A little advice for those about to get married. Do not think you want an energetic site seeing holiday (unless you have a wedding planner). After weeks of stress and running around I was so pleased my husband had not booked our planned two week tour of Japan but Baros in the Maldives. Although I do wish he had revealed the destination before 10pm the night before (after I had packed).
The journey was slightly arduous, with a stop over for 4 hours in Dubai. We luckily had access to the priority pass lounge, which unlike other lounges actually provides some quite good food, massage chairs and a shower (at the additional cost of £10).
On arriving in the Maldives we had one slight slip up - being unaware that you cannot take alcohol into the country. We had filled one of the cases with gin, rum, coke, tonic and four bottle of wines (after reading reviews about the cost of alcohol on the island). Whilst being pulled aside (along with many other Europeans) I had the dreaded anxiety attack that someone had tampered with my case while I had left it alone for 30 seconds while visiting the toilet at Gatwick. Luckily they gave the alcohol back to us on our return visit.
We traveled by speed boat to the island of Baros (I swear the driver thought he was in formula one and was trying to break the bottom of the boat). On our arrival we were greeted by the lovely staff, a glass of sparkling wine and a cold towel (a regular handout at all meals on the island).
We were given a water villa with a 10% view of the sunset, which didn't matter too much as it meant our villa was quite secluded. The room was spacious, with free internet and a bath which had amazing views of the sea. The only downside was perhaps the lack of TV channels (we shouldn't really have needed them on our honeymoon), having to wait around 10 minutes for the hot water to come through and the lack of power in the shower.
Our days were spent lounging over breakfast, snorkeling (followed by treating my burnt bottom - sea water obviously doesn't block the sun), taking trips (dolphins at sunset on a yacht and fishing by twilight) and reading books while looking out to sea. I highly recommend the trips, which are often quite private as only a few couples decide to go. The island is small so don't plan any walking trips (although their is a gym for those who can't sit still). The island does feel remote and it was lovely to just sit and watch the sharks (friendly ones), string rays and colorful fish. Baros's house reef is said to be one of the best in the world, and although we didn't see any of the 17 turtles, we did get close to the sharks.
Drink and food is very expensive. Think dining out in a top London restaurant each night. I will get around to writing a blog on this soon. Additional nice touches include the free hire of snorkeling equipment, an onsite marine biologist, little treats left by the turn-down staff, and a villa host. Do get used to be asked 1000 times why you decided to go to Baros and the term 'product' being used by their staff.
Overall, a wonderful honeymoon with my new husband.
The journey was slightly arduous, with a stop over for 4 hours in Dubai. We luckily had access to the priority pass lounge, which unlike other lounges actually provides some quite good food, massage chairs and a shower (at the additional cost of £10).
On arriving in the Maldives we had one slight slip up - being unaware that you cannot take alcohol into the country. We had filled one of the cases with gin, rum, coke, tonic and four bottle of wines (after reading reviews about the cost of alcohol on the island). Whilst being pulled aside (along with many other Europeans) I had the dreaded anxiety attack that someone had tampered with my case while I had left it alone for 30 seconds while visiting the toilet at Gatwick. Luckily they gave the alcohol back to us on our return visit.
We traveled by speed boat to the island of Baros (I swear the driver thought he was in formula one and was trying to break the bottom of the boat). On our arrival we were greeted by the lovely staff, a glass of sparkling wine and a cold towel (a regular handout at all meals on the island).
We were given a water villa with a 10% view of the sunset, which didn't matter too much as it meant our villa was quite secluded. The room was spacious, with free internet and a bath which had amazing views of the sea. The only downside was perhaps the lack of TV channels (we shouldn't really have needed them on our honeymoon), having to wait around 10 minutes for the hot water to come through and the lack of power in the shower.
Our days were spent lounging over breakfast, snorkeling (followed by treating my burnt bottom - sea water obviously doesn't block the sun), taking trips (dolphins at sunset on a yacht and fishing by twilight) and reading books while looking out to sea. I highly recommend the trips, which are often quite private as only a few couples decide to go. The island is small so don't plan any walking trips (although their is a gym for those who can't sit still). The island does feel remote and it was lovely to just sit and watch the sharks (friendly ones), string rays and colorful fish. Baros's house reef is said to be one of the best in the world, and although we didn't see any of the 17 turtles, we did get close to the sharks.
Drink and food is very expensive. Think dining out in a top London restaurant each night. I will get around to writing a blog on this soon. Additional nice touches include the free hire of snorkeling equipment, an onsite marine biologist, little treats left by the turn-down staff, and a villa host. Do get used to be asked 1000 times why you decided to go to Baros and the term 'product' being used by their staff.
Overall, a wonderful honeymoon with my new husband.
RSS Feed