With the holiday season hanging around, when work is no more a priority and your heart longing to indulge in laziness, an island escapade is the obvious first choice on anyone's list.
Want to rejuvenate and pamper yourself in an island far away from civilisation yet everything at your doorsteps ? - Count yourself lucky, there isn't any shortage of beautiful tiny islands in the world. On the contrary, we are spoiled by choices. All we need to do is to pick and choose.
It was the month of October ( October is always special for us as it's our wedding anniversary and we cannot afford to miss a toast to each other on this special day, having mastered the extreme skills of tolerating each other, haha 
) and we decided to jet off to the stunning coral islands of Maldives in the Indian Ocean.
Maldives is home to perhaps the most pristine beaches in the world. The captivating natural atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean - Arabian Sea area are truly the stuff that dreams are made of.
Soon we started surfing the web in high hopes of finding that perfect resort to celebrate our special day. But we were overwhelmingly exhausted by way too many choices of luxury resorts that claim to be one - of - a - kind. Despite such a wide choice of experiences, we now know Bandos Island Resort is our favourite and we sure hope to return for more someday.
WHY BANDOS ?
In dire needs of a get - away - from - it - all holiday ? Then, Bandos is the place. We spent 4D3N at this resort and we couldn't have chosen better !
Imagine hopping on a Seaplane for an hour or so after the long tiring flight to Male. Sounds annoying ? Well , this island paradise takes just a 15 - 20 minutes ride by speed boat from the Airport. How cool is that ? The speed boat transfer is arranged by the resort themselves. A Resort staff would be waiting for you at the Airport and you are right there in the next half an hour !!!
It's a known fact that Maldives is one of the luxurious beach destinations in the world. And who wouldn't want to save on holiday expenses ? The speed boat transfer takes only a fraction of the cost of what you pay for a Seaplane transfer and you get to enjoy an unrivalled luxury at Bandos. The kaleidoscope of colours of this post - card perfect private resort is bound to take your breath away.
THE CHARMING BEACHFRONT AND WATER VILLAS OF BANDOS
These hut like beachfront villas of Bandos opens to the stunning panoramic view of the sea and are spacious enough making it just perfect for a family. The villas also come with an open - air Jacuzzi with a roof shade and a balcony where you can relax to the soothing sound of waves. Beachfront Villa is a good choice if you really need to cut down a little on the expenses.
However, we would highly suggest you go for the unique stay in the water villas nestled around the crystal blue lagoons to enjoy that complete privacy you seek in your holiday. There ain't many in Bandos , so manage to book well in advance.
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| BEACHFRONT VILLAS SURRUNDED BY LUSH GREENERY |
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| SUNSET BY THE WATER VILLA |
Bandos offers unlimited fun that you will never run out of things to do here. Yet there is something universal to all the island resorts. It's only in the islands you enjoy every single moment literally doing nothing.
There are a wide variety of excursions and day trips available at Bandos - night fishing , sunset and dolphin cruises, snorkelling trips to the beautiful house reef to mention a few ! And in a place where you see more water than land , you wouldn't be surprised by the choices of water sports on offer. Click here to find out more : http://www.bandosmaldives.com/experiences/
With a great combination of sun , sand and sea, you can as well enjoy your time relaxing, chilling out, sunbathing, swimming & snorkelling and sleeping in a hammock in the shade of coconut palms.
Activities like crab - racing , DJs, karaoke and magicians keep the island alive even at night.
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| BABY SHARKS ARE OCCASIONAL VISITORS HERE :-) |
BEACHSIDE DINING AND FUN AT BANDOS
Bandos Maldives is indeed a dining wonderland offering a variety of western to authentic Asian cuisine. Be it the scrumptious breakfast at the Gallery restaurant, or the choice of nibbles at the large outdoor over - water deck of Sea Breeze Cafe or be it the unique experience of dining under the stars at Huvan with the chef's specially made dishes of your choice - all of them does fair justice to your taste buds !
We spent most of our evenings lounging around Huvan watching the sky becoming a palette of red, orange and pink all at once during sundown. No wonder they say Huvan is the best place to view the Maldivian Sunsets. We idled away most of our time here sipping on a cup of yummy hot chocolate or two ( or even more !!! :D ).
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| ❤ HUVAN :-) |
We spent our anniversary romancing the night away on the white sandy beaches indulging in a decadent 6 - course meal whilst a soft music lulled and drifted us off to a world of our own where millions of stars above us sighed in envy ;-)
Maldives is definitely a non - vegan's paradise with a wide sea - food varieties but as for vegans like us, a quick glimpse at the menu would be disappointing. We aren't complaining. For the culinary team served us with a specially prepared veg meal :-). Thanks to the top - notch staff of Bandos who make these remote islands feel like home.
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| CHEERS TO US AS WE TURN ONE !! ^_^ |
A SANDBANK GETAWAY - AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER !!
Now it's time to talk about our favourite bit at Bandos - the SandBank Picnic ! This is definitely a Must - Not -Miss and one of the exclusive activities of the resort where you will be taken to a secluded island surrounded by turquoise lagoons. The whiter - than - white powdery sand and the luminous turquoise blue water makes the whole place look heavily - photoshopped !
Coming to the details , it takes about 35 - 40 minutes to get there by speed boat. The resort staff will drop you off at the island for however long you wish to stay there (this activity is charged on an hourly basis). A packed lunch consisting of some sandwiches & drinks is provided during the sandbank picnic. You are literally cast away on the island all alone with a picnic pack until the time is up when the resort staff come by to pick you up.
Bear in mind Maldivian weather is highly unstable and unpredictable, there may be occasional showers as you set out for the sandbank getaway ! Luckily for you , even if it doesn't rain, you are bound to get wet in the sandbank. Also do carry some sunscreen along for the trip. And do not get disappointed if it rains during your time there , the rain showers do not last long , just wait for the sun to come out to frame your perfect shots :-)
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WE WEREN'T ALONE....THERE WERE LOTS OF SEA BIRDS FOR COMPANY ;-)
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| DREAMING THE DAY AWAY AT SANDBANK ^_^ |
Just like everyone else, we felt a tinge of sadness as we saw the holiday coming to an end and reality taking over again....the thought of fighting the post holiday syndrome of settling back down into the usual routine of work made us frown.
As we hopped on our flight back to Singapore, ALL WE CRAVED FOR WAS.............................
So ready to pick your own island paradise and jet off ?? Well then ,
HAPPY TRAVELS , EVERYONE !!!
LET ' S JUMP FOR JOY !!!
