We arrived at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport and we found a seaplane and sat back with noise-canceling headphones as we arrived at the Soneva Fushi a Nature-Friendly Resort. There were treehouse theme villas. Dense foliage covers these lovely hideaways. It has a dedicated night sky observatory. It is the deserted island-themed and it is awesome.
We arrived at the most adorable wooden International airport we have seen. We were giving coconut welcome drinks and we asked to take off our shoes as the place was a barefoot theme place. We were taken to our villa which was made to look like it was the only one there but in truth, there were more than fifty of them. It was incredible. The view took our breath away. To make things even better there is a place in the middle of the island called The Den. It was just for children. There were bunnies all over the place, a sunken ship, and surprises all around. It was where we played explorer all day. Every meal from breakfast to dinner was outstanding and we frequently visited the ice cream parlor. Also, the hammocks which gave an excellent view of the sunsets.
The next stop was the most expensive resort in the Maldives, the St Regis Vommuli resort. This was the place I showed my family to come for our family vacation. The place was more beautiful than the pictures. We got the John Jacob Astor Estate. It has a private gym, a spa in each bedroom, a cinema room, three staff houses. A huge swimming pool, jacuzzi with two plunge pools not to mention a full kitchen. And there were butlers to serve us hand and foot. we were used to spoiling but anyone else could be spoiled rotten by these guys.
We went snorkeling, sunset cruises anti-gravity yoga, ocean spa and hydrotherapy, and a variety of gourmet cuisines.
The next stop was Coco Prive Kuda Hithi. We had the entire island to ourselves. It is a 1.4-acre island of breathtaking beauty. It had a 40-meter long infinity pool and two more private pools. Five guest villas and a master residence. With the click of a remote, the TV plays hide and seek. You will be served by an alarming 30 person staff from diving instructors to yoga therapist to multiple chefs and personal chef that can customize your menu any way you like. They even set us a cinema by the beach and we watched movies and walked away to have dinner under the glittering stars and the crashing waves.
Our next stop was Drift Thelu Veliga Resort. We got off and immediately kicked off our shoes and dug our toes into the silky soft sand. We spend the night in one of the amazing overwater villas and left for Maafushi island. Where we spend the rest of our honeymoon with the locals. We were told the locals are conservative so we dressed modestly. They were very friendly and helpful. I ate all sorts of local dishes. Like Roshi a local flatbread and Mashuni a salad made of onions, chilies, canned tuna, lemon, and curry leaves. Pastries like Bis keemia and egg and cabbage pastry that Diana got hooked on. I liked Patties it looks like empanadas. Chris was addicted to eating rihaakuru a thick fish sauce-like condiment he ate with flatbread. Their roast chicken was mouthwatering with paratha a layered flaky flatbread that dripping with butter. Even their desserts were tasty most notably dandi aluvi boakiba, it is made from manyok root. Furthermore, we went fishing and grilled it in the sandbank and watched the sunrise as Diana played with her doll while breakfast was being made. We each had a turn flipping flatbreads on the grill and basting the fish we caught. We were told it was a barracuda. They even cooked some clams and prawns which tentalized the palate as they slid down our throats. We took pictures and begged people not to pinch us on each of the stops because this was the dream we didn't want to wake up. Finally it was time to go home. For some reason the others couldn't make so they were looking forward to the slide show presentation we prepared. And trust me there were moments where everyone said I wish I was there.