Location: Paradise on Earth - MALDIVES!

Date: 17 - 21 Dec 2008
Capital: Male
Currency: Rufiya/Dollar
Population: 360,000
No. of Atolls: 26

Flight no. SQ452
Departure: 20:45





We reached Male airport!

Male airport is on an isle on its own - Hulhule
We had to take a ferry to Male, the capital and it's only US$1 per person! The ferry which the locals take to travel back and forth. Thank goodness i did my homework and didnt get the hotel transfers which was US$11 each!


Male airport jetty...
the water was sooo clear even at night!

I got us a room at Relax Inn, just 5mins walk from the jetty. It was a joke and really the worst hotel we've stayed in ALL our trips! It was clean, small and basic which i didnt mind but gosh, the smell!!! It had this indian incense smell which got me pretty nauseous. It was terrible.. but it was only for 1 night so we made do.
(As Zack later said... we went from Hell to Heaven in one day.. hahahaha.)

The next morning, we walked around the capital to look see. Nothing much just watching the way the locals live.

Despite the horrible hotel, i'm still glad we came to the capital. When we think of Maldives, we always envision beautiful waters, luxury resorts etc.. But we didnt think of the more humble community these gorgeous islands belong to.

The population consists of Indian muslim. As we didnt explore the inner parts of the capital, we couldnt tell what they do for entertainment. There was nothing interesting.. no shops to browse, no trinkets to buy. Alot of construction and rubble around.

We couldnt wait to get to our resort!



Male is really small!

Come 11.30am, we took the ferry back to the airport.



the many booths of the various isle resorts.




the jetty where the many boats dock..


we got our very own private mini cruise! Just the 2 of us :P
they gave us warm towels and bottles of mineral water (which we collect like crazy.. haha). We even bought a big bottle of water from Male which cost US$2, it's going for US$3.50 in the resort!

our Water Bungalow wasnt ready so we went to Anchorage Bar for some drinks :) and had our first glimpse of amazing waters.....

At Anchorage Bar...





Zack was drinking zapper... really!

I was starving by then so we had our lunch. While lunching an attendant came and told us our Water Bungalow (WB) was ready! wooohooooo!


the water bungalows..

Room 139!





what greeted us every morning... :)

the toilet!





you can even enjoy the beautiful ocean while doing your numbers!

oh oh the bathtub......

the view.. oh the view....






the toilet's side door opens out to the sun deck..

this is where we lie at night.. watching the thousands of stars in the sky, with the breeze tickling our cheeks, the musical sound of waters lapping against each other, we chat til we both doze off... i'm so missing this....

it reminded us of our time in Krabi..... *wistful*

Zack was soooo happy! He immediately striped to his boardshorts and hit the waters!

at dusk from our WB...

our dinner at Coast Sands...
we got a table outside on the terrace, next to the ocean but it got windy so we had to move in :(

my maldivian curry lobster was out of this world!

not too spicy with a dash of sweetness..
Zack's lamb marsala was superb too!
they gave so much meat and lobster, we couldnt finished.. it was sooooo good...

and guess what Anchorage Bar served??

oh yes.. SHISHA!

believe you me.. that's the cheapest thing in Maldives! It was only US$7 a bowl! Singapore is S$15. And Zack couldnt resist calling Marky.. "Guess what i'm doing now?.... This is the shite man!" hahahha.. yeah... good food, surrounded by beauty and luxury, and smoking shisha in Maldives!

we had to sit according to the wind direction so i wouldnt inhale any of the smoke.. hah.





2nd Day: it rained!
some places are still beautiful even when it rains :)

we woke and had a late breakfast (as usual) then walked around the isle.....














there were many crabs too... see how they camouflage with their surrounding.. nature is really amazing.

we were getting quite damp so what better place to hang out in than our WB!




stingray.....


black-tipped sharks....


pretty fishes....
were our daily companions :)

AQUUM ~ Island Spa is on a mini isle of its own



we went to book our sessions for the next day!

In the evening.. we went fishing!!!






within 10 mins, Zack caught the 1st fish!!!



i only caught mine at sundown.. haha...
it was a red snapper!


that day's catch wasnt too good... our entire boat only caught this much..
can you see our fishes? with the blue tag #139 (room number).

we picked the fish we wanna keep and the chef will cook it for us, in the style we chose.. the following night.

we chose Zack's fish.. and had it cooked in thai style.

gotta pay US30 just for this! :S

and as usual... our night activity is shisha again!

housekeeping was extremely efficient.. everytime we leave our room, we came back to a tidy room!

the bed was sooooooooo comfy!
the pillows soft as clouds......
do you know they change the mattress after every guest's departure?


i dont wanna leave!! can i stay here forever??

our 3rd Day: the day we got chased by a parrot fish!










housekeeping again! second time when Zack needs the toilet.. hahahha!

we bought goggles and the underwater view was STUPENDOUS!

if you stay still in the water, small fishes might just swim by! Underwater, you see hundreds of small silver fishes swimming about around you. They are so small you cant see from upwater. There are parrot fishes which looks so comical (the fish with lipstick). Many different kinds of fishes with such brilliant colors. It was just like swimming inside a saltwater aquarium!

and a dark brown/yellow parrot fish chased us!! It was perhaps the most memorable and hilarious episode of our trip :P (not just the fish chasing us but what happened after.. hahahah)

a parrot fish..

see how clear the water is!

it's gonna rain soon!

so when it rains.. it's time to soak in the tub!
Sometimes you can just see a school of fishes swimming by.. and some flying out of the water :)

SPA TIME!

i got a silky body polish while Zack had a massage :)

......then we are off to the SUNSET DOLPHIN CRUISE



"quick ju quick"

guess what?? Zack bumped into a friend! They were on their honeymoon. Gosh... in Maldives and we see friends ard.. the world is getting cramped.

and we saw a rainbow!

so that night, we had our most amazing sunset....

when you get so close to nature, you cant help marveling at God's wonderous ways...




i love sitting here at night... it's just so tranquil.. and you'd never know who might pop by to visit..


:)

Our 4th Day:

check-out was at noon so we extended til 6pm.. and gotta fork out US110! (US140 til departure time) Yes.. everything is dollars and cents in Maldives!

more frolicking....
and i figured this is prob the last time i'd don a bikini *sigh*.. i was the model that day :P

sunbathing time..

the heat is so cosy.. and it can simply slip yr mind that you are in fact baking there!

and had ourselves a cosy afternoon watching TV and ordering room service! (i can live like this everyday!)

saying our goodbyes :(

it was really money well-spent.. Zack thoroughly enjoyed himself :)

housekeeping for the next guest.. they even changed the mattress!








there are buggies available to ferry us around

the lobby.. Christmas decor was up when we left.

oh sorry.. we werent due to leave yet.
We were off for our last fishing trip! ;)







an eel!



check out the bait.... yellow fin tuna! It's like frigging expensive..

we anchored just a spot away from the water bungalows..
good spot.. the bites were plentiful!






Zack caught 4 fishes in total..
and dishing out advice when i'd yet to catch a single one after awhile.. haha.

and no one's gonna believe what i caught!!

omg..... a 5kg snapper!!!
see... i'm not interested in small fishes.. i go for the HUGE ones *smirk*
:D

(i was basking in glory for only a few days until Zack upped me and caught a 7kg grouper back in Singapore!!!)




our fishes! See MY fish... and see Zack's fishes


Fullmoon Resorts & Spa was a marvellous place to nest in for that luxury break. Service was efficient and warm. We simply indulgenced in serious pampering those days. But nothing comes cheap!

I don't think i could forget how delighted Zack was when we first stepped into our water bungalow. I was a little overwhelmed too! haha.. He was like a little boy being given a new shiny toy.. hahahah. Yes it was an expensive holiday but it was worth every penny. The present had served its purpose - to bring joy :) He better appreciate it.. dammit, who ever receives an almost all expense paid trip to Maldives as a birthday present! As i always say, money can be earned back.. but such beautiful experience is priceless. And my darling deserves the best! :)

This is really like a second honeymoon for us. It was just us and our beautiful surroundings. With our little one growing inside, it seems like we have so much more to celebrate, to be thankful for. And i've never in my life felt more blessed than now :) When i see the joy in his face everyday, i know he feels the same way :) In everything we have, we give thanks to the Lord..

Now we can tell our little one he/she had been to Maldives.. haha. He/she is in for another treat in 2 months time! *winks* Zack and i made a pact that there'll be no more extravagant gifts from now on. Our priorities have changed and really... we have our fun already. Too much maybe! haha.. :D

Stroller shopping!

who would have thought stroller shopping could be quite this fun!

Zack and i popped over to Vivo yesterday and had some fun at Spring Maternity... and fell in love with the first one we laid eyes on. Tsk tsk. Why must it be a Quinny?!!!!! Argghhhhh......... but it's soooooooo cute! omg....

The CabrioFix

The Zapp

but Zack didnt think the fabric looks too comfy..

"the smallest buggy in the world"

in other colors.....

a stroller and a car seat.
and we especially love that it can be converted to a car seat.

see the sun canopy? sooo cute!

The Mura

but i'm also considering the Mura cos its frame can be used from birth to 4 years, while the Zapp looks kinda small. Plus it has bigger wheels.. more sturdy.

*ponders*


see pricetag first! The Zapp + CabrioFix is like $900+!!! :S

but i REALLY REALLY like this! i dont exactly fancy the MacClarens we see around. Now Zack and i will looking at any strollers that crosses our path... hahhaha...

But there're still a few months to go and recee before we'll be buying one. I cant wait to do up the nursery!!! *twirls*

There's some serious penny pinching to do! noticed how i stopped whining about THE BAG already? haha. Having a baby is so expensive!

decided to end my work day early
and take a little break before packing up,
enjoying a cup of milk..
milk is good!

i'm gonna leave on the dot today!
cos Zack is on his way to pick me up :P
wonder where's good for a good meal..

been busy at work this week..
deadlines and then deadlines..
payroll and CPF all done..
soon it'll be Income Tax time..
oh wat joy

oh we're 12 weeks today! *beams*
and guess wat? i cant button/buckle most of my pants now!
only the waist lah.. the rest still fits well!
Zack commented the other day my little bump is getting bigger :)
and my lovely boobs... are growing REALLY nicely as well.
Somebody sure is happy... hahhahha!
jeez.. to think i gotta be preg in order to have such nice boobs.. tsk tsk


hmmm... we have another 4 weeks 2 days before we can see our little one... it's proving a long wait....


gtg!
*waves*

the first ever in history....

"ok you've done enough.. go and rest now. Don't do anymore."

that's what Zack said to me after i've washed 2 toilets.. Oh i SO have to blog this down.. hahaha. In any case, toilet washing has always been one of my fav chores. 20mins and everything is all sparkling and new. Maximum results in minimum time.

Now what did my darling hubby do?
~ washed the dishes
~ cleaned and clear the newspapers and accidents
~ vacummed and mopped the floor
~ fed the dogs
~ helped me change the sheet for the mattress

he did all these without me having to bargain/trade favors/cajole/ask him!

:D

now i see why it's always better to not have any expectations *grins*

my weekend was awesome! Zack is off this weekend so it was just the 2 of us.. *skips*.. oh no, just the 3 of us *dance* i only wish its longer.. It's hard to tear myself away to work this morning when i see him all snuggled up in bed. Life's not fair!

Baby talking

.....and as usual, with Zack around.. i didnt get much done at home. He is a bad influence. Yesterday was spent sleeping, grocery shopping, and more sleeping, popped over to his parent's and a movie at midnight :) We slept really late last night so i'm wondering what am i doing up at 10am this morning.. maybe my 4th toilet trip in 6 hours played a part!

Popped over to Zack's parents for abit and took a look at Zack's baby photos. You know.. to see how our little one will turn out (he probably is a boy) :P Whoa.. he wasn't hot-air blowing when he said he was very cute as a baby! He was sooooo cute! Eyes big big, very fair and his mum said he was always smiling. He could passed as a gal actually.. hahahha! My mum said when she was expecting me, she'd pray every night not for a pretty baby but for a loveable one so i'm doing the same!

And staying happy matters too.. smiling alot, being joyful. Yes yes... all ticked. I noticed having a happy disposition helps with morning sickness as well. I reckon you can handle whatever comes your way better if you have a happy attitude. It's true! Your emotional health affects your physical being. I used to worry alot at the beginning as i heard of a number of miscarriages in the 1st trimester. But i told myself to leave everything to God. This pregnancy is blessed and given by Him (that's another story at another time :)) and He will take care of our little one in there. I'm just gonna enjoy every minute of it :)

Quite a mouthful on babytalk there. I just fed little beanie with some blueberry morning and i'm still hungry.. *sigh* finding food is such a chore. Think i'd head back to bed soon. Snuggling in bed with my hubby is the perfect way to spend my sunday morning.. heh. I'd do my chores later while Zack studies :P

I'M HUNGRY AGAIN!!!!!

the weekend is here!!!

okay i dont really have much to blog.
or rather, i dont really have the time to blog the things i wanna blog.

i'm so looking forward to the weekend cos it means more sleep!
i can never sleep enough these days..
growing a little bean is proving to be a not so easy task! :P


alright gtg now...
i dun even know what i'm doing here... haha
ok i PROMISE Maldives trip report will be up this weekend!
like how i promise myself i will tidy the house and wash the toilet.. last weekend.
i'm NOT gonna be lazy!


THIS WEEKEND.

we're gonna see our little one in a few hours time!!!

Appointment Time: 7.20pm


*skips*dances* :)

do you know.....

......mosquitoes sting through denim!!!!!

I'm up! yeah at 3pm.... wooohoooo...
I take whatever sleep i can get! I'm still not sleeping well.. oh those dratful dreams.. the toilet trips certainly doesnt help! woke at 11am and made my darling breakfast in bed. This is to show him i appreciate him for doing all the housechores willingly (though he made sure i'm aware of them.. haha) and for being such a darling :) I may be pregnant but it's not my license to be brat k. While he's being understanding and sweet, i have to do what i can to appreciate him too. We got another 6.5 months to go, cant burn him out now.. haha. He's really cute.. whenever i'm quieter than usual and pouting, he'd be like, "Ok i know.. you're having your moodswings, i understand *grins*" and give me a hug. hahahah... how to stay grouchy like this? :P

i'm feeling great today! Just a bout of mild nausea in the morning when i was running on empty. Other than my usual complaints of indigestion and heartburn, i'm quite fine. The vomitting had more or less gone away. Zack said i dun have many moodswings so lucky him.. haha. I dun have to be in bed by 10pm or cry at every blardee commercial or barfing every hour or any depression. In the light of things, i'm quite fortunate cos i heard some women really got it bad. So i'm really counting my blessings :) Evelyn said what we partake also plays a part in morning sickness, so i'm keeping an eye too. No fatty, no oily if i can help it. My only indulgence is chicken rice.. oh i love chicken rice..

Oh Zack said he's taking me to Beach Rd for the $10 prawn noodles later!! He said the prawns are HUGE! If it's really THAT nice, i'll post it up. Good things must share ;)

*gasps* Zack just made me a cup of Anmum! *beams* This milk specially for preggos.. It's chocolate flavor and reduced fat - very impt.. haha.

he made me chocolate milk but refused to let me drink pao pao cha *wails* i pleaded.. i cajoled.. i turned on my megawatt charm.. i said his daughter wanna drink.. to no avail :( He said it's got caffeine and it's a no-no. I'm allowed to only after the 1st trimester.. *deep sigh*

1 week 5 days to go!


alrighty, i gotta go find something to eat.. starving!
have a great weekend! *waves*

A Happy Hearty 2009!

I noticed with a jolt that i had only posted 11 posts in Dec! my my... probably a first in my blogging history. I've always enjoy blogging.. its therapeutic and allows me to jot down all things happy which are plentiful! Not to say Dec was a lousy month, on a contrary, it was one of the best months ever but i just hadnt been feeling up to doing much - blame it on the hormones. I cant believe i didnt even do a post on our Christmas! I had an awesome heartwarming time.. even got a vid.. but somehow the days just sped by and now it's New Years Day.

So i'll do a quick one now.. only got 30mins before i plop down infront of the telly to catch my 'Little Nonya'. Sy couldnt believe it when i told her i'm hooked to the show. Her reaction was hilarious.. hahaha!

Gosh.. the dogs peed in the toilet and i can even smell it from the room *faints* Zack had already sprayed it away but the scent still lingers. I so wanna scrub it away with cif but i cant.. *sigh* I've been mandated not to squat or do anything strenuous. I didnt even have to hang the laundry out, Zack said he'll do it :D

So i havent been up to much of late, just seriously pampered by my loved ones *beams* (i LOVE being a preggo!!!) Andrew and Rachel invited us over for dinner last night.. and Andrew cooked specially for me! He boiled herbal chicken soup (complete with wolfberries, dates and ginseng), steamed cod fish and beef shabu shabu. Dinner was excellent! My BIL really can cook! :P Zack went off to work and i bummed at their place a little longer and watched 'Little Nonya' with my sis. And they sent me home after :)

Godma just told me that she had already gotten me a malay lady to do the massage and wrap after delivery! Yeah, i still have another 6.5 months to go. The wrap helps to re-align and support the womb and it helps to get me back in shape. And Zenia (my colleague) zapped a copy of a book on confinement for me.. on what to do and the recipes of confinement food :)

Ant called me this afternoon and i announced my good news. Gosh he was so excited.. he was literally yelling away.. hahahha..! He said he and Ben will come visit me and he'll cook for me! I told him to start practicing on confinement food so he can cook me my confinement food *giggles* And Ben guessed it! He msged me when i was at Maldives, right after i caught a 5kg snapper! and i told him i got something to tell him when i'm back and he was like.."am i going to be an uncle?" awwww...... :)

Even Marky asks after me everytime he msgs me.. *touched* Guys are not always bothered by pregnancy stuff so yeah, i'm really touched :)

I'm so blessed... *tears*
I have so many people who loves me.. who cares :)
Thank you Lord!

My start to the new year was a nice quiet one at home with little beanie. Zack was working but called me at 11.59am and we celebrated over the phone. I was in fact almost dozing off while watching Pirates of the Carribean. Next came the fireworks! I could see the fireworks from Msia and some from the celebration at Punggol. I'm no longer up to a loud rowdy celebration, perhaps age is catching up on me.

2008 was a very great year for me.. for Zack, for our marriage, our relationship with each other. In that aspect, i will consider 2008 to be our best year ever. And with God watching over us, 2009 will be even brighter!

Amen!