After an incredible Japanese feast and an early entrance into food coma induced hibernation, I had set a rather early alarm so that I could be up nice and early to watch my very first sunrise in the Maldives.
I admit, 5.45am is not a time anyone should be awake, ever. But, regardless of this, I got myself up and moving, and when I saw the sun emerge from its slumber – I was more than a little grateful that I had done the same.
After getting a sufficient fill of the cotton candy early morning skies, I decided I was long overdue for a swim in the beautiful Maldivian ocean water.
Our over water villa had it’s own set of steps leading right to the sea. I loved these little stairs, convenience and luxury all rolled into one to give me unlimited ocean access!
I thought the water would have been a bit chilly at such an early time of the day, but one thing I learned while in the Maldives – the water is never cold. Sometimes it is even so warm that it feels like you took a wrong turn and somehow ended up in a hot tub!
After a quick dip and getting extremely excited after spotting a beautiful little reef shark, it was time to put the pool to proper use after the previous nights neglect.
Floating around in a private infinity pool at dawn is a pretty wonderful way to start ones day! As the sun rose higher, the views just became so much more spectacular. The pinks in the sky became brighter, the sun emerged as brightly and brilliantly as it ever could and the water went from being a beautiful blue to an amazing azure.
We even got to spot the very first seaplane of the day taking off on its way back to Male!
The Maldives may be a magical location, but regardless of this magic, some realities from real life do intrude a little. When I am not on the road having adventures, I spent my nights wide awake catching babies and my days fast asleep. Living a mostly nocturnal life has resulted in this chica having an unhealthy addiction to caffeine. I drink anywhere from 3-8 cups per day, and if I go to long without getting a caffeine fix – unrelenting headaches ensue. Luckily, our little villa was prepared for such an issue and was well armed with a lovely coffee machine. So while enjoying swims in the pool, this girl had to take a few breaks to fill her veins with the elixir of life.
How absolutely stunning is this place?! I have said it before and I will say it again – the water looks too clear to be real!
With water that inviting, I only waited as long as it took to sufficiently does myself up to my eyeballs with coffee and then I was back into that water!
After swimming for a while, I had somehow managed to work up an appetite! I decided to disregard the fact that it was a veritable miracle that I could possibly be hungry after downing a five course meal the previous night, and instead, thought it time to order a room service breakfast.
Kate and I set out to order one breakfast item each and some juice – very reasonable and modest breakfast plans. However, the Maalifushi chefs and us seemed to have differing ideas about how much food two young women really need for breakfast.
You can imagine our shock when our room service arrived and looked like this!
So in addition to the oats for Kate and the Maldivian fish curry for me, we also received two generous serves of bircher muesli and fresh fruit, as well as a basket of pastries, fresh coffee and fresh squeezed juices!
After eating approximately one third of the food we had received and playing fridge tetris with the mini bar to make room for all our leftovers; it was time get out of our villa and do some real exploring of this amazing island paradise! Kate decided to go do some beach yoga, and I set off on a glorious snorkelling adventure to search for sea turtles – but more on that next time!
T H E L O W D O W N
Getting to Male: There are many different routes flying into Male, flights with Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur are some of the cheapest
Maldivian: This is one of two seaplane companies flying to destinations in the Maldives
Getting to Maalifushi: Access is by seaplane only, a return trip from Male airport will set you back around $600 USD.
Maalifushi by COMO: One of the most luxurious resorts in all of the Maldives, rooms start at approx $1000 USD per night for a garden room, water villas start at $1700 USD per night up to $2800 (seasonally dependent)
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with 12-40mm M.Zuiko Pro Lens
Threads: My cute as a button bikini top is by Aussie label Tigerlily Swimwear
Remember: Not to be scared if you see little reef sharks – they are vegetarians!
Don’t forget to add me on Snapchat and Instagram – @wwellend – for more foolishness and travel adventures!
This looks amazing. Too good to be true even. Great post!
Thank you so much! Thanks for reading 🙂
waowww….I enjoy your trip…. really good photography and writing….
https://pointstoponderblog.wordpress.com/2016/05/27/pakistan-chapter-1-beautiful-baluchistan/
Thank you so much! Please stay tuned for more 🙂
I have a mind picture of you now with a baby net. That’s a lot of coffee. When I’m in Costa Coffee I actually have to ask them to reduce the amount and just put 2 shots in their large Americano. Financially, mark-up wise, I must be their best customer.
I was going to ask what the strange glowing green thing was, but you can zoom in and see (as your photos are so good) it’s a boat. Why are they strangely lit at that time of the morning. Great camera photos again.
Haha not a baby net! I just prefer the term ‘catching’ to ‘delivering’ – babies aren’t pizza after all 😉
It is a lotta coffee! Adjusting to night shifts will do that to a human though!
I went to the Maldives too … when I was there, I thought it was a thousand times more beautiful than the pictures I had seen before …
A paradise 🙂
Absolutely! It is always so much more magical in person 🙂
Forced relaxation! Very nice, Maldives has been on my bucket list for aaaaaages! (also I think we have the same phone cover, if the iPhone is yours!)
Lifeproof case? If so – then yep – our iphones are twins 🙂
beautiful. You are always early riser, thus enjoy the beauty of dawn.
There is just something so magical about sunrises – good motivation to rise!
With mornings like these, who would want a day to end?
Amazing captures of such a mesmerizing place!!
Too true! I love the night time, but I definitely didn’t want to miss a single second of daylight whilst in the Maldives – just too good to pass up!
Looks amazing, maybe when i win the Lotto lol
“unhealthy addiction to caffeine. I drink anywhere from 3-8 cups per day” the small size of those cups i’d be drinking doubles 🙂
Thanks for sharing your wonderful life ….
You should see my regular cup haha – it’s almost as big as my face!
I will be hoping you get the right lotto numbers 🙂
More than a little jealous! Very few posts include advice on “Getting to Male” either 😉
Love those steps to the ocean <3 And that breakfast looks scruptious. it's huge!
Omg isn’t it just! Waaay more than I good ever need!
Your pictures are always so amazing. I love following your instagram.
Thanks so much Jess – I look forward to sharing many many more pictures and stories with you!
The future of the Maldives is not positive. Climate Change is raising sea level.
Yes it is – climate change is doing a lot of pretty irreversible damage to this planet. it is horrible to think that in a few short years all of these incredible islands could be long gone.
I hope my lotto numbers come up soon or i’d better start looking out for a 2nd hand submarine if you’re right about the climate change 🙁
The research definitely doesn’t look hopeful for the area if we keep going the way we are 🙁 sea levels don’t have to rise very much for this entire country to be under water 🙁
Wow the Maldives looks incredible. Just wondering whether you’ve got a sense of if there is much in the way of decent, more affordable/ budget accommodation while you’re there? (Although obviously, I’ll keep trying to win the lottery 🙂 ) – I’d love to visit one day. Thanks for the inspiration today.
I did actually! In fact, stay tuned, I stayed in a couple of different resorts in the Maldives so that I could write about vacation destinations for people from all walks of life. Stay tuned for posts about a budget island resort!
Awesome – thanks! Really look forward to reading more about that (and more photos!! 🙂 )
I look forward to sharing! 🙂 Stay tuned!
wow, this looks unreal!
I cannot get over the color of the water. And you got up at dawn! So incredibly beautiful
Neither could I! Isn’t it just out of this world!
Such a wonderful location. The access to both the ocean and pool is something dreams are made of. I would get up every morning for that sunrise and then enjoy sunsets sitting with a drink. What a life!!!!
That is exactly what I did! The sunsets were just as spectacular as the sunrises 🙂 Thanks for reading! See you next time 🙂
It is well that you are able to spend time in those lovely islands. I cross my fingers that some way might be found for them to dodge the sea-level bullet.
Me too, I hope this whole global warming crisis slows down soon!
Wow this looks amazing ! Hopefully I will get the chance to travel to this magical place too ! Your photos are beautiful
Thank you so much! I hope to see you tagging along on more of my adventures 🙂
This post is too good to be true. Very luxurious as well. And oh yes, if I forgot to mention – the photos of the turquoise waters and the model are absolutely awesome 🙂 Happy travels girl !
Thanks so much! Happy to hear you liked it 🙂
Amazing!
Absolutely beautiful! I’m sure it has been said, but this place looks like a dream. I’ve been seeing the Maldives come up more frequently in so many social media feeds. I need to make a trip like this happen.
Do it! Maalifushi is amazingly luxurious – but I will also be posting soon about a more budget friendly resort! Maldives for everyone!
Beautiful photos!! I hope to visit the Maldives one day, so thank you for this post!
Hopefully one day very soon!
You are very lucky. A perfect location. Photos were beautiful.
I really am. Thank you so much – glad you enjoyed reading 🙂
I did and you are welcome.
I don’t know what looks better, the ocean, food or the sky. Wow, just wow.
Thank you for reading – this pretty much sums up my feelings too!
Just one word – Paradise
I whole-heartedly agree with that summary!
The place is so enticing! Would love to visit someday.
Add it to the bucket list! You won’t regret it 🙂
Oh, I will! =)
Just discovering your blog today and am in awe! You are living the travel dream! I’m 32 and wish I had started traveling in my early twenties, but am starting to make up for it now. The Maldives look absolutely incredible. Looking forward to more posts!
Thank you so much – glad to hear I have reached another travel lover! Where are your next travels taking you?
Thank you for taking 50Figment with you in your travels. You are right. It’s hard to believe Maldives is real.
lovely pictures was it difficult leaving? for me, the first cup of coffee and the first hour of the day golden, quiet, sweet.
Oh it definitely was! If I could have moved in I would have never left!
Reblogged this on NorbertBezzina and commented:
Beautiful Maldives!