The first wow moment during any Maldivian holiday usually happens even before you even set foot on these pristine islands. You will need a window seat with uncluttered views (away from the wing) though. It’s when you start to feel the magic of Maldives and its 50 shades of blue (I haven’t counted, there may be more than 50) with stunning aerial views of the country’s atolls and myriad shades of blue.
The Maldivian blues Ashwin Rajagopalan
1% land, 99% fun – that might not be the official slogan for the Maldives tourism board but it sums up the Maldives experience! Maldives might be positioned as one of the world’s most romantic destinations, but after three solo trips including one this month, I can say that Maldives’ allure as a solo destination is surprisingly strong; it helps if you are a ‘water baby’.
If you miss out on a window seat during your flight to the Maldivian capital, don’t fret, there’s always the seaplane. There are about 1200 islands scattered across the Maldives that make up Maldives. My final destination was Kandima Maldives, a stylish island resort setting that’s a 40-minute seaplane ride away from Male. Almost every luxury resort in the Maldives is photogenic and good for the ‘gram’, it’s the resort experiences that are the differentiator, especially if you’re a solo traveller.
Kandima Maldives — a stylish island resort that’s a 40-minute seaplane ride away from Male Kandima Maldives
I didn’t expect that Mithun Chakraborty would dominate the conversation during my first snorkelling trip at Kandima. Tsarina, my snorkelling buddy, grew up on a diet of Indian cinema as a ’90s kid in Russia; she still blushes about her childhood crush. I’ve snorkelled in myriad destinations across the world including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, but there’s nothing that quite beats the undersea experience in Maldives. The waters around resorts like the Kandima don’t just offer multiple, colourful species of marine life, but also some unexpected moments. A school of dolphins zipped passed us as we were trying to take in the beauty of the corals. Unfortunately, my GoPro couldn’t keep up with these camera-shy dolphins.
A snorkelling escapade Ashwin Rajagopalan
Chef Mariam at Kandima is one of the most cheerful local chefs you’re likely to meet on these islands. She insisted on conversing with me in Hindi (she is obsessed with Hindi soaps like Nagin) during a culinary session that showcased Maldives culinary traditions. Fresh local seafood like tuna are among the hero ingredients in a cuisine that has a distinct identity and a spicy flavour profile that will appeal to many Indians. We cooked up a tuna fried rice and the popular kukulhu riha (chicken curry) that gets a unique flavour twist from the rampa (pandan) leaves, a popular seasoning ingredient. I’d also recommend a walk through Male’s fish market (plan it on your way into the Maldives) if you’re a culinary enthusiast.
A walk through Male’s fish market is recommended for culinary enthusiasts Shutterstock
Most Maldivian resorts offer multiple spots for a sundowner where you’re also guaranteed a serene sunset. I gravitated towards Breeze, the Pool bar for spectacular sunsets and a great post-dinner vibe. It’s also the perfect spot for conversations with fellow travellers from across the world. One moment I was discussing the Indian position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict with new friends from Russia and an hour later, it was an impromptu jam session with fellow Imagine Dragons fans.
Most Maldivian resorts offer multiple spots for a sundowner where you’re also guaranteed a serene sunset Ashwin Rajagopalan
You might think of Maldives as a great ‘downtime’ destination with unlimited spa time. For me, it’s equally about adrenaline highs. Kandima is one of the few resorts in the region that offers a new ride – Sea Bob. Think of it as a water scooter that can dive into the water and also cruise at high speeds on the ocean. It’s just the kind of ride you need if you’re in a James Bond flick pursued by the bad guys in a high speed chase. A quiet afternoon at your private beach villa is the perfect antidote after all the water adventures. I enjoyed a ‘floating’ lunch in my private pool.
Kandima is one of the few resorts in the region that offers a new ride – Sea Bob
One more stunning Maldives sunset is all the spark I needed to plot my next trip to the Maldives. Maybe the next time I will combine a luxury resort experience with a homestay at one of the busier islands for an unfiltered local experience. But there will be a next time.
