Tuesday, December 9, 2014

My Veligandu Sojourn, continues...

by on 7:20 AM
So, my love affair with Veligandu Island continues for my third day here. Some light rain showers in the afternoon have indeed enhanced the romance quotient of the island, and it has looked more beautiful throughout the day with an overcast sky and a light breeze caressing the flora found in abundance on the island. And the night has been splendid like the two previous nights.
I am back in my room now after a most romantic candle light dinner and just going back through the events of the day, thanking my tour operators Crown Tours Maldives, for suggesting me Veligandu Island in the first place and subsequently arranging my stay here. Little I had known in the morning that my third day at the Island was going to turn out to be a romantic one in its own sense. But that is how the day has kept unfolding before me and, by now, has cemented its place in one secure corner of my mind as one of the never-forgettable days of my life.
It had all started with a short time spent at the Duniye Spa located on east coast of the island itself. My package had a 15-minute free spa voucher that could be redeemed any time within the first three days of my arrival. The spa treatment was a rejuvenating one and it amply set my mood for the rest of the day. The ambience inside spa rooms built over water is simple yet soothing, and the whole atmosphere there seems to breathe a new life into you; enhanced by the ever-smiling Balinese masseurs, whose deft hands gradually pamper you into a world of calmness.
As soon as I stepped into my room after getting a refreshing spa treatment, I got a call from Mr. Fathuhulla, the general manager of the Island. He suggested a beach dinner to me, which I readily accepted. I had already registered myself for the Sunset Punch Dolphin-spotting Cruise, and while agreeing for beach dinner, I knew in my heart that it was actually going to be a different evening for me.

A date with dolphins
My evening started with romancing with dolphins in the deep blue waters. The 1.5-hour cruise started exactly at 17.45 hours. We all were perched on upper deck of a motorized boat, and soon were on our way to spot dolphins in their natural habitat and to have an unobstructed view of the Sun setting in the horizon. Rifaath, the dolphin-expert of the resort, had told me that they spotted dolphins more often than not, and I knew this cruise was not going to be like one of those jungle safaris where you didn't watch the big cats at all and returned after spotting their pugmarks only. And we indeed spotted dolphins today! And not just spotted them, we kind of played with them. My god, they were there in abundance – leaping in unison, answering to our clapping and racing along the boat. And, those reddish yellow hues of the evening sky creating a magnificent backdrop to this all!! Nothing could be more exhilarating, nothing could be more romantic than this.

And the beach dinner
The candle light dinner on the beach has been a perfect finish to a day filled with heart-warming activities. A table set in middle of the long stretch of sand, a bunch of florescent bulbs tucked on the coastline, water-level increasing gradually as the evening darkened, a view of the dimly-lit water villas in the distance, a specially cooked seafood platter with smooth American white wine, a personalized attention, and a perfect solitude to heighten your senses - what more could one ask for! It has been truly a different experience, never to be missed while one is at Veligandu.

I do not want to come back from Veligandu. But I have to go. Tomorrow, I have a seaplane ride back to Male, from where I will be flying back to India the next day. So, I take your leave now. I have to pack my bags! Sigh!!

posted by
AJAY K GARG

Thursday, December 4, 2014

by on 12:49 PM




Совсем скоро состоится открытие нового отеля на Мальдивах Amilla Fushi!

Отель приготовил много интересного для своих гостей! Так например впервые на Мальдивах гостям  отеля будет доступна для использования органическая косметика Aesop!
Косметический бренд Aesop был основан компанией Dennis Paphitis в 1987 году, в Австралии. Природные богатства Австралии позволяют производить косметические средства не просто на основе натуральных составляющих, косметика Aesop состоит исключительно из природных компонентов. Косметика Aesop отлично подходит для чувствительно кожи, так как не содержит химических добавок и консервантов, которые могут вызвать аллергическую реакцию. 







My Veligandu Sojourn

by on 8:18 AM
It is my second day at Veligandu island in Maldives, and I am already falling in love with this tiny piece of land. A narrow and not-so-long strip of pristine white sand dotted with beach villas and water villas on its circumference, the whole island has got an air of tranquility about it. Rightly so, as the clear greenish blue waters around this land mass are also so very peaceful that their occasional roaring comes to your ears as a lullaby being sung the Mother Nature. No wonder I find so many European travellers having a great time here. Europeans, I have always found, love to stay at places where they can not only have a peaceful environment and privacy, but also can get some sun and a rush of adrenaline whenever they wish to do so. Well, I am also similar to Europeans as far as their preferences are concerned, and so I am loving it out here.
The moment I stepped on the island, what immediately attracted me was a sense of serenity about it. It did not come to me as a tourist place at all. A long strip of open sand at the southern end of it and a broad beach extending northward. A not so overly crowded place as I must have imagined. Despite it being a narrow island, it has enough space to roam about idly. It felt as if I am going to stay for the next few days at a place that has been eagerly awaiting me. A home, yes, yet far removed from the daily chores and activities of home! For, its rustic charm and a calm and undisturbed atmosphere, Veligandu presents itself as a tropical Maldivian island in its truest sense where there is enough sun and sand to soak in, and where one can unburden oneself and feel rejuvenated by the time it is time to go back (if, at all, one wishes to go back). 
I arrived at Veligandu Island Resort yesterday before noon after a 20-minute seaplane ride from Hulhule terminal and then a scintillating 5-minute motorboat ride from somewhere in the middle of the sea. But wait! Did I say 'before noon'? Or was it 'after noon'? It was before noon by my watch, but it was after noon at Veligandu. Okay, let me clear the mystery. The resort at Veligandu keeps itself one hour ahead of Malé time. Why? Just to save on daylight time. Good!! It means an early start for your day and longer day hours to spend lying idle on the long stretches of sand.
Well, not just the daylight, the resort people seem committed to save everything around them - the corals, the waters, the environment! For, they have got a water treatment plant, a sewage treatment facility and a greenhouse on the island itself. So, don't be surprised when you find two long glass bottles lying on the top of the kitchenette bureau when your butler ushers you into the cosy atmosphere of your mildly but beautifully decorated abode. Water in these bottles is a product of the local water treatment plant and is called the Veligandu Water. But before you step into that cosy villa of yours for the next few days, have you made sure that you have set your watches right to keep pace with the environment-loving people at Veligandu Island Resort?

posted by
AJAY K GARG
www.terrahopper.com

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Maldives Is Paradise!

by on 7:50 AM
There is a saying in India that goes like this: "If you wish to go to heaven, then you have to die first." Having twice been to Maldives, I have altered this saying a bit. Now I say to my friends: "If you wish to go to heaven, then all you have to do is to go to Maldives." Really, there is no other way to be in paradise than to be in this tiny island country, which is 99 per cent water and just one per cent land. When you reach there and open your eyes to a wonderful, mesmerising world spread before you, you just cannot help wondering which one of those over 1100 islands God must have chosen as His abode. Surely, you feel as if He is somewhere out there, since otherwise a landscape can't be so serene as to fill you with piety and an air can't be so crisp and refreshing as to invigorate you completely.
    The best thing about Maldives is that the moment you put your foot on it, it binds you for forever. In the beginning everything looks so lilliputian - tiny airport, tiny islands, tiny capital city, tiny population. But as you start becoming some moments older in the country, everything starts coming to you in grand proportions - broad smiles, large-hearted people, sweeping vistas, vast expanse of bluish water, great beaches, great food, the warmest of hospitality, to name a few. And that was why I could not stop myself from coming to this country for a second time. An opportunity paved the way for my second visit to Maldives, and I didn't think twice before packing my bags. And may be very soon I would be on my third voyage to the Maldivian archipelago, courtesy Crown Tours.
   
And now coming back to the point with which I had started sharing my thoughts and views with you. What could be a better way to witness this paradise than to be airborne while riding one of those little yellow-and-blue seaplanes? Absolutely nothing!!! So folks, go pack your stuff, catch your flight and be there in Maldives soon. You will surely be welcomed with a warm smile and your passport  stamped with a free visa-on-arrival in no time.

posted by
AJAY K GARG
www.terrahopper.com

Crown Tours Maldives Autumn trips Russia & CIS

by on 1:24 AM
Дорогие Коллеги и Партнеры!
Этой Осенью мы будем рады встрече с Вами!
  • Москва 15 - 20 Сентября
  • Киев 20 -24 Сентября
  • Алматы 24 - 27 Сентября 
  • Санкт Петербург 27 - 29 Сентября 
  • Москва 29 Сентября - 03 Октября 
Crown Tours Maldives
www.crowntoursmaldives.com 


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Maldives wins ‘Favourite Islands Destination’ at Condé Nast Traveller Reader’s Travel Awards 2014

by on 10:40 AM

Maldives received a prestigious award at the annual Condé Nast Traveller Reader’s Travel Awards held at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on 2nd September 2014. 

Acting High Commissioner Ahmed Shiaan was in attendance to collect the award in the ‘Favourite Islands Destination’ category, where Maldives saw off competition from the Greek Islands and Sicily for the top award. After accepting the award Acting High Commissioner Shiaan thanked the readers for voting Maldives.

The Condé Nast Traveller is one of the UK’s leading luxury travel magazines, and its Reader’s Travel Awards, which are voted for by Condé Nast Traveller readers, are some of the most widely respected in the travel industry. Among other notable winners on the night included Italy as favourite country, British Airways for long-haul holiday and Changi, Singapore as best airport.

Following the Maldives’ win, Minister of Tourism, Hon Ahmed Adeeb remarked: "The United Kingdom is one of our most important markets, and it is gratifying for Maldives to receive such a prestigious prize in the UK. This award is particularly sweet as it was the result of a public vote. The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Cooperation, with the full support of the Maldives High Commission in London, has done a lot of work to promote the Maldives in the UK, and this award is fitting recognition for this hard work."

The UK travel market remains buoyant for the Maldives. So far over 51,000 British people have travelled to Maldives in 2014 – this represents an increase of 3.4 percent over the same period last year.

Ends.

For further information please contact;
Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

by on 1:55 AM

На свете есть места, где обязательно стоит побывать, но есть и такие, где хочется остаться навсегда. Мальдивские острова – это особый мир, где время течет иначе, а солнце замирает над кромкой океана, чтобы продлить радость каждого дня.
Это место, где отдыхает душа и тело, и мир вокруг настолько совершенный, каким может быть только рай...





by on 1:44 AM
Crown Tours Maldives is a pioneer of modern tourism in the country, with deep roots firmly in the industry. Our main focus is on travel, providing the best of Maldives for the clients, with services that will leave nothing to be desired. We strive to make a holiday in the Maldives an experience our clients will treasure.

Crown Tours Maldives , established in 1985, is a subsidiary of Crown Company Pvt. Ltd., one of the most reputable businesses in the Maldives . Crown & Champa Resorts own and operate 9 resorts in Maldives and 2 hotels in Seychelles. In addition to these, Crown Tours also primarily deals with several other selected partners in Maldives, Seychelles & Mauritius.

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