SO
We are finally back from our much awaited trip!
And I am still giddy from the 45min speedboat
ride home from Maafushi!
It was MashaAllah Subhanallah Alhamdulillah.
Really can’t believe we made it there, with our
little kesayangan, our son.
Maldives was really beautiful. I can only
imagine how ten times beautiful is Syurga.
I wouldn’t want to go there with anyone else,
but us.
So here goes a little summary of the trip, for
the memories sake.
We started our random planning only in August
this year which also made me start saving the hardcore way.
took out my savings to add on to this
trip savings!~ Haha rabak right! 4 months only leyy. Crazy.
So we booked the flight on 26th
August 2018 which we add on to the morning flight timing because,
We don’t want to waste a day there reaching
late. Most of the flight to Male reached at night! Wasted kan.
We actually have a few obstacle in booking the
stay there ~ because of the compulsory GALA NIGHT everywhere!
And its not cheap ley. Min 200USD per person
for the dinner itself!
First plan was to stay at Maafushi for two
nights, and stay at Holiday Inn Kandooma for the next 4 nights.
But the stay at Holiday Inn after calculation+
Gala Night (which was USD350++ per pax – giler babs!) sums up almost 2 times of
our budget!
We decided on Holiday Inn because it has kids
stay for free and also have kids pool and kids room.
But it was too expensive during the peak
season, therefore we decided to cancel our booking 2 weeks later.
Then we decided to spend the new year’s eve at
the local island instead,
Cheaper GALA dinner and cheaper room rate at
the Peak Season J
27
December 2018 ; Thursday
Woke up at 540am just like any other Thursdays
but this time with a spark joy in my heart!
The day we have been waiting for since August!
Took a grab to the airport, and look out for
our counter.
If you know there were many hiccups on this
#dreamcometruetrip, this is the worst nightmare.
I couldn’t find any booking when I typed in the
Booking Reference of our flight at the SQ self-check in counter!
Such horror, we booked a Singapore Airlines
flight only to have Silkair as our flight instead. Boohoo!
So we checked in the luggage and proceed to go
in straight.
Boarding time was at 9.15am / flight is at
10am.
Went up to get a take-away bfast at McDs and
straight to the Departure Gate – F30.
Aydin was too excited that he kept on whining
and asking for the Airoplane.
So impatient like that... haha
Its not too long and there we are, seating on
our seats (17A/B/C) and waiting to fly off.
I’m excited and nervous cos this is the 2nd
longest flight we gona take with Aydin around.
The longest was 8 hours to Gold Coast when he
was 1 years old so Im really hoping he wont misbehave during this flight.
Somemore no source of entertainment ~ pfft ,
silkair!
Reached Male Airport at 12pm Maldives’ time,
MashaAllah the view from above is magnificent!
I am in awed.
Alhamdulillah everything went well after that.
The immigration was smooth, Syukur Alhamdulillah.
Proceed to counter E2 for our speedboat
transfer. There’s only us and another couple to the resort.
Went to the ladies and grab some burgers @
Burger King at the airport for lunch as we only took Halfboard for the resort,
Which means, no lunch! thank god we grabbed
burger. Sampai resort je kebulurrrr. Haha!
Upon reaching our resort, my eyes gloomed with
stars.
I can’t believe the place which I have googled
is there in front of my eyes.
There’s people waiting for your arrival at the
main jetty k.
Ya Allah, felt so VIP okay.
They brought us to the main bar, and welcome us
with a drink. A nice Apple Juice which was abit soda-ish.
But, nice!
And a nice smelling cold towel. Which feels so
good when I put on my face ley. Must be some tropical island aroma...
Ah.......I miss it already!
Ohh! Before that, we were being greeted with
the original coconut drink upon seated in the speedboat.
Super great customer service from the moment we
saw the man on the speedboat counter, actually.
They really waited for us to finish our drink,
by the way. Haha.
Feel abit disturbed tho so I rushed down my
drink cos I felt like a burden when Im supposed to be feeling likka datin,
yknow?
Haha so after we finish our drink, there’s this
Chinese lady who is the reception at the resort who handles the booking and
room allocation stuffs
Ok, this part... sumpah, I was like... eh where
is the application form to work here, maam?
There’s a freaking Chinese lady working here
hello? Gerek pe!
She introduced us to the butler .
He is the person who was supposed to take up
our call, if there’s anything we want to know or want in the resort.
His name is Vijendra. A nice Indian man, who is
married without kids yet.
He brought us for tour around the resort.
First, the main restaurant, where we will have
our Breakfast & Dinner (cos we took halfboard)
Then he showed us to the beach, the gym, the
spa and the Japanese Restaurant.
After which, he brought us to the main
reception, to settle the bills.
Yes, payment upon check in, just like other hotels
do.
And yup, our first, beribu-ribu USD for two
nights! Haha
They brought our luggages and bags to the
buggy and drove us to our room
818.
Subhanallah x 33
Alhamdulillah x 33
Allahuakhbar x 33.
Really, those Instagram pictures came to live!
The room, the flooring, the pristine blue
waters beneath it.
No words to really describe it.
After the butler showed us the room around, he
made a move.
We unpacked and lepak makan Burger King. Oh
& the weather was a killer outside at 2pm.
We stopped Aydin from going out to swim. He
cannot wait already lah this boy.. haha.
There’s a fish feeding at the jetty on the main
beach at 530pm everyday but we gave it a missed on the first day because.....
JAKON NAMPAK AIR CLEAR GILER KT BAWAH RUMAH!
HAHAHA.
We pumped the giant unicorn float we borrowed
from Sheila & Dann...
Emak kauuuuu. Rabak k this float. Nasib pinjam,
bukan beli.
Penat hokay. Pump tangan tk load. Pump pakai
mulut, boleh kene athma attack seh!
After the float was done, sis biasalah nak pose
for some insta-worthy pics.
But failed!
Cos sis takot banyak ikan dalam laut! And takot
float tu di tolak angin and jauh dari villa.
So what sis do?
Sis letak that orange buoy on the villa stairs
on the neck of the unicorn.
Eh tak kelaka la ok.
TAK INSTAWORTHY LANGSONG HAHAHA
K whatever, but the waters were soooo calming
and the sunset..........................
B E A U T I F U L!
Maldives is 3 hours behind Singapore time, so
by the dinner time...
Which was at 730pm, kita suda rabak dok.
It was 1030pm back home. Aydin’s sleeping time.
& it was super duper dark outside. No
lights along the bridge at all. Unlike Avani.
Dinner was not buffet.
It was ala-carte syle but you can order
everything on the menu.
Free flow~ thousand dollar stay dok what do you
expect?
Feeling Dato’ & Datin rabakkkk. Haha after
dinner we head back to our room.
Aydin fell asleep while we ate cos he didn’t
nap at all since that 1hr nap in the plane.
So we put him on his own bed when we reached
our villa.
Yay to him sleeping on his own (only for max
4hours. Pastu member nangis nak hand.. haha)
28
December 2018, Friday
Woke up for Subuh and do nothing much after
that.
Lepak outside watching the fishes swim by....
Was actually hoping to see some sharks or
stringray but to no avail L
Got ready and waited for Aydin to wake up for
Breakfast.
Breakfast was ala-carte too; and u can order as
much as you want.
There’s also a small buffet area for the
fruits, cereal and some breads.
&& there is smoked salmon guyssss. Aku
ape lagi? Spam ah banyak2. Haha
Went back to our hotel after breakfast and
swim.... called up the recept to check on the photoshoot price,
And yay! Husbaby I agreeeeee. So 4pm is the
call time.
Chey chey call time kape.
Met with the photographer at the main bar and
he introduced himself.
FIRST IMPRESSION? Omg deni intern kape siak????
Really, the way he looks and the way he asked
us to pose,
So unprofessional.
Hello, we paid $350 for this ok. Haiz. Menyesal
pun ade.
But for memories sake, lets just get it over
and done with.
It was supposed to be a 45min thingy but I
think we only did it within 30min cos....
AYDIN DA BORING KENE SMILE AND SAY CHEESE!
HAHAHAHAH
Stress ok. So ya, we told him we are done...
We proceed back to the main bar and chose 25
best pictures of the many many pictures he took.
Oklah, can do lah. (even tho sis ade bingit cos
omg .... gemok pe aku)
It was our last night here in the thousand
dollar resort,
So we make full use of the time there.
Spend it on the jetty to see the fish feeding,
and saw the beautiful sunset from the bridge.
Spend the rest of the evening in our villa
while waiting for Dinner time.
Oh we only took halfboard, therefore no lunch!
Actually if you want can..... top up USD55 per
pax only but, we make do with what we have booked .. haha
29
December 2018 , Saturday
Morning glory, another beautiful day in heaven
on earth.
Still dark outside when we woke up for Subuh.
Got to pack for Maafushi today.
I got to enforce on this but this resort’s
customer service
Is the bomb!
They had made reservation of the transfer boat
for us which can be picked up here instead of Male Airport!
Yay.
Meaning we got to stay here a little longer,
albeit not staying in the room.
We are still in Vadoo Island! Hehe.
After breakfast, made some last minute packing
and appreciate the room abit...haha
Proceed to check out at 12pm. Buggy waiting
outside our villa, so as our butler.
Waited for Arena’s speedboat which only came
around 1.5hour later.
We lepak at the main bar. Wanted to sheesha but
USD50 ley. Malaysia RM10 aje.
So we just simpan niat to balas later in JB
instead.. lol.
Arena speedboat is bigger than Adaraan’s
Which means, more people in the boat.
So when they picked us up at the jetty there
were already people in there, and most of the seats are taken.
Luckily got 1 seat where can muat all 3 of us.
The ride was abit rougher tho.
Its around 30mins to reach Maafushi. Aydin
slept all the way there.
29
December 2018, Saturday, Maafushi Island.
Reached the island and walked all the way to
Arena Hotel.
It was like 10 minutes’ walk. No bus no taxi no
buggy ok.
Jalan!
Haha and it was sand all the way....which
means...
“UMI....DOKONG! GELIIIIII!!” stop it sey Aydin.
Main sand on the beach tak geli. Jalan on the
sandy-road geli pulak. Grr
Upon reaching, we (there’s approx. 20 of us
from the ferry) were being greeted by a personnel.
Kirekan mcm “butler” kite ah. Haha
She looks like Kak Mas tho. Lol
There’s also a welcome drink upon arrival.
The lobby was bit small so we sat on the table
at the breakfast area.
It was a smooth and fast check in.
She only asked for our passport and then when
she came back, she’s already asking us to follow her to our room.
Only waited around 15 minutes like that.
Our luggage and heavy bagpacks are totally
handled by the team. 5star service so far.
The beautiful blue sea greeted us upon opening
the door.
Super love the view from above.
The water is literally blue in color!
Not as clear as the one on the villa but the
color!!
Woowww. Im blue dabe de da be da....
Haha..
Of cos there’s this tiny bit of “sad” feeling
to downgrade to a smaller room. Haha
I mean, that villa gave us THAT Feeling and
THAT Impression about Maldives tho.
But all is good. I mean I am happy with the
view of this hotel and I am super duper happy to see the list of activities at
such a good price.
Those in the resort charged thrice the price we
saw here in Maafushi.
Unpacked and look at the list of activities.
Booked for a halfday adventure for the next
day. Yay to dolphins and Turtle hunting!
25USD per pax only . Aydin USD12.50 only ley.
But when I check the bill, they didn’t charge
him! Alhamdulillah.
The thing about this place was that, they
didn’t ask us to pay upon arrival.
Unlike any other hotel we have went before.
They didn’t also give us the approx. amount of
the bill.. haha
But I have black and white of the price which
they quote me.
Yeah ~ I book directly with them cos all agoda,
booking.com, trivago full liow~
30
December 2018 ; Sunday
Took the halfday excursion .
10am to 3pm
1. Coral
snorkeling
2. Turtle
Reef
3. Dolphin
Watching
4. Lunch @
Sandbank
It was worth it!
We saw dolphins....and we are so happy about
it! t
The lunch by the seaside under the umbrella on
the beach,
Sedap giler.
Too bad the water rises on the sandbank so cant
really the sand bank.
Oh! I almost gave up my life on the turtle reef
hokay.
The water was superrrrrrrrrrr high tide.
The ombak...giler babs.
Turtle ke mane..aku ke mane.
Semakin aku swim nak patah balik itu speedboat,
semakin jauh ombak tu tolak.
Husb didn’t went down. He took care of Aydin
cos they went down for the coral snorkel only.
Lucky the guide saw my struggle. He pulled my
hands and guided me back.......
What a nightmare.
By the time we reach back hotel, we were tired
out.
Did nothing much ... lepak at hotel and went
out to find dinner just downstairs where got sell nice nasi goreng ayam!
Didn’t take the halfboard here cos Maafushi got
a lot of kedai2 makan just along the street.
Imagine krabi.
BUT Maafushi is a smaller island.
Like super small. Can cover the whole island
with a bicycle within 30minutes only.
31st
December 2018 , Monday
LAST DAY OF THE
YEAR ALREADY!
Where did the time went?
A little recap on the highlight of this year.
1. Aydin
finally went to school! A fullday childcare that is. He took 1 month and 8 days
to get used to being at school.
2. I
graduated with a Diploma in Employment Relations.
3. We are
here in Maldives !! our (ok, mine!) dream destination for the longest time. I
remembered wanting to come here for our honeymoon. Haha
4. Dian is
a big sister this year as we welcome the 2nd Miss Lee ; Dina
Ariyanti Lee Binte Aminuddin in May (13th May 2018 – mothers day)
5. We also
did a Bangkok trip on my 29th birthday and Krabi (4th
time!) for our pre-anniversary before Ramadhan.
We had breakfast and lepak the day away cos we
wanted to recharge for the COUNTDOWN at night!
12am Maldives equals to 3am Singapore time
lor!! Meaning we have to “TON” haha
The GALA night was beautifully set up by the
beach.
There’s a big stage with live performance and
loud music.
I always see this kind on tv ley. Haha
We managed to stay up for the fireworks!! It was...
Scary!
Cos its super near....and I thought the sparks
fell on my feet one time.
Scary sia... plan mcm2 pose nak amek...end up.
KOSONG~! HAHA
All the pictures we took came out sucky. Sigh but
its okay.....
Finally a firework kiss on new year with
youuuuu ...
After 12 years of this dream in meeee. Hahaha.
1st January 2019, Tuesday
The day has come......
I cried. Twice.
Thinking of the memories we had the past 5days
together.
It was so memorable that I wont forget for the
longest time.
Syukur Alhamdulillah for this opportunity Ya
Allah.
Time to head back to reality and...top up our
savings again for the next adventure!
Happy new year guys!
Thanks for your time reading this space of
mine. Haha
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