Kuoni Travel Maldives Fam Trip Diary
Friday the 12th Sept 2008
Set of to London Heathrow really excited about my trip to the Maldives. We set out on our long awaited trip. We boarded our Sri Lankan flight at 21:35 and arrived at Male airport the following afternoon at 12:10 pm local time. The flight time was 11 hour.
Saturday 13th September 2008
Arrival of flight UL502 into Male Airport. The airport in the Maldives is very unusual as the airport is literally almost the whole island. All the resorts are reached either by speedboat or sea plane depending on the distance.
Once you have passed through immigration and collected your luggage and made you way through to arrivals you will be met by your Grand Agent who will direct you to the speedboat which transferred us to Kuramthi Village which was an hour and half transfer. This is where we stayed for 2 nights.
When we arrived at our destination we where greeted with open arms, welcome to your home. We where also provided with drinks and a cold towel which was nice and refreshing.
We checked in and we were taken to our room. I got a Water Villa, first time to the Maldives and it has been one of my dreams to stay in a water Villa, How excited!!!
That afternoon we had a few hours to ourselves so I got quickly changed and went for a snorkel from my water villa. The colour of the reef and fish was amazing. I was gob smacked for the first time in a long time.
That evening we attended a hosted dinner which was in the Buffet restaurant. The food was very nice and was well prepared. Once again the service was very good.
After the meal we had a Karaoke evening and everyone from the group had to perform a song. I did a Tom Jones number it went down really well.
Sunday 14th September
Once again up early and went for a swim as the ocean was so calm and clear.
We met for breakfast and then had a site inspection of the three properties on the Island.
Click on links below to see the properties
Property One – Kuramathi Village
Comfortable casual atmosphere, fun activities plus a very good all inclusive option.
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Property Two – Kuramathi Cottage Club
Very good facilities, highly recomended and excellent vales water villas.
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Property Three – Kuramathi Blue lagoon
A natural chill-out for those seeking peace and quiet with plenty of facilities
[link]
After the site inspection I went to explore the Island on my own just to gather my thoughts on how lovely the Island is. I was very impressed with standard of Accommodation it was very clean and tidy. The people on the island are very friendly and always smile and say hello. I will be definitely bringing my family back to this island.
In the afternoon one of the managers invited us all to go for a snorkel on the reef down the side of the Island.
We started of at the top of the sand bank and snorkelled half way down the island which was some going as it was one of the largest islands in the Indian Ocean.
Dinner was provided by the hotel again in the evening and we dinned at the Indian restaurant. The food was spicy and very tasteful, really enjoyed my meal that evening.
After the meal we all went down to the bar and had a few drinks and sat on bean bags on the beach starring up at the stars, it was very peaceful.
Monday 15th September
Up really early this morning as we had to catch our speed boat back to Male Airport as we need to take a Seaplane to Kuredu where we would be staying for the next 2 nights.
We arrived at Male Airport and was greeted by the local ground handlers who took us to our transfer for the Seaplane. We drove around the back of the island to The Seaplane Departures Area. We had to wait an hour for our Seaplane transfer. We waited in a lounge for our transfer where we had refreshments and sandwiches.
WOW what an experience I was on a sea plane transfer this was the best part of the trip. The view from our sea plane was fantastic flying over the Atolls I could see the Islands below. It was breathtaking.
Our transfer took 35 minutes.Arrived at Kuredu which is another large island which is very popular for families and people who are looking to dive and snorkel,. There are 45 different dive site available and this island has a fantastic school for learning to dive. The resort is fun and particularly popular with divers. This is an established resort which boasts a lively variety of facilities.
Click on link below for further information.
[link]
We had our site inspection of the island can you believe this there is a golf course on the island plus a a driving range. Had to have a go of the golf course. I have played golf in the Maldives .
After we had finished our site inspection we where taken to our rooms. I had a Jacuzzi Beach Villa. A decent size Room with a a fantastic view.
We had a hosted dinner at the ‘O Restaurant’. This resturant is overlooking the ocean and once again the food was fantastic.
Tuesday 16th September 2008
We had a couple of hours spare in the morning before we headed of to an Island called Komandoo which is a small Island located in the North-western reef of the Lhaviyani Atoll.
The island is very peaceful, relaxed and intimate. Great for honeymooners and a haven for enthusiastic divers as there are 45 dive site near bye. The resort has a very good house reef.
Click on link below for further details
[link]
An afternoon of leisure was provided at Kuredu, I played on the 6 hole par 3 Golf course which was fun. After my game of golf I went windsurfing and donut riding as the water sports centre is fantastic.
Once again we had a hosted dinner at the ‘O Restaurant’ and is was a french theme for the evening. Good food and we also had some nice red wine.
Wednesday 17th September 2008
An early breakfast was provided by the hotel as we had to check out and get on our seaplane transfer back to male Airport as we are going to spend our last night at Kurumba Island.
We arrived at male once again and were taken to our next transfer which was a speed boat only 15 minute transfer to Kurumba Island.
When we arrived at Kurumba we were greeted by a few members of staff who were welcoming and very happy to see us. We had a site inspection of the island and I was very impressed with the different room categories.
Kurumba
The first resort to open in the maldives, one of the most modern and established resort in the maldives.
Great facilities and quality resturants.
Click on link below for further information
[link]
In the evening we had one last hosted dinner. The hotel went all out to show the quality of service and the food they provided for the evening meal was exceptional.
My trip was coming to the end, I wanted to stay the maldives is amazing.
Hot Tips
- You must go and visit the Maldives
- Learn to dive or snorkel whilst you are out there as underneath the ocean is breath-taking, the colours are amazing!
- You must have a seaplane transfer if available
- Go deep-sea fishing
