September 14th 2024.
It's a common belief that holidays should be jam-packed with endless activities, stunning sunsets, and serene palm trees. However, I've come to discover that sometimes the best holiday is one where you do absolutely nothing at all. Yes, you read that right. No need for a double take. It took me four nights in the Maldives to finally understand this, but before that, it was my idea of a nightmare.
I consider myself a frequent traveler and am fortunate enough to visit various destinations. However, my usual itinerary consists of roughly 30,000 steps per day, trying to squeeze in as many historical sights as possible before they close. So when the opportunity came to visit one of the 1,192 pristine sandbanks that make up this Indian Ocean paradise, I was hesitant. The thought of being stuck in an all-inclusive resort that I could walk around in 15 minutes seemed like a waste of time. I had just returned from Uzbekistan, where I spent seven hours driving through the Kyzylkum desert and exploring secret tunnels in a Central Asian mosque. The thought of lounging on a sun lounger for half a week didn't excite me.
I have always struggled to relax, so if you had told me that a short stay on a tiny island in the South Nilandhe Atoll would teach me the joy of doing nothing, I would have laughed. But it did, and it has completely transformed my idea of the perfect holiday forever.
As we landed in the bustling capital of Malé, my mind was already racing, wondering how quickly I could finish the books I had brought with me. What would I do then? Just lay on the beach alone with my thoughts? The anxiety was creeping in as we boarded a seaplane that would take us 145km south to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, a luxurious five-star resort built on a coral reef. But my worries were quickly replaced with awe and happiness as we flew over the mesmerizing turquoise ocean, dotted with white sandbanks and the iconic overwater huts of the Maldives. The 35-minute journey was enough to fill me with wonder and joy, as we landed at our destination and were greeted with freshly squeezed pineapple juice and a golf buggy to take us to our villa for the next four days.
The setting was nothing short of magical, with crystal clear water and soft yellow sand that sparkled in the sun. But what struck me the most was the warm welcome from our 'island hosts', Erika and Mohammed. Despite welcoming dozens of guests each week, they made us feel like the first and only guests on the island. As we entered our villa, I was blown away by the luxury I had never experienced before. With a spacious bedroom, a huge walk-in wardrobe, and a Jack and Jill bathroom that opened up to a terrace with an infinity pool that flowed into the sea, it was a dream come true.
As the day went on, the clear blue sky turned into a canvas of pink and orange, creating a breathtaking sunset that I will never forget. In that moment, I realized that this is what heaven must look like. Why was I so worried about coming here to do nothing?
The next day, I quickly learned that I had completely misunderstood the Maldives and what it had to offer. After spending hours going back and forth between the pool and the ocean, I had worked up an appetite and was ready to try the various dishes offered at one of the three restaurants on the island. The menu was diverse, with freshly caught tuna sashimi for starters, spicy Maldivian curries for main course, and a selection of delectable cakes, creams, and fruits for dessert. It was during this dinner, with the stunning ocean view in front of me, that I became obsessed with masmirus, a traditional Maldivian sambal made with dried tuna, garlic, ginger, and chili. I couldn't get enough of it and drizzled it over everything.
At first, it felt strange to spend hours at dinner, simply enjoying the view. But as I sat there, savoring every bite and taking in the serene surroundings, I realized that I had been missing out on something important during my previous travels. I was always in a rush, trying to fit in as much as possible, but in doing so, I was missing out on the beauty of simply being present in the moment. With so much chaos and conflict in the world, being on this tranquil island made me appreciate the peace and serenity even more.
In the end, I was grateful for the chance to experience the Maldives and to learn the joy of doing nothing. It has shifted my perspective and changed my idea of the perfect holiday. The Maldives is truly a paradise, and I am lucky to have discovered its beauty and tranquility.
Turns out, a holiday doesn't have to be jam-packed with activities and crowded tourist spots to be enjoyable. In fact, I discovered that sometimes the best thing to do on a vacation is simply... nothing. It may sound like a dreamy paradise, but for someone like me who loves to travel and constantly be on the go, the idea of lounging on a sunbed all day was my worst nightmare. So when I was given the opportunity to spend four nights in the Maldives, I was a bit hesitant. How was I going to fill my time in an all-inclusive resort that could be explored in just 15 minutes?
You see, my usual travel itinerary involves covering as many historical sites and attractions as possible, often resulting in me walking 30,000 steps a day. Just before my trip to the Maldives, I had been to Uzbekistan, driving through the desert and exploring hidden tunnels in a mosque. So the thought of spending half a week on a tiny island in the Indian Ocean seemed like a stark contrast to my usual adventures. I must admit, I've always had a hard time unwinding and relaxing. So if you had told me that this trip would finally teach me the joy of doing nothing, I would have laughed.
But oh, how wrong I was. My stay at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef in the Maldives completely changed my perspective on the perfect holiday. From the moment we landed in the bustling city of Malé, I was already wondering how quickly I would finish the books I had brought along. And what would I do after that? Just lay on the beach with my thoughts? The idea was daunting. But as we boarded a seaplane that would take us to our resort, I was filled with awe and excitement. The 35-minute journey was a breathtaking experience, with the barefoot pilots of Trans Maldivian Airways flying us over crystal clear waters, white sand banks, and the iconic overwater huts.
My fear of boredom quickly dissipated as we arrived at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, where we were greeted with friendly smiles, juice-filled pineapples, and a golf buggy to take us to our villa. And what a villa it was! With a spacious bedroom, a huge walk-in wardrobe, and a bathroom overlooking a terrace with a sparkling infinity pool that flowed into the sea, I felt like I was living in a dream. As the day went on and the sky turned into a canvas of pink and orange, I knew I would never forget this sunset for the rest of my life. I couldn't help but think that if I had asked ChatGPT to show me heaven, this is exactly what it would have given me. Why had I been so worried about coming here to do nothing?
But as it turns out, doing nothing was the best decision I could have made. After hours of lounging by the pool and swimming in the ocean, I worked up quite an appetite. And let me tell you, the food at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef is a culinary experience like no other. With three restaurants offering a variety of dishes, there was something for every palate. I couldn't get enough of the freshly caught tuna sashimi, the spicy Maldivian curries, and the delectable array of desserts. I even became obsessed with masmirus, a traditional Maldivian sambal made with dried tuna, garlic, ginger, and chilli. I couldn't resist drizzling it over everything I ate, savoring the spicy kick as I gazed out at the endless ocean.
At first, it felt strange to spend hours at dinner, simply enjoying the view. But as I sat there, I realized that I had been missing out on so much on my previous trips. Always rushing from one place to the next, trying to fit in as much as I could, I never took the time to truly appreciate my surroundings. In that moment, looking out at the peaceful waves, I felt grateful to be in a place that felt so serene and far from the chaos of the world. It made me realize the importance of taking a break and just being in the moment.
My short stay at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef in the Maldives taught me the joy of doing nothing, and it's an experience I will never forget. It's safe to say that my idea of the perfect holiday has been forever changed.
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