1. COTSWOLD STYLE FEBRUARY 2016 69
T
here can be nothing on earth
more luxurious and romantic
than the sparkling jewels of
the Maldives where perfect
powder-white sand beaches are lapped
by the crystal clear waters of the Indian
Ocean. This is the ultimate destination
for rejuvenating the soul and celebrating
something very special with the one
you love.
Every island is luxurious, unique and
enchanting in its own way. Each boasts
turquoise waves rippling along sugar
white beaches and a ‘House Reef’ with
every imaginable colour of tropical fish
on show. Maldivian food is top notch
and combines fresh ingredients
including locally caught fish to create
some delicious local cuisine, exquisite
curries and exotic salads – pure yum!
Our sea plane nimbly took to the air
and offered fabulous views over the
garland of islands all winking at us like a
tie-dye patterned piece of fabric in every
blue describable, billowing in the breeze.
We were soon welcomed to barefoot
luxury and the feel of fine white sand
beneath our feet.
Our first stay was in a gloriously
luxurious beach villa surrounded by
swaying palms and exotic tropical
vegetation and a beach of the very finest
sand with a view to the ocean – pure
romance!
Our second Maldivian experience was
contemporary, chic, intimate and
incredibly luxurious on a perfect tiny
island paradise home to a lovely tropical
rainforest. Here we experienced the
uniqueness of a Water Villa and the
romance of being surrounded by the
ocean. We frequently dipped into the
warm waters of the lagoon and swam
with the resident turtle who quite
happily let us join him on a hunting trip
around the corals. On one sortie a shoal
of ten or more Eagle Rays circled for
almost half an hour feeding while we
hovered overhead and on several
occasions we passed them gliding up and
down the coral wall. Meanwhile
numerous black-tipped reef shark
continuously cruised the reef ignoring
our presence entirely.
A sea plane then transferred us south
to our next atoll and we touched down
skimming the ocean chasing scores of
frolicking dolphins. We were seemingly
in the middle of the open ocean and
only the two of us off-loaded onto a
tiny, bobbing jetty with a small wooden
sign announcing ‘Filitheyo International
Airport’. Setting foot on the island we
were ushered through the ancient palms
and tropical paradise along winding
sandy paths, past a tiny Maldivian lady
gently sweeping the sand with a handful
of sticks and to our enchanting villa
with the lapping ocean waves a few
paces away. Barefoot rustic! Dress code:
bikini & sarong!
This part of the archipelago boasts
an incredible reef which wraps around
the island like a bejewelled cape.
Snorkelling makes for an exciting
adventure as different species present
themselves on each outing.
The coral wall drops off the island
into the deep blue beyond and this
Garden of Eden is home to every
describable Damsel, Wrasse, Angel and
Butterfly fish. Blue Surgeonfish dodge
the Parrotfish and Clownfish nestle
between the tentacles of its swaying soft
coral home. On each of our snorkelling
sorties a posse of Curious Pipefish led
the way with Spotted Unicorn almost
bumping into the glass of our masks
with their long snouts. Suddenly a shoal
of a hundred or more Blue Triggerfish
appeared gliding so close their tiny red
teeth almost touched the glass. In the
deep against a backdrop of navy blue a
tapestry of Moorish Idol remained
suspended as if on fine threads from the
surface. Out of the blue Eagle Rays
cruised the wall closely followed by a
Grey Reef Shark and below us a Giant
Black Moray Eel rose up from the folds
of his coral den baring his jaws
menacingly and a shy Lion Fish hid in
his cave.
Chilling under palms outside our villa
it is high-tide and the sand spit beyond
the reef has disappeared from view.
Thousands of tiny glittering fish
shimmer across the surface like a fan of
diamonds chased by larger dark fish
skimming the surface. Wavelets of
shining, peaked, whipped egg whites
chase the caster sugar sand shimmering
in the sunlight and then spills, sinking
our loungers into the sand and sending
the scuttling hermit crabs into their
shells. The coconut man is doing his
rounds bringing fresh coconut milk to
us, his strong rough hands working
his machete as he deftly chops top and
bottom for us to drink straight from
the husk.
For our next anniversary we are
already planning our return to barefoot
paradise!
If you would like to
rejuvenate your
love in The
Maldives a holiday
can be tailor-made
by World Odyssey,
perhaps
combining the Indian Ocean with a visit to
Sri Lanka! – for more information on
anything to do with your next holiday
please visit www.world-odyssey.com –
follow us @World_Odyssey, become a fan
on Facebook and/or call one of our travel
specialists for advice on: 01905 731373.
Self-professed adventuress and Travel
Writer Lucy Garbutt set off with her
husband for the ultimate romantic escape
and rekindled love in barefoot paradise
StyleTravel
THE MALDIVES
ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC
DESTINATIONS ON THE PLANET
68 FEBRUARY 2016 COTSWOLD STYLE
Outsideour villa on the tropical
island paradiseofFilitheyo
000 Travel Lucy Garbutt Feb 2016:Layout 1 20/01/2016 13:25 Page 68