Part VI
(As you can probably tell, I really want to finish this TR because I know that once Labor Day rolls around, there's probably zero change I finish it... so here goes the next installment...)
A few interesting points that I think are relevant. We were told upon arrival and continuously during our stay that the resort was operating at capacity (~300). Combined with 600+ staff, that could make for a very chaotic and busy stay. That couldn't have been farther from the truth. Given the size of the island, you barely see anyone - certainly nowhere near the 300 people they claimed were there. As someone mentioned above, guests were primarily Asian, European and Russian - very few, if any other North Americas.
We learned that the Asians generally don't go outside during the day. They don't like the sun and if they are outside during the day, are typically covered up from head-to-toe. The reason they don't like the sun is that being tanned/dark-skinned is a sign of poverty in certain cultures in Asia (because poor people work outdoors during the day). So during the day, you won't really bump into Asians. They start appearing late afternoon-ish.
That said, we spent Sunday lounging around, my wife got a massage which was somewhat reasonably priced (we found a $25 GC in our mailbox one day, which brought the cost down even further). My wife also able to get a facial included as well (based on the initial offer we were provided with at the Conrad lounge at MLE). I borrowed snorkeling equipment from the Dive Center and a life jacket from the water sports area and spent some time snorkeling - best time to go snorkeling was 10am - 12pm or so during low tide - water is clearest then. The fish were incredible - tough to find any videos or photos that truly do them justice. Some of the most colorful and unique fish out there. Brought along a GoPro camera which worked like charm, although I was somewhat disappointed with the quality of the underwater images...
Snorkeling near the Conrad house reef by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Snorkeling near the Conrad house reef by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Snorkeling near the Conrad house reef by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Snorkeling near the Conrad house reef by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
More snorkeling pics by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
More snorkeling pics by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
More snorkeling pics by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
More snorkeling pics by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
More snorkeling pics by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
More snorkeling pics by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Baby Shark by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Baby Sharks by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
There were also tons of baby sharks although I did not see any while snorkeling, nor did I see any manta rays. One of the lifeguards (Abdullah) sent me this video from a few weeks back when they fed the sharks and manta rays - incredible video. He mentioned that at about 1:30pm every afternoon (except for Monday I think) - they feed the sharks and rays out of the Mandhoo restaurant.
One of the other unique things we saw were bats. Very unusual to see them during the day but they would fly between the two resort islands every so often. We did manage to catch a picture of one a palm tree near us.
Bats by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Bats by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Bats by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
At about 8pm on Sunday, we got a call from our island hostess advising us that there was a cancellation for one of the OWV and that we should pack our bags to have them ready for a porter for pickup. She said we would be super-happy as she was going to put us into one of their nicest OWV - wasn't totally sure what to expect but knew that it was going to be awesome. Took us about 20 minutes to pack-up. She picked us up in one of the resorts buggies to take the (long) trip to the other island to our new accommodations. We motored through the reception area, over the long footrbridge, passed the Quite Zone infinity pool and Vilu restaurant towards the Sunset Villas... but at the very end she made a quick turn to Villa 314 - and we arrived at our home for the next two nights - a Premier Water Villa! She did a great job showing us around. I thanked her profusely considering we did not pay for the upgrade and quickly snapped some photos that I hope you will enjoy!! (sorry there are so many...)
Walkway...
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Huge bedroom...
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Huge bathroom with multi-person jacuzzi, rainshower, separate bathroom and double vanity sink...
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Huge closet...
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Hot water, coffee and water bar...
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Outdoor infinity pool...
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
20160802_095951 by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
20160802_120843 by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
20160802_120946 by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Daybed...
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
20160802_100004 by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Sitting area...
Conrad Rangali Premier Water Villa by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
20160802_100000 by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
Steps to snorkel at the foot of your villa in the Indian ocean...
20160802_100029 by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
20160802_100210 by
Barry Lincoln, on Flickr
More to come on our last day at the Conrad and our trip home on EY-F...