Last weekend I had the privilege to escape the crowded, narrow streets of Male’ and relish in the idyllic stillness bound within the remote island, Fihalhohi.
Two fellow ESL teachers and I booked ourselves a triple room, which included three glorious meals a day (never have I been so happy to see pork on a buffet), granting us with just a few minutes walk barefoot from the room to the curve of blissful white sand and surrounding turquoise waters.
How did we get such a good deal? Ah, as is one of the many delights from working in a foreign country; expatiate rates! The room and board split between the three of us made about £60 ($100) each a night. Alcohol is not included, and an even split of the bill made an extra £60 each (too many vodka shots… my bad). So there I was, with two beautiful friends on a luxurious mini-break paying a fraction of what the other holiday-goers were subjected to- most of them on romantic breaks.
I often read online of peoples wishes for ‘two 6-month vacations every year‘. Of course they are joking, since they don’t seem to have the balls to just take a leap and go and work abroad. That’s not to say working abroad is the same as a 6-month vacation, but it sure comes close. Just a month into my contract teaching English in Maldives I’ve had my first island resort experience.
Fihalhohi in 12
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As it was off-peak season I had the unique experience of watching the sun set peacefully in absolute solitude.
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Children play together in the completely transparent and unclouded sea.
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This TEFL business is a hard life.
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Me trying out a free “practice dive” to get to grips with the oxygen tank. Saw some stunning sea life which almost had me paying up for a real dive, but I decided to wait and try to find a better price elsewhere.
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Beautiful and breathtaking. The view’s not bad either.
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Like the sound of the sea? Sleep with the ocean right below you.
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Who needs a fiancée when you’ve got your friends?
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At first I thought the birds were fake because of the way they pose so still and steady. He had a bit of a struggle getting it down!
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I sat here for a while to soak up the sheer tranquillity impossible to find back in Male’.
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With each time I went under water I saw a different fish, a multitude of colours. Once under that water I didn’t want to come back up!
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I have never seen a clearer sea in my life.
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This is where those vodka shots come into action. Absolutely amazing performance from the Sri Lankan catering staff- I couldn’t not join in!
If you want to find out more about resort breaks for expats, check out my post here, or for specific resorts try my posts on Paradise Island or FUN Island.
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru
