"The Maldives is sinking."
While this may sound like a compelling reason to empty your wallet and book a flight immediately,
it's not the primary factor driving our decision to shell out a hefty sum
for an island getaway that could easily cover several days in Japan
or a comfortable European vacation.

The Maldives, a dream destination I had always vowed to visit, was finally within reach. Despite not knowing its exact location on the globe, I was determined to make this island paradise a reality. As my craving for sunshine and the ocean intensified, fueled by endless Instagram photos of the Maldives' turquoise waters, I decided to turn my dream into a reality. "Don't worry, be happy!" (Even if it means being broke when I return.)

Traveling to the Maldives offers both direct and connecting flights. While several airlines operate on this route, two stand out: Bangkok Airways and SriLankan Airlines. The choice between these two options presents a minor but significant dilemma. Bangkok Airways offers a more expensive direct flight with a duration of approximately four hours. SriLankan Airlines, on the other hand, requires a stopover in Sri Lanka but comes at a lower price. While most travelers opt for Bangkok Airways, our limited vacation time of three days and two nights in the Maldives led us to choose SriLankan Airlines. The airline's flight schedule proved more appealing, allowing us to arrive in the Maldives early in the morning and depart in the evening, maximizing our time on the island. In contrast, Bangkok Airways' flights arrive and depart at noon, resulting in less time on the island.

Most Maldivian resorts allow guests to check in upon arrival, even if the official check-in time is 2:00 PM. Similarly, even though the check-out time is 12:00 PM, guests with evening flights can often remain on the island until their departure. This flexibility is a key reason why we chose to fly with SriLankan Airlines. (giggle)

The flight from Colombo to the Maldives takes only a short time, less than an hour. Upon arrival at Ibrahim Nasir Airport, which is compact enough to allow for close-up views of aircraft landing and taking off, immigration procedures are relatively straightforward. Importantly, Thai nationals do not require a visa and can pass through immigration together as a family. The atmosphere is relaxed, in contrast to the more formal procedures encountered in countries like Korea or Japan. The scent of the sea breeze, carried by the open-air design of the airport, further reinforces the feeling that the turquoise waters of the ocean are just ahead.

"Seeing is believing" is a phrase we often tell ourselves before deciding to travel somewhere. The more opportunities we have to travel, the less we rely on hearsay and the more we use our own eyes and open minds. We stop making judgments before we see and experience things for ourselves. The Maldives is no different. Some people say, "The Maldives is no different from our own sea," while others say, "It's only beautiful because it's photoshopped." These comments may bother us, but ultimately, the decision is ours.

We have chosen to see for ourselves.

And just the first sight at Ibrahim Nasir Airport was enough to make my jaw drop. The seawater around the airport island was so clear! Most importantly, it was really turquoise! I was so happy that at least this place wasn't like Pattaya in our country. The money I had worked so hard for wasn't wasted (yay!).

There are three ways to travel from the airport to the resort islands: Speed Boat, Sea plane, and Domestic Flight. Domestic flights are less common and are used for resorts that are located far away, between 100-300 kilometers. However, most popular resorts are not that far away, so most people travel by Speed Boat or Sea plane. The mode of transportation depends on the choice of resort. If the resort is nearby, you can take a Speed Boat, which takes a short time. If the resort is far away, you will need to take a Sea plane, which is more expensive. However, it is considered a must-do experience in the Maldives because the view from the Sea plane is beautiful and difficult to find elsewhere.

The provided text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.

Our chosen resort, "Veligandu Island Resort," was a decision made after much deliberation. The primary reasons for our selection were its affordability, the opportunity to experience a seaplane flight, and its five-star rating at a relatively reasonable price (though still a significant expense).

Choosing a resort is the most challenging aspect of planning a trip to the Maldives. Budgetary constraints and individual preferences vary, and some resorts only cater to specific needs. For instance, some affordable resorts lack coral reefs around the island, while others are more expensive but lack all-inclusive packages.

All-inclusive packages offer unparalleled convenience, akin to a "VIP pass" granting access to a wide range of amenities and services. Guests can indulge in almost everything on the menu without worrying about additional expenses during their stay. This is especially appealing to alcohol enthusiasts, as all-inclusive packages typically include unlimited alcoholic beverages.

In addition to the All-Inclusive package, there are two other meal packages available for your stay on this island paradise: Half Board, which includes breakfast and dinner only, and Full Board, which includes all meals but excludes drinks.

Initially, we were confused about the food packages, mistakenly assuming that only All-Inclusive packages were available. However, we discovered that we could book rooms with breakfast only, similar to staying at other resorts. However, additional food and beverages consumed on the island would be charged at individual prices, making it difficult to control our budget. Therefore, the All-Inclusive package, which is ideal for those who prefer convenience and dislike overthinking, was the best option for us.

The journey to Veligandu Island Resort requires a 15-minute seaplane ride, but it is a worthwhile 15 minutes as the view from above is breathtaking. The turquoise waters of the Maldives are as vibrant and clear as they appear in pictures, leaving no room for doubt about their authenticity.

No matter how expensive the lens is, it will never be as beautiful as the human eye.

The resort offers 81 rooms, including 17 Beach Bungalows and 64 Water Bungalows. While choosing a Water Bungalow may seem like the quintessential Maldivian experience for Thai tourists, we believe that Beach Bungalows are also worth considering. Not only do they offer direct access to the sea, but they also allow guests to relax on the sandy beach. However, it is true that finding overwater accommodations in Thailand can be challenging. Therefore, a trip to the Maldives presents a unique opportunity to experience staying in a water villa.

The Water Bungalows at Veligandu are divided into 3 zones: sunrise, sunset, and the end of the island, where the villas are back-to-back. The recommended zone is the sunset side, which has been recognized as the most beautiful by TripAdvisor. This is because the sunrise side has a water barrier that can obstruct the view. The end of the island zone also has back-to-back villas, which can feel a bit crowded. Therefore, the sunset side is the perfect choice! Not only does it have the most beautiful view, but you can also lie down and watch the sunset right in front of your villa. Amazing!

One unique feature of Veligandu Resort is that every villa boasts its own Jacuzzi! However, this led to a slight disappointment for us, as we had planned to fly our drone on the island. Due to the presence of Jacuzzis, the resort does not permit drone flights to avoid infringing on the privacy of other guests. Therefore, anyone planning to fly a drone in the Maldives should inquire about the regulations and restrictions beforehand. Since every resort is on a private island and all tourists are there to relax, respecting personal privacy is paramount.

Don't worry, be happy!

Even without drones, there's plenty to keep you entertained on the island. Snorkeling alone can fill your day with wonder. Kayaking and other water activities are available for an additional fee, but for us budget-conscious travelers, they're not a priority. A good book, some sunbathing, and a refreshing dip in the ocean are all we need!

While some may say the Maldives isn't ideal for Thais who prefer bustling environments, we disagree. For us, relaxation means recharging our batteries in nature and taking a break from social media. This quiet time allows us to reconnect with ourselves and appreciate the beauty around us. What could be better than being surrounded by the vast Indian Ocean in the stunning Maldives?

One of the activities included in the All Inclusive package at Veligandu is the Sunset Cruise. This is more than just a regular sunset cruise, as the boat takes you out to see dolphins swimming alongside the boat in the golden light before the sun sets. It sounds romantic, but for someone like me with bad luck, it seems like I was destined to encounter obstacles. The boat sailed far out, and the driver decided to turn the boat back to the resort without seeing a single dolphin.

As the boat neared the resort, the driver abruptly turned the helm and shouted, "Dolphin!" He then invited everyone to come to the bow to see.

The closest I've ever been to a dolphin in my life was at an aquarium, but seeing them swim in the ocean like this is a completely different experience. They look so beautiful and free, and you can really feel how intelligent and playful they are. The tour guide told everyone on the boat to shout loudly or make whooping noises because dolphins love loud noises. Well, they must be attention-seeking creatures because the louder the noise from the boat, the closer the pod of dolphins swam alongside, almost as if they were greeting us or playing with us.

Opportunities may come late, but they always arrive at the right and beautiful time. Just like the saying, "Don't worry, Beach happy!"

The Maldives experiences two distinct seasons: High Season and Low Season. Unlike other tropical destinations, the Maldives does not have distinct hot, rainy, or cold seasons. Instead, the temperature remains relatively constant throughout the year. The key difference between the seasons is the amount of rainfall. High Season, from November to April, experiences less rainfall, while Low Season, from May to September, sees more frequent showers.

Most Thais choose to travel during the low season because prices are almost half the price. However, we chose to travel during the high season in March because we were unsure of our luck and didn't want to spend a lot of money only to encounter storms throughout the trip. At least during the high season, there should be some sunny days. However, we still encountered a storm on the last day before returning.

The rain in the Maldives is said to be short-lived and does not last long because most of the area is ocean, and the resorts are located on small islands. Therefore, the rain only passes by briefly. Most people choose to go during the low season because it is cheaper. However, from what I observed, even though the rain does not last long, once the rain stops, the waves and wind in the sea still seem stronger than usual. The sky also looks gloomy and does not have much sunlight to reflect the clear color of the sea. However, the sea is still the sea, and it always brings a sense of peace.

We checked out of our hotel at noon, but our flight wasn't until late in the evening. We had planned to explore the island, but it was raining, so we decided to relax at the bar and enjoy the all-inclusive package. To our surprise, the staff informed us that we could keep our room until 4 pm at no additional cost. We were grateful for this unexpected extension, as it allowed us to relax and enjoy the island before our departure.

He already told you not to worry, just be happy. : )

Maldives Trip Expenses Summary

• Flights: SriLankan Airlines, 15,580 Baht per person
• Accommodation: Veligandu Island Resort (All Inclusive), 3 days 2 nights, including seaplane transfer, 44,500 Baht per person
• Staff Gratuities: Approximately $20

Approximately 60,680 Baht per person (this is the price during peak season, it will be cheaper during low season).

I hope this review will inspire you. If you want to travel to the Maldives on your own but don't know where to start, you can read our easy-to-understand information about traveling to the Maldives on our website: http://www.movearound-journey.com/maldives/

Or follow our travel stories on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/movearoundjourney / IG : @movearound_journey.