tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40511515205794876532024-02-20T10:35:04.991+00:00Visiting the MaldivesHave you visited the Maldives? If so, please take a moment to read about Veligandu island, and see how it compares to your visits, or maybe your first time in the Maldives is on the horizon - either way, please take a look!Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051151520579487653.post-55971756313813826932009-06-03T12:53:00.000+01:002009-06-03T13:52:15.568+01:00Veligandu Island<a href="http://www.destmaldives.com/images/hotels/veligandu_island_maldives/1a.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 471px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px" alt="" src="http://www.destmaldives.com/images/hotels/veligandu_island_maldives/1a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Well, very soon, it's off to the Maldives for the fourth time, and this time returning to the Island called <a href="http://www.veliganduisland.com/">Veligandu</a>, which is in the North Ari Atoll, and is certainly one that my wife and I are looking forward to.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">This year, being full of economic doom and gloom just encourages you to try to get away on holiday, and after booking it as the wife's Christmas present, the time will soon be coming to jet off to the <a href="http://www.visitmaldives.com/">Maldives</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">As I said, it's the fourth time we have visited the Maldives, I'll do a separate blog about the other Islands we have visited, being <a href="http://www.sunislandmaldives.com/">Sun Island </a>and <a href="http://www.lilybeachmaldives.com/">Lily Beach</a>, both fantastic places to go.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">So, what of <a href="http://www.veliganduisland.com/Default.aspx">Veligandu?</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Well, this is the first time we have returned to the Island, the previous time we went was in Christmas 2007, when we had a truly fantastic time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Setting off the week before Christmas, we didn't know what to expect of this Island, but following the direct 13 hour flight from <a href="http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf">Manchester Airport</a>, and also the brilliant <a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/29/87/34/taxi-for-armer.jpg">Seaplane</a> journey from <a href="http://www.maldives-holiday-4u.com/MaleRunway.JPG">Male </a>to Veligandu, we were met with the deliciously cold towel for the back of the neck and face, and of course with the complimentary cocktail which always goes down well as you wait to find out where you are staying.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The 20 minute Seaplane journey is certainly one to behold, seeing <a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/105/286728905_8305a182fc.jpg?v=0">various islands </a>below in the turquoise waters below, it's a great opportunity for taking photos. The seaplanes hold about 13 people, and lands right at the island, unlike many others where you are met by a platform five minutes away from the island, and taken to the said island via dhoni boat.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">So, how does the Island shape up, well when we visited it last there were a lot more beach bungalows than there are now, and this is because they have had a major refurb, with now a massive total of 54 <a href="http://www.outboundholidays.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/maldives-pool-villa-23.jpg">water bungalows</a>, complete with Jacuzzi's, whilst there are also 10 water villas, and 10 jacuzzi beach villas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">There is also another change to the island, with the new <a href="http://www.veliganduisland.com/photos/gallery/fc806-VeliPool20Ver020508CVTHiRes_lg.jpg">swimming pool</a>, on our previous stay there wasn't one, so this is a definite plus as far as we are concerned, and cannot wait to jump in!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Last time in Veligandu, we made several friends with the staff over there, so hello to Ranji, Gopi, Mendis, Afsar, Mahmin, and many others too, hopefully they are all still there, I know that Ranji & Gopi are as we keep in constant text with them, especially with Ranji, the Man Utd fan, who is a dead ringer for Ronaldo!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The staff at Veligandu will certainly look after you, and there are certain nights where you can take part in betting on Crab racing, not the large ones, but those small things like the ones out of Nemo!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">So, have you been to Veligandu, or even the Maldives before, or are you heading there for the first time?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">If so, post a comment to say where you have been, with the pros & cons of going there, all comments are welcome!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Thanks, Banksy!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Subscribe to Visiting The Maldives now!</div>Banksyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14534000449439356197noreply@blogger.com5