Paradise Found
On the Indian Ocean island of Falhumaafushi sits the tranquil and resplendent resort The Residence Maldives, where Jolene Khor rediscovers her inner peace
ery few destinations are deserving of multiple plane, boat, and car rides. But the moment I stepped onto the arrival jetty at The Residence Maldives by Cenizaro, I knew that my 12 hours of relentless travel were worth it. Apart from the dun thatched roofs of the villas framing the resort, virtually everything in the expansive view before me appeared in shades of blue—the pool, the endless sky and ocean—and white. My feet sank into soft sand the texture of warm mustard. The sunlight was blinding but the views were too good to look away from. Sure, I came to the island for work, a photo shoot (p.164), but I’d willingly trade my normal office for this place any day. The resort is located on Falhumaafushi, an island within the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the world, in the southern part of this archipelago nation. The Residence’s 94 villas feature furnishings crafted from Maldivian teak and rattan. The spacious living room of my two-bedroom villa, heady with the scents of coconut butter and the briny ocean, opened onto a private deck with sun loungers and a single ladder into the sea. I slipped into the shallow water that stretched westward to the horizon and immediately spotted green turtles and manta rays. Guests seeking greater thrills can indulge their adventurous side with catamaran sailing, kayaking, jet-skiing, windsurfing, scubadiving, kneeboarding, and deep-sea fishing available day and night. After an afternoon of bobbing in the sea and sipping on a glass of Anjuna (a trio of mixed-berry, beer and passion fruit mojito) by the infinity pool, I set off on my own adventure, toward a caramel sunset with bottlenose dolphins racing with and leaping around the boat. At night, under a clear sky, I enjoyed dinner by the beach. The Sunset Grill serves an al fresco barbecue feast under the stars three times a week, with incredibly fresh seafood and meat grilled on the spot. As appetising was the following morning’s Maldivian beachside breakfast spread at The Dining Room, where my favourite among the various cooked tuna dishes was diced tuna in spicy curry, eaten with hot naan and chickpeas. A 5min boat ride south of here, on Dhigurah Island, the second The Residence Maldives is expected to open next year. With 173 spacious villas, the resort is squarely targeted at families, though I’m keeping my fingers cross that I’ll get the chance to visit too!