Author Topic: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip  (Read 32207 times)

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #40 on: August 25, 2016, 10:16:45 AM »
Ha they really are an amazing staff! Just left the hotel now and thanks for the shop rite ou cooking spray!
You're welcome!!

Offline moisheyb

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Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #41 on: August 25, 2016, 10:18:33 AM »
You're welcome!!


I'm sure it'll last awhile , but they really knew exactly what to do and offered us everything that was available to them to the best that they could.

On to Venice now....

Offline ual902

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #42 on: August 25, 2016, 11:10:59 AM »
WOW nice trip report thanks for sharing, loved how everyone sounds so happy upon landing @ the conrad.

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #43 on: August 25, 2016, 12:34:38 PM »
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...


Offline mgoldhammer18

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #44 on: August 25, 2016, 12:52:36 PM »
WOW!

Offline mgoldhammer18

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #45 on: August 25, 2016, 01:01:35 PM »
Is the Conrad Maldives the resort with the underwater restaurant?

Offline ual902

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #46 on: August 25, 2016, 01:06:37 PM »
Is the Conrad Maldives the resort with the underwater restaurant?

Yes, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

Offline mgoldhammer18

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #47 on: August 25, 2016, 01:13:17 PM »
Yes, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant

Cool.  @BarryLincoln, do you have any pictures in that restaurant?

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #48 on: August 25, 2016, 01:31:06 PM »
Cool.  @BarryLincoln, do you have any pictures in that restaurant?

I know that I will unleash a firestorm here by saying that I don't have any pictures of Ithaa, nor did I have any interest in visitng Ithaa for $150+ for drinks... 

Looks like a cool place but not something that I would shell out $$ for - just my two cents.

Offline coralsnake

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #49 on: August 25, 2016, 02:32:09 PM »
You have very nice feet and I love the guy in the speedo. Nicely done!
"Here at DansDeals we don’t do buses." -Dan

Offline BarryLincoln

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #50 on: August 25, 2016, 02:48:59 PM »
You have very nice feet and I love the guy in the speedo. Nicely done!

Thank you for the wonderful complement...  ;D

Offline mgoldhammer18

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #51 on: August 25, 2016, 02:50:02 PM »
I know that I will unleash a firestorm here by saying that I don't have any pictures of Ithaa, nor did I have any interest in visitng Ithaa for $150+ for drinks... 

Looks like a cool place but not something that I would shell out $$ for - just my two cents.

They charge you just to go in?

Offline ual902

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #52 on: August 25, 2016, 03:31:44 PM »
 Just wondering if all the North Americans that go to MLE are freeloaders FT\DDF etc..?!!

You always hear celebrities going more to BOB then MLE!!

Just my 2 cents.
« Last Edit: August 25, 2016, 03:36:11 PM by ual902 »

Offline tageed-lee

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #53 on: August 25, 2016, 03:34:52 PM »
Freaken Awesome OWV! Did not mind all the pics!  :D

Offline Denverite

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #54 on: August 25, 2016, 05:24:31 PM »
Freaken Awesome OWV! Did not mind all the pics!  :D

Seriously,  he scored an insane upgrade.  Just to really appreciate what he got for those of you that haven't stalked the Conrad website like me, there are only two Premier Villas in the whole resort, run about $2500-4500 a night depending on the season and the only unit above it is the Sunset Villa which runs 5-10k a night.  Can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip!

Offline tov hashem

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #55 on: August 25, 2016, 07:21:59 PM »
Unbelievable!!! Don't let us wait to long for the rest.

Offline AROCKS1

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #56 on: August 25, 2016, 07:58:12 PM »
This is unreal!..I think this deserves a DDMS link, talk about aspirational reward redemption!

Offline Denverite

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #57 on: August 25, 2016, 09:27:42 PM »
This is unreal!..I think this deserves a DDMS link, talk about aspirational reward redemption!

It IS amazing but if it was on the main page but then you'd have all these goofballs demanding the Conrad cook them kosher food and this upgrade and thinking they deserve compensation if they don't get them!  He was worried to even post this stuff here...

Offline LoLo

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #58 on: August 25, 2016, 09:41:38 PM »
It IS amazing but if it was on the main page but then you'd have all these goofballs demanding the Conrad cook them kosher food and this upgrade and thinking they deserve compensation if they don't get them!  He was worried to even post this stuff here...
I don't think these goofballs will ever get to maldives.

Offline AROCKS1

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Re: Barry Lincoln's Summer 2016 Venice and Maldives Trip
« Reply #59 on: August 25, 2016, 09:43:27 PM »
It IS amazing but if it was on the main page but then you'd have all these goofballs demanding the Conrad cook them kosher food and this upgrade and thinking they deserve compensation if they don't get them!  He was worried to even post this stuff here...
Dan could edit that out, BL already allowed for that...