Wednesday, 2/5/2020, last day in the Maldives.
For our last day, we had an appointment for a couple's massage at the SPA (it became complimentary because of the power outage). I had also another guided Snorkeling that the diving center gave me complimentary because of the previous night incident. My wife didn't want to join me for the 2nd round since she felt nauseous towards the end of the night' snorkeling the previous night.
Truth to be told, it was too short to leave. We made the choice to stay longer in Thailand and shorter in the Maldives because of the constant watch of our daughter in an Overwater Villa, and for the accessibility to Kosher food in Thailand, but I wish we had stayed longer. We packed these 3 days with so many activities but we felt like we can stay for another week. The only thing I didn't do properly is to rest... I prepared this trip for so long and was so excited that I couldn't sleep properly at night, at least I wasn't tired.
Last sunrise.
Broadcasting my IG stories for my daughter, early in the morning.
After the regular morning schedule, I went to the diving center for another guided snorkeling near the reef with the same guide and the free pictures that come with it. Too bad I was only by myself but I was glad I came there during the day too. I could've snorkel by myself but the high-resolution camera with the professional photographer was worth it. You can check her page
here. There are some colorful corals, and we saw schools of fish. It wasn't anything special but I never get tired of snorkeling, it's just amazing to watch all this life under.
After the snorkeling, we had to go to the SPA. We first dropped off our daughter at the Kids' club with a paid Babysitter, we told them to contact us at the SPA if there will be any issue (what I really meant, 'figure it out by yourself and don't dare bother me in our quiet time...'). When we arrive at the SPA they greeted us with our names, provided us seats and brought drinks.
The SPA is right after the bridge coming into the south island on the right. The Spa has first a building where they receive guests. After the reception there's a big garden with some sculptures and hanging eggs to relax, the garden has access to the water. Depending on the treatment, they assign different rooms (Villa), each villa is different and some have a pool attached to them. The entrance to the SPA is exclusive to guests that receive a treatment, the garden is a shared space for all the guests that receive treatments.
Dressing room.
The hostess came with the questionary in order to offer a personalized message. They also have a choice of oil and they gave us to smell them so we can choose our favorite one. My wife is a personal trainer so she chose an intense muscle massage but I preferred a more relaxed one.
I didn't have many massages treatment prior to this one for the sake of comparison but this was really special. Firstly, the room is over the water with floor to ceiling glass doors with an uninterrupted ocean view. the floor has a square glass under the headrest part of the bed so you can converse with the fish while the massage therapist presses on your back. The service itself was very professional from beginning till the end, with no one misstep for a full 90 minutes. I also liked that they didn't hand us a bill at the end of the exit as they knew it was on the hotel. When we were done, we felt like we were hovering in the air, so much the body was light.
We went to relax a bit in the garden for 15 minutes and then headed back to pick up our daughter.
At that point in the afternoon, we were still unsure if we will buy the picture package from the photographer and we had to see them in order to decide if we will buy them. I had about $100 left from the money I preloaded before our stay and I knew that I have an option to add more (Aspire credits) if needed. I first went to get the pictures from the snorkeling and transferred them to my phone and then we went to check out the pictures from the photoshoot. My wife really loved them and I had to admit that they were beautiful and it will be a shame to not have them. We had to choose 30, he showed us the pictures on the big plasma and we asked him to make some corrections to the pictures. Once we had the 30, I told him to make them ready for 9 PM before we're leaving the island. The price for 30 photos is $500++, a price I wouldn't pay, but my real cost after tax was $240 so I was fine with it
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I sent a message to my seller in the US to get more Aspire credits and I was hoping to get an answer at 9 AM EST which will be 8 PM at the resort, an hour before we have to leave.
In the afternoon we enjoyed the pool one last time and packed our stuff and then told my wife to go get a manicure at the SPA as a farewell... We also went for the happy hour at the Peacock Alley, we had a few drinks and a chat with the hotel staffers.
Peacock Alley is next to the arrival pier.
During our stay at the Waldorf, we didn't enjoy good food. We had tons of snacks and meals we brought from Awafi in Singapore but they weren't that good, especially that we came from Koh Samui where we had tons of delicious food every day. So I spoke with the chef if he can arrange us a freshly cooked meal at one of the restaurant. I explained to him that on top of new pots and dishes, I need to be able to watch him while he cooks. Since they don't allow guests in any of the kitchens, the only option was at Tasting Table where they serve breakfast, since they have there a gas stove on the open bar. He said that he had done it in the past for other gusts but I made sure to explain to him what I will need and how it can be done. I told him on Wednesday morning that we are on board for that evening before our departure and gave him our menu.
The chef was really nice and he actually insisted that he wants to cook dinner for us, at least one time during our stay.
We came at 7 to the restaurant and got a table on the beach. I went to the chef inside and gave him the OK to begin. He made us a fresh salad, stirfry vegetables, and cooked salmon. He showed me the new pan before he used it and he cooked on the fire. It was my first time doing at a hotel that the kitchen wasn't Koshered before, and I knew I had to watch him all along because he has no clue what is not OK to do. Everything went well and the food was really delicious, natural but rich in flavors. For the stirfry, he just used olive oil but it tested so fresh and different. The salmon was really fresh and delicious even though he didn't add any ingredients. The meal was $150++, with no extra charge for the crazy guy watching him cooking and giving him strict instructions...
At 8 PM I got an answer from the seller that he will be able to do it but I'll have to wait for about an hour until he can pay with the provided links. We arrived at the lobby with our suitcases a bit before 9, they gave us our photos box and a present for our daughter; a glass tube with sand and shells. I asked them if they got any money for my room and they said they just got $750 and the remaining balance to be paid is $16.95... I got the incidental copy by email from Saddam Hussain (Saddam.Hussain@waldorfastoria.com)
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I paid a total of 11 x $250 Aspire resort credit, and this covered the Yacht transfer, Jetski, Night snorkeling, Babysitting, Dinner and other drinks, and the Photoshoot, (the SPA and the 2nd snorkeling was complimentary).
The baby was already sleeping since we left the Villa (and until the end of the flight to Singapore). We were again by ourselves on the yacht for the way back with no other guests. The staff waved at our departure and we had some sadness in our heart to leave this beautiful and amazing place, but with real satisfaction that we had made it and it was above and beyond expectations. It was hard to leave such a place...
MLE Airport.
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