So much of who we are is where we have been,” Ame-rican author William Langewiesche once said.
Why limit ourselves to what is common, what’s in our comfort zone, what seems to merely be a place to while away the Time for that much-coveted break? Why settle for anything less when we can travel to the paradise of our dreams, the sanctuary we deserve, the haven we can rightly say we earned? In determining places to experience, let us not opt for passive but rather for passionate travel destinations.
There are destinations that are the quintessential jewel of luxury, like the Maldives, for instance, with its 1,200 resplendent islands scattered among 26 shimmering atolls of ring-shaped coral formations, emerald and sapphire-hued lagoons and immaculate white sands. A visit here can be a very illuminating experience. The flattest country on the planet, it averages 1.5 meters above sea level. The Maldives is a series of ancient coral reefs created around prehistoric volcanoes. These peaks gradually descended, sank into the ocean, leaving behind dozens of atolls and islands. Only one sixth of these islands are inhabited by a gracious people who greet each other in Dhivehi with “Maruhaba” (meaning a warm welcome) by placing their right hand on their heart.
When I first visited the Maldives in 2008, there were 85 resorts, in 2009 there were 97. According to Honorary Consul to the Maldives Dr. Mina T. Gabor, there are 50 more being constructed as of this time. With more than 200 resorts to choose from to suit your discriminating budget, you are assured of nature’s finest barefoot luxury. The only difference here is what the hotel brand represents and offers besides the already tantalizing treasure of fine sand, blue waters, coconut palm and banana trees, denizens of the marina and corals of eclectic fervor.
A stunning natural sight, the atolls look like aquamarine and turquoise bubbles floating on the indigo and emerald green sea. You hop aboard the seaplane with barefoot pilots helping you with your luggage. From the fireball of a setting sun, you can almost hear the island wind whisper your name. When the cloak of darkness falls, you miss the color of the sea, which we cannot fathom at night. One thing is for sure, we know what shade of blue will greet us when the sun rises tomorrow and our soul embraces it as our hearts are serenaded by the harmonious rhythm of the tides.
For this particular trip, my best friend Bum Tenorio and I were privileged to accompany our well-loved president and CEO of the Philippine STAR Miguel Belmonte and his lovely wife Milette as they were celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary. En route to the whimsical W Retreat and Spa Maldives, we spent the night at the very popular Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa, which is just a stone’s throw from the Male International Airport.
The newly refurbished Sheraton Maldives is the sister resort of the W Maldives, which is reachable by a 30-minute flight aboard the Maldivian Air Taxi from Male International Airport. Male is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. After your comfortable three-and-a-half-hour flight from Singapore to Male via Singapore Airlines, you simply take a 10-minute speedboat en route to this enchanting Sheraton property in the North Male atoll. Gracious Singapore Airline GM Rita Dy shares that her airline offers special package deals to the Maldives especially during the low season, which is ongoing till August. There is no better time to visit than right now.
Sheraton Maldives GM Ursula Schofel is proud to announce the new facelift of the resort as she advocates the Starwood philosophy that “life is better when shared.” Sheraton Maldives features 176 revitalized guest rooms that reflect the essence of tropical style with the finest amenities. With access to seven restaurants and lounge bars at Sheraton Maldives, ranging from casual dining, a selection of freshly caught grilled seafood and fine meats, traditional Thai delights or al fresco elegant dining experiences, there is plenty to tempt every palate in this resort.
Vivacious Lizette Merete, personal assistant to the managing director of Maldives Complex, escorted us to our respective luxurious Ocean Villas measuring 220 sq. ft. replete with all the amenities one could think of. The villa and its garden bathroom are the ultimate luxury. The Sheraton Maldives has completed its highly anticipated re-launch with the addition of 20 new Ocean Villas located on the eastern side of the idyllic island paradise.
The seas were rough that day and the romantic mis-en-scene beckoned. The furious waves of the ocean roared before us as we savored the drama and fervor of the waves that crashed against the shore. The other side of the island had a friendlier face where one can go snorkeling and scuba diving. The gorgeous suite rooms on this side have open-air shower rooms that taking a bath, especially at night, seems to be a romantic experience in paradise. Like a charming topiary, the bathroom gives a celestial feel especially when you know that a million stars wink at you from above.
With more than 40 spectacular dive sites in close proximity, you are truly spoiled for choice. One can only marvel at the variety of eclectic fish and corals and the dazzling diamond clarity of multi shades of blue on immaculate white powdery sand. Let not your morbid imaginations frighten you, as you dive deeper into the sublime ocean depths, you will revere the sharks that appear like a visitation that arrests you. Like a privileged sighting, you may no longer fear what you now revere.
Ask the myriad of guests who have satisfactorily stayed at the Sheraton Maldives and they will tell you that even snorkeling in its waters guarantees an enthralling result. During my first stay at the Sheraton in 2009, I vividly recall my snorkeling encounter with the rainbow fix of tropical fish that lightly brushed against my skin. These denizens of the deep came face to face to peer into my eyes, then they blew a wall of bubbles and vanished in a flash. It was truly a magical celebration of life at its finest.
Nights at Sheraton Maldives are a study in contrast: you can either anchor the evenings on self-reflection or heed the call of revelry. If you choose to revere revelry, be ready to toast to the marvels of nature while sipping mai-tais and mojitos at the open-air deck of the Anchorage Bar, where the stars above the Indian Ocean flicker above the ebony sky like perfectly polished diamonds.
Worthy to mention is the Shine Spa at Sheraton Maldives. The world’s first Shine Spa for Sheraton located on its own island offers guests an exhilarating spa experience that is designed to facilitate the fundamental need for travelers to recharge by pairing approachable luxury with a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The spa experience was enthralling because as the masseuse gently kneaded my body, the natural and incessant sound of crashing waves was my ambient music. I emerged from the spa with that undeniable glow and shine.
The Maldives conjures many images: recurring dreams of paradise and adventure, kaleidoscope colors of what life is, shafts of glorious sunshine illuminating an eclectic marina teeming with marvelous fish and corals.
The Maldives delights, inspires, moves and makes us wonder at its mesmerizing beauty. Long after we have left the Maldivian atolls, the memories created linger in our hearts and minds and each time we allow ourselves to be transported in this wonderland, our excitement for the inevitable begins.
Once you step foot here, you will feel as though all the stars have converged in the right places as bliss and perfect harmony enamor your spirit. There is no reality except the one that exists within us. It was a privilege for us to experience the power of nature, the genius of man and the warmth, hospitality and tropical luxury of the Sheraton Maldives.
If you were to be judged according to where you have been, can you say that you have settled for nothing but the best?
Think about it: you deserve nothing less.
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For more information about Sheraton Maldives, please check out their website www.sheraton.com/maldives where you can book instantly.
Singapore Airlines flies daily to Maldives with the most convenient same-day connections in Singapore for passengers flying in from Manila, Cebu and Davao with Singapore Airlines and SilkAir. No visa to Maldives is required for Philippine passport holders.