Male is one of the largest islands on the Maldives, and the beautiful Meeru Island Resort is situated it's most northeasternly ridge. Touching down in Male was breathtaking enough in itself. As the plane nears the Maldivian islands, the sea begins to turn from a deep blue into the most stunning turquoise you will ever see. I have travelled to many places over the world and never have I set eyes on such a captivating colour of sea. Even the sand is of the purest white.
As you step off the aeroplane onto the tarmac runway, the silence is bizarrely deafening. The peaceful atmosphere of these enthralling islands envelops you instantly, hugging the warm winds against you. It is at this point that you realise heaven is indeed a place on earth.
Anyway, back to Meeru. The ride from Male airport to Meeru only took about 20 minutes, and it was a chance to take in some more of our idyllic surroundings. The sky was clear, the sun was shining and the mood was one of relaxation and tranquility.
Meeru itself is a huge complex surrounded by water, and boasts 220 cute little bungalows, each with their own air conditioning (which is very much needed), showers, mini-bar, and, if you're lucky enough to get a waterside apartment, you also get a wooden balcony that leads out into the water, and the sole use of a cd player too. Tres chiq.
The resort also houses a souvenir shop, 2 bars, internet cafe, gym, disco, dive centre, tennis courts and even a small culture museum. It is quite amazing to find all these things inside a resort that seems to blend in harmoniously with it's environment. I was too scared to, but if you are inclined, you can even treat yourself to a scuba-dive in the Crystal Lagoon, where i hear you can see some wonderful aquatic life.
We didn't stay in a riverside one, because I had fears that one of us would forget and walk out into the water whilst drunk or, worse still, sleepwalking (anyone noticing the slight water phobia?). In the land huts, you can watch the lizards, spiders and birds as they crawl around about on the grass a foot or two from your feet. Not for the paranoid.
We stayed there for 2 weeks at a cost of approximately £1300 each for flights (including transfer) and full board, which included english, continental or asian breakfast cuisine (curry for breakfast anyone?), soft drinks whilst in the resort, and an evening buffet meal. All meals are provided on an "eat what you want and as much of it as you want" basis. My kinda dining!!
It has been rated as a 4 star resort and it shows. Everything about Meeru is immaculate, from the sand to the staff. Staff wear distinctive bright blue t-shirts with standard-issue black trousers. Even in soaring temperatures they are flawless - discrete, polite, informative and more than happy to help.
Remember the Crystal Lagoon I was telling you about earlier? Well, as part of the honeymooon package, you can be whisked by your own private boat into the lagoon, where 1 of 2 luxury honeymoon suites are situated. They are hugely impressive, white, 2 level wooden manses and have steps leading from the front door straight into the lagoon. I have no idea how much this would cost, but rest assured it will be in excess of £2500.
*** Please be aware that it is not possible to get married legally in the Maldives. You can still get married in Sri-Lanka and take the hour or so trip over to the Maldives to continue your honeymoon. ***
You will not tire for things to do here, from trying your hand at the variety of watersports on offer, to the more conventional pursuits of shopping, spa treatments and disco dancing. There is something for everyone to do here, and at little or no extra cost. Some of the watersports do cost slightly more, as you would expect - they have to run the speedboats and diving equipment somehow !! Expect to pay around £15 for an hour scuba diving in the lagoon and £20-£25 for a half hour session on the waterski's. Other than that, everything else is pretty much free to do.
An all-inclusive will free up the cost of buying soft drinks for the kids or teetotallers, as they are included in the deal. Alcoholic drinks are not, but that's probably as much for saftey precautions as it is for cashflow reasons.
If you want variety, idyllic settings and a free and easy attitude from your holiday visit Male. More specifically, book in at the Meeru Island Resort. Theres no more to say - it is true paradise.
If you've got enough cash, splash out for your wedding and take the Honeymoon Package. If you do, come and write a review on it, so we can find out what it looks like inside. I'm dying to know !!
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