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



---------------------------
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


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