A visit to the Maldives is a kind of once-in-a-lifetime bucket record adventures. It’s one thing that has been on my private bucket record for a few years after seeing the gorgeous pictures and movies from this far-off-place in the course of the Indian ocean. A spot with thoughts bending shades of blue water and opulent resorts.
MALDIVES ARRIVAL
Our journey to the Maldives began with a brief flight from Sri Lanka, the place we flew to the principle island of Malé. We had been greeted by a consultant from Kandima (the resort we’d be spending the following 5 days). From there, we boarded an area seaplane (organized by the resort) to fly us on to Kandima, one of many largest resort islands within the Maldives at over 3km lengthy.
Our flight from Malé to Kandima took about 45 minutes and was one of the vital scenic flights I’ve ever taken. In some areas, the ocean is plagued by gorgeous atolls (coral reef islands with water within the center). While a passenger in entrance of us fell asleep, our eyes had been glued to the home windows taking in each second of this unbelievable flight. [Be sure to check out our video below to get a sense of what it’s really like to visit the Maldives and stay at the Kandima Resort]
KANDIMA ARRIVAL
Excitement grew as our Manta Air seaplane descended on method to Kandima. Once we landed on the sleek blue sea, a ship greeted us at a floating dock to ferry us to a jetty. While the crew took care of our baggage, we strolled down the jetty towards reception the place we had been greeted with a refreshing welcome drink and requested to have a seat within the expansive foyer whereas they checked us in.
After getting checked in, we had been whisked away on a protracted golf cart shuttle down a windy path towards the far finish of the island the place the aqua villas are positioned––the place our baggage had already been delivered to the room. When we walked in we had been overtaken by pleasure because the views from our villa had been merely breathtaking. The decor of the villas emulates the colours of the ocean. The lodging mirror the environment, bringing the varied shades of blue into the inside. The room and deck had been spacious, which included privateness partitions on both sides of the villa. They even had a Nespresso machine and fridge within the room, together with a welcome basket. A cup of espresso loved on the deck with these ocean views actually received the time off to an ideal begin. We felt like we had been certainly in paradise.
KANDIMA ACCOMMODATIONS
There are a number of varieties of lodging at Kandima, however the two major decisions are on the seashore or over the water. Both have their attraction, however for us, we didn’t know if we’d ever get one other likelihood to remain in a villa over the water, so that’s what we opted to do. The aqua villas are perched above the water overlooking the ocean, secured by sturdy pillars grounded within the sea mattress.
Each villa/lodging (seashore or over the water) is properly designed in order to supply optimum privateness for every visitor. The aqua villas are jetted out a bit from the following with privateness partitions and your personal swim platform to be able to benefit from the lovely blue waters proper out of your Villa. Some villas have their very own plunge swimming pools, whereas others, like ours, had a Jacuzzi. There is loads of house to relaxation and calm down. These items function a personal sundeck with a Swirl Pool, lagoon entry, solar loungers and a rest room offering excellent views of Kandima’s intensive lagoon.
Kandima presents reasonably priced luxurious with rooms beginning at simply $200 an evening and go properly north of there relying on time of 12 months, lodging, and different packages.
Thoughtful care has gone into each resolution at Kandima, from the lodging to the sustainability of the resort. The workers can be very pleasant and useful.
THE UNIQUENESS OF THE MALDIVES
The Maldives is a singular place in that apart from the capital metropolis of Malé, there aren’t any giant islands the place folks trip, Like Hawaii or Tahiti the place vacationers would have many resort, restaurant and exercise choices. Rather, the Maldives is made up of greater than 1000 small island masking 35,000 sq. miles. Only about 200 of the islands are inhabitant or have lodges. Each resort encompasses a whole island, so it’s actually necessary to do your analysis when choosing the best resort.
Some properties are so small that you just would possibly get board should you keep too lengthy. This occurred to somebody I met who stayed two weeks on the similar resort and mentioned it was per week too lengthy.
STAYING AT KANDIMA RESORT
Kandima Resort is among the largest islands within the Maldives and has an infinite array of actions, which I cowl beneath.
The island that Kandima encompasses about 2 miles lengthy (or 3.2k). If you don’t really feel like strolling in every single place, you possibly can board a shuttle at varied stops, or, you possibly can hire a motorcycle, which is what we ended up doing. Having bikes gave us the liberty and suppleness to navigate the island with out having to waste time ready for the shuttle.
The Kandima Resort is so giant it’s like a mini metropolis. We spent 5 days there and solely started to scratch the floor with all of the actions they’ve to supply. Between actions and consuming, we barely had time for enjoyable, not to mention to see or expertise every little thing the resort has to supply. This is among the causes Kandima is ideal for longer holidays, you can simply spend two weeks there and never get board.
ACTIVITIES AT KANDIMA RESORT
Some of the issues we did throughout our keep included…
- SEABOB – This is one thing I had by no means tried earlier than and let me let you know, it was an absolute blast! If you’re not acquainted, a SeaBob is high-end underwater scooter, seemingly one thing straight out of a James Bond film. This machine is midway between a jet ski and an underwater scooter, it permits you dive into the water and zip previous corral reefs the place you’ll see an array of colourful fish and sea life.
- JET SKIING – Another day we went on a jet snowboarding tour to the opposite aspect of the island. These should not your bizarre jet skies, however moderately high-end private water crafts that reduce by the water with ease.
- AQUAHOLICS – No matter what water sport you’re into, the parents at Aquaholics can hook you up! From crusing and different wind sports activities, to water snowboarding or wake-boarding, kayaking and extra.
- SPA – If you want a break from the solar, they’ve an unbelievable spa with views of the water and enjoyable sounds of waves. After your therapy they’ve a stunning lounge to calm down and luxuriate in some tea earlier than your subsequent exercise.
- ART CLASSES – Another enjoyable indoor exercise that we did was an artwork class from native Maldivian Zima who teaches you to color a scene consultant of the ocean. We picked what we thought was the simplest to color and labored on it collectively. Zima is a superb teacher and really affected person along with her college students. Our completed paining was of a manta ray swimming by the colourful waters.
- SNORKELING – Of course you possibly can’t go to the Maldives with out going diving or snorkeling, so we went on an Sea Turtle tour, sadly we didn’t see any turtles on this journey, however snorkeling over a vibrant coral reef was loads of comfort.
Something else we actually loved at Kandima was that it by no means felt crowded, there was at all times some place you can go and discover solace or your slice of paradise.
Food and drink can be massive a part of the general expertise and Kandima. They have quite a lot of excellent eating choices. There are two buffets offering breakfast, lunch and dinner that are very well appointed. There even have a number of a-la-cart eating places taking diners on a culinary journey.
For these not able to name it an evening, the night comes alive with reside leisure at among the eating places, in addition to late into the evening on the Breeze Bar.
If you are feeling such as you’ve overeaten, there are many methods to burn off a number of energy with a exercise facility, soccer (soccer) area, yoga courses and extra.
Kandima is a resort that has struck an excellent steadiness. They supply reasonably priced luxurious to {couples} on the lookout for a romantic get-away, whereas additionally being household pleasant. This is a trendy island resort setting with extraordinary eating places, loads of on-site actions, coupled with real hospitality making for lasting recollections.
If you may have any questions on visiting the Maldives and staying on the Kandima Resort, depart a remark beneath, I’m completely happy to assist! Until subsequent time, we’ll see ya on the highway…