Bandos Maldives - A Perfect Paradise Escapade !

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.

BEACHFRONT VILLAS SURRUNDED BY LUSH GREENERY

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.

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 ).

❤ 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.

Take a look at the private dining options at Bandos here : http://www.bandosmaldives.com/dining/private-dining/

Don't go for the All - Inclusive half board / full board options as you will be restricting yourself to one restaurant for all meals.

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 :-)

WE WEREN'T ALONE....THERE WERE LOTS OF SEA BIRDS FOR COMPANY ;-)

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 !!!

Why ICELAND has to be on your Radar ??( Pictures Speak Louder Than Words! )

Iceland is a country abundantly blessed by nature. It's surreal landscapes as if not from this planet makes the whole place sublime and magical enticing one to forget the luxuries of cities.

No matter which corner of the country you are in , there are spectacular landscapes waiting just for you. Mind - bending sceneries and the incredible displays of nature never fail to astonish you.

This little island nation by the North Atlantic is just perfect for a road trip with lots of surprises lurking around every corner constantly leaving you wondering. Add to it, the generous daylight hours during spring, summer and autumn. Not surprising, Iceland is known as the "Land of midnight sun" for a reason.

It is undoubtedly one of the most alluring places of Europe. The beauty of nature here is untouched and unspoiled by humans thereby casting a spell over the traveller.

Whether it's about the nature's art of icebergs breaking off from the incredible Vatnajokull glacier and drifting slowly towards the sea or the mid - Atlantic ridge where one can literally stand across the continents of North America and Europe, Iceland has so much to fascinate it's tourists.

The geothermally heated pools, active volcanoes, majestic mountains by the yellow grass caked with snow flakes teleports one to a different planet where wonders seem limitless.

Iceland is a world of myths and a place filled with legends. You may notice strange piles of rocks, tiny wooden houses people build as home for elves, small churches for converting elves into christianity during your visit in Iceland.

These amusing folklore fascinates you in a way like no other. But behind all the myths and tales, there is a strong respect for nature and all it's elements.

The cottages and the country side hotels in Iceland are unique and probably the prettiest on planet. Some facing the fjords, some in the gorgeous backdrop of mountains, and some with the beautiful view of sundown by the sea.

Where else do you find such heavenly abodes of serenity nestling among rolling hills ?

This Land of ice and fire is simply picture - perfect, to say the least. There is so much on offer - untouched, undiscovered....... which even Icelanders are continuing to explore.

This Nordic island nation is definitely something you might not want to miss !!!

So once - in - a - lifetime !?? Nah , because once is never enough in Iceland :-)

Also do read our related article on Iceland -

                    http://nomadicbunnies.blogspot.sg/2015/04/the-ultimate-road-trip-itinerary-in.html

A short video clip of our road trip :-)

Also read :
http://nomadicbunnies.blogspot.sg/2015/04/ever-wondered-why-you-need-to-drop.html

Happy Travels ! 

Ever Wondered Why You Need To Drop Everything And Travel !!???

Hmm..... Here are 10 reasons why travel makes you feel awesome and  a happier person !!!

There's nothing more inspiring and life - changing than letting your restless soul wander where you long to be. The colours and the smells, the people and the culture, the landscapes and the architecture of crazy different corners of the world are bound to ignite the wanderlust in you.

Well , how can one ever regret following their heart ?

#1 : To Sleep Under the Open Sky far away from home

Have you ever dreamt of lying down on the grass under the open sky with the gorgeous fjords and clouds for company and slowly fall asleep feeling the gentle breeze ??? 

"" Live your life the way you want to , Not the way others want you to ""

 #2 : To Escape from the daily grind into an island paradise.

You may find countless pictures to ponder on the internet and hundreds of blogs to read about the places that lure you at your fingertips. But You will never know how magical a place can really be unless and until you have seen it with your own eyes and experienced it all by yourself.

The turquoise sea  and the powdery white sand of Maldives had us dreaming the day away.........

#3 : To disappear from the Overwhelming rush of noise and crowds of cities

Ever felt the need to escape from that mundane urban lifestyle ? Most of us living in the cities do.Then Pack your bags and head to your favourite beach destination.

Watching the glowing sun disappear below the horizon and staring wide - eyed at the endless expanse of water whilst floating carelessly in the salty waters of an island miles away from your bustling city..... Aaahh BLISS BLISS :-)

Go Beach Bumming - How can one ever get bored of just lying on the beach ??

#4 : To forget yourself in nature's lap 

Would even great photographers succeed in fully capturing the amazing beauty of Mother Nature ?? Well , that's a tough question to answer.

But there's always something special about experiencing all the elements Nature has to offer with your own eyes. For that , you need to travel !!!

Landscapes like these would leave you dreamy - Eyed 

#5 : To Travel deep into the wilderness of those offbeat forest trails

How exciting is it to discover the untamed beauty of nature meandering through the forest trails, the majestic heritage and native trees spotting large numbers of biodiversity and bird species in a new country !!?

It's strange that you are never alone when you embark on any travel adventure. You will always find that like - minded crazy group of people for company , yay!! :D

Hunting for beautiful untamed Wilderness..................

#6 : To ramble through the fields of New Zealand

Is spending a summer afternoon strolling through the majestic countryside of New Zealand on your wish - list ??

It's hard to tear oneself away from the milky - turquoise lakes and stunning Southern Alps of New Zealand.

"" When everything around you is swaying in the wind.....""

#7 : To hum along and dance to your favourite tunes in a private beach

The islands have some serious splendour where you are transported to an abode of serenity lapped by the vast expanse of Ocean - a perfect place to feel at one with nature.

Ever fantasised of lazing around these li'l havens of tranquility listening to your favourite playlists ?

Is there a better peaceful escape from the hurly - burly of daily life ??

Wish I could take this serenity along with me......................

#8 : To Get Lost In the City Of Your Dreams

All of us would have a place from our childhood dreams to talk about. We often find our minds wandering in the streets of that city we always longed to see. 

As for us, this city of love and lights had always been in our childhood dreams. How amazing would it feel to finally leave your footprints in the city you always wondered about !!?

If you have one , it's never too late to live your dreams :-)

Finally In Paris !!!!

#9 : Savouring the View of the Alpine lakes of Switzerland 

Chattering away all evening by the awe - inspiring Alpine lakes of Switzerland whilst you are the only ones around to savour the view.

The Stuff of DREAMS 

#10 : To find a perfect picnic spot on a road trip in Iceland

Road Trips are always FUN but sometimes spending too much time on the road can leave you exhausted. Guess how happy one could get stumbling across that perfect picnic spot in the middle of nowhere to munch on your muffins !!

The Greatest pleasure of a Road Trip lies in discovering such offbeat gems of nature :)

We couldn't think of a better place for a snack :-)

We get to live just one life and we have absolutely NO REASON NOT TO ENJOY IT !!! :-) There's a lot to see and many things to do , probably a lifetime would not be enough to experience all this world has to offer , but it's up to you to make it as full or as empty as you can !!!

Get Packing for your dream destination if this post has managed to inspire you. Near or Far, Doesn't matter. Most of the time, beauty lies in the simplest of things. 

Happy Travels !!!  

Also read out post on Maldives Paradise :

http://nomadicbunnies.blogspot.sg/2015/05/bandos-maldives-perfect-paradise.html

The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary in ICELAND

Are you a road trip junkie too ? Well, if you think it's time to hit the open road and planning a road trip to Iceland, here we have some suggestions to help you plan your dream trip to Iceland.

This journey through the ring road of Iceland features rugged mountains, surreal landscapes, spectacular and fairytale-esque sceneries, countless waterfalls, geysers, glacier lagoons, volcanoes and craters. That's just a few the country has to offer travelers, you wouldn't have the slightest clue of what lies in store unless you experience it all by yourself. And that just said Iceland is an amazing place for a road trip. Read On for the itinerary........ :D

There is no shortage of ice and snow in Iceland ;)

Do you find it hard to decide when to plan a trip to Iceland ? Iceland is an year round travel destination , so it largely depends on what you want to see or do. We visited Iceland during the first two weeks of April (we blame it on the tropical climate of Singapore that we love winter holidays). Iceland has notoriously unpredictable weather - we had snowy, cloudy, sunny, rainy and extremely windy days. 

The other benefits of visiting the country during the shoulder season are - reasonable prices, it's less touristy, and April has a generous daylight hours ideal for a road trip. 

Day 1 - Car Rental and Stocking up Groceries for the road trip

We landed at Keflavik Airport post noon and took the flybus that dropped us at our hotel. We stayed at Reykjavik Residence Suites for the night.
We suggest you book flybus along with the Air ticket in order to avoid wasting time queuing up for the shuttle bus. You can book your flybus along with the Air ticket here.

The rest of the day was spent renting a car and stocking up on groceries (note you may find supermarkets only in small towns and cities , so it's necessary to stock up some snacks for the road trip). As for the car, we hired a sturdy 4WD Skoda Superb from Europcar which served us really well.

Day 2 - Driving the Golden Circle Route

We spent Day 2 driving through the famed Golden Circle Route. Consider devoting a day to drive this route as you might want to take countless pitstops every now and then - well, that's the charm of Iceland.

Yay , We spotted some handsome Icelandic horses around Thingvellir !!

A walk through the fascinating Thingvellir National Park (where the tectonic plates of North America and Europe meet), the Geyser hot spring (we stopped to see the highest geyser Strokkur erupting a few times , we couldn't get enough of it though;-) ), petting handsome Icelandic horses , and getting carried away by the gorgeous Gulfoss Waterfalls were the order of events.

Great Company can make that tumbling walk on the snow a lot of fun :-)

You can also Jazz up the drive stopping at Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss - there's no shortage of waterfalls in Iceland. We loved Skogafoss :-)

** Stay at Country Hotel Anna 

Day 3 - The Black sand beaches of VIK and Iceberg Lagoons

If you are a true grit and enjoy adventures, go glacier hiking with Icelandic Mountain Guides.

We rather chose to venture out to discover the li'l known gems of nature, explore the black sand beaches of the little town of VIK and wait for the sun to set in the glacier lagoons. 

We spent hours on the beach walking around  humming melodies and dreaming.....aaahh BLISS :-)

It felt just perfect to be away from the bustling city life of Singapore and we gradually found ourselves immersed in a world of our own.

How can one not marvel at these gorgeous towering mountains ??

I would want to reiterate one of the quotes by Mahatma Gandhi " When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator ". Wonder can someone ever get bored of watching a sunset....!!?? NEVER EVER !!!

DO NOT MISS A SUNSET AT JOKULSARLON !!

** Stay at GuestHouse HALI which is the nearest guesthouse to Jokulsarlon.

Day 4 - Scenic Drive by the North Atlantic Ocean and Eastern Fjords

We started the day driving back to the Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon again ( we couldn't get enough of the floating icebergs ). We then set off to drive by the North Atlantic Coast, the incredible Vatnajokull National Park, rugged mountains and the Eastern fjords. 

Spectacular ??  We lost count of the pitstops on Day 4 :D

Take a pitstop at the small yet gorgeous fishing village of Djupivogur - A perfect halt to munch on a sandwich or two ! 

Nothing but a road trip can bring that "SMILE" on our faces :-)

** Stay at Mjoeyri

Day 5 & Day 6  - Myvatyn Sulphur Springs , Volcanic Craters, Waterfalls & lots more 

Drive towards the stunning twin waterfalls - Dettifoss Selfoss, the road to Detifoss can be impassable during winter & early spring. Check the road conditions before you set out. The road was closed on our first day at Myvatyn , however we managed to drive through with the generous help of sunlight the next day ( the road was snowed under though ).

Explore the Krafla volcanic crater, discover the boiling mud pits, sulphur springs and fumaroles at Namafjoll Hverir, unwind yourself at yet another stunning waterfall Godafoss and go hunting for Grjotagja - a natural lava cave with thermal spring inside. ( be careful while you go inside the cave, it can get very slippery - so mind your step :D )

A frozen lake near Myvatyn - look at that turquoise colour popping up.... 

Boiling mud pits at Namafjoll Hverir

** Stay at Einishus

Day 7 -  Husavik Whale Watching & Akureyri

We went for a Whale watching tour at Husavik with North Sailing ( you can spot mink whales & hump back whales , if extremely lucky blue whale as well ). 

Excited to Spot whales in their natural habitat !?? :-) 

the two of us at North Sailing Husavik !

After 3 long hours in the sea, we got back to explore the li'l lovely town of Husavik and then drove off to Akureyri - which is one of the largest and crowded towns of Iceland ).

A vibrant city of Husavik 

** Stay at Yitri Vik Cottages

Day 8 & Day 9 -  Discovering Elf/Turf Houses and CountrySide Horse - Riding at Gauksmyri

Icelanders believe in the existence of Huldufolk (the hidden people ) and elf houses are a common sight in Iceland.

These turf houses look right out of a fairy tale !!!!

Aahhh - FAIRYTALE - ESQUE :))

How about riding handsome Icelandic horses across the gorgeous countryside of Iceland ??  If that tickles your fancy, there is no better place than Gauksmyri. We stayed there for 2 nights petting the horses and riding them under the training and guidance of a licensed horse rider and instructor. Hmm fun times........ :)

We spent the rest of day 9 discovering the nearby town of Hvammastangi. The seal center there tells you where to watch out for seals and you can just drive around and look for them.

** Stay at Gauksmyri

Day 10 & Day 11 -  Exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

As we drove off to the western part of Iceland, we saw a different facet of the country. West Iceland was unique in it's own way and it was extremely windy.

The next two days were spent driving around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula - discovering the Saxholl crater, the Hellnar Arch - a basalt rock formation in the middle of nowhere, and admiring the Kirkjufell Mountain ( It's one of the most famous mountains in Iceland ).

View Of Kirkjufell from our cottage 

Hike up a little to get this stunning view of a small waterfall overlooking the beautiful Kikjufell :)

** Stay at Sudur Bar

Day 12 & Day 13 -  Back to Reykjavik

We stayed at Airport Hotel Smari at Keflavik on the last two days in Iceland as we had an early morning flight to catch. It felt so disappointing to fly back home but we decided to bid farewell to Iceland in the best possible way.

We spent day 12 relaxing at the Blue Lagoon in the geothermally heated water - a real chill out and a perfect escape from the freezing sub zero temperatures. We suggest you book in advance and make sure you spend a few hours there. 

The Blue Lagoon

The last day in Iceland was spent exploring a lava cave formed by a volcanic eruption 2000 years ago with Extreme Iceland , as we wanted to make it truly special and memorable. Adjectives fail to describe how it felt caving inside lava tubes. 

We got super-excited seeing the entrance to the lava cave :)

We had to crawl, crouch, squat, roll, slide and what not to explore and discover incredible lava tubes and icicles inside the cave. If you are anything like us and enjoy adventures , you must not give this a miss !

A Volcanic Vein tour with Extreme Iceland 

Photos or words cannot do justice to the beauty of Iceland. It's a country that has to be seen to be believed. Now you know, we aren't lying when we say that "A road trip in Iceland is a Once - in - a - lifetime experience"

If this photo journal of ours has persuaded you to pack your bags for Iceland,

• Book your stay with Icelandic Farm Holidays here.
• Make sure you check the road conditions every day before you set out for the road trip here.
• Travelling on a budget ? Book you flight tickets here and book flybus here
• You can rent your car here
• Check out Extreme Iceland or Icelandic Mountain Guides for activities that tickle your fancy.
• 
  

Also read : http://nomadicbunnies.blogspot.sg/2015/05/why-iceland-has-to-be-on-your-radar.html

Can't wait to share more of our travel itineraries with you... :-) Happy Travels !!!