We''re honeymooning in the Maldives.

[lili]

Hi Harriet,

I don''t have any anything to say except .....Wow, I''m so jealous!
We were thinking about going to Maldives for our honeymoon too, but we went to Bora Bora instead.
Perhaps we''ll go for our 5-yr or 10-yr anniversary
Anyway, would definitely love to see pix and hear about your experiences when you get back.

Have fun!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 4/3/2007 1:58:45 PM
Author: starryeyed

Date: 4/3/2007 12:48:41 PM
Author: Harriet
Can I come sailing with you? I can't swim, but I don't get sea-sick.

Harriet, you were thinking of a cruise and the Maldives and you can't SWIM????

Harriet, it would be my advice to you to put learning to swim at the TOP of your list of things to do! Afterall, you want to be able to go snorkeling with all the gorgeous tropical fish. It would be a waste to spend all that money to stay at the Maldives and be so short-changed on the experience.

Harriet, I couldn't, in good conscience, take you sailing if you don't know how to swim. If I lost you overboard somehow, I'd never forgive myself.

Please take some lessons?

If I take lessons, can I come?

(My trainer already has basic lessons planned for me, and he's a taskmaster.)

 

[Harriet]

Date: 4/3/2007 5:26:34 PM
Author: diamondfan
Little Dix was nice. The Bitter End and Biras Creek are nice, we stayed in homes on Little Dix above the resort. I did a post about it in December or Jan with photos. It is a Rock resort, lovely but a bit dated, I think they are doing a lot of renovating. We are going to Turks and Anguila the next two holidays in December, so I am not sure. I know people who love Joss Van Dyke...St. Barth''s is also great for couples, we liked it a lot.

I am older, not old for sure, but in my late teens and early 20''s I was much more adventurous and less fearful about travel and other issues. Especially since I had kids. Used to love roller coasters, flying, trying new things, NO MORE. Horrifying to me now.

I would learn to swim for sure. To go to all these water based areas and not be able to fully participate is a bummer in my view. That Tuscan villa with a staff and some good books sounds about right to me then. You can get to Florence and Milan for shopping and culture...the Amalfi Coast is also lovely as well.

I''ve always wanted to see the Amalfi Coast. Any hotel recommendations?

 

[Harriet]

Date: 4/4/2007 2:33:44 PM
Author: lili
Hi Harriet,

I don''t have any anything to say except .....Wow, I''m so jealous!
We were thinking about going to Maldives for our honeymoon too, but we went to Bora Bora instead.
Perhaps we''ll go for our 5-yr or 10-yr anniversary
Anyway, would definitely love to see pix and hear about your experiences when you get back.

Have fun!

Hi Lili,
Nothing to be jealous about -- you went to Bora Bora!

Did you enjoy it?
We''ll be in the Maldives this August, and I''ll keep you posted.

Btw, for all those who''ve chimed in with resort recommendations, we''ve settled on the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa.

 

[starryeyed]

Date: 4/4/2007 4:35:41 PM
Author: Harriet
If I take lessons, can I come?

(My trainer already has basic lessons planned for me, and he''s a taskmaster.)

I would feel much better about taking you sailing if you could swim!

I hope DF responds about where to stay on the Amalfi Coast. It is certainly beautiful. I stayed in Sorrento and took a drive over. I stopped at a hotel that seemed to have a great location called the Hotel Santa Caterina. The rooms weren''t as posh as I expected for the price, but I think it''s more about the location. If there''s a nicer hotel on the Amalfi Coast, I''d love to know where!

 

[diamondfan]

Not too sure, but I know Il Pellicano is Tuscany is lovely...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/4/2007 4:41:17 PM
Author: Harriet
Hi Lili,
Nothing to be jealous about -- you went to Bora Bora!

Did you enjoy it?
We'll be in the Maldives this August, and I'll keep you posted.

Btw, for all those who've chimed in with resort recommendations, we've settled on the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa.

Harriet, I looked their website up, and it looks absolutely devine!! Just breathtaking.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention something I thought of though. I see they have activities for kids. Now, I have nothing against kids, have 3 myself.

However, even at their best, kids, are kids. And some parents aren't as attentive to them behaving, and they can get rather loud and boisterous, etc.

I mention it because the first time we went on an all inclusive out of the country, we didn't think about that. We wished we had, as we really needed a relaxing time, and would have preferred it a little more quiet. We went to get away from lil ones....The next time we went to a place where no one under 18 was allowed.

So, I just thought I'd mention it. Certainly not trying to put a damper on things, but rather, trying to make sure you have a truly enjoyable time.

 

[Harriet]

Starryeyed,
If I learn to swim, can I come?

Nothing like an incentive ...

DF,
I've never been to Tuscany, but you seem to really like it.

Ellen,
That's why we're getting a bungalow with its own pool!

Btw, which kid-less resort was that? Did you enjoy it?

 

[diamondfan]

I love Europe and Italy especially. And I agree that I would want to be somewhere that does not cater to young kids. I love mine, but if I am on vacation without them, I do not want to be surrounded by other people''s kids, since they usually are not as nicely behaved as would be expected in a nice atmosphere. I would want quiet and romance, and I just think Italy is so amazing for that...I love the food and wine and the ambiance.

 

[starryeyed]

Date: 4/4/2007 9:20:29 PM
Author: Harriet
Starryeyed, If I learn to swim, can I come?

Nothing like an incentive ...
DF, I''ve never been to Tuscany, but you seem to really like it.
Ellen, That''s why we''re getting a bungalow with its own pool!

Btw, which kid-less resort was that? Did you enjoy it?

Harriet, if you become a proficient swimmer, you can certainly join me for a sail!

Tuscany is like a slice of heaven - DF has great taste!

Ellen brings up a great point about other people''s kids on your honeymoon. I checked out the reviews of the 4 Seasons Kuda Huraa on tripadvisor.com and everyone raves. Some people have made slight comments about no special treatments for honeymooners or hearing the screams of children while getting a massage at the spa, but the criticisms are not harsh and seem insignificant to the overall experience.

The overall experience DOES seem to include swimming and snorkeling, so I hope that trainer of yours gets started asap!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 4/4/2007 10:28:06 PM
Author: starryeyed

Date: 4/4/2007 9:20:29 PM
Author: Harriet
Starryeyed, If I learn to swim, can I come?

Nothing like an incentive ...
DF, I've never been to Tuscany, but you seem to really like it.
Ellen, That's why we're getting a bungalow with its own pool!

Btw, which kid-less resort was that? Did you enjoy it?

Harriet, if you become a proficient swimmer, you can certainly join me for a sail!

Tuscany is like a slice of heaven - DF has great taste!

Ellen brings up a great point about other people's kids on your honeymoon. I checked out the reviews of the 4 Seasons Kuda Huraa on tripadvisor.com and everyone raves. Some people have made slight comments about no special treatments for honeymooners or hearing the screams of children while getting a massage at the spa, but the criticisms are not harsh and seem insignificant to the overall experience.

The overall experience DOES seem to include swimming and snorkeling, so I hope that trainer of yours gets started asap!

Yes, ma'am!

Huvafen Fushi has water bungalows with pools, whereas at the Four Seasons, it's either or. But, tripadvisor has quite a number of negative reviews of the former. Btw, have you heard anything about the One and Only Reethi Rah?

 

[katebar]

Date: 4/4/2007 10:28:06 PM
Author: starryeyed

Date: 4/4/2007 9:20:29 PM
Author: Harriet
Starryeyed, If I learn to swim, can I come?

Nothing like an incentive ...
DF, I''ve never been to Tuscany, but you seem to really like it.
Ellen, That''s why we''re getting a bungalow with its own pool!

Btw, which kid-less resort was that? Did you enjoy it?

Tuscany is like a slice of heaven - DF has great taste!

I concur with strarryeyed Tuscany is my all time favourite place. actually Italy is my fave place I should say. I spent a month there for more 40th birthday it felt like i had come home even though I have no Italian heritage. Florence and Lucca were just so beautiful. The Cinque Terra which I do''nt think is offically in Tuscany was unbelievable Positano is awesome and Rome is sublime. Go there please Harriet and let me live vicariously through you

 

[Harriet]

Maybe next year. I officially have 4 weeks of vacation per year, but ...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/4/2007 9:20:29 PM
Author: Harriet

Ellen,
That''s why we''re getting a bungalow with its own pool!

Btw, which kid-less resort was that? Did you enjoy it?

Good deal!!

Honestly, the name is escaping me (it''s hell getting old), may come back to me later. The resort was gorgeous, but the beach was not as big/long as I would have liked, and although TripAdviser raved about the food, I didn''t care for most of it. It was all rather tasteless/bland, so I didn''t eat much. Rather dissapointing on that front.

 

[starryeyed]

Date: 4/4/2007 11:29:39 PM
Huvafen Fushi has water bungalows with pools, whereas at the Four Seasons, it''s either or. But, tripadvisor has quite a number of negative reviews of the former. Btw, have you heard anything about the One and Only Reethi Rah?

I don''t know anything about it. Here''s the Trip Advisor link: One and Only Reethi Rah

 

[diamondfan]

Most of the One and Only resorts are lovely, as are most Relais and Chateau properties.

L''Auberge de Soleil in Napa is great, and French Laundry is one of the top restaurants in the country. That might be a great trip, touring wineries, going for a hot air balloon ride, having great food and spa treatments...something else to consider.

 

[Harriet]

Ellen,
If the food is blah, I'll pass.

Starry,
Thanks for the link. There are a fair number of complaints that the island is man-made and too small. The pictures are gorgeous, though.

DF,
I'm constitutionally incapable of drinking, but am jonesing to try the French Laundry. Maybe a long weekend.

 

[diamondfan]

I would die if I could not drink wine. I am not a big drinker at all, but I do love wine and champagne in moderation. There are other things to do in Napa but if you cannot have any wine I would skip it! Fresh out of ideas Harriet! But I would avoid some of the tropics after that tsunami this week, that''s for sure.

 

[Harriet]

I can''t handle any amount of alcohol, but I can always eat!

 

[diamondfan]

ITALY ITALY ITALY or PARIS PARIS PARIS then.

 

[Harriet]

All of the above, m''lady.

 

[Skippy123]

Wow, the Maldives. I want to go to the Seychelles!!!
The Amalfi coast is gorgeous!!! I can''t remember our hotel but it was 7 years ago on our honeymoon and I remember just being in Sorrento on a cliff watching a gorgeous sunset!!! I always wanted to go to Greece and my hubby said it is similar to the Amalfi Coast. Capri is gorgeous too!

The Maldives sound gorgeous

 

[diamondfan]

Skippy, my original honeymoon was to be an African safari and then on to the Seychelles, but it was a long trip, hubby could not leave for that long and I was relieved because I was chicken!! Now I wish I had done it...

 

[Harriet]

What were the Seychelles like? Since we're already going to the Maldives this year (instant gratification), we need a new honeymoon plan. It will probably have to be near Southeast Asia, since we have 2 receptions there.

 

[Skippy123]

Here are some pics. I am dying to go there. I love the granite rock; sooooo awesome! I hope you don''t mind me posting pics.

 

[diamondfan]

When I got married, 17 years ago, it was a stunning beach resort in Africa. I have no idea what it is like now. It is an island (archipelago) off the coast of Africa, north of Magagascar.

 

[Skippy123]

one more

 

[Harriet]

Gorgeous!

Skippy,
Don't be silly. You know I like "seeing" you.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 4/6/2007 11:28:19 PM
Author: Harriet
Gorgeous!

Skippy,
Don''t be silly. You know I like ''seeing'' you.

LOL

thanks

 

[starryeyed]

Skippy, i think I read on one of Harriet''s thread that you are prepping for the CPA exam? GOOD LUCK! Go kick some butt, girlfriend!

Those pictures look very similar to Virgin Gorda in the BVI''s. It''s beautiful there!