The Travelista

  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborations
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Travel
    • Destinations by World Map
    • Hotels
    • Airlines
    • Restaurants
    • Itineraries
  • Life
    • Yorkshire
    • Style
  • Motherhood
  • Inspire Me
    • Adventure
    • Beach
    • City
    • Culture
    • Mountain
    • Tropical
  • Shop
    • E-mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Memories of The Maldives

30/05/17 ᛫ 5 Comments

Of all the destinations I have travelled to since starting my blog, The Maldives is the closest I have ever come to finding paradise. Nothing can prepare you for the incredibly beautiful scenes and the feeling relaxation that hits you as soon as you arrive. Before going, I had browsed through endless photos of The Maldives online and on social media. Was it computer generated imagery or just very clever photoshopping? Either way, I couldn’t comprehend how a place so perfect could exist on earth. But trust me, it does.

four-seasons-kuda-huraa-maldives

I travelled to The Maldives with my friend Katie in June 2015 and it has been on my mind ever since. Whenever we get together we always reminisce about moments from our incredible week in The Maldives (and we ponder how our own honeymoons will ever be able to beat it!). Our time in The Maldives was spread across two resorts; Four Seasons Kuda Huraa and Hideaway Maldives. Both resorts were stunning but each very different in style. Staying at two resorts allowed us to see two different sides of The Maldives (check out my review of Hideaway Maldives for more Maldives content).

the-travelista-travel-blog-jess-gibson-maldives7

I’m now itching to return to paradise for a second time and I am planning a January-blues busting trip in January 2018. But for now, let me share with you 7 of my most vivid memories of The Maldives…

  1. Flying Over Atolls by Seaplane

I remember clambering into the 10-seater sea plane at Male seaport and wondering how that tiny plane would ever get off the water. Low and behold, it did, and we were soon soaring above a scattering of tiny islands fringed with turquoise waters. 

maldives-sea-plane

  1. Waking Up on Day 1

I will never forget how I felt the first morning I woke up in The Maldives. Katie and I rolled up the blinds of our sea villa and screamed! How was this real life? We ran down the steps next to our private pool and jumped straight in the sea. It was the best feeling knowing we had the whole week ahead of us.

the-travelista-travel-blog-jess-gibson-maldives1

  1. Scuba diving with 9 Reef Sharks

I remember the feeling of pure adrenaline pumping through my veins as I stepped off the back of the dive boat and into the dark blue ocean. The aim of the dive was to spot some mantarays, but the diving instructor told me that it was highly likely we would see sharks too. We ended up seeing 9 reef sharks on that dive and although the instructor told me they were harmless, I was frozen in fear at the time. I remember feeling on such a high afterwards.

scuba-diving-four-seasons-kuda-huraa-maldives

  1. A Post Spa Sundowner

After a heavenly massage at Hideaway Maldives, we took the bottle of champagne from our room with two glasses and headed to the beach for sunset. With sandy toes, salty hair and coconut oil sinking in our skin, we sipped champagne on the beach and watched the sky turn from blue to pink.

champagne-on-beach

  1. Swimming with Sea Turtles 

I remember seeing a sea turtle for the very first time in The Maldives whilst snorkelling off the beach. We spotted one within minutes of getting into the ocean, which was an incredibly lucky sighting. I will always remember how the turtle effortlessly and fearlessly glided right past us.

four-seasons-kuda-huraa-maldives-beach

  1. Being Make Up-Free & Care-Free

I remember feeling so relaxed in my own skin during my time in The Maldives. I didn’t wear any make up all week and embraced my frizzy beach hair. I felt no pressure to look or act a certain way. Everyone was there to relax and break from their busy routines. I could have lived in the same bikini and beach dress all week without judgement.

the-travelista-travel-blog-jess-gibson-maldives9

  1. Frozen Daiquiris at Happy Hour

Every evening at Hideaway Maldives we would head to the Sunset Pool Café for happy hour. I remember sipping on the most delicious frozen fruit daiquiris right by the ocean and watching stingrays swim underneath the decking we sat on. We had to pinch ourselves every night.

mango-daquiri-hideaway-maldives

I flew to The Maldives with Emirates via a 7-hour flight from London to Dubai and a connecting 4-hour flight from Dubai to Male. The Maldives is 5 hours ahead from The UK and the best time of year to visit is between December and February. Find out more about Maldives Holidays with Emirates Holidays.

What did you think of my 7 memories of The Maldives? Are you dreaming of heading to The Maldives like me? What is your favourite memory of The Maldives? If you enjoyed this post, please leave me a comment in the box below. Jess x 

This post has been sponsored by Emirates Holidays. All views, words and photos are my own.

Keep Scrolling for more memories of The Maldives

the-travelista-travel-blog-jess-gibson-maldives6

male-seaplane

the-travelista-travel-blog-jess-gibson-maldives

four-seasons-kuda-huraa-sunset

hideaway-maldives-deluxe-water-villa

the-travelista-travel-blog-jess-gibson-maldives3

hideaway-beach-maldives5

Shop the Post

5 Comments

Related Posts

  • My First Time in First Class with Air Mauritius
  • 23 Photos that Will Make You Want To Visit Almuñécar
  • Paradise Found at Constance Moofushi, Maldives
« The Perfect Day Out for Gin Lovers
A Local’s City Guide to Doha »

Comments

  1. Jasper says

    13th June 2017 at 7:42 am

    it’s just awesome! you have very photogenic face and you are in travel paradise. enjoy your trip!

    Reply
  2. Stacie (@ParkerandMe) says

    3rd June 2017 at 5:36 pm

    Wow. These photos are just beautiful. The Maldives is definitely at the top of my travel bucket list. Hopefully one day I will be lucky enough to visit.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      6th June 2017 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks for your comment Stacie! I loved going back through these old photos. I really hope you get to visit this beautiful corner of the world one day xx

      Reply
  3. Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN) says

    30th May 2017 at 7:27 pm

    Surely one of the most wonderful places on earth!!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      31st May 2017 at 9:32 am

      It just has to be Angie! I can’t believe there is anywhere closer to paradise but if there is I want to find it! x

      Reply

Spark a conversation! Cancel reply

Jess is an an award-winning UK travel blogger based in North Yorkshire, providing you with inspiration for both local and global adventures.

Read More

Looking for something in particular?

Subscribe

Never Miss a Post!

Latest Posts

Review: A Restorative Spa Break at Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire

Mediterranean Cruise Itinerary: Visiting 6 ports in 7 days

Family-friendly glamping in the Lake District with Feather Down Farms

Follow on Instagram

I have my friend @naomipsychotherapy to thank for I have my friend @naomipsychotherapy to thank for introducing me to wild swimming. She lives here in the Lakes and is an all-seasons pro. At first I was intrigued by her new hobby but equally I thought she was totally mad.

With 8 wild swims under my belt now I’ve definitely grown in confidence and really crave the rush of endorphins it brings. It’s such a visceral experience that pushes your body and then rewards it. There are also so many mental health benefits to wild swimming too. 

Here are Naomi’s 6 top tips if you are a beginner and want to give wild swimming a try:

1. Make sure you have a safe entry and exit point
2. Be mindful of any currents or tides. Lakes are safest as they have neither. 
3. Never swim alone. Always go with someone else.
4. Wear swim booties to protect your feet from rough ground. 
5. Remember mindfulness - try to be present in the moment, noticing what you can hear, smell, see, feel. You can’t get closer to nature than this. 
6. Make sure you have a towel and warm, dry clothing to put on immediately after swimming. 

Would you ever try wild / cold water swimming? Or are you already converted? 💬 

#wildswimming #wonderfulwildwomen #coldwaterswimming #lakeswim #lakeswimming #wearetravelgirls
I would have been getting married next month. Inst I would have been getting married next month. Instead, next month I’m re-launching my business after winning a small business grant, I’m travelling the world again and growing in confidence as a single parent. 

I thought my life was falling apart but now I realise it was falling into place, just as it should be. 💫
NYC on my mind 💫 So grateful to reach 20k on In NYC on my mind 💫 So grateful to reach 20k on Insta today. It’s not easy to grow organically on this app but I have always believed in quality over quantity and you lot are the best, most engaged and supportive community I could ever wish for. If you’re new around here, you’re very welcome, and thanks for taking an interest in my rollercoaster of a life. ♥️
If you’re planning a trip to the big apple you a If you’re planning a trip to the big apple you absolutely have to try this New York institution! Only $4 a slice 🍕 Save this reel as a reminder. 🇺🇸 

Where else can you find amazing pizza in NYC? Add your faves in the comments. 

📍 Joe’s Pizza, 7 Carmine Street, West Village NYC 

#newyorkeats #newyorkpizza #newyorkpizzaslice #joespizza #joespizzanyc #newyorkfood #newyorkfoodie
Home! 🥰 But the grid shall remain in NYC for th Home! 🥰 But the grid shall remain in NYC for the next few days to ensure all outfits have been sufficiently documented. This was one of my faves. 

(Jeans are Bershka via @asos but currently sold out. Most of my stuff is old season so I’d make a terrible fashion blogger)
Let me give you a tour of the penthouse suite at t Let me give you a tour of the penthouse suite at the @editionnewyork - where we just stayed for 5 nights.

The penthouse currently sells at an eye watering $10,084 a night, which we absolutely did not pay. 

For full disclosure, this was not a PR / press stay. My friend booked a loft suite and the penthouse upgrade was a surprise as the lovely reception staff noticed it was her birthday during our stay. We did not mention our social media accounts or my blog so this stroke of luck was 100% organic! 

Before booking the Edition NYC we saw online that the hotel regularly upgrades its guests whenever possible. We were hopeful but never ever expected they’d upgrade us to the penthouse! 

Insider tip: the generous upgrades are definitely a reason to stay at The Edition when you’re next in NYC.

What’s your favourite part of the Penthouse? 🗽 

📍 5 Madison Avenue, Manhattan, NYC

#newyorkcity #newyorkrealestate #nycexplorers #penthousesuite #editionnewyork #luxurytraveller

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Subscribe for Travelista updates and newsletters

The Travelista on YouTube

  • 3847likes
  • 19680followers
  • 9807followers
  • 2060subscribers

Copyright © 2023 · Design by Gatto

Copyright © 2023 · The Travelista on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • Contact