. I'm finally at a place that obsessively plans and takes care of details to the same level I do when I travel. It's very nice - everything from perfectly confirming all the details of an activity to making sure the one tea bag I use is promptly replaced (we drink espresso in the room, but I have a sore throat so I drink some tea one day. They actually check everything and make sure it's replenished).

The complimentary breakfast consists of a huge buffet of fresh fruit, cheese, sliced meats, salad items, many, many types of bread, cereals, and the usual American and British hot items, like hash browns, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, etc, along with typical Asian hot food items, like congee and laksa. Then you can also order items off a menu, like eggs Benedict and crepes. This counts as breakfast and lunch!  There's attention to little details, too - we're greeted with a welcome "shooter", which is usually a combination of a fruit, vegetable and herb drink - one morning it's papaya, celery, and basil. They're always yummy!  And of course, who can resist the six different fruit juices and champagne.  Mimosas for breakfast - delightful!

Two of the four different buffet tables available at breakfast.

At breakfast they have printed up a "news of the day" paper for 12 different countries/languages (so far, the first headline for every day on the US one has started with Trump) which isn't so important with wifi being available everywhere, but nice to glance at while eating. They also provide a handout with the activities of the day, along with the times for sunrise/sunset and high/low tides. Similar to a cruise ship, you can participate in different excursions (like snorkeling, fishing, dolphin watching, kayaking, yoga, visiting a local village on another island, nature hikes, etc) or just relax and hang out at your villa.  Of course, there's a spa, which we visit for massages.  There's just enough variety in things to do so you always have the option of something fun.

Showing us the color of the bananas when they are finished cooking.

One day I visit the chef cooking demonstration and lunch.  I learn how to make Kukulhu Rita (Maldivian Chicken Curry) and Maldivian Banana Haluwa (similar to bananas foster). I think I'll be able to cook them when I get home!  Just have to figure out where to buy curry leaves...

Stirring the curry...very important!

The spices all ready to go in the curry - when do
I get my own sous chef to to do the prep work for me?

The lunch plate!

Dessert on a clear plate - I still think they look pretty.

I'll have one of everything!  (BTW, this is only one of the 4 tables.
I want one of everything on them, too.)

One evening they have a grilled surf and turf buffet dinner on the beach. It's incredible - they have all sorts of fish and seafood (rock lobster, shrimp, six different fish, steak, chicken) and veggies, too.  You go to the buffet table, point to what you want, and then they grill it up and deliver it to you.  This is heaven!  I eat way too much.  I wish they had this every night, but maybe it's better that they don't.

Here's another little cultural/language difference.  They have six different sauces available for your food, but no melted butter - which in the US can always be found grilled seafood.  I ask if they have any, and they ask if I would like butter or garlic butter.  Garlic butter...what a great idea!  So I request that, and they bring me a large cold solid chunk of it - not melted.  Oh well, it was a good thought, and it tastes delicious even without the butter.

One of my plates...maybe I had seconds (or even thirds)...

I can't forget to mention the different cookies that are left in our room, morning and night. We get a little paper with all the ingredients in the treats, so if you have an allergy you know if it's okay to eat. Steve's favorite has been the ginger ones, and mine the chocolate chip. There's also a bowl of fresh fruit in our room, restocked each time they clean.  I comment to Steve on how they always fill the Nespresso machine with bottled water, and he says, "They always do that at hotels."  I then inform him that I'm the one who always does that for him.  There's no worries about running out of food or drink on the island!

Our deck

We're frequently out on our villa's deck.

Told you I'd be spending time here!

Steve gets to use the sunbed, too!

We face west, so we're hoping for some nice sunsets, but we never have the dramatic color changes in the sky.  We're not sure if the time of year has anything to do with it, or if some of the storms affect the appearance.  We still manage to practice our photography skills.

the blue hour (literally)

We have a path directly to the sun.

Muted, but still lovely.

The sun just peeking through the clouds.

Twilight

It's beautiful even when it's pouring rain.

We have storms every day, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for a few hours.  Even if it's not raining, the wind is pretty strong most of the time (more on that later). 

The sunbed drapes, blowing in the breeze.

Because of the clouds and precipitation, our pool is cold - colder than the ocean!  Steve is the one who braves it most of the time.  I can never get past the stairs.  It's amazing it stays that cool when both the high and low temperatures are in the 80s.  Because we arrived so late at night we skipped the villa orientation, so in the middle of our stay I check with the office to make sure the pool doesn't have a heater we're not aware of.  It doesn't...but apparently next year they plan to add them to the villa pools.  One good thing about the clouds - I'm able to lie outside without having to worry about putting on sunscreen (I hate wearing it).  The overcast skies help me tan a little bit, without being burned - natural sun screen.

I think he's actually shivering.

We can see the dhoni, at anchor.

For our last evening at the resort, we booked a private sunset cruise on Nooma, a traditional handcrafted Maldivian sailing dhoni.  Two hours before we're supposed to go out we get the call that the seas are too rough.  Oh well - I guess it just means we'll have to return!

The couple drinking champagne on the dhoni is not us (picture from a book).

One creature the stormy weather doesn't bother is the sharks!  Once we know to look for them, we see the black tip reef sharks frequently by the over-water villas.  I name them all Tie-Dye, because Tie-Dye has black markings at the tips of his ears, nose and tail.

In this picture you can just see the fin out of the water.

Here's a better picture of the shark by the rooms.

Just hanging out...hoping someone will decide to go snorkeling and become a shark snack??