The Maldives have been the attractive backdrop to essentially the most particular instances of my life – so it must be no shock to study that they’ve grow to be the No 1 vacation vacation spot for me and my husband, Marvin. We first got here right here on the finish of 2011 – and received engaged.
We cherished it, and after we had been married, there was just one selection for the honeymoon. We returned on the finish of 2012 as Mr and Mrs Humes. Then, on the finish of final yr, we had been again once more, and this time as a trio, with our seven-month-old daughter Alaia-Mai. So what’s it we like a lot in regards to the Maldives that has attracted us 3 times in three years?
Completely tranquil: Rochelle and Marvin loosen up on Kanifushi
A giant factor for us, each being within the public eye, is that you would be able to make sure of privateness. It is also someplace you’re feeling very secure. One other draw is that everyone who works there treats you so warmly. Returning this time with Alaia-Mai, we actually seen how nice individuals within the Maldives are with kids. All of them actually wished to make our go to an important expertise.
Having been there twice earlier than, we did not have any anxieties about taking Alaia-Mai, regardless that she was very younger – and she or he loved each minute of our time there as a result of she received a lot fuss! We flew out on the day after Boxing Day as I can not bear that lull between Christmas and New Yr. The break was difficult to organise as a result of Marvin had simply completed an particularly busy time with the JLS farewell tour, and was lined as much as take over as co-presenter of the brand new collection of BBC1’s The Voice as quickly as we received again.
Paradise discovered: The principle pool on the ocean at Ambiance resort
Fortunately, attending to the Maldives is surprisingly straightforward. We flew direct with British Airways to the islands’ capital, Male, after which boarded a seaplane to take us to the brand new Ambiance resort at Kanifushi. I am really actually petrified of flying – I can get petrified, and was dreading the seaplane expertise. However, funnily sufficient, I preferred mal’ aircraft. One particular plus was that the touchdown on the ocean was a way more light expertise than touching down on a runway in an enormous jet. We did not actually know what to anticipate from Ambiance as it is a model new resort – however being within the Maldives, I knew that we had been in for a deal with.
And Kanifushi did not disappoint. What we most wished to do as soon as we would arrived was to place up our ft up and swap off. The Maldives are undoubtedly the place for this: there’s pure tranquillity in all places. Each view appears like one thing from an image postcard or an illustration from a journey journal, and I’ve by no means seen water so blue. Whereas we had been seeking to get pleasure from some enjoyable time, it is actually not only a ‘fly-and-flop’ place.
Quenching an island thirst: Rochelle tweets a photograph dwelling
You may have a really lively vacation if you wish to. A number of water sports activities can be found – Marvin loves scuba-diving right here – and you may take excursions to see dolphins out at sea or head out to take a look at some extra of the islands that make up the Maldives. There was one exercise we had been most wanting ahead to: the resort’s New Yr’s Eve celebration. We knew from earlier expertise that they know throw a great celebration within the Maldives. Certain sufficient, the celebration at Kanifushi was incredible.
We had a wonderful dinner on the seaside adopted by fireworks, then dwell music and an important DJ set. Did we rise up and sing? No – however perhaps if we would had a number of extra mojitos…
For kids older than Alaia-Mai, the resort has an important children’ membership the place they placed on all kinds of incredible issues, akin to trend exhibits and treasure hunts, tennis, volleyball and soccer. And, after all, there’s PlayStation on faucet. Meals on the resort are unbelievable.
Every part is all the time very recent and wholesome. Marvin and I like recent fish and nice fruit and there was all the time a variety of each out there right here. And there is an incredible number of consuming locations to select from. Simply Veg is the primary vegetarian restaurant within the Maldives and serves delicacies from the Mediterranean, Arabic and Indian areas. Teppanyaki Grill claims to supply ‘an genuine Teppanyaki expertise’, so diners share a desk surrounding a big hotplate. The Spice is the primary restaurant providing a diversified menu of various cuisines, and all fabulous.
Seashore child: Daughter Alaia-Mai has enjoyable on the seaside
Our favorite meals is Japanese, so we ate a variety of sushi. The principle restaurant had an enormous barbecue each evening with recent fish and meats, which was additionally nice. Within the Maldives, informality is the watchword, and that was simply what we wanted as in our working lives we now have to be so busy. When I will be on stage, for instance,
I spend a lot time having to get all dressed up. So the laid-back fashion of the Maldives got here as a welcome break. We have been again in Britain for just a few months and already we’re dreaming of our subsequent journey – counting the times till we will get again to the Maldives for one more blissful household vacation. We won’t wait.
