Maldives is one of those places I always wanted to visit but kept pushing it down my bucket list because I thought it was one of those destinations strictly reserved for special occasions like a honeymoon or wedding anniversary.
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic changed the world I realised that being alive is a special occasion and that I could create my happiness, anywhere and without any other person being present. So when I finally felt comfortable enough to travel, I decided to take the Maldives off my bucket list.
I told a few friends about my plan, and they said I was crazy. They thought I would see lovers and get lonely or would not have any activity to enjoy. Of course, I ignored them and went ahead with my plan, and this happened.
Day 1
On a Saturday morning in November 2020, I took a four-hour half-empty flight from the UAE to the Maldives. As there was plenty of room on the plane to stretch and take a nap, I stepped off the plane in Malé refreshed and energised.
By the time I cleared Passport Control and picked up my bags, a complimentary speedboat, arranged by my hotel was already roaring at me with excitement. Wind in my hair and ocean salt on my lips, we set forth on a 15-minute ride to the hotel, which occupies an entire island.
A handful of friendly staff greeted me, a family of four, and two couples at the Welcome Pavilion and offered some refreshing traditional tea while we finalised our paperwork. The Manager came over for a brief chat, after which I hopped into a golf cart which dropped me off at the entrance my new home for the next four days.
As a recognition of my loyalty to the brand, I got an upgrade to a Beach Front Cottage with a fancy bathroom, a king bed and a patio.
I took a nap, then a shower and then changed into my cutest beach holiday outfit before venturing out to explore the island and take a billion pictures. When I finished taking in some of the beauty around me, I strolled to one of the restaurants and had some dinner.
Time passed by quickly as I took in the beautiful sunset, the blue water around me, and listened to relaxing music on a swing by the side of the restaurant. Thoroughly satisfied with my day outside, I went back to my room, had some tea, read a book and called it a beautiful day.
Day 2
It was my birthday, and no, it wasn’t a coincidence. I had planned to do something special for myself on my birthday, just like I have done for many years (one time, I even went skydiving)!
I woke up early, put on an all-white outfit and took like seven million pictures at several beautiful Instagram friendly spots around the island, all before breakfast!
While planning my trip, I had messaged the hotel to ask if they had vegan and vegetarian meal options, and the Reservations Agent informed that the hotel catered to a wide range of dietary choices. I wasn’t disappointed with the enormity to the breakfast buffet!
After breakfast, I strolled to the Orchid Garden, visited the Spa and then the beach behind my cottage. I then took a swim, read a book and slept on a hammock in the garden.
In the evening, I took some tea on the patio while I had a little chat with a family that moved in next door. Afterwards, I took the umpteenth shower of the day (I mean who wouldn’t with a bathroom like that?!)
The restaurant was a bit of a distance from my cottage, but I enjoyed the walk because there were several gems along the way; beautiful trees, plants and swings. I ate my dinner, Spaghetti Aglio Olio and the best Soya Chai Latte I’ve ever tasted and went back to my cottage.
Unknown to me, while I took my dinner, the hotel had arranged for beautiful decoration in my room and sent a cake and wine to celebrate my birthday. I was pleasantly surprised!
I soaked myself in the tub while I watched ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ and enjoyed a cup of tea with my cake.
Day 3
I woke up refreshed and excited about the activities I had booked for the day. There were many activities like Jet Skiing, Scuba Diving and Coral Propagation, perfect for solo travellers. With the purpose of my trip being relaxation and rejuvenation, I opted for Snorkelling in the morning, and Dolphin Sunset Cruise in the evening.
Snorkelling has always been on my bucket list, and I couldn’t think of a better place to tick it off, than the Maldives. I am not a particularly strong swimmer, so I took lessons at the Dive Centre before our boat ride to the edge of the coral reef.
In the middle of the ocean (myself, two in-laws from South Africa and the instructors), massive ocean waves rocked our boat from side to side. With our life jackets on, we were all told to jump into the water; I thought I was getting a heart attack, turned out that it was just my fear of swimming.
It took a while to convince me before I finally got into the water, and the moment I did, I realised that I was about to have one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.
Satisfied that I had ticked one more item on my bucket list, I relaxed by the beach, took another nap and woke up just in time for my Dolphin Sunset Cruise.
The South African in-laws I met on the snorkelling trip had told me they would be joining the cruise, and I was thrilled to see them.
We all took a boat out to sea in search of the dolphins, and for over twenty minutes, we were unable to spot them. But just as we were about to give up and head back to the island, we spot one, then another and then many more. Something about the setting sun and the ocean breeze made it all the more magical. When the cruise was over, my new friends asked if I wanted to meet up later, and I readily say yes.
In the evening, we met up, had dinner and talked about everything from politics to food in Nigeria, South Africa and other countries we’ve visited. Afterwards, I gave them a tour of my cottage, and they took me around their Waterfront Villa, which I must admit, was way fancier than mine.
The weather was very friendly to me throughout my stay; sunny when I needed to stay outdoors and rainy when I needed to tuck myself in bed or read a book on the sofa by the window.
That night, while it poured, I walked under the rain, slowly, because I knew that at the same time the next day, I would be in a different country, nostalgic for that experience.
Day 4
I woke up early and walked barefoot on the beach, zig-zagging from the wet sand to the clear water and back to the wet sand again.
I had my breakfast on the patio while taking in as much of the island as I possibly could.
By seven in the morning, I sat alone inside a boat, waving back at the hotel staff as my yacht pulled away, on its way to the airport.
There you have it, I took a solo trip to the Maldives, and I LOVED IT!
