Before long, my incredible adventures in the Maldives were drawing to a close. I in no way wanted to leave this incredible country of tiny island paradises, but I will admit that I was a tiny bit keen to wave goodbye to the days of 99% humidity and 34 degree heat. The Maldives may look like paradise, but this cold weather loving girl was struggling to not spontaneously combust in such intensely hot conditions!
On this last morning, the sky and ocean were so blue they seemed to melt into one another. The water was intensely clear and gave the best view of the reef yet. I feel like I need to reiterate just how close the Reethi house reef is to the shore. In this next picture you can see where the water goes from looking light blue to looking darker. This is where the coral reef begins! Literally a few steps away from the shoreline – this has got to be one of the most easily accessible coral reefs in the Maldives!
After admiring how clear the water looked (for the umpteenth time that day) it was time to do a last little bit of island wandering and exploring before the seaplane trip back to Male.
One thing the island was in no shortage of, was lizards! There was so many of these little guys running around the place – it seemed like you couldn’t walk for more than thirty seconds without having one run out in front of you.
There were a couple of different types – a bigger and paler coloured breed, and a smaller more vibrantly coloured type. Both were pretty awesome island companions and neither attempted to bite my toes, which is always a win.
It is amazing how different the place can look from day to day. One day – a monsoon and then the next – blue skies and nary a cloud to be seen!
I took the nice weather and great natural lighting as an excuse to put on yet another beautiful dress and get some nice pictures on this beautiful island. It seems like such a silly thing to do, but I know I will look back on these pictures when I am old and grey and be thankful for the photographs and the memories that come with them.
Side note: I have showcased a lot of beautiful Tigerlily clothing during my Maldives and Philippines posts – and that is for good reason. Not only does the Australian label design stunning textiles and prints – they also design and create clothes and bathers that are flattering for those of us who are a little bit curvier. I have big hips and a bigger bum than I would like, which I am usually pretty self conscious of – but in these beautiful dresses – I feel nothing but confidence! Not to mention that they blend in seamlessly to a tropical island environment.
As boiling hot and incredibly humid as it is in the Maldives, these are tropical islands, and as a result – plant life is thriving. The islands feel like tiny snippets of a jungle, and the trees cast a welcome shade over almost everything. The lush greenery reminded me of my home base in Darwin and it seemed that just as the thought occurred to me, it was time to leave.
We said goodbye to our beloved over water bungalow, packed our bags, threw our cameras around our necks and made our way to the southern part of the island to await the arrival of our seaplane.
A traditional Maldivian dhoni boat was ready and waiting to take us on the short boat trip out to meet our seaplane. The ride only takes a few minutes – just long enough to take us to the outskirts of the tiny atoll where the seaplanes can safely land without risking any damage to the reef, or to the aircraft.
The views from these seaplanes are nothing short of extraordinary. On the trip to Maalifushi the plane windows were in need of a good wash and as a result, I was unable to get any half decent shots. This seaplane however, was in rather good knick, allowing for some pretty alright photos. None of these photographs do the views any real justice though – it is a completely otherworldly sight that has to be seen to be believed.
The Trans Maldivian Airways seaplanes run by demand and as such, often need to make multiple stops at different islands to pick up passengers on the way to Male. On one such stop we docked by a little pontoon in the ocean and our captain came out to hang with us.
As much as I was sad to leave the Maldives, I have a little feeling in my tummy that it won’t be too long before I am back. Once my ear is totally healed and I have finally done my scuba certification – I would love to return and do even more underwater exploring. Until then, I have many more adventures on the horizon, and a few past adventures I am still yet to write about, so stay tuned!
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
Trans Maldivian Airways: This is the largest seaplane company flying to destinations in the Maldives
Getting to Reethi: Access is by seaplane or domestic flight – costs for return flights are $450 USD and $330 USD respectively
Reethi Beach: One of the most affordable resorts in the Maldives, basic rooms start at $165 USD per night
Camera: Nikon Coolpix S31 – cheap, cheerful, waterproof and easy to use!
Threads: Almost all of my clothes (literally like 85% of my wardrobe) are by Tigerlily Swimwear
Don’t forget to add me on Snapchat and Instagram – @wwellend – for more foolishness and travel adventures!
Awesome shots, not sure i’d look so good in those Tigerlily clothing though lol.
Happy traveling
Haha what are you talking about?! They would look fab on you!
Have absolutely loved your blogs and photos! I’ve now added the Maldives to my list!!! Thanks!
That is the kinda comment I love to get! Hopefully you can ‘cross it off’ soon 🙂
Beautiful piece…I love your writing & the picture are calming! Took me back to when we visited Maldives in 2014….I absolutely love the blue waters there!
Thank you so much Divya! I love the blue waters too! I would love to go back one day soon 🙂
Where are you going next?! I love the Tigerlily dress, will definitely look that up.
Off to Bali again in a few weeks, then Thailand and then Japan! Any travel plans on the horizon for you?
Majestic place. I really want to go there. Maldives is <3 <3 <3
It really is amazing! Definitely worth putting on the old bucket list 😉
This is on my travel list now <3 So beautiful
Awesome! Hopefully you get there soon 🙂
Amazing story and pictures! I want to go now!!
Thanks for reading! You should definitely try and go! One of the most affordable resorts in the Maldives 🙂
It all looked so enticing..up until I saw the sea plane. 😷 Fear of flying is like having no money- both huge impediments to world travel!!-haha!
Oh no – that is a terrible fear/phobia to have 🙁 is it all planes?
All planes-frankly there was a time I was so bad I’d have to do lamaze breathing before the Dumbo ride at Disney..ridiculous. I am a control freak-no doubt about it..but it has gotten better..the sea plane though- ugh not there yet..might never be.
These photos are incredible I’m in awe <3
Thank you so much for reading! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
You have sacrificed cold for Paradise! These scenes will serve well, when I am looking out at the snows of December and January, and need an alternative to excess of hot coffee. 🙂
Don’t you worry – by January I will be back in the cold! Heading back to Greenland for the winter – I cannot wait 🙂
What a nice place. Lucky you!! Enjoy.
Such a nice place!! Lucky you! Enjoy xx
Lovely pics Ellen and lovely dress! 😊😘😎
Thank you John 🙂
Beautiful photos of such a lovely place. I would have fought tooth and nail to stay longer (maybe find work there and stay forever).
I very much share the sentiment! On each of these resorts they have a ‘resort doctor’, which I think would be the best job ever!
Maldives is one of my dream places. Wish I could go there someday!
Add it to the bucket list and save your dollars and do it! So worth a visit 🙂
These shots are so beautiful !
Thank you so much 🙂
You’ve found paradise on earth.Love the pics and it sounds incredible! Enjoy and can’t wait to see more from your trip!
I really have! Feel free to click through the ‘Maldives’ tag on my site to read more 🙂
Such a wonderful place to relax!!!. Incredible photos.Looks great!
Thanks for reading Sakshi – glad you enjoyed 🙂
The water looks soo nice!!
It was nothing short of heavenly!
yu are so lucky.. 🙂 enjoy life.. 🙂
Thank you very much 🙂
Reblogged this on My Blog.
Incredible photos.. I can completely imagine how beautiful the sea is there. We had a fuel stop in Male when flying to Sri Lanka and I couldn’t stop peeking out the airplane window admiring the views.. I would really like to visit the country.. but not until I get rich. 😀
You don’t have to be rich I swear! Reethi is expensive but by no means out of reach – just would require some disciplined saving! 🙂
Amazing place!! Thanks for sharing your impressions
Thank you for reading 🙂
Stunning! Love the place and your clothing! 🙂
Thanks Brenda – glad you enjoyed both the Maldives and the dresses 🙂
Haha, everybody needs a lizard buddy sometimes. Great shots!
Haha that they definitely do!
Great images….I’m inspired!
Love to hear that! Thanks Steven 🙂
such a beautiful country……. and lovely photos……
Maldives certainly is inspirational! Thanks for reading 🙂
Great photos.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
whow! amazing pictures
Thank you so much!!
The pictures are too beautiful to be true 😉
Thank you so much Igor! Love getting these sort of comments 🙂
beautiful country I want to go now!! Mostly I Love the place and your clothing!
It is such an incredible country! Definitely worth adding to the proverbial list!
Oh my… I’m so jealous! The photos are very relaxing. I still have to wait many months for my next vacation.
Where will that vacation be?
Maybe, United Kingdom 😊
Amazing pictures!
Thank you!