Birthday Escape to the Maldives: The Ultimate Island Retreat | Travelogue

Been thinking if I should ask for a new bag or a vacay but my hands were too fast and gotten myself a Dior D-JOURNEY Bag already earlier this year. So for my 44th birthday, I chose Maldives as my birthday vacation (and of course he paid for it). It has been a long time since we had a beach or resort vacay. The last was to Koh Samui, Thailand and that was way before we got married. Ticking off my bucket list since my 20s. Off we go to Maldives!

Guess which resort did I choose?

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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives. I chose non-popular but decent ones to stay. Glad that I did so. 

I have booked the air tickets way back in 2024 and the resort booking was only earlier this year. Did all the necessary communication with the resort (eg. Seaplane for example), bought travel insurance, booked the WiFi-router (too expensive for just 1GB data roaming that cost SGD60 from Singtel & Starhub) and lastly, did the online Travellers Declaration for us 96 hours before our scheduled flight to Male. 

Do yours here: https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ (select Travellers Declaration). Get ready to scan your passport and a photo of yourself to be taken while using the service. 

We are 3 hours ahead of Maldives so do take note of your timing when you plan activities. 

Breakdown of the cost (in SGD) :

• SQ Air tickets: $1,250 for 2
• Water Bungalow: $3,541.88 for 3 nights all inclusive
• Wifi Router: $53, shared between us
• Travel Insurance: $85.84 for 2 via Youtrip
• Seaplane: $1,128.32 round trip for 2
• Half day local village tour: $258.35 for 2

Noovilu Seaplane Terminal in Male, Maldives

A 4-hours flight to Maldives from Singapore. Upon arrival, took an apron bus to the terminal for custom clearance and baggage collection. Outside the arrival hall were all the greeting/resort signboards for you to get to your resort counter or transfers. It was the first time seeing so many resort counters. Quite messy actually. So we got to Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives counter and was brought to Trans Maldivian Airways counter for check-in. Then took their shuttle bus to Noovilu Seaplane Terminal.

Trans Maldivian Airways got us waiting at this lounge

Complimentary meal which is a burger and bottled water

We waited for boarding at the lounge where we could see the seaplanes taking off and landing but it was quite noisy without having to be inside the plane yet. The lounge was very simple with seats and table, a counter to check-in to the lounge and also a food kiosk to buy food and drink. While waiting, we had our complimentary lunch that consist of a burger (not very nice) and a bottled water. 

Watching the seaplanes taking off and landing at the lounge's outdoor area

Parking in sync

We walked to the seaplane to board. It was free seating, no air-conditioning or maybe relying on the outside wind to not feel stuffy inside the small plane. Sitting next to the propellers can be quite deafening but you have no choice. The journey (depends on which resort you stay) took about 25-30 minutes and I did enquired about a return speedboat ride to Male which was about 1 hours plus. I definitely will suffer sea sick from the bumpy ride. So the best option is the former. And beautiful top-down view of the deep blue sea. Just bear with the noise and heat.

Of course the downside would be half a day gone because of these transits despite taking a morning flight. Because seaplanes have scheduled flights too. Only manage to catch a local time 1400 hours flight.

A Dhoni, a traditional vessel for fishing, ferry and cargo

Because of low tide, the seaplane couldn't land at the resort so a Dhoni from the resort has to fetch us over as we waited at the floating platform meant for seaplane docking. And we were the only couple disembarking in this resort. The rest were all staying in the same resort on the other side. 

And I realized whether a Dhoni or seaplane, they will avoid the area where the corals are. That's why the sea colour is divided into two, deep blue sea and the tiffany blue sea where the corals are.

CINNAMON VELIFUSHI MALDIVES

Glad that we came during the off-peak season because it was so peaceful with not much of kids running around and screaming. What I'm surprised was most of their guests are Europeans (based on their conversation) and I managed to count like 3 Asian couples staying here, which include us. Wow... I didn't know though. 

Welcome to Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives

I'm not sure how beautiful other resorts in Maldives are in reality but the one I chosen met my expectations after seeing reels from other social media posts. The rows of hut-like bungalows, the white sandy beach, deep blue sky with white clouds and the crystal-clear sea with fishes and corals of all kinds. I only can keep exclaiming over its beauty.

I did mentioned in my full video (click here) that they have spaces for more beautiful beach lofts. Hope they can consider that. Oh ya... They can do something to the swimming pool floor too. Not sure if that was algae or dirt. The dark patches on the floor was a minus point. Unbelievable right? Go watch my video to see it for yourself.

View from our bungalow doorstep

The rows of Water Bungalows

All day snorkeling for us

Palm-shape view formed with these Water Bungalows

Sunset view from the restaurant with the white sandy beach

From deep blue sky to a pinkish one

SUNSET WATER BUNGALOW WITH JACUZZI

We got a free upgrade to Sunset Water Bungalow from a normal Water Bungalow. It comes with a small jacuzzi too. Thank you Cinnamon Velifushi and we really enjoyed our 3 nights stay. Every evening is sunset beauty right in front of us. Also, snorkeling was our only activity during our stay because as much as we want to see the corals and fishes, swimming can work our entire body from head to toe. Conveniently right in front of our bungalow. Headed straight for it once we checked-in. Waste no time!

The improvements we thought they can do is upgrade the air-conditioning and ceiling fan. It was cooling but can be better. Because the room is big, you really need a bigger capacity for the air-conditioning (a system 3 at least). Also the tiles of the jacuzzi was kind of slippery than usual and because is just by the sea, we could have slip and fall front or sideways. We are also guessing for the aesthetic purpose, there wasn't any safety railings seen in the resort. So people, please keep yourself safe and not just drink, drank and drowned. The same (above-mentioned) has been submitted in the feedback form. Hopefully they do something for the better of their future guests.

View of the room from entrance

From the other angle

The sunset shining into the room

Sea view with the sunset as backdrop

Away from the hustle and bustle

The 'egg yolk' shining bright in front of us

Sun loungers and chilling deck

The crystal clear sea with corals in sight

INTERNATIONAL BUFFET SPREAD

We just went to the same restaurant that serves three meals throughout our stay. As our package was all-inclusive, we can have boozes all we want. 

Would like to thank the staff at the restaurant, Mr. Hameesh. He recognized us every time we went for our meals. Probably we are the few Asian faces in this resort. Thank you Hameesh for the hospitality! And some others too. They are friendly guys so before we check-out, tipped him after we had our breakfast. Oh ya... they work for 2-3 months to get a month off. Wow... I think they have staff lodging in the resort so they sleep and work here.

The following were just some of the healthy and sweet section in the air-conditioning room and the rest on the outside were more on the savory and flavorful side like curry, fried food, seafood and so on. I can have Passionfruit at every meal. A mixed of sour and sweet taste that is so appetizing! The fried noodles and seafood were good too especially the squids were cooked just nice and tender. Husband loved their curry because it was so fragrant. More on my YouTube Channel.

Confectionery section

Fruits section. I found my love, Passionfruit.

The different pasta salad

The different seasoned vegetables

LOCAL VILLAGE TOUR

We booked the half day tour with our resort that cost USD95 per pax. I guess each resort organize their own tours for their guests. Because the group of us stayed in the same resort. You just need to jot down your room number, number of pax and departure date (check-out) on the tour list and be there at the reception area 15 minutes before the tour starts.

In conclusion, Keyodhoo is more interesting. You get to see the big Banyan Tree, a coral installation, a taste of Maldives tuna, lodges for visitors to stay and experience island life, see how the Maldivians fish by the sea, saw a stingray, the school, the mosque and so on. As compared to another island we went, Felidhoo has nothing much to see. A souvenir shop and street vendor that sells magnets and handmade jewelry. Anyway, each island has small population, probably less than 1000 peoples. So can't help feeling like a no-man island.

Unique shopfront in Felidhoo

Another colourful shopfront in Felidhoo too

I prefer seeing how the locals live their life in the small islands that make up Maldives. At least I know how fortunate I am living in the city and being a city girl all my life. Watch the following video to experience a little part of their life.

OUR AIRPORT WOES

I certainly think that once the new terminals are ready for operation, the outbound process won't be so chaotic like what we have experienced on the day of departure.

For now, please be at Velana International Airport at least 3 hours. We actually spent at least an hour plus to clear the check-in and 2 times of custom clearance. And left with little time to grab last minute souvenirs and also food (waited for 20mins for simple fried noodles and noodles soup).

The queue was so long from the moment you queue for the first screening, not airline check-in. The queue ridiculously split into 2 sides as the line reaches the middle. My advice: Just follow your line and don't change lane. After that is cleared, then you proceed with check-in at the airline counter. Then you go up and queue again for the usual to get your passport stamped. After that, you have to queue again for boarding gate screening, which we have be separated from First/Business Class and Economy Class. Yes the boarding gate screening is brought forward next to the custom due to space constraint at the crowded waiting area with 6 boarding gates area and have to be ferried to the aircraft by apron bus. Wow... What an experience! The long queues and crowding. Arriving here wasn't this bad though. 

So this birthday vacation was so great with a good burnt from the sun. But sea water really did my face well because my inflammation and pimples were gone for awhile before it decides to come back when I'm back to reality too. And met friendly resort staff which greeted us every time we cross path. I won't say is a top-notch service but they were really good!

Done by the room service staff. Thank you so much.

Leave you to watch the 4K video below. Enjoy knowing Maldives a little from the videos. Cheers!

Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. All the above were paid by the writer. All reviews are based on her preference and do not represent anyone other than herself.