Part of the reason I have been away from AR is that I have literally been away. As you know, my passion is travelling and with the pandemic that was seriously impacted.
In fact, my plan had been to move to Europe, but with the pandemic and then Brexit that plan got seriously altered, along with my having my best year in real estate last year.
I also met someone, following my divorce, last year, who shares much of my passion to travel, drink wine and eat good food.
We found a great trip to the Maldives, a chain of islands, almost 1200 of them, some just small atolls, located off the West coast of India that had very strict travel requirements.
We found a hotel with villas over the water, and an excellent price on a small island, we made a reservation and booked a flight. All with the understanding that we would require negative covid tests within 96 hours of arrival. The challenge was getting the results back and the 30 hour travel time it takes to get there from the East Coast via Qatar.
Having worked out how to acheive that, who knew there was a lab very close to us that provided the results of the test within a matter of two hours we discovered. We completed multiple forms for the airline, the Maldives and the hotel and began our journey.
This hotel the You and Me Resort by Cocoon prepares all food a la carte unlike many resorts which prepare food buffet style, they also have an underwater restaurant, which has just attracted a Michelin 1 star chef to be associated with them, called H2O.
We saw many reef sharks and fish during the meal and one young couple got engaged. A memorable meal with fabulous moving scenery whilst you eat.
Once you arrive in The Maldives, you take a sea plane to the resort, about a 45 minute journey. Once on the island, we were able to remove our masks we had been wearing as all the staff are tested and now vaccinated and they wear masks and gloves. All the guests have to have negative tests as well.
Temperatures were consistently in the high 80's and we snorkelled, relaxed, read, and enjoyed our time away. To return home we had to get a negative test which the hotel carried out for us in their clinic and we began the long journey home. Below are some memories of our trip.
Another esort from the air
Our balcony which steps right down into the ocean.
Dinner on the beach
Prosecco on the deck
All good things come to an end.
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