Best of the Maldives: Floating Spa – South Palm

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South Palm - floating spa 1

Across the 4 decades of watching the Maldives tourism evolve, we remember when most mainstream resorts didn’t even have spas. Then some added Western therapists on six-month contract given a table in some back room to work from. Eventually, proper wellness spas became the norm and soon, at the luxury properties, these establishments got positioned over the magical water like the villas and restaurants before them. Now South Palm has taken that treatment innovation a step even further by (a) introducing the Maldives’ first ever floating spa, and (b) the Maldives first ever lake spa.

Many of my favourite treatments in the Maldives were on overwater platforms where the natural sounds and sensations of the surrounding sea providing the soothing soundscape. A good massage will leave feeling like your are floating, and at South Palm you can get that feeling for real

South Palm - floating spa 3

South Palm - floating spa 2

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Best of the Maldives: Beach Pond – The Standard

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The Standard - beach pond

The Maldives are famed for their tranquil and shallow lagoons, but The Standard features the calmest, shallowest micro-lagoon in the Maldives. A little tidal pond formed on the main beach. We used to play in these with delight when we were youngsters. If your lucky a few tiny fish will have been trapped in a little temporary beach aquarium.

The Standard - beach pond 2

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Best of the Maldives: Colourful Plunge Pool – Oaga

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Oaga - plunge pool

We are noting a increasing number of plunge pools in villas. Having your own private pool is becoming the norm for the 5-star luxury properties. The plunge pools are actually superb for the younger children (safe and perfectly adequate) and frankly for most adults (who often just want a literal “plunge” to cool off from the heat especially if they have been lying in the sun. Oaga’s plunge pools, like al the rest of the property, present an yet another canvas for artistic creativity.

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Best of the Maldives: Duo Submersible – The Patina

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The Patina - submersible 1

The Maldives’ underwater spectacle was its first (drawing divers from around the world) attraction and, even with all of the on-land development of spectacular properties, remains one of its top attractions today. But if you don’t want to get wet snorkeling or invest in the training for scuba, the growing fleet of submersibles around the resorts give you a cozy front row seat to all the underwater wonders. The latest launch is The Patina’s two-seater, bubble canopy SEAmagine. The two seater also allows for the pilot to hand the controls over to the guest for the Maldives’ first ever submarine pilot training:

Patina Maldives Unveils ‘Ocean Pearl’ Submarine for a Unique Underwater Experience – Maldives Virtual Tour“

  • “The resort partnered with Dive Butler to establish the Maldives’ first submarine pilot training facility. Ocean Pearl has been engineered by the world-renowned SEAmagine Hydrospace Corporation, established in 1995 and recognised for its leadership in the recreational submarine industry. Today, SEAmagine submersibles have accumulated over 12,000 dives – surpassing the total number of dives accumulated by all its competitors combined – and are extensively used by various leisure, commercial, defence and scientific organisations worldwide. Ocean Pearl will be operated with Dive Butler, whose submarine pilots have completed SEAmagine’s rigorous training programme, initially developed in collaboration with the US Coast Guard and since established as the industry standard. Every expedition is led by an onboard pilot and a surface co-pilot, ensuring guests’ safety and access to the profound knowledge of marine life, complementing the sheer wonder of the experience with an educational dimension.”

The Patina - submersible 2

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Best of the Maldives: OBLU Helengeli – Female Diving

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OBLU Helengeli - women diving

Not only has the Maldives grown as a destination over the years, but the role of women at the destination continues to grow as well. OBLU Helengeli set a milestone in one of the areas most synonymous with the Maldives – diving –

  • “OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, a resort managed by Atmosphere Core, and its dive partner, TGI Maldives, have been recognized for their exceptional dedication to female divers. The prestigious PADI® ‘Outstanding Contribution to Female Diving’ award marks a global milestone, being the first of its kind ever presented.”
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Best of the Maldives: Tiger Shark Diving – Pelagic Dive Centre

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Diving with the Tiger Sharks at Fuvahmulah is a truly bucket list dive experience and several dive companies operate from the harbor right where the sharks visit. After my characteristic research, we chose Pelagic Divers and we weren’t disappointed. Our case for choosing them was…

  • Hamna Recommendation – I started by getting in touch with Hamna Ali who is one the subject of one of the most iconic tiger shark diving images and she recommended Pelagic as the operator who trained her.
  • Owned, Run and Fully Staffed by Maldivians – One of the charms of Fuvahmulah overall is to escape the contrived playgrounds of the resort islands and explore the world of modern day Maldives, so this all-Maldivian enterprise, with the special connection to the island and these creatures, fits the vibe completely.
  • Tiger Shark PADI Certification – Pelagic is so committed to the tiger sharks that they have developed a special Tiger Shark Diving Certification which has been recognized by PADI.

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Guide to Fuvahmulah

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Fuva guide

One of the true highlights of this year’s Tour was our visit to Fuvahmulah. The first time we have stayed on an inhabited island and explored the modern live of the Maldivian islander.

Our itinerary worked exceptionally well and we felt we really had a chance to experience the lion share of the island in a reasonable compact period of time:

DAY 1 –

  • Afternoon: Fly from Male to Fuvahmulah on the 3:05 Maldivian Airways arriving at 4:30
  • Evening: Settle into AIG Hotel. Take a dip in the pool, drink some mocktail sundowners watching the sunset over the ocean, rooftop al fresco dinner at the hotel

DAY 2 –

  • Morning to Afternoon: 3 dives with Pelagic Divers which includes a Deep Dive (to see pelagics like Thresher Sharks), the famous Tiger Shark dive, and a coral reef dive.
  • Evening: Dinner at Eden Café

DAY 3 –

  • Morning to Afternoon: 3 dives with Pelagic Divers which includes a Deep Dive (to see pelagics like Thresher Sharks), the famous Tiger Shark dive, and a coral reef dive.
  • Evening: Dinner at AIG Hotel.

DAY 4 –

  • Morning: Visit to Pebble Beach.
  • Afternoon: Seaside lunch at Peebles Restaurant
  • Evening: final visits around island and lounging by the rooftop pool

DAY 5 –

  • Morning: depart on the 5:30 am Maldivian Airways flight (for international connection home or to transfer to a resort).

Here are few tips from our experience:

  • Cafes – There are about 30 all over the place, but only a few are distinctive. The ones we researched and we delighted by are…
    • AIG Grand – view
    • Eden Café – décor
    • Pebbles – beachfront locatio
  • ·Currency – Most places take cards or phone payments and will convert into dollars. Some will only take cash, but are just as happy with dollars as ruffia. BUT (a) they don’t like $1 notes, (b) they can’t take any torn notes or defaced ones (the banks won’t accept them from them), and (c) don’t expect them to be able to give you change in dollars (though sometimes they might be able).
  • Flights – 2 per day on Maldivian Air. There is a ferry to Gan (1 hour) or to Gaafu Dhaalu (1.5 hour) if you wanted to combine with a resort there.
  • Excursions – Dhadimagi Kilhi Lake, Pebble Beach and the beaches in general offer lots of picturesque waterside strolling. But there is no real swimming (if the sharks don’t get you, the currents will). Also, there is no real real town centre for shopping, cafes, etc. (instead shops and eateries are widely dispersed across the island).
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Maldives Superfan

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Seth Godin super fans

  • “A labor of love. That’s magical. To have the resources to expend labor on something that fills us with joy. If you’re lucky enough to encounter this, perhaps it makes sense not to confuse the issue by also trying to turn it into labor for maximum profit.” – Seth Godin

The Wall Street Journal featured the piece “What Superfans Know That the Rest of Us Should Learn” which captured another perspective on my expensive hobby of keeping Maldives Complete going…

  • “The experience, known as ‘collective effervescence,’ can feel transcendent…I think it has to do with wanting something in our lives that we can lose ourselves in. At a time of increasing polarization and cynicism—not to mention that coming election—it’s an especially wondrous connection.” – Paul Booth, a professor of media and pop culture at DePaul University
  • “Fandom asks us to latch ourselves to something outside of us, to allow a person or object we don’t have control over to become part of our identities…the heart of a fandom – you care a lot.’.” – Tara Block

HT to Gapingvoid “What If Work Loved Us Back” who cited the piece…

  • “A Superfan is someone who allows what normally would be a minor interest, to become a major pillar of their identity… Superfans unabashedly find their tribe, and in doing so tap into something that transcends the ordinary.”
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Interview Game – Complete Edition

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Interview Game

We’ve shared a few instances of the “Interview Game” which is a Lynn family tradition. The intent of the game is to reflect on an extended trip or holiday with some very specific questions. It provides a catalyst to reflecting and re-living the special experience. It’s an exercise in appreciation as well as learning (how to make the next trip even better building on what worked great and adjusting what didn’t work so well). Traditionally we play it over dinner on our final night. I will keep this list up-to-date as new questions arise (and always open to more questions so send any to the Comments section).

LOGISTICS

  • What did you pack that you didn’t use?
  • What didn’t you pack that you wish you did?
  • What did you pack that you used the most?
  • What did you break or lose?

EMOTIONS

  • What most exceeded your expectations?
  • When were you the most relieved?
  • When did you change your mind (on a decision or plan)?
  • What most disappointed you?
  • What was the most physically painful moment?
  • What food did you most enjoy?
  • What food did you enjoy the least?
  • When did you laugh the hardest?
  • When were you the most nervous/anxious?
  • What surprised you most about the destination?

EXPERIENCE

  • What was your favourite server or person you met?
  • What was your favourite day?
  • What was your favourite photo?
  • What “vacation tax” did you pay?
  • When did you get the dirtiest? (thanks Chase)

LEARNING

  • Name a word you learned in [foreign language, ie. Dhivehi]?
  • Name a fun fact you learned about the place?
  • (with friends) Name something you learned about someone else?

SPECULATION

  • What would you do (if money and logistics were no object), if you had an additional day to spend?
  • If you had a coupon for a free version of this trip, what family member would you give it to?
  • If you had a coupon for a free version of this trip, what friend member would you give it to?
  • How would you summarise the trip to a loved one in one sentence (to best convey its essence and its impact on you)?
  • What tip would you give someone about to embark on a trip like yours?
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