The first time I visited The Maldives was over a decade ago on my honeymoon. The destination was a complete surprise – my husband and family kept it a secret – and I couldn’t have dreamt up the splendour that would ensue as I stepped off the boat and on to Reethi Rah (which means “beautiful island” in Dhivehi).
The magnificent beauty and stillness is so encompassing that the moment you set eyes on the island, the stresses and strains of the daily grind quickly drift out to sea. The resort is home to some of the most exceptional, spacious villas in the Indian Ocean – including our beach villa, which sat discreetly along the shoreline where crystal clear water lapped gently, day and night – each separated by sweeping vegetation in varying shades of green.
I whiled away the hours moving between lush beachside loungers, oversized futons beneath the thatched-roof terrace, and hammocks swaying between palms. On one particularly memorable day we sailed across to a deserted island, ate freshly-barbequed fish and swam in what felt like an entirely abandoned ocean. It was the stuff of dreams.
Journeying back to the main island via a small dhoni at sunset, the image of the Reethi’s floating landmasses – majestic and motionless with its golden sands and lavish, shamrock green palms luminous underneath the sinking sun – remains one of my most memorable travel moments.
We visited the island again a few years later when my son was just six months old – it was everything that I remembered it to be, and more – its otherworldly glow only growing all the more intense.
Time of year...Visit the island between November to April to avoid its notorious monsoon season. What to pack...Long, luscious Missoni maxis in sugary shades by day, and two-piece linen suits in earthy hues at night. Oversized sun hats and shades are obligatory.
