insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 21 - November 2016 | Page 86
GETAWAYS
way to the edge of the deep blue as I swam with
a vast and colourful array of tropical fish, rays,
turtles and sharks. It was by far the highlight of
the trip.
And of course there are some amazing excursions
as the South Ari Atoll is also a prime spot to see
manta rays, whale sharks and turtles. One of the
best is the full-day Ocean Discoverer which takes
a small group out for a whole day’s sailing and
snorkelling adventure aboard a traditional Turkish
gulet, complete with your own cabin for two and
an abundant on-board lunch! Cries from the
brilliant crew of “Manta Manta” led to the quickest
Located just 55 minutes by speedboat from Male
in the same North Male Atoll lies Meerufenfushi
Island, home to the friendly and welcoming
Meeru Island Resort & Spa. At 1200m x 350m
it is large enough to keep completely busy or
just to be busy doing nothing at all on the
kilometres of white sand that provided one of
the best beaches of my trip!
Although it’s been welcoming guests since the
70s, far from feel ing like a tired resort, Meeru is
like the sophisticated grandmother, the dominant
matriarch of the family leading by example with
unfaltering high standards and exacting yet natural
Maldivian friendly service. Again the resort is
zoned and guests can choose to walk through
the well designated pathways or hail a golf buggy
to explore family-friendly areas, pool, snack bars
and entertainment as well as tranquil adults-only
havens such as the beachside pool, two Duniye
spas and sleek sunset bar. There are also a host
of activities including tennis, volleyball, golf, sailing,
games room, museum, and as is a running theme
in the Maldives, another football pitch!
The resort’s 284 rooms, ranging from garden
rooms to beach villas to my own Jacuzzi water
villa, have also benefited from a sleek
contemporary refurbishment which gives them
a fresh, comfortable and luxurious feel. And it’s
amazing just how spacious and luxurious a water
villa can be! My own room afforded a huge
bedroom complete with lounge area that led out
to a private sundeck with loungers and
uninterrupted views of the lagoon; a large dressing
room and mini bar with coffee machine; as well
as a huge bathroom that led out to a separate
private outdoor terrace with a Jacuzzi under the
stars – and the stars here are amazing!
As is the food!
‘snorkel, fin and in!’ reaction you have ever seen
as we all jumped in, hopeful to catch a glimpse
of the amazing ocean life. I missed the Manta
but did see a turtle, and the wild dolphins on the
way home were wonderful.
My stay was short, but the experience of
snorkeling here was incredible and with a fond
farewell it was back to Male to my next stop,
and for an altogether different transfer –
speedboat!
www.vilamendhoo.com
Maalan for those at the north. The food from the
buffet was varied, plentiful and delicious, and
then there are the optional à la carte offerings –
the Asian Wok over-the-sea restaurant with its
buzzing teppanyaki station; the Hot Rock with
its unique poolside setting and fresh juicy cookyour-own-steak options; as well as the Meeru
Café at the Dhoni Bar Pool where a host of cold
stone ice creams, waffles and pastries proved a
little too tempting.
Keen to work off some of that food but not out
of holiday mode enough to want to hit the gym,
I opted for a different type of excursion and
hopped on the short boat trip to the neighbouring
local island, which included a guided tour and a
great insight into local Maldivian life.
www.meeru.com
There are two buffet restaurants: Farivalhu for
those on the southern end of the island, and
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