The Maldives have been the gorgeous backdrop to essentially the most particular instances of my life – so it ought to 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 acquired 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 12 months, 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 thrice in three years?
Completely tranquil: Rochelle and Marvin chill out on Kanifushi
A giant factor for us, each being within the public eye, is that you may ensure 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 awesome expertise.
Having been there twice earlier than, we did not have any anxieties about taking Alaia-Mai, despite the fact that she was very younger – and he or she loved each minute of our time there as a result of she acquired a lot fuss! We flew out on the day after Boxing Day as I can not bear that lull between Christmas and New 12 months. 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 sequence of BBC1’s The Voice as quickly as we acquired 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 truly actually frightened of flying – I can get petrified, and was dreading the seaplane expertise. However, funnily sufficient, I favored mal’ airplane. 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 might arrived was to place up our ft up and swap off. The Maldives are positively the place for this: there’s pure tranquillity all over the place. Each view seems 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 trying to take pleasure in some enjoyable time, it is actually not only a ‘fly-and-flop’ place.
Quenching an island thirst: Rochelle tweets a photograph house
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’ll 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 12 months’s Eve celebration. We knew from earlier expertise that they know the best way to throw a superb celebration within the Maldives. Positive sufficient, the celebration at Kanifushi was incredible.
We had a effective dinner on the seashore adopted by fireworks, then stay music and an awesome DJ set. Did we rise up and sing? No – however perhaps if we might had a couple of extra mojitos…
For youngsters older than Alaia-Mai, the resort has an awesome youngsters’ membership the place they placed on all kinds of incredible issues, comparable to trend reveals and treasure hunts, tennis, volleyball and soccer. And, after all, there’s PlayStation on faucet. Meals on the resort are unimaginable.
Every thing is all the time very recent and wholesome. Marvin and I really like recent fish and nice fruit and there was all the time loads of each accessible right here. And there is a tremendous 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 principle restaurant providing a diversified menu of various cuisines, and all fabulous.
Seaside child: Daughter Alaia-Mai has enjoyable on the seashore
Our favorite meals is Japanese, so we ate loads of sushi. The principle restaurant had an enormous barbecue each night time 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’ve to be so busy. When I’ll 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 are able to get again to the Maldives for an additional blissful household vacation. We won’t wait.
Journey information
Ambiance Kanifushi Maldives (atmosphere-kanifushi.com) is the latest resort on Kanifushi Island. Destinology (destinology.co.uk, 0800 634 2866) gives seven nights’ lodging from £6,999 for a household of 4 staying in a Sundown Junior Suite between June 1 and August 31, 2014. This value relies on two adults and two under-12s sharing on an all-inclusive foundation, and it contains return flights from London Gatwick with Emirates, plus return seaplane transfers, for bookings made by February ninth
