An Island Paradise

Just another morning in paradise, the beginning of another glorious day greeted by a school of dolphins swimming across and playfully breaching, right in front of our water villa in the island paradise. A seemingly never ending show and what a treat it was watching dolphins in the wild welcoming an incredible day and a great photographic opportunity. Later in the day we learnt from the island officials that the pod consisted of over five hundred dolphins!

Ecstatic after witnessing the delightful show we sauntered our way to breakfast soaking into the beauty of the peaceful island when one of the staff pointed to an unusual creature in the shallow waters, peeking below we see a baby octopus, tentacles and all, a shapeless little creature that changed colours from a dark green-brown to a lovely orange-brown while moving.

The radiant afternoon sunshine beckoned to explore the island further and walking past a few villas we noticed something moving in the water, checking we saw a baby sting ray gliding gracefully on the white sandy surface. The crystal clear waters is home to many baby animals, a variety of coloured fish and baby sharks (about three feet long) that treat the turquoise lagoon as their nursery, safe from the predators of the ocean.

Later in the evening watching the sunset while wading through the water, a shell shaped object draws our attention. On closer inspection, we find a half buried empty clamp shell, about 10 to 12 inches with both sides of the shell still intact and linked together. Although a lot of similar clamp shells can be seen in souvenir shops this was so special, almost like finding a pearl in an oyster.

Heading for dinner and barely out of the villa, a quick movement under the water catches our eye; it is after sunset hence dark and although the lights under the wooden paths illuminate the lagoon waters below, we cannot see very well. At first we think it is a ray but then we realise the sprinting movement is a turtle, alas a bit too fast to be pictured.

Could the day get any better? Dolphins, octopus, ray, baby sharks, a clamp shell and a turtle!!!

Over joyed and overwhelmed we make our way to the restaurant, I am a bit surprised as we are ushered towards the beach, to a candlelit tent with champagne, cake and all! Speechless and totally taken aback, my husband confesses that he along with the island staff had planned the surprise. Thankful to my spouse and the exotic paradise for a very special day, we enjoy an exquisite Michelin star cuisine in the most breath-taking settings under the stars with the ambience of a moonlit night and the sound of waves (no this is not a Mills & Boon rip-off and honestly, who reads them anymore?).

I cannot but stop to marvel at the happenings of the day, a million dollars in the world could not recreate the special experience. It felt as though the whole universe had conspired together in presenting us with the perfect day, a celebration of life, the magic of Maldives.

Please see click on link to see pictures of all sightings mentioned, except the turtle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TV-tvKpypc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHEeDFKOBMc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvBJ-LGOgIA

Photo Credit: Thomas Udhayasingh