So our flight is schedule on 14 September 2015 on 11 plus plus at night. So to do online check- in it have to 48 hours before departure. I tried to do on Saturday night, but MAS website couldnt find my booking number (I booked since March, so its like 6 month before) then I decided to call the MAS hotline number and they told me the website database is on maintenance so try again another 24 hours. So next day, Sunday. Did the same thing but still the same result and again called the MAS hotline number and you know what they told me "Sorry miss, all our route to Maldives are suspended, and our last flight is 28 August.." I was like "What!!!!" Nearly cursed, but I hold back.
So cut story short! MAS had arranged the flight instead going straight to Maldives, we are going to have 7 hours transit at Colombo, Sri Lanka. And from Colombo we have to board Sri Lankan Airlines on the next day which is on 15 of September, 7.30 in the morning. So instead arriving at Maldives on the 14 so we have to arrive on the 15 instead. But never mind, the original plan was when we arrive in Male International Airport that night, we overnight that night in the airport and make our way to Maafushi Island on the 15th. So basically, although with the shocking-near-to-death arrangement, it doesnt really change that we will be arriving in Maafushi on the 15th.
Malaysia Airlines. Sentiasa Di Hatiku ;p
Although the Ibrahim Naseer International Airport is also known as Male International Airport but it is not on the Male Capital City Island. The Airport is an Island of its own but still, the sea and view is breathtaking! Plus, there is no HAZE in Maldives. So I'm inhaling a such good quality clean fresh air, and it filling my lungs and its GOOOD!
(Right outside of the Airport)
(The deck is the jetty deck where we have to board a ferry to Male Capital City)
When we arrive at the airport the first thing that my Su Woei (my cousin sister, lets abbreviate her name to SW) did was go to the POS Office, she wanted to post a postcard to one of her office mates back in Malaysia. And as for me is change 20 USD to Rufiyaa, and I get 300 Rufiyaa (bila nampak 300 Rufiyaa macam dalam otak terus "aku kaya!" lah sangat!) And the second thing that we did is go to the toilet then hunting for sim cards. Naively I thought that the Broadband in Maldives is as good as in Malaysia so its a bit slow but OK laaa. The tourist simpack with 5gb extra is around USD35 including tax. Like I said, I was naively to think that the broadband was as good ;p But hey! to me, the next time Ill be coming to Maldives, maybe still would buy the simpack, just maybe 2gb is good enough for me ;p
To be getting to Maafushi Island, I need to go from Male International Airport to Male Capital City and in order to do that we have to ride a ferry that cost you 10 Rufiyaa or 1 USD. So when we arrive in Male Capital City, we have to actually go to Villinggi Jetty to take a ferry to Maafushi. And from the jetty where we go off from airport boat, we have to take a taxi ride to Villinggi Jetty which cost around 35 Rufiyaa. But you can actually get up at the back of a truck to take you to Villinggi Jetty for FREE :) But SW refused to ride the back of the truck, which I don't mind as long it can save money, so yeah! Taxi it is.
So near to the Villinggi Jetty there is this cafe named Sea House or Sea Horse cafe and since our ferry to Maafushi is at 3pm, so we decided to have lunch together with our Maldivian Uni-mates :) There is 2 public ferry that is going to Maafushi on that day, one its at 12 noon and another one its at 3pm, and it's only 15 Rufiyaa per person. And also there is speedboat to Maafushi too from the jetty, and that will cost you around 20 USD. And on Friday its their weekend, so if you flying to Maldives on a Friday, you do have to arrange the speedboat transfer with the hotel, and the price for per person will be not 20 USD per person, alot more actually.
The public ferry ride took us about 2 hours to arrive in Maafushi. So depart at 3pm and arrived at 5pm. And along the way, its a bit bumpy ride because of the bad whether. So happen, its the monsoon season, so yeah big waves, rainy and bumpy ;p But the best part is, I could see a number of Luxury Resorts along the way and its so beautiful.
As soon we arrived, there are representative from Arena Beach Hotel waiting for us at Maafushi Jetty, and as soon we arrive, the rain stops ;p Gladly and happily welcoming us to Maafushi I guess ;p But since the hotel its like in the end of the island and the road is turning into puddles, so we ride a motorcycle to the hotel. And once we arrived to the hotel, my mouth drops!
Arena Beach Hotel in on the Private Beach and its only on the Private Beach that the people are allowed to wear less clothing and bikinis. So the Private Beach is actually hidden behind a coconut leaf and wood wall to separate it from the public eye. And that is what I actually find it truly amazing. Coming back about the hotel, right in front of the hotel there is its not that long but I still can say a stretch of white sand beaches and turquoise blue and green water. Is it up to me, Ill just dump my bag at the lobby and run to the big wild sea! But since Im doing all the arrangements, so the booking details is in my possessions ;p so yeah, check- in first. We were great by Welcome Drinks and hot towel. Oh! How I remembered the feeling of the hot towel on my dirty tired face! Oh! Wow! Yeah! ;p
After being checked-in, I straight away change my clothes and try to guess what I do next? And its after the video about the humongous room that we are place in :) OFF TO THE BEACH LAAA! Subahanallah, its the only word I repeatedly said while I'm getting closer and closer to the sea. Its so serene, its so peaceful, its so beautiful its Allah's creation, Subahanallah and I am actually get to experience all this, Alhamdulillah.
So what it for dinner? Since we are in a budget, I did bring a lot of Brahim's instant food, Meggi of course and chicken curry and chicken kurma in a can by Adabi. And not forgetting, I also brought a small 0.8 Liter small rice cooker along. It is a budget trip right? After spending 35 USD fora simcard with 5gb internet, I need to watch my money, plus I do want to participate in their snorkeling activities, so I gain some and I sacrifice some :)
After dinner, me and SW went to a local so call like kedai runcit or a mini market to buy water and went back to the hotel and doze off. Lets call it a day :)
So to break it down my expenses of the day is;
- Travelers Sim Card + 5gb Data = 35USD
- Boat from Airport to Male Capital City = 10 Rufiyaa
- Taxi ride from the 1st jetty in Male to Villinggi Jetty = 25 Rufiyaa (25 or 35)
- Lunch = 100 Rufiyaa (I should have taken the buffet lunch at 115 Rufiyaa)
- Public Ferry to Maafushi Island = 15 Rufiyaa (but for this, Musad belanja, Thanks Musad!)
- Buying stuffs at the mini market = around 50 Rufiyaa.
So Goodnight & Assalamualaikum.
WAIT!!! CHECK OUT MY YOU TUBE VIDEO ;p
WAIT!!! CHECK OUT MY YOU TUBE VIDEO ;p
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