Short and Sweet - Our first adventure in Maldives

For our first trip - out of the UAE - together, we chose to go to the beautiful Maldives.

Discounted resort rates (thanks to my staff rate) and airline fare (courtesy of C's work benefits) sealed the deal.

In June 2021, we went to the Maldives, dealing with the tail end of COVID rules—masks on planes, mandatory tests, and a bunch of regulations that thankfully eased up later.

We stayed at JA Manafaru, a resort still close to my heart due to my previous employment. Nestled closer to Sri Lanka than the capital, Male, it proved to be a secluded gem.

A swift 4-hour flight from Dubai, a domestic hop, and a not so breezy boat ride brought us to our destination. Despite worrying about our choice and the tough journey, once we stepped on the island, all worries disappeared. Even the rough seas that almost made me sick turned out to be just a small hiccup in our unforgettable trip. The friendly Manafaru team greeted us and took us to our water villa on a buggy. "Thanks" to the pandemic, we were only among 15 guests on the whole island, making it our private paradise.

Arriving in the evening, we explored our villa, a place too good for words. We couldn't wait for our first look at the island and the sea the next morning. The Maldives showed off its crystal-clear waters, mostly sunny despite the monsoon season. We enjoyed cycling around the island, a nice perk from our villa. C, who loves photos and videos, captured me cycling around the island. From breakfasts to drinks by the pool or beach, our evenings in different restaurants (though limited due to COVID) became our own private dining experiences. We spent our days relaxing, enjoying the sun, and snorkeling around the jetty. While options were limited back then, things are more normal now, with activities like fishing trips, dolphin watching, diving, and island hopping. I recommend this trip for couples or families, but a week is better to avoid weather challenges.

That was the first trip of a series (and counting) together with C. Definitely not a bad start!