Maldives Master Thread

[CS91]

OK, Thank you

Just remember sunscreen. And a lot of it. I must've put on like 5 times a day and still got burned. And I'm not light skinned.

[damaxer91]

Preparing for an upcoming stay at the Conrad - is there someone specific I should reach out to in advance to coordinate the warming of my kosher meals? 

Also, from a kashrus perspective, is there any food there one can eat?  Diamond breakfast (cereals, milk, coffee, etc.)?

And last, has anyone assembled a checklist of things to bring on a trip like this?

Most resorts in the Maldives don't receive Mishpacha and Ami

[Dan]

Few people on here have, including me

TROIDH

[Dan]

The W really went out of their way to accommodate, but besides for that, the house reef was incredible and best of all, no kids allowed
But I can't compare to FS as I've never stayed in a FS.

[Chapshnell]

The W really went out of their way to accommodate, but besides for that, the house reef was incredible and best of all, no kids allowed
But I can't compare to FS as I've never stayed in a FS.

didn't you also pay for the W? I remember something about some chinese holiday or something.. it just doesnt seem to make sense using points outside of the Conrad & The Park Hyatt..

On a side note.. I see the equator passes between Huvadhu Atoll and Fuvahmulah in the Maldives

[mochjas]

Ah, so nothing that much extra that you need to bring. Most of the stuff that we had to make sure to remember to bring were Shabbos-related.

like what I will hopefully be spending Shabbat in Conrad koh samui soon

[Denverite]

We stayed at the PH but in terms of food there that you can eat, obviously ask your LOR but personally, we ate fruit. I actually looked into the milk on the last day and it was from Australia and was Kosher, though it was kind of useless to us because the cereal didn't have a hechsher (and we're not coffee drinkers).

A lot of the stuff from Australia doesn't have hechshers but is on lists (like in Europe).  I will double check when I go but I'm planning to bring the Australian lists b/c I understand the icecream bars and other stuff they have (hopefully cereal) is kosher at the Conrad.

[damaxer91]

A lot of the stuff from Australia doesn't have hechshers but is on lists (like in Europe).  I will double check when I go but I'm planning to bring the Australian lists b/c I understand the icecream bars and other stuff they have (hopefully cereal) is kosher at the Conrad.

You can ask them in advance. Also most hotels can usually get you long-life milk from AUS/NZ that's Kosher (Chalav Stam)

[CS91]

like what I will hopefully be spending Shabbat in Conrad koh samui soon

Grape juice, challah, candles, stuff for havdala, etc.

[Denverite]

You can ask them in advance. Also most hotels can usually get you long-life milk from AUS/NZ that's Kosher (Chalav Stam)

Obviously everyone has to ask their LOR and has their own comfort levels about things.  I explained to my contact at the Conrad about everything cooked needing to be separate and they are planning to provide us a new skillet and spatula for omelets in the morning.  They said they are happy to double wrap and bake fresh fish, etc.  too.  I'm pretty sure they'll do whatever I asked including letting us see the fish with scales before they cut it up for sashimi (although they may not be other DDFers favorite breakfast food)!! 

[Chapshnell]

All bags, even carry-ons are weighed and you are only allowed to bring 55 pounds per person along for free.  Extra weight is charged at $1.80 per pound.  They only charged us for overweight bags on the way to the hotel, not on the return

this is from Dans TR, do they weigh both the carry on & suitcase & TOGETHER it has to weigh 55lbs or less?

Surprisingly they don’t offer Jet-skiing

Also about this, I saw on their website pictures of jetskis, maybe that changed? Anyone know?

There are self-serve supply stations scattered throughout the island with free drinks, snacks, suntan lotion, and beach towels.  So awesome.

so is suntan lotion NOT needed?

[Dan]

1. Yes.
2. Email/call them and ask.
3. Personally I prefer the spray, but if you don't then you don't need any.

[Chapshnell]

1. Yes.
2. Email/call them and ask.
3. Personally I prefer the spray, but if you don't then you don't need any.

I think I am in the same boat as you with the 6 hour layover in MLE before my flight to SIN takes off.. Any recommendations? I read your TR

[Dan]

Don't want to do what I did?

[Chapshnell]

Don't want to do what I did?

Tour is cool, the front desk can arrange it? Also they have a massive fish market.. Im thinking that may be interesting but I have no idea when it opens/closes..
Any other ideas? Dont want to get a caning from a imam while I am there

[Denverite]

Tour is cool, the front desk can arrange it? Also they have a massive fish market.. Im thinking that may be interesting but I have no idea when it opens/closes..
Any other ideas? Dont want to get a caning from a imam while I am there

Did you check with your Kallah about the MLE tour?    We are on the same SQ flight in a few months and although we're fine with going to a beautiful uninhabited island in a Muslim country where the government works hard to keep tourists safe, we're gonna be enjoying the substandard lounge in the airport instead of touring a city that has open demonstrations in support of Isis.  This is old but by all accounts it's gotten worse, not better.
 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/islamic-state-the-maldives-a-recruiting-paradise-for-jihadists-9731574.html

[mochjas]

Did you check with your Kallah about the MLE tour?    We are on the same SQ flight in a few months and although we're fine with going to a beautiful uninhabited island in a Muslim country where the government works hard to keep tourists safe, we're gonna be enjoying the substandard lounge in the airport instead of touring a city that has open demonstrations in support of Isis.  This is old but by all accounts it's gotten worse, not better.
 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/islamic-state-the-maldives-a-recruiting-paradise-for-jihadists-9731574.html

wow that is pretty scary and it is from 2 years ago, as you said it is probably much worse now

[Dan]

With my beard and a baseball cap they all assumed I was muslim.

[Denverite]

With my beard and a baseball cap they all assumed I was muslim.

That's probably true!  That's why he's gotta talk to his wife too...if she's on board like AJK's wife to go full hijabi or even wear a long skirt and sephardi style tichel you're probably fine but this a discussion that needs to be had before booking a tour.   

[Yordai Dooma]

My wife and i did the tour... It was a great time filler. It was free. All it cost us was the tip. I dont think id have paid for it, but did find it interesting... We toured the fish market on the tour.