Tourism in the Maldives only started four decades ago and yet that some scientists predict it may be wiped out in 40 to 50 years more. People say that the Maldives is sinking but in actuality, the sea level is rising due to global warming.
The islands of the Maldives and I have made a pact: a rendezvous at least once a year.
Few places in the world possess ravishing beauty this intoxicating. The turquoise waters, silvery white sand and over 100 resorts each occupying its own private island that range from barefoot chic to ultra- luxury are synonymous with blissful celebration. Idyllic escapes to the Maldives have become an essential part of my life since I discovered it in 2008. Each year is never complete without a trip to this ethereal sanctuary. No matter how many times I visit, it always seems just like the first.
“Is this your first time to see the Maldives?” gracious Idee Anne Ferolino, sales and marketing executive from the luxurious Hilton Iru Fushi Resort and Spa, asked me. In a heartbeat I replied, “Yes, through their eyes.”
Truth is, observing the look of profound excitement on the faces of my rambunctious companions — my family — elicited sheer satisfaction. Moments like this, I truly appreciate the opportunity to pacify my wanderlust as the official travel director of the group. My work for my family takes me to different destinations so that I can discern which place will suit the right occasion.
The reason for this trip was to celebrate the “surrender of blessed singleness” of my niece Nikki Boncan-buensalido who was to marry young and prolific architect Jason Buensalido. We also made this trip to the Maldives to celebrate the birthday of Nikki’s dad, whom we fondly call “Papa Boom.” I surmised this trip would be the best way for the loving Boncan family to bond before fulfilling their roles as mother and father of the bride. Incidentally, the scintillating views of the Maldives would be the perfect subject for Papa Boom’s newfound passion — photography. We certainly declare that God has gifted him with sublime talent to capture through his lens nature’s finest treasures.
A scenic 45- minute seaplane flight from the Male Airport over sun-kissed beaches and sapphire-hued atolls nestled on immaculate froth took us to our mostawaited paradise in the pristine Noonu Atoll in the northern part of the Maldives. Resembling a sparkling emerald shimmering in sea glory, the ecologically pristine Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort and Spa offers guests the quintessential Maldivian experience. Like a living dream, my group of island adventurers were mesmerized by the talcum white sand whose perimeter can be casually strolled in 25 minutes, palm-fringed beaches with inviting day beds, brightly colored throw pillows and luxurious villas on the beach and over the water.
We snorkeled along the crystalline ocean blessed with coral reefs and schools of eclectic tropical fish, savored excellent dining and spa experiences featuring unique ayurvedic treatments. We delighted checking out the newest addition to the resort’s superb facilities — the Bubble Lounge, which offers a minimum of 50 varieties of champagne and sparkling wines.
“The Maldives is synonymous with celebrations, and what better way to celebrate than in the first and only dedicated champagne bar in the region. The new concept will represent sophistication within an inspiring, over-water venue and with our expert knowledge, we are able to deliver an exceptional service and product,” said general manager Jean Sebastien Kling.
In Hilton Iru Fushi, known as the Garden Paradise where tropical vegetation abounds, guests are encouraged to plant in honor of whatever occasion they are celebrating — be it a birthday, wedding or anniversary of sorts. It is a refreshing concept for repeat guests to come and check on their plant years later. Tony Rodriguez, my significant other, who flew in from Virginia where he works for the US National Radio Astronomy Observatory, planted a coconut palm seedling near the Islander’s Grill and declared that it was definitely worth travelling the far distance because the Maldives simply bests the beaches of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Americas that he has frequented. Papa Boom, on the other hand, couldn’t contain his excitement and was ecstatically frenzied as to which resplendent view to photograph the very minute we disembarked from the Trans Maldivian Air taxi that flew us to our island paradise.
The 52-acre island resort itself is a tropical ecological paradise. The new slogan of the Maldives –-“Always Natural”—is very appropriate for the way the Hilton Iru Fushi seriously imbibes its role in the stewardship of Mother Nature. Nikki, an ace architect, was quick to declare that the size and layout of the resort, consisting of 221 private villas dotted around the island, each showcasing the resort’s spacious and breezy contemporary Asian architectural style, is able to offer much coveted privacy for couples. The two-bedroom Hidden Retreat is nestled in the jungle sanctuary with its own landscaped garden courtyard and private pool while the impressive threebedroom Celebrity Retreat is tucked away in its private beach with its own luxury boat on call. This opulent villa with three bedrooms has its own fitness equipment, spa and dining pavilion.
Among the highlights of our trip was when sisters Nikki and Christel presented their parents with a touching music video of the times of their lives at the Flavours restaurant. Idee and her staff brought in a special white strawberry cheesecake and we all sang Happy Birthday. Next day, Papa Boom was out in the beach, waiting to capture the sunrise.
We had the delightful pleasure of being billeted for the first night at the Deluxe Beach Villa with a private sala and charming lava stone pool in the courtyard. The room amenities included a Bose home theatre and flat screen TV and I-spa bath, which is a bathtub with water jets and ipod connections. I requested the rest of the group to transfer our belongings to the buggy that was waiting outside our adjacent beach villas. It was our wish to all stay in one villa so I secretly coordinated with Idee to transfer us to the value-for-money Aqua Retreat, a two-en suite bedroom over the lagoon with its own huge private sundeck and pool. We intended to surprise Papa Boom but we did not want him to know right away that the Aqua Retreat would be our new home away from home.
We sneaked around to fix the new lodging and stashed away all Papa Boom’s belongings. Ate Jaqui caught us transferring the luggage and we sheepishly said that they were renovating our former rooms thus we had to transfer. I could read her disbelief from her facial expression but nevertheless, she gamely played along. We finally feigned telling Papa Boom that we had a scheduled pictorial in the Aqua Retreat. Our gregarious gang jumped into the pool, lay on the beds and couches and filled the fridge with cakes and cookies. Perplexed, he declared, “What are you guys doing? Please keep this villa in order.” We ecstatically exclaimed: “Happy birthday, Papa Boom. This is where we are staying now!” He gleefully joined us as he put his camera on a tripod and set it on timer mode so we could all be in these unforgettable shots in paradise. When we set foot inside the Aqua Retreat, there was no need for us to laze around the resort’s two pools or frolic around the island.
Over a hearty dinner of freshly grilled meat, fish and bubbly champagne in our villa, we shared our fascination and concern for the Maldives. The Republic of the Maldives is an island nation of 26 main atolls encompassing 1,200 islets, 200 of which are inhabited. The combined landmass of all the islands is 115 square miles — approximately twice the size of Washington, DC. In retrospect, tourism in the Maldives only started four decades ago and yet, it is a paradox that some scientists predict it may be wiped out in 40 to 50 years more. People say that the Maldives is sinking but in actuality, the sea level is rising due to global warming. Others argue that nature knows best and will somehow take care of itself. A coral reef has a remarkable capacity to heal itself.
We can only trust that nature will indeed prove to be its own cure. It has been said that the gospel is not only written in the Bible but in the subtle magnetism of nature as well. In the meantime, why take the risk of being left out? With an attitude of gratitude, we viewed the last visible glow of the sunset on the horizon and declared that a visit to this tropical paradise at least once a year is a must. This is the moment to visit the Maldives. There is no better time to celebrate this surreal experience than right now.
For more information on Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi, log on to its website at www.maldivesirufushi.hilton.com.
For travel arrangements to the Maldives, log on to www.travelwarehouseinc.com or call 687-2490 to 92. Sri Lankan Airlines flies to the Maldives via Colombo.