Last weekend I had the privilege to escape the crowded, narrow streets of Male' and relish in the idyllic stillness bound within the remote island, Fihalhohi.
Two fellow ESL teachers
and I booked ourselves a triple room, which included three glorious
meals a day (never have I been so happy to see pork on a buffet),
granting us with just a few minutes walk barefoot from the room to
the curve of blissful white sand and surrounding turquoise waters.
How did we get such a
good deal? Ah, as is one of the many delights from working in a
foreign country; expatiate rates! The room and board split between
the three of us made about £60 ($100) each a night. Alcohol is not
included, and an even split of the bill made an extra £60 each (too
many vodka shots... my bad). So there I was, with two beautiful
friends on a luxurious mini-break paying a fraction of what the other
holiday-goers were subjected to- most of them on romantic breaks.
I often read online of
peoples wishes for 'two 6-month vacations every year'. Of course they
are joking, since they don't seem to have the balls to just take a
leap and go and work abroad. That's not to say working abroad is the
same as a 6-month vacation, but it sure comes close. Just a month
into my contract teaching English in Maldives I've had my first
island resort experience. Next month I hope to spend the half-term
exploring and hiking Sri Lanka - I just can't wait to breathe in that
fresh mountain air. Until then, taking a lunchtime stroll in Hulhumale', carefully avoiding
the cig butts and trash on the sand, or taking a refreshing but odd swim in a burkini, will
have to suffice.
Fihalhohi
in 12
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As it was off-peak season I had the unique experience of watching the sun set peacefully in absolute solitude.
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Children play together in the completely transparent and unclouded sea.
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This TEFL business is a hard life.
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Me trying out a free "practice dive" to get to grips with the oxygen tank. Saw some stunning sea life which almost had me paying up for a real dive, but I decided to wait and try to find a better price elsewhere.
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Beautiful and breathtaking. The view's not bad either.
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Like the sound of the sea? Sleep with the ocean right below you.
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Who needs a fiancée when you've got your friends?
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At first I thought the birds were fake because of the way they pose so still and steady. He had a bit of a struggle getting it down!
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I sat here for a while to soak up the sheer tranquillity impossible to find back in Male'.
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With each time I went under water I saw a different fish, a multitude of colours. Once under that water I didn't want to come back up!
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I have never seen a clearer sea in my life.
1
This is where those vodka shots come into action. Absolutely amazing performance from the Sri Lankan catering staff- I couldn't not join in!
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru
Labels: affordable, beach, Fihalhohi, holiday, island resort, luxury, Maldives, paradise, romantic, tranquil, travel
