My Honeymoon at Maldives – Part 3
YES, there’s a Part 3! 
In fact, there might even be a Part 4, if my connection permits. Anyway, many people have been asking me how much was our trip to Maldives, so I might as well take this opportunity to answer you first. The room rate at Kandooma for one night added up to about USD280nett. *jaw drops open* I know, it’s costly, but it’s actually much lower than many other resorts at Maldives! We stayed there for 4 nights, so you do the math! As for the flight, I managed to book it at a relatively cheaper rate at RM1850/pax, about 2 months earlier. Oh, don’t forget the compulsory airport boat transfer which was USD140/pax! So, adding all up together plus expenses on food and games, we spent almost RM10k for the whole trip.
Night view at Kandooma swimming pool
Continuing from the previous post, after taking a rest, we had dinner at the coconut-shaped restaurant by the poolside. As usual, we’re served with the customary bread and vinaigrette prior to our mains.
Bread, olive oil and vinegar
Saucer had the Grilled Maldivian Coral fish (USD13) which turned out to be average. I guess grilled fish can never beat fresh steamed fish eh? The meat was not as smooth or flaky.
Grilled Maldivian coral fish
I had the Spaghetti bolognese, which was not bad.
Spaghetti bolognese
After dinner, Kandooma usually prepares daily activities for the residents, be it movie, games, or even karaoke! On that particular night, karaoke session was arranged. We stood by to watch a Korean lady sing and after wards, the emcee (who turned out to be a Malaysian herself!) was calling for other people to sing. When she spotted us, she came over and talked to us. Upon finding out that we’re Malaysians too, she insisted that we had to sing simply because ‘Malaysia Boleh’. *LOL* So we just gave in and sang ‘Endless Love’. Haha… A repeat performance from our wedding night! Not really sure how well we did, but we did get a good round of applause from the audience! 
Karaoke night
The next morning, we woke up and walked to the beach just outside our villa. Only then we found out that the water villas were just next to us! These villas practically sit on water, and you could just walk down from the staircase into the water to swim! How wonderful!
Water villas
Breakfast was the usual buffet, and this morning, we had planned to go for a local island tour. It was also another activity organized by Kandooma resort, but we had to pay USD20 per person for this tour.
Breakfast plate 1
Breakfast plate 2
I guess by now, you could guess which plate belongs to who eh?
The local island tour actually just brought us to a nearby island about 5 minutes boat ride away.
Getting ready for the local island tour
Once we reached the island, there was a tour guide, who’s a Maldivian, welcoming us. Upon visiting the island only we knew that the local Maldivians are actually quite poor. They live without proper supply of water. For example, the water supply in this island is purely by rainfall. They build huge tanks to collect rain for daily usage.
Tank to collect rain water
Also, this island (Guraidhoo), was badly hit by the tsunami attack years ago and many houses were damaged. Most of the houses here were rebuilt only recently, with the help of donation from other countries. It was really an eye-opening experience to see a big difference between life on the resort island and life on the local island. Just a 5 minutes boat ride away.
Maldivian flag on the right
We were led to walk around the island, which had a population of over 1,000 people only. Surprisingly, we’re even allowed to visit the mosque! Including the women! Back in Malaysia, I believe no females are allowed near the mosque, but over there, we’re welcomed inside to visit.
witch at the mosque
Bougainvilleas
While visiting the island, we spotted this group of local Maldivian ladies grouping to fry something. Out of curiosity, we went to see what they were doing. It turned out that they were preparing some Maldivian delicacy for sale. It’s some kind of cracker made from corn flour and spices.
Busy ladies at work
Frying the chips
We were given some to try, and they’re smoking hot! Just off the wok! It was thick and crispy, very similar to corn chips, but with a spicy flavour. Some of us in our tour group found it too spicy, but I thought it was ok. Maybe because we had too much spicy food in Malaysia! *LOL*
Spicy corn chip
witch with the ladies
OMG, look at how red my face was! It was the effect of sun burn after the first day! Painful, I kid you not!
Anyway, looking around the buildings in the local island, we spotted that they used corals to build their walls! According to the tour guide, before the tsunami hit, the locals actually used corals to build their houses and they turned out to be strong. But now, the corals are protected and hence they had to use bricks/cement.
Wall made from corals
witch at Guraidhoo island, Maldives
Before we left the island, we saw a confined area near the jetty, rearing fish & squids!
Squid at Guraidhoo island
The tour was about 2 hours long, and while enlightening, we didn’t find it worthwhile. Perhaps it was also particularly hot that day, that we couldn’t stop sweating the whole time! *LOL* We returned to the jetty and had a light lunch of Chicken burger.
Chicken burger (USD16)
After that, we returned to our villa to freshen up. We had actually planned for another activity that evening, but unfortunately, it rained heavily and our activity was canceled. 
Curious to know what activity eh? I’ll reveal it in my next post, as we managed to do it on the next day! 
Since it was raining, we made use of some of the facilities at the resort such as internet, pool and also ping pong!
Saucer playing ping pong with another tourist!
The next day, the sun shone bright and lively! We prayed that it would not rain again or we would be stuck at the island once more! It was Chinese New Year day, coinciding with Valentine’s day! The people at Kandooma decorated the place with lots of love-shaped trees and balloons, really cute!
Itinerary for Valentine’s day
Decoration for V-day
After breakfast, we took a dip in the swimming pool. I loved swimming there and people watch! You could see all types of people walking around the beach, either swimming, reading or sun-tanning! Sorry no pictures of sexy beach babes as I was in the water all the time! *LOL*
Us at the pool
Spotted cute baby by the poolside
Since Saucer and I were wearing red couple t-shirts, we attracted quite a number of people’s attention. *LOL* There was one staff who saw us hanging around and insisted that she help us take some photos!
witch and Saucer on Valentine’s/CNY day
witch and Saucer on Valentine’s/CNY day
View of the pool
We went back to our villa in the evening only to be caught by yet another pleasant surprise! Something was on our bed!
What’s on our bed?
It was a little package for Valentine’s day! With a personalized card and some cookies too! How sweet!
Valentine’s day goodies!
Cookies and macarons
Of course, these macarons were nothing compared to those of BigBoysOven, but it’s the thought that counts eh?
Soon, it was time for our next activity! We got out to the jetty just before the scheduled departure, waiting excitedly for our boat to arrive. In the mean time, some of the shots during sun set!
witch at Maldives during sun set
Sun set at Maldives
Can you guess what our next outing was?
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Comments (55)
scuba dive?
Nope…
With scenery like those, even a lousy photographer like me can take nice photos. ^_^
PM$10,000 may sound a little steep for 4 days, but the memories will last a lifetime.
Didn’t know Maldives was affected by the tsunami. Enjoy your honeymoon and blog less, you can do that after you come back Malaysia.
Saucer and you look so great in those red T-shirts.
.-= Shingo T´s last blog ..Random Notes 44 =-.
Haha you’re right! Those scenery makes any photos look gorgeous eh?
Thanks for the compliment on your cute red shirts.
Thanks for the price info. Really helpful. Can’t wait for your part 4.
.-= allie´s last blog ..Food in Xi Men Ding, Taiwan =-.
You’re most welcome!
thats not a fish witch! but anyway what a cool place! is the weather nice all year long?
.-= jianchung´s last blog ..the month leading up to the year of the tiger =-.
Haha you’re right! LOL I have changed the name to squid dy… Well the weather is like our Malaysian weather, except that during May or June, they claim it as off-peak season which is more prone to rain.
Wow looks like you’re starting to get a tan from all that sun! From the looks of parts 1-3, it’s RM10k well spent!
.-= 550ml jar of faith @minchow´s last blog ..An Almost Ex-Convict and a Cop at Penang’s First Nasi Kandar, Jelutong =-.
Oh yea.. the tan is still here as of now…
If you asked me, it’s RM10K well spent!
.-= Bangsar-bAbE´s last blog ..De’ Champion Duck, Bandar Menjalara =-.
Oh thanks babe! hi 5!
Maldives is going to submerged into sea. Money well spent la…
20 years later you can tell people:
You see, these are the picture we took in Maldives when the islands were still above sea level…
.-= khengsiong´s last blog ..??? =-.
You’re right… this problem is getting serious to the Maldivians.. they’re trying to do whatever they can to prevent the islands sinking…
Worth the money lor for such a nice place
.-= email2me´s last blog ..Societea, The Flower Tea Cafe With Good Western Food and Desserts at Kuchai Lama =-.
You’re right!
so envy! your honeymoon with saucer at Maldives were heaven! good food, beautiful place and with your man… aww… so sweet. Wish I could visit Maldives one day
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Nippy Noodle Restaurant @ Kuchai Lama Entrepreneurs Park =-.
Hehe I’m sure you can have your perfect sweet honeymoon one day dearie!!!
when i read and look at ur pics….i feel i am in maldives too … i wish to go there now … how much is ur package?
.-= vialentino´s last blog ..100,000 Visitors Mark =-.
Hehe you should go there and see for yourself! Not only from my blog! LOL My package is around RM10k for 4 days..
OMG! I just stuck at part 3! lol! Just perfect awesome! I would spendid 20k!
wink!
.-= Big Boys Oven´s last blog ..Oddbjorn Lona & Li Ling Wedding Reception =-.
Yea, really awesome!
what a lovely honeymoon!! the money spent is worth it cos its such a beautiful place!! and the service at the hotel seems to be top notch with all the pleasant lil surprises etc.. cant wait to see part 4!!
.-= lingzie´s last blog ..Sigi’s Bar & Grill on the beach @ Golden Sands Resort =-.
I agree with you.. service was really good and impressive! Would recommend this place to anyone!
its such a beautiful place!!! wish i could be there too
.-= xin´s last blog ..XXXL Teh Ais Anyone? =-.
You can be there! Start planning
cherish the moments! very captivating place and you two look great!
i noticed saucer is such a healthy eater…
Haha you’re right! He’s TRYING to be healthy but I am the evil and always bring him to the dark side.
i stumbled on your blog looking for possible holiday destinations. awesome shots on maldives … i like it.
looking at your wedding posts, reminded and brought back many wonderful memories of mine, many moons ago. congratulations and welcome to the married club!
Aww.. you’re so sweet! And PLEASE do give Maldives a shot for holidays ok! You won’t regret it!
Lovely lovely lovely. thanks. Eh both got an instant baby in Maldives? haha
.-= CheaHS@n´s last blog ..Ð Symptoms of Going Old (Part II) ~ How’s Your Hearing? =-.
Haha no baby yet!
not so soon! 
Looks awesome!
Thank you!
Wow! RM10K for this trip? Very the expensive!! But I guess as long as both you and Saucer enjoyed yourselves, then OK lah : )
.-= foongpc´s last blog ..Najib vs Mahathir =-.
So when are you going for a romantic honeymoon trip ar?
Yes, steam fish is the best!!
Both of you dressing in red? Cool!
Errr..which breakfast plate is yours? I not very sure lah even though after meeting you two, what you both like. Haha. Yours is plate 1? But I won’t be surprised if it’s plate 2!
.-= foongpc´s last blog ..Najib vs Mahathir =-.
You can’t guess which plate is mine meh! The clue is in the previous post
Haha
awww..really a romantic place~
.-= taufulou´s last blog ..Life of Bangladesh Part 1 =-.
Yes indeed.. highly recommended!
aiya…mainly to maldives is for scuba dive, nice place not regret…happy honeymoon trip..
Hello! Good to see you here! Hehe … Yes Maldives is wonderful! No regrets!
Hello iamthewitch, (lol that sounds weird)
I just found this blog while I was browsing for Maldvives, and this statement caught my attention:
“Back in Malaysia, I believe no females are allowed near the mosque, but over there, we’re welcomed inside to visit.”
I’m quite surprised to see that you think that females are not allowed near the mosque..I wonder where you encountered such issue. Females are allowed to go to the mosque, definitely. Especially during Ramadhan and first day of Syawal (Hari Raya) I’m sure you can see a lot of women visiting the mosques, all over Malaysia
p/s: You honeymoon pics are lovely! <3
Erin,
But thank you for clearing this up! 
Thanks for the clarification! I guess it’s because of the fact that women don’t go to mosques for Friday prayers that gave me this impression.
This is a really great blog. Thx to the auther
Thanks for the Post, thanks for this great Post. I will come back later . Great information about self tanning: self tanner reviews
Honeymoon + Valentine’s!!! That’s so romantic!! So lucky of u^^ Maldive is so beautiful~~
Andrea Wong recently posted..PaPas Day @ El Cerdo
It IS gorgeous, isn’t it?
Thank you for your blog! We are going to kandooma in a few weeks and will be arriving at night also (we’re coming all the way from new zealand!) was cool to see it is actually like the pictures! Can’t wait now!
Oh I’m so excited for you! I hope you’ll enjoy Maldives as much as we did!!
Hello,
I”ve enjoy-it !! beautifull pictures!! I see your holiday was amazing !!!
We have the change to go next year to Kandooma in a beach villa!! I looking forward!! We will tjere also en valentin day, and we are 25 years married!!!
many greetings,
Martine
xx
Hi Martine,
xoxo
Congratulations on your 25th anniversary! I’m so happy that you picked Kandooma for your Valentine’s, it’s going to be so memorable! I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day in advance and may you have many more anniversaries to celebrate!
Thank you for the kind words! When I hear your enthusiasme I would like to leave tomorrow!
I really feel it… but its a little countdown!
love,
Martine
xxx
hi ladies and gentlemen im a Maldivian, if u wanna like to help frm maldives contact me. +9607433677