Page 39 - Explore - Autumn/Winter 2019

hen my fiancé and I were thinking of our honeymoon the Welcome formalities completed, we were taken to our Deluxe Overwater
Maldives was at the top of my list. It took a little convincing Villa by golf cart and waiting for us in our room was a welcoming bottle
W my now husband but in the end the all-inclusive package we of Champagne and chocolates. Our bed was also decorated with leaves
found definitely helped the decision be made. Last January we flew out of and flowers in a heart shape. It wasn’t until the following morning that
Christchurch on the new A350 aircraft that Singapore Airlines uses on the we got to see the stunning views of our surroundings. The adults-only
route and after a transit stop in Singapore we arrived in Malé, the capital of resort offers 140 overwater and ocean front villas with tasteful decors
the Maldive Islands, 24 hours later. that blend harmoniously with the island's green interior and its white
powdery beach. We found our villa was the perfect romantic retreat.
For those who are travelling from Wellington, I highly recommend flying via After breakfast, which consisted of a full buffet including an egg station
Christchurch instead of Auckland. Christchurch is a nice, easy-to-manage and an Asian food station, we selected our snorkel masks and fins which
airport. It has both international and domestic services in one terminal which we had complimentary use of for our stay.
means quicker transfer times, and there's a good range of eateries and shops
including a quiet area with yoga equipment so you can stretch out before your A turtle quest and snorkelling excursion
flight. There is also a premium lounge that you can pay to access if you wish. took us by dhoni, a traditional Maldives
Transiting at Changi Airport in Singapore, which is one of the great airports
of the world, also provides plenty of things to refresh and entertain you. sailboat, to a nearby soft coral reef
Among its amazing attractions, we visited the rooftop Sunflower Garden where turtles were feeding.
overlooking the runways and the enclosed tropical Butterfly Garden which is
home to up to 1,000 butterflies from 40 species. Our honeymoon week flew by with activities that included snorkelling
The adults-only Centara Ras Fushi Resort off the steps of our overwater villa, a 3.5-hour couples' spa treatment
consisting of a relaxing body scrub, body wrap, milk bath, facial and
and Spa offers 140 overwater and ocean massage, during which we both fell asleep as the relaxation after
front villas with tasteful decors that blend our long air journey kicked in. We also went on a turtle quest and
snorkelling excursion which took us by dhoni, a traditional Maldives
harmoniously with the island's green sailboat, to a nearby soft coral reef where turtles were feeding. We
were lucky enough to view four turtles which was a definite highlight
interior and its white powdery beach. of the stay for me. We also did a parasail off the back of a boat, which
is a great way to view the lagoon and the resort from above, and my
Our four-hour-and-40-minute onward flight from Singapore arrived in Malé, husband had a catamaran lesson. It isn't as easy as it looks, especially if
the capital city of the Maldives, at 10:30pm and we were met by resort there isn’t much wind.
staff who showed us to a waiting speedboat for a 25-minute transfer to the
Centara Ras Fushi Resort and Spa in North Malé Atoll which would be our On top of everything we did there were plenty of other optional paid
home for the next week. On arrival at the resort we were welcomed by more excursions such as snorkelling with reef sharks, and a Malé city tour.
staff on the jetty and taken to the reception lounge and given a cold towel Other free daily activities at the resort are daily fish feeding, a weekly
and refreshing herbal tea. Manager's Cocktail Party and twice-weekly beach movie nights. Love
Actually was one of the films on show.
As we had purchased the Gold all-inclusive package, we were given
armbands to wear for the duration of our stay. The package included all Whatever your favourite cocktail, the lovely staff at the swim-up pool
meals with the flexibility to choose from five dining options: buffet, which bar and 360-Degree Bar will make it and will get to know you during
is an international and Asian menu, Thai, Italian, Turkish as well as meals at your stay. You can also lie in an overwater hammock, watch the amazing
the casual pool bar. Room service and private beachside dining were also sunset and listen to live music. All of this made Centara Ras Fushi
available. The package also offered a choice of beverages including beer, Resort a great-value all-inclusive overwater bungalow experience and
wine, soft drinks, cocktails and speciality coffees. And I mustn't forget for us it was the ideal honeymoon spot. Returning to the Maldives is also
details like free Wi-Fi, two pieces of laundry per day and a credit for spa a definite addition to our bucket list.
treatments and diving excursions.

For Emma Herbert, Manager of helloworld Travel Lambton Quay Wellington, a week-long stay at a Maldivian resort provided a perfect
honeymoon, and a destination to return to on her bucket list.

HELLOWORLD TRAVEL : EXPLORE : AUTUMN/WINTER EDITION 37