26 Feb At Niyama Maldives: From hues of Grey to Blue!
The forecast was sunny, the time of the year ideal and yet it was drizzling as I made my way to the catch the domestic flight to Niyama. I was naturally worried for you see a lot of my plans for the next four days revolved around the sun – trying to not to burn myself on the beach, reading books, drinking mimosas and stuffing myself. I wanted to get an occasional surf or a dive in the ocean also. What I didn’t really want was grey skies looming over gloomy seascapes. I wanted blue on blue, to figure out where that line where the skies merged with sea!
But sometimes, the universe also tends to surprise us. Maldives was just that, a warm, rain-kissed breath of fresh air! When I landed the skies had given away to a warm sun and throughout our stay in Maldives it would rain on and off. But the rain which seemed so melancholy before was in fact a wonderful respite from the sun, perhaps more so because Niyama as I would come to realize offers much more than white sands and pristine beaches. It is an epitome of a perfect Vacation!
1. Niyama Private Islands:
The twin islands of Niyama are located in the Dhaalu Atoll, just a 25 minute domestic flight from Male followed by a 5 minute speed boat ride or a 30 minute sea plane ride away. Its comfortable, its fast and its extremely secnic. Play and Chill; the aptly named islands set the tone of an ideal stay at Niyama: it’s your playground and you will either be jumping back and forth, or simply lying back in cool luxury! Niayama is for those who are looking to feed their mind, body and soul!
2. Find your home:
Your villa is your home, and everyone around you makes sure you know it. From personalized, hand crafted Name tags, your own vehicle and the ever friendly thakuru (butler) who is just a phone call away no matter what time. I mean if you are craving home cooked meal in the middle of the night or simply want a ride to the villa next door someone is always there. When it comes to choosing your home, be smart and as there are a lot of options. There is the trustworthy beach villa, the gentle swaying water villa with a pool or the more larger pavilions from one to three bedrooms. If I were to go back again, I would choose to split my stay in Beach Villa for unlimited access to white sands and the very Maldivian water villas with pools for beautiful views!
3. To Culinary Journey:
Some of my most memorable experiences at Niyama are centred around food. Boasting a total of nine unique dinning experiences. To dine is an event at Niyama. Epicure and Blu offer a wide range of multicusine options from Mediterranean to Indian to Italian. Most days our breakfast was at Epicure and I suggest keeping an hour aside every day since it’s a lengthy albeit delightful affair. Blu provides some amazing views and is perfect for a light refreshing lunch! At nest you can soar among the treetops or find the only African and South American cuisine at Tribal and also perhaps the best dessert ever! Edge is all refined dinning while deli is relaxed, quick sandwiches and coffee. My favourite will however, be on red food truck on the surf shack which provides some delicious finger snacks and ever stunning views. While the food is all the highlights, there is also enough to dance and drink away the night. Fahrenheit is open till late in the night while sub six is the underwater playground where you can have champagne breakfasts, lunch with the fishes or enjoy weekly glow parties!
4. To do:
Even though the rains were a frequent guest there was just about enough on the island to make the time pass. There are just about dozens of diversions at nature’s playground, start your day with morning yoga classes, rejuvenate at the spa, sail away to spot the dolphins or find just about any water based activity you can think of! If you don’t know how to surf- learn, don’t know tennis – learn! Adopt a coral, learn more with nature expert or embark on your own adventure armed with your cycle! There is a wonderful activity room where friendships are tested over a game of darts or Table tennis and it would be amiss if I dint mention the extensive kids club. I mean with daily scheduled programs, fun instructors there was a point I wished I was a kid and no longer just at heart!
5. The impact:
Holidays are no longer just for the sake of it, I think in the end there needs to be purpose, an impact so to say not just upon your life but on the whole towards the environment. So dont keep looking for the cheapest thing when it comes to Maldvies, its not necessary to do this particular destination on a budget. You have to spend your five days in the very places you choose, there is no sightseeing to go to, no nearby cafe for respite and you are quite literally in the hands of your accommodation. So I come back to the very first point of rains, for it was the weather that forced me appreciate the very fact that even though you come to Maldives for the white sands and clear waters, where you choose to stay that ends up making all the difference. So, let Maldives be a destination that you save up for, splurge a little but experience the best!