Info on Maldives

[cabin lad]

Wonder if you can help?

Im thinking of booking a holiday to the Maldives and would like some info. I have checked out some web sites but would like to hear from someone who has been.
I'm thinking of going about Feb time.
Do you think 2 weeks would be too long?
What is there to do?
Do you know anything about the islands which ones to go or not to go?
Many thanks.
:cool: :cool: :cool:

[malanda]

We went in March 1999, part of a 3 centre holiday (with Sri Lanka & Dubai). Flew with Emirates from MAN.

We had 7 nights in the Maldives, staying at the Reethi Beach resort. 40 minute seaplane flight from Male was a very pleasant experience (Otter on way out, Cessna 208 on return).

Stuff to do in Maldives : lie in sun, swim, snorkel, dive, go fishing, watersports, eating, island hopping, watching wildlife. I could happily have stayed a fortnight, but I have heard of others being bored on stays that long.

All food except fish, chillies & coconuts is imported, so is a bit pricey, but the quality was excellent. Even the water came from Indonesia. Going all-inclusive (which we didn't) may be sensible.

For me, the best place I've been.

So - anyone been cruising round Thailand/Malaysia?

[ 19 November 2001: Message edited by: malanda ]

[Silkman]

Captain
Mrs.Silkman and I go regularly purely and simply because we think it's paradise.
We have stayed on quite a few of the islands, large and small. The larger ones tend to have more amenities and more going on but are busier although not crowded by any means.
My personal favourite is Kurumba about a mile
off the end of 18.The service is excellent ,probably the same standard on most of the larger islands. The food is also excellent on the whole especially if you like fish, although there is always plenty on the menu or the self service buffets.
If you go, try the scuba diving. I had never dived before but now I am hooked.It's another world down there. Take a dash 6 seaplane trip down to the South Atoll and go diving off one of the boats there.Superb !
I would say 2 weeks is ideal, any more you might start getting bored.
We always found Kuoni very good and helpful plus they have a rep in the Maldives also.
I believe Sri Lankan are now flying LHR-MLE direct plus Monarch ex LGW.
February is a good time to go.From April it starts to rain a bit but still very warm.
Have a good trip. :) :cool:

[VIKING9]

I've just come back from Vilu Reef (www.vilureef.com) and it was the best so far. I go every year to a different island, 2 weeks each time and cannot fault the people, the food, the level of service, the quality - everything is near perfect.

I always fly Sri Lankan and on this occasion went via Colombo. The flights are very well timed, operate on A340's from LHR and the service is excellent. Row 29 for the leg room !!!

Visit www.visitmaldives.com/resorts/index.html (http://www.visitmaldives.com/resorts/index.html) and select the island you want to visit. I would suggest you book through Touchdown www.touchdownholidays.co.uk (http://www.touchdownholidays.co.uk) as they specialise in airline staff packages.

Lastly, you HAVE to transfer by seaplane. For something like $35 per person, it's a must. You could of course transfer via Dhoni baot which is very relaxing but time consuming. Touchdown can arrange either option.

If you want to see a few piccies, e-mail me.

Hope this helps. Oh yeh, don't forget to take your partner. It's not the place to be on your tod for 2 weeks...... :cool: :cool:

[411A]

Last time I was there...1994...not all that interesting...rather expensive...the KLM hosties mentioned....go somewhere else...wife concurred! All in all, a better bargain could be had in Thailand. :D

[humpty]

Just back a couple weeks ago from 11 nights in Lily Beach. All Inc and fantastic, but if you don't dive or spend hours windsurfing or whatever you will get bored mindless. 11 nights was enough for me.

There are indeed direct LHR - Male flights on Sri Lankan, they go Fridays and Weds and are pretty good (esp on row 29 :D ).

Do go all inc, some of the non-free drinks were extortionate and I'd have had heart failure if I had to pay that every night!

[pigboat]

And if you're looking for a job...http://www.mataxi.com/ :cool:

[humpty]

Maldivian Air Taxi... sigh....

I remember climbing into one of these with the pilots barefoot and in shorts, thinking 'you jammy ba**ards'!!!!

Now that's a job and a half !!

[Silkman]

humpty,
That''s got to be the best job in the world.
Turning up for work in your shorts,flip flops and shades then flying over some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.
Oh well, I guess someones got to do it.... :D