Best of the Maldives: Electric Bikes – Soneva Jani

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Soneva Jani - Electric bikes

All my middle-aged friends (of the MAML species…Middle Aged Men in Lycra) have been raving about the new generation of electric powered bikes. Not being a road warrior, I’ve never had the chance to try one until our stay at Soneva Jani. Especially with Soneva Jani’s considerable size, these two-wheeled electric buggies made getting around quite easy and quite a bit of fun. Just powerful enough to give that boost to facilitate the pedaling, or even just letting the bike coast and do all the work for you on the flat bit (but not so powerful to be at all hard to control).

 


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Best of the Maldives: Beach Buggies – Siyam World

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Siyam World - beach buggies

The biggest objection to a trip to the Maldives is that there is “nothing to do”. While that might be deal breaker for some, it’s an absolute USP for many. Still, as the destination grows and evolves it is increasingly offering something for everyone. Siyam World is pretty much leading the way in innovative activites taking advantage of its considerable acreage (something most Maldives islands are not renowned for). SW announced:

  • “On land, guests staying at The Beach House Collection…can also now explore the island’s trails in style with their very own custom Mini Moke. Recently revived and relaunched as the first heritage car marque to go fully electric, the British-made Mini Moke is the ultimate retro-chic beach whip. Each of Siyam World’s Mini Mokes comes with an onboard sound system and is named after a colourful 90s music legend – think “Green Day”, “Red Hot Chilli Peppers” and “Pink Floyd” – with a vibrant paintjob to match.”

  

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Best of the Maldives: Dropzone – Ifuru

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Irufu - dropzone

Happy Leap Year! If you are looking to make a big leap on your bonus day, then Irufu offers the first regularly available (November through March for weather reasons) sky diving activity in the Maldives:

  • “Ifuru Island Maldives has its own private airport and the resort has teamed up with world champion skydiver Will Penny to create the Maldives’ first permanent skydiving dropzone. Between the beginning of November and the end of March guests can take to the sky before enjoying a skydive over the Indian Ocean.”

I first proposed that someone offer skydiving in the Maldives in my very first “What I Haven’t Seen Yet” pieces. Shangri-La Vilingili offered it as a short-term offer a few years ago. Ifuru makes it possible because it has an airstrip on its island.

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Best of the Maldives: Bespoke Well Being – Joali Being

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Joali Being - wellness

I appreciate when resorts focus on a certain market, style or ambience instead of being all things to all people. Well, Joali Being is 100% focused on well-being:

· “Maldives’ first luxury bespoke wellbeing resort…Here guests are guided on the path to self-discovery and renewal.”

I still remember when many resorts didn’t have spas back in the 90s. Now an entire island is dedicated to being one big spa experience.

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Best of the Maldives: Maldivian Spa Products – Ailafushi

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Ailafushi - Maldivian spa products

Many prospective guests seek out the authentic Maldives experience when visiting and one aspect is to enjoy Maldivian products made by Maldivians themselves. Ailafushi’s spa features the Ogaa line of soaps and candles at its NU The Spa so you can not only enjoy Maldivian body care pleasures, but even take them home.

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Best of the Maldives: Room Names – Dhawa Ihuru

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Dhawa Ihuru - villa shell name 2

Mother Language Day and time for our annual Dhivehi lesson. And Dhawa Ihuru offers us more vocabulary than ever with their creative villa naming. Each villa is named after the Dhivehi word for a shell (which itself is “Boli” in Dhivehi).

  • #1 – Orkid Boli – Banded Tun shell
  • #2 – Fankaa Ridhali – Giant Atlantic Cookies
  • #3 – Fulla Boli – Cyprea Tigris shell
  • #4 – Ahffaikashi – Long Spined Star shell
  • #5 – Thikijehi Boli – Juno Volunte shell
  • #6 – Iru Boli – Apple Murex shell
  • #7 – Kuriboshi Boli – Fighting Conch shell
  • #8 – Raakani – Scorpion Spider Conch shell
  • #9 – Kokaa Avi – Junonia shell
  • #10 – Dhaa Boli – Cypraea Poraria shell
  • #11 – Kurahi Boli – Brown Lined Volute shell
  • #12 – Firuaunu Fagudi – Trochidae Tampa shell
  • #14 – Hiyani Boli – Florida Cone shell
  • #15 – Hulhubu Boli – Marble Alphabet Cone shell
  • #16 – Fahnegi Boli – Harpa Major shell
  • #17 – Dhunmaari Boli – Auger shell
  • #18 – Hibaru Thun – Rhinoclavis Sinsensis shell
  • #19 – Dhilli Boli – Toothed Cone shell
  • #20 – Melaa Boli – Junonia Boli
  • #21 – Lileemaa Boli – Aporrhais Pespelcani shell
  • #22 – Sadharu Boli – Limpet shell
  • #23 – Ginifoo Eburi Boli – Banded Tulip shell
  • #24 – Laajehi Boli
  • #25 – Chaat Boli – Cyraea Teres shell
  • #26 – Funaa Boli – Comb shell
  • #27 – Maakanaa Thalhudhadi – Shark eye shell
  • #28 – Feylige Boli – Chestnut Turban shell
  • #29 – Vara Ridhali – Van Hyning Cockle shell
  • #30 – Mudhi Boli – Scotch Bonnet shell
  • #31 – Fenkakkaa Boli – Giant Queen Helmet Conch shell
  • #32 – Muraka Boli – Lace Murex shell
  • #33 – Fanhaa Fooeburi – Spined Sea shell
  • #34 – Pahfankaa – Calico Scallop Shell
  • #35 – Dhoadhi – Pacific Calico Scallop shell
  • #36 – Lonsi Boli – Haustellum Bandaris shell
  • #37 – Kothuru Boli – Tulip shell
  • #38 – Misuru Boli – Alphabet Cone shell
  • #39 – Kinaari – Golden Alphabet Cone shell
  • #40 – Fahmmini – Fighting Conch shell
  • #41 – Dhon Boli – Nutmeg Scotch Bonnet shell
  • #42 – Aifaanu Boli – Maramar shell
  • #43 – Hiyala – Common Cantharus shell
  • #44 – Ranhuras – Harpulina shell
  • #45 – Randhi – Lettered Oliver shell
  • #46 – Meli Boli – Crown Conch shell

Dhawa Ihuru - villa shell name 3

Dhawa Ihuru - villa shell name 1

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Best of the Maldives: Kids Pool Area – Soneva Jani

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Soneva jani - kids pool area

The very first resort attribute that I researched, long before Maldives Complete was a website, was which resorts had pools. We knew from visiting Lori’s sister’s beach house, that despite being surrounded by an expansive ocean for swimming, the kids got tired of the salt and sand after many hours, but still wanted to carry on with the water fun. So having a pool was a valued option for us (plus, us parents could lounge more easily especially with poolside drink service). Soneva Jani “The Den” the kids club includes a 1,668-square-foot swimming pool features a waterslide, catamaran nets, shallow areas for toddlers, and two waterfalls.

Soneva Jani - kids pool area 2

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Best of the Maldives: Kids Bathrooms – Ailafushi

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Ailafushi - kids bathrooms

A real treat for both children and parents alike is them having their own room. In the Maldives, unless the resort offers special family room set up (which about 10% do) this arrangement often means (a) having their own villa, or (b) getting a pricey 2-bedroom villa. Ailafushi is one of the 10% that do offer a family room, but the bonus is that it also comes with its own, directly connected bathroom. No having 4 family members jockeying for use of the single bathroom of the villa (and the inter-generational privacy is going to be well appreciated by both).

 

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