It’s Spring break and the Murphys are finally all together again! Poor Paige and Grace flew the grueling route from Chicago to Saudi, just to hop on another plane immediately after. But this time we’re off to the Maldive Islands for fun filled family vacation!
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Getting to the Maldives is complicated, but as tourism is their only economy, all the transitions are smooth and fairly easy. Although we do have to utilize commercial planes, sea planes, high speed boats and even traditional wooden vessels to reach our destination, it’s totally worth it!
So far we have been here less than 24 hours, but Paige has already informed me she is “never going back.” And honestly, I really can’t blame her. It’s beyond beautiful here!
Situated in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Africa, the Maldives is located near the equator off the tip of India.
Hard to believe we traveled 12 hours to get here, but we are ready for our adventure.
The Maldives is an archipelago of over 1190 islands forming 26 coral atolls, and a population of over 300,000 people living on 202 islands.
Our first vision of our island home for the next seven days…and it’s impressive.
Olivia inspecting our lovely villa with the infinity edge pool and our very own private beach.
A less than auspicious beginning…this was front page news the day we left…Swine flu epidemic in the Maldives. Yikes!
Olivia however, is not worried.
Our first time taking a sea plane. It’s fun but cramped.
And when I say cramped, I mean very very tight!
The plane lands right on the water and we disembark on a floating dock.
We are immediately picked up in one of these traditional wooden boats.
It’s very somehow quite relaxing to see them chugging slowly across the blue waters.
Brian happy and relaxed we finally made it after a lot of delays and near misses.
This is the walkway to the lobby…and it’s like nothing we’ve ever encountered before.
Paige and Olivia are obviously thrilled to be here.
Checking in, and the girls enjoy their welcome drink…and toast to a great vacation.
The lobby is conveniently located adjacent to the Aqua Bar-a fabulous over the water lounge with magnificent views.
Before checking into our room, Brian and I had to indulge in a cocktail (or a few) while our kids run off to explore.
Our 2 story villa is spacious but not at all precious. Perfect for a family!
This is the lovely lane to our villa. It’s nestled amidst lush settings in the front and the ocean in the back.
We enjoy breakfast in one of the four restaurants on the resort.
And then Grace and Olivia play in our private pool.
While Paige relaxes on the beach just steps from our villa.
Olivia loving all the “cocktails.” She likes to sit right next to the water because it’s so cool…
…To watch all the exotic sea life swimming right underneath her feet.
And the “over the water” swings are fun too.
We embark on a local village tour again utilizing one of the many boats. And look how blue the water is!
A spot of shopping…
…and meeting locals. This guy prepared fresh coconut for us which the girls had never tried before.
Paige being cheeky.
Olivia never gets tired of riding the boats. She loves the ever changing view riding along the water.
The view I love the most though is above…Seeing all my girls together again!