Thursday, July 31, 2014

Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives



Maldives. I know that this country is already very famous, and that pictures of its major resorts are everywhere. However, I want to share the beauty of the smaller but equally splendid resort we stayed at, because.. those 5 days were too much of a gem not to share!

Before heading out to the resort, we spent a few hours in the morning strolling on our own around the capital city, Male, and having a glimpse of another part of the country's reality.. you know.. life outside the turquoise waters ;)

Here are some of what we saw..

Masjid Mosque Male Maldives

Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam, the largest mosque in Maldives.

Old Friday Mosque Maldives

A 17th century cemetery surrounding the Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque).

Republic Square Male Maldives

Jumhooree Maidhaan (Republic Square), where the most important government buildings are located.

School Male Capital Maldives

And a school :)

Ferry Male Maldives

Now, from this port, we took the public ferry from Male to the Hulhumale Airport. 

The colours of the water? They are real!!

Ferry Ride Maldives

It was not easy for me to choose a resort in Maldives because most of them were really amazing. 

So after all my confusion, I ended up listing down 5 requirements to guide me through.

Seaplane Maldives

1. The resort MUST be accessible by a Seaplane. 

It must be far enough to need a Seaplane transfer instead of just a Speedboat transfer.

Aerial View Male Maldives

Aerial view of Male.

Resort Maldives Aerial View

Aerial view of a resort.

Atolls of Maldives

The atolls. 

I guess I don't need to explain why the seaplane is a must ;)

Seaplane Transfer Maldives Resort

30 minutes after.. We landed in the middle of the sea.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

The resort speedboat picked us up.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

Paradise.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

2. The resort MUST offer a lot of privacy.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

The whole island has only around 35 villas = 70 guests. 

I really liked it that there were very few of us, and that we rarely saw each other.. except at the restaurant during breakfast and dinner.

Water Villas Mirihi Maldives

3. The resort MUST have water villas within our budget of max USD 1,000 per night.

Believe me, the water villas of the other resorts that I like are way more expensive!

Water Villas Mirihi Maldives

Oh yeah, it was that private that we could set up our tripod everywhere and be crazy, without any audience :D

Sunset at Mirihi Maldives

Sacrificing my skin, waiting for the sunset.

Sunset at Mirihi Maldives

Beautiful.. it was worth the extra freckles! haha!

House Reef of Mirihi Maldives

4. The resort MUST have an excellent House Reef.

This school of baby swordfish was just swimming around our water villa.

House Reef of Mirihi Maldives Turtle

Happiness. Seeing a turtle while snorkelling around the resort :)

House Reef of Mirihi Maldives Shark

And baby Blacktip Sharks by the beach.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

The jetty in its summer splendour. 

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

There's nobody around. So it's ok to go crazy again! 

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

How to relax. Or how to pretend that it's candid. Haha! :)

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

Twilight and its colours.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

The view while waiting for dinner.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

5. The resort MUST have delicious food. 

If we are going to be stuck at one resort for 5 days, the food better be good! 

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

The sailing yacht. On our way to find the Whale Sharks.

Whaleshark in Maldives

We were really blessed to have seen them.

Whaleshark in Maldives

And I was seriously blessed to be with an awesome tour guide who pulled me all throughout the Whale Shark chase. I swam too slow, but he made it possible for me to be swimming at the animal's pace.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

Low tide, and the corals are out.

Accommodation Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

Inside the water villa. Loved it!

Accommodation Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

The bathroom had two entrances. One from the room, and one from the balcony. 

And it was overlooking the sea.

Accommodation Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

The balconies were all angled in a way that nobody would see neighbours.

Water Villas Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

The water villas at night.

Water Villas Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

And during full moon.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

Mirihi Island Resort. 

One of the best choices we have ever made.

Mirihi Island Resort Maldives

Time to say, Thank you. 

Atolls Maldives

Well again, why the Seaplane is a must!! :D



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References:

Our Budget for 6 Days for 2 Persons sharing the Room ;)
Plane Fare from Singapore - USD 600 x 2 = USD 1,200
1 Night Accommodation in Male which I won't recommend - USD 100
May - 4 Nights Off Peak Accommodation at Mirihi Island Resort, inclusive of Seaplane Transfers, Breakfast, and Dinner - USD 3,100
Activities (Whale Shark Cruise) - USD 400
Total for 2 Persons = USD 4,800

Resort - www.mirihi.com
Accommodation Booking - www.hotels.com
Airline - www.singaporeair.com


Thursday, July 24, 2014

Finland and Estonia - Northern Lights Itinerary



The goal of our trip to Finland was to see the Northern Lights, and this explains why we spent 9 nights in the Arctic Circle / Finnish Lapland. 

People have always advised us that we should not go to the Finnish Lapland just to see the northern lights because there is never a guarantee that we would see it. There are so many winter activities to enjoy, and seeing the northern lights should be treated only as a bonus. 

We know... but who are we kidding right?! ;) Deep inside, we still badly hoped, but not expected, to see the Northern Lights! That was why we spent so many days there - to have more chances.

*By the way, you can click on the hotel name to go to the hotel website :)
*We went there during Winter in February

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Flight - Singapore to Helsinki - Finnair

Day 1 - Helsinki and Porvoo, Finland

Round Trip Land Transfer - Helsinki Airport to City Center - Public Bus

Round Trip Land Transfer - City Center to Porvoo - Public Bus


Porvoo - Half Day


Porvoo Unesco Finland


Flight - Helsinki to Ivalo - Norwegian Air

Land Transfer - Ivalo Airport to Menesjarvi - Arrange with the Hotel

Hotel - Hotel Korpikartano - 2 Nights

Hotel Korpikartano Finland

Day 3 - Menesjarvi, Finland


Winter Activities Finland Itinerary


Land Transfer - Menesjarvi to Inari - Arrange with the Hotel

Hotel - Hotel Inari - 2 Nights

Finland Northern Lights Itinerary


Hotel - Hotel Inari

Northern Light Inari Finland


Land Transfer - Inari to Kakslauttanen - Arrange with the Hotel

Hotel - Glass Igloo Kakslauttanen - 1 Night

Aurora Borealis Igloo Kakslauttanen Finland


Land Transfer - Kakslauttanen to Kiilopaa - Arrange with the Hotel

Hotel - Fell Centre Kiilopaa - 4 Nights

Kiilopaa Finland Northern Lights

Day 8 - Kiilopaa, Finland


Winter Swimming Finland Arctic Circle

Day 9 - Kiilopaa and Saariselka, Finland

Round Trip Land Transfer - Kiilopaa to Saariselka - Public Ski Bus


Saariselka - Half Day

Skiing Kilopaa Fell Finland

Day 10 - Kiilopaa, Finland
Day 11 - Helsinki, Finland

Land Transfer - Kiilopaa to Ivalo Airport - Public Bus

Flight - Ivalo to Helsinki - Norwegian Air

Land Transfer - Helsinki Airport to Hotel - Airport Taxi

Hotel - Best Western Hotel Katajanokka - 2 Nights

Katajanokka Helsinki Finland


Land Transfer - Hotel to Ferry Terminal - Advanced Booking Taxi

Round Trip Ferry Transfer - Helsinki to Tallinn - Tallink Silja Ferry

Land Transfer - Ferry Terminal to Hotel - Normal Taxi


Old Town Tallinn Estonia

Day 13 - Helsinki, Finland

Land Transfer - Hotel to Helsinki Airport - Advanced Booking Taxi

Flight - Helsinki to Singapore - Finnair

Helsinki Shopping Finland


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References:

Our Budget for 13 Days Per Person with shared rooms
Plane Fare from Singapore - EUR 750
Transportation - EUR 350
(Domestic Flights, Ferry, Hotel Transfers, Bus, Taxi)
Accommodations - EUR 800
Food - EUR 400
Activities - EUR 500
(Husky Dog Sled, Reindeer Sled, Snowmobile Sled, Horse Sled, Ski Rentals, and Smoke Sauna)
Total for Per Person = EUR 2,800 / USD 3,700

Accommodations - Please click on the Hotel Names to visit the website
International Flights - www.finnair.com
Domestic Flights - www.norwegian.com
Saariselka Ski Bus - www.saariselka.com/individual/travelling/skibus
Airport Bus - www.saariselka.com/individual/travelling/airport-bus-timetable