Maldives 2021 Day 3 - Celebrating Life
When we checked into our overwater villa yesterday they mentioned to us that we had a sunrise view and not to miss it in the morning. Jenn and I joked that we’d probably never be up early enough to see a sunrise but this morning we were up a little after 5AM and watched the sky turn from pitch black to a beautiful sunny morning. It was a beautiful way to start our 12th wedding anniversary something that wasn’t lost on either of us as we sat gazing over the Indian Ocean on our loungers.
As the sun rose we started to get ready for the morning and that was when Jenn spotted right outside our dock a small shark swimming right around where we can dive in. That told both Jenn and I all we needed to know about our desire to go in the ocean. Once that shock wore off we hopped on our bikes and rode to the tennis courts playing for the first time in probably 6-9 months. Although it was a bit hot and humid out, the hotel provided us bottles of water, towels, racquets, balls, and ice towels to cool down with afterward. It felt so good to be back on the courts even if we were both a bit rusty.
From the tennis court, we showered off, got changed, and made our way for breakfast. When we researched the trip we knew going in that food prices in the Maldives are exorbitant, and that’s coming from two New Yorkers. But everything we read said that the St. Regis Maldives breakfast was the best deal on the resort. If this morning’s breakfast was any indication then we probably won’t miss an opportunity to come back. Along with a set menu, the breakfast offers up some buffet options which are served by the staff (COVID restrictions) as well as unlimited sparkling wine, mimosas, bloody Mary’s, smoothies, and fresh juices. We both started with sparkling wine, Jenn had scrambled eggs and waffles, and I had the duck confit with waffles one of the most delicious breakfast items I’ve ever had.
We left breakfast full and ready for our first full day on the island. We spent most of the afternoon in our room, enjoying the pool, loungers and even coming back inside to enjoy the third season of Sex Education when it got too hot outside. At 3 PM we had an appointment at the Iridium Spa to experience the “blue hole” a beautiful spa on the edge overlooking the ocean. In the spa, there were a couple of high-pressure streams that you could sit under and release some of the tension. After playing tennis it actually was quite nice. Along with some delicious ginger ice tea and time in both the steam and sauna we had a really nice experience at the spa and looked forward to coming back later in the week.
When we arrived back in our room, our butlers Ubad and Nicole did a phenomenal job of outfitting our room for the occasion. I had asked before arriving if they could help me do something special for Jenn for our anniversary and they knocked it out of the park. Along with champagne and rose petals strewn throughout the bungalow they had romantic music playing, a stunning rose cake (that looked a lot better than it tasted), and a bath set with happy anniversary written in it. Jenn enjoyed the nice warm bath before we went back out to dinner a few hours later. As Jenn was getting ready for dinner I was finally able to surprise her with an anniversary gift, a first in a long time. She had been eyeing a Tory Burch watch for months now and I kept telling her it was a waste of money in the hopes that I could get it for her for our anniversary and luckily I pulled it off and outside of going in the water she hasn’t taken it off the entire trip. I am not sure if she likes the watch better or the free St. Regis hat we got when we arrived.
Tonight we decided to eat at Alba the main restaurant at the resort, the same place that they serve breakfast. Along with a glass of red wine I had the aged pork belly and Jenn had the lasagna as we watched the sunset and enjoyed a serene evening celebrating 12 years together. It’s sort of surreal even writing that thinking about us at 22 and 23 years old respectively making this life long decision and now 12-years later we are better then ever celebrating in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
When we arrived back at the room (I did not plan this part) the room was further decorated with well wishes for our anniversary, more roses, and happy anniversary written on our bed. The staff at this hotel are so good at what they do and they truly made our anniversary quite special.
