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Once in a lifetime trip to the Maldives!

Fabulous, once in a lifetime trip to the beautiful Maldives, located in the Arabian Sea.

  • Rangali+ 17
  • You may recognize this as the hotel from the movie "Crazy Rich Asians". This is where the engagement party at the end of the movie is held. It's called Marina Bay Sands
  • Pulau Ujong
  • Once in a lifetime trip to the Maldives!
jenny diamond
by jenny diamond
About Me:
AtlasGuru Contributor

AsiaSingapore, Maldives5 days / May 2019

Highs & Lows

Literally being on an island in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by water as far as the eye can see.

Incredibly long flight times to get there.

Itinerary Overview

Each year my husband's company award their top performers with a fabulous trip to a unique, incredible location.  He won in 2019 and we got to travel to the Maldives.  

  • 1 Night: Pulau Ujong
    One night stop over on flight from Seattle to the Maldives
  • 4 Nights: Rangali
    Beach time, together time, some work for my husband
Pulau Ujong - One night stop over on flight from Seattle to the Maldives
1

Pulau Ujong One night stop over on flight from Seattle to the Maldives

Pulau Ujong - One night stop over on flight from Seattle to the Maldives - You may recognize this as the hotel from the movie "Crazy Rich Asians". This is where the engagement party at the end of the movie is held. It's called Marina Bay Sands
You may recognize this as the hotel from the movie "Crazy Rich Asians". This is where the engagement party at the end of the movie is held. It's called Marina Bay Sands
Pulau Ujong - One night stop over on flight from Seattle to the Maldives - null
Pulau Ujong - One night stop over on flight from Seattle to the Maldives - null

We did a one night layover in Singapore to help break up the long trip.  We arrived in Singapore (the airport is incredibly clean!) mid day and took a cab to our hotel, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.   We then spent the afternoon in the air conditioned Gardens by the Bay, located in the Central Region of the city.  

Rangali - Beach time, together time, some work for my husband
2

Rangali Beach time, together time, some work for my husband

Rangali - Beach time, together time, some work for my husband - There is virtually no arable soil in the Maldives. Most of the food, except for anything from the water, needs to be flown in each day. In order to become more self sustaining, the island residents are experimenting with hydroponic gardening.
There is virtually no arable soil in the Maldives. Most of the food, except for anything from the water, needs to be flown in each day. In order to become more self sustaining, the island residents are experimenting with hydroponic gardening.
Rangali - Beach time, together time, some work for my husband - Learning about how the hydroponic garden works.
Learning about how the hydroponic garden works.
Rangali - Beach time, together time, some work for my husband - null14+

The flight from Singapore to Male was 4 hours, we then took a tiny float plane 1/2 hour to Rangali Island.  The hotel was top notch, one of the most beautiful luxurious ones I've ever been in.  The hotel covered two islands, the third island was where the staff lived.  Our "room" was a beach hut that looked primitive from the outside but inside was pure luxury with our own private deck, stairs to the ocean and hot tub.  We had a wonderful time exploring the beaches, restaurants and traveling to a neighboring island to volunteer planting coral frames and working in a hydroponic garden.  

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    Spent more time there!

  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    The only drawback again was the incredibly long flight. If you can afford it, definitely plan to stay longer than a week in order to make the trip worthwhile.

  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Rangali Island has several incredible restaurants. You definitely need to try Ithaa, the under sea restaurant.

  • Tips you would give a friend?

    The Maldives are a Muslim nation, make sure you research and follow the customs and protocols in order to be respectful. We happened to be there during Ramadan, so when we went off island to plant the coral frames and learn about the garden, we covered our shoulders and legs.

  • Packing tips?

    Lots of reef safe sunscreen!

  • Transportation Tips?

    Break up the trip with a stay over in Singapore or Dubai.

  • Any surprises?

    Amazed at the simplicity of life. It's easy to relax and fall into a more gentle pace of life.

Lodging