Alas, too bad, we're back!

Think June 2nd, 1998 14:30h, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Our plane has just landed and we are back from the best vacation I ever had. We returned from the Maldives. What makes it the best vacation, you may ask? Well, two thoughts come to mind: 1) where do I start, and 2) I don't think I'll ever be able to discribe. Still, I'm gonna try, a little.

We had the most beautiful weather the first half of our stay and a touch of rainseason in the second half. The clouds and the rain didn't get us down, because the clouds are spectacular in a fluffy and creamy, colourful way. Even the rain was special and nice with its large warm drops. It hardly rained at all, but when it did, it came pouring down like there was no tomorrow. Of course there always was. After fifteen minutes or so, the rain already stopped. The last two days of our stay, the clouds were gone, the wheather as good as in our first half.

The people are extremely friendly, the seawater extremely clear and warm, the sand as white as in the brochure. Small sharks (afraid of humans) patroled the breaks, stingrays rested under the sand in the shallow waters, colourful fish nibbled at the coral. You'll understand the snorkling and scuba diving is amazing.

Food in the main restaurant (served buffet-style) was excelent and had a different theme each night. The Belgian chef surpassed himself night after night with exquisite dishes. The other five (à la carte) restaurants served exotic meals, also of the highest quality. The proffessional zeal and the high level of service provided by the waiters, made us a little shy. Seldomly, I recieved service this good! In the morning , fresh towels were layed out on our own beachchairs, that stood on our private piece of the beach. In the evening the maids turned down the beds and decorated them with flowers.

Imagine yourself, sitting on that beachchair, feet positioned in the warm shallow water, drink in one hand, good book in the other. The sun is shining. Your headphone is playing your favourite music softly in the background. Your partner next to you, gives you a smile from ear to ear... I know you'll feel as happy as I did. At one time, I felt so immensly blessed, so overwhelmed with happiness, that I said to my wife: "if I die here, just bury me in the white sands and I know I died a lucky man.... Not that I was suicidal. Oh no, the opposite is true. But every fiber in my body wanted to stay there. Never go back to The Netherlands with its crowded streets and sometimes narrow minds. Here, on this island of dreams there are no cars, no rules, no worries.

We stayed in Kurumba village a designated resort island, 35 minutes 'drive' (by boat) from the capital and airport Malé. If you ever have the change (and the time & money) to go there, do yourself a favour and go!!