The south-east Asian backpacking circuit is well established. From Bangkok, travellers head north-west to Chang Mai, Pai and go trekking in the golden triangle, before heading east into the small country of Laos. Most travellers cross the border and then get on “the slow boat to Laos”. That is exactly what we did on our five month trip across south-east Asia.
The Slow Boat to Laos
Day One
We bought a package from Pai. We had a van transfer to the Thai border, one night in a hotel there and then the boat tickets. The van transfer took an age. We were on the road all day and worked our way through far too many box sets on the iPod classic. (Seriously, how did we both watch such a tiny screen!)
Overnight
We got to our guesthouse that backed onto the water and it was a bit rubbish, but then that’s what you get when you don’t pick it yourself. We made the mistake of going for dinner with the rest of the group and got eaten alive by huge swarms of river-dwelling mosquitoes!
The Camera
It was with frustration and disappointment that we realised something was wrong with our camera. It was refusing to take any photos. We later learned that the memory card had caught a virus in a Bangkok internet cafe. It probably isn’t the only thing to leave Bangkok infected!
Day Two
We stocked up on food and drink from local vendors before climbing aboard the long wooden vessel. There were benches to either side of a central aisle but the back section was a nice open space, and drenched in sun. We decided to indulge in a spot of sunbathing.
The slow boat to Laos is exactly that, slooooooow! It takes two days to chug along the Mekong River from the Thai/Laos border to Luang Prabang down river. Plenty of time then to get to know our fellow passengers. The boat was only about half full and so there was plenty of room for everyone. A group of louder, younger, drunker backpackers hung out at the back, and so ensued a six hour boat party. The cheap booze flowed on deck, as the sluggish Mekong River flowed beneath. It was a most leisurely way to spend a day, even if it did lead to a hangover and slight sun stroke.
Overnight
We stopped in Pakbeng and checked into an utterly nondescript guest house. We popped out for some dinner but the long hours of day drinking had taken their toll. Others hit the bars in town but we hit the sheets and slept until the early morning wake up call for the boat.
Day Three
The next morning, we were up and out bright and early, ready for another day on the water. It was with confusion and mild horror that we saw the waiting boat. Nearly every seat was taken. Where on earth had all these extra people come from!? We scampered down the gangplank and grabbed two of the only seats that were left. No longer was there room for everyone to stretch out, sunbathe or host a dance party. Instead, we were sat on a hard wooden bench, with only our cheap travel pillows for comfort. It was very different, and although still perfectly pleasant, nowhere near as fun.
A quick note: From looking at recent photos of the slow boat to Laos, it looks like the hard wooden benches have been replaced by padded seats with full back supports. This is probably a lot more comfortable but it must be harder to socialise with those around you.
The Arrival into Luang Prabang
After such a long day of relative peace drifting along the Mekong, stepping off the boat into a hoard of touts was a little overwhelming. They swarmed down the concrete slope and we had to haul our stiff limbs and heavy backpack past them. We made straight for the cheapest guesthouse in our guidebook and it was with great relief that we checked in. The guest house was odd, we had to pass through the families front room, clamber through a hatch and then the rooms were lined up along a wide utility corridor. At 40 kip we weren’t complaining. It seemed that Laos was going to be that little bit cheaper.
Taking the slow boat to Laos was somewhat a rite of passage into the backpacking world. There are other options so as a quick comparison, from Thailand to Luang Prabang, you can take:
The slow boat to Laos – still a very popular option for budget travellers with time to spare.
A speedboat down the river – This take 4-5 hours, but is loud, cold, wet and after the first ten minutes, probably not all that fun.
Some sort of bus – the roads between Thailand and Luang Prabang are long and winding. It is a vomit-inducing ride and will take about ten hours.
A flight – Luang Prabang has expanded its airport. It is much bigger than when we visited. This is a good option if you are short on time or flash with cash.
I would happily take the slow boat to Laos again, if I had the time. Sometimes when you are travelling at a million miles an hour, having the time to do nothing is a welcome breather. I guess that is why we love train travel too, it is the transport that gives you the time to take it all in (without the car sickness).
So as a traveller you go trekking Northern Thailand. Why? I don’t really know, it’s just what you do…so it’s what we did. Trekking in this area of the world is a great way to get out and see the jungle of the Thai/Burmese border, see life in the hill tribes and is a rewarding physical challenge.
Why Trek From Pai?
Having done quite a bit of research, we decided not to do the normal trek from Chiang Mai. This backpacker route takes you up to a Kayan tribe village and then, if you opt for the three day option, often brings you back on a bamboo raft. The Kayan people are very famous for their tradition of wearing a large amount of metal rings around their necks. This slowly changes the shape of the clavicle and so the neck looks longer. This creates a very tourist-friendly photo opportunity, which will cost you a few Thai baht. You can also purchase traditional handicrafts and of course, a commission from your trek will contribute towards the village as well. These villages receive so many visitors that we didn’t think they needed our visit too.
Trekking Northern Thailand from Pai takes a different route and visits different villages. This helps spread the money throughout the region, the poorest in Thailand. Plus, it meant taking a bit of time out in the odd little town of Pai.
Sitting in the tiny minibus we assessed the other trekkers with whom we would spend the next 36 hours. It didn’t bode well. The rest of the group consisted of five people in their late-twenties, conversing in French. They joked, they debated, they chatted and they made no attempt to include us. Even more worryingly, they were all extremely lithe and looked much fitter than us.
One Small Step for Rosie
Trekking Northern Thailand began with a walk up a long, steep and miserable road. It was already very hot and the heat from the sun blazed down upon our heads, while the reflected heat from the road burned up from below. I have never been a fan of walking uphill and was quickly lagging behind, huffing, puffing and swearing. If you’ve read ‘A Walk in the Woods’, by Bill Bryson, then just picture a short, blonde Katz. Someone found me a stick and my progress (and mood) improved considerably. At what seemed like a totally random point, we turned off from the road and strode into the trees.
Up we go
The Trekking Begins in Earnest
We pushed upwards until we hit the top of a ridge and the view fell away. Suddenly the jungle canopy rose and fell before us like a sea. It was beautiful, but all those peaks and troughs meant there were plenty more uphills and downhills to come. This really was going to be a trek and not just a nice hike in the woods.
Check out that view!
The humidity rose as we descended the bank, between the trees.
We began to sweat.
There are those that say that going downhill is harder than walking uphill….I am going to throw in my two cents and say that it is not. Walking down the hills, I could work with gravity. Going back up, it was DEFINITELY against me. After a few unhappy hills, we finally got to one that was very steep and where I could use my hands; I do love a scramble.
Lunchtime
After a couple of hours we came across a stream. Our guide told us that he hadn’t passed this way since the rainy season, and we would have to help rebuild the little bamboo bridge. They set to work as we sat down to lunch. The fare was simple, fried rice from a little plastic bag. It felt seriously odd, eating out of a bag, but it was tasty and carb-filled. What more can you ask on a trek?
After lunch, we pushed ahead and temperatures went up again. It was with great relief that we heard the thunder of water on rock. This must be the waterfall mentioned in the tour office. We were given the option to get under the water, and a few of the group did, but I opted to stay dry. I’m not a fan of a soggy undercarriage. So, I dipped my feet, legs and hands in to cool off before we were whisked off just ten minutes later. I wondered if my slow pace was messing the group up somewhat. Oh well, what could I do?
We hiked on for the rest of the afternoon, with a quick stop for a slice of giant melon.
We finally spied the village in the distance. One last descent got us there in about 30 minutes, and by that point my feet were screaming. Knowing that I had no appropriate footwear for a trek, I had bought some trainers in Chiang Mai. They looked like proper walking shoes but I quickly learned that they were not..at all! The bones on the outside of my foot were really sore and it was starting to make me limp in a very odd way. I couldn’t wait to sit down.
A Night in the Village
Our home for the night was in a large long house on stilts. We were all in one room, on individual mats. There wasn’t a pretense that the village is a super traditional tribe or anything. In their family room, next door, was a TV blaring away with a small satellite dish and the people living there weren’t in traditional dress, just their every day clothes. I thought this was pretty refreshing.
We ate dinner and then met some of the local kids. They were really fun and we loved playing silly games with them. I have read blog posts that warn against this interaction but I don’t see what the harm was to be honest. This village doesn’t host people every day and it is not their only source of income. They weren’t asking for money either, just wanted to play.
These two cheeky boys kept climbing on Mr FluskeyThey were teaching me clapping gamesRing-a-ring-a-Rosie
Once the kids were called in to bed, and the lights were turned off, we got to see the sky properly for the first time. I was entirely blown away. Growing up in the UK, surrounded by light pollution, I thought I had seen the stars. I had no idea what the night sky could really look like. The galaxy stretched for light years, with swatches of purple across the inky blackness. We could actually see the milky way. No longer was it just a concept from science lessons! It was genuinely mesmerising, and if we weren’t expected to rise early, I would have stayed up to enjoy it for longer.
Trekking Northern Thailand Day Two
A Very Early Start
Staying in a Thai village in a bamboo hut sounds rather romantic doesn’t it? The issue with the stilts is that all night, animals will wander under your head and snuffle, crow, snort and generally make a whole lot of fuss. I barely slept. The cockerels started at about 3:30am and I looked around in dismay at my fellow trekkers. They were all sleeping soundly and didn’t stir until gone 7:00! Once everyone was up and moving, we got up and prepared for our second day of trekking.
Someone wasn’t happy about their space being taken.
A Morning on the Trail
Saying goodbye to the village, and setting off, on feet that very quickly became painful again, we were soon in dense forest. I was quite sad that we hadn’t managed to bond with our trek buddies, as there was a real divide and it put us in a strange mood. Thank goodness we only picked the one night trek! We walked down a river bank, following a clear stream. We had to cross it at one point and Mr Fluskey, in his hardcore walking boots, stood in the flowing water to help fling me over it. He saved my poorly protected feet from being drenched. What a hero Mr Fluskey is.
We came across a rather deadly looking snake. It was the first snake I had seen in the wild and I was genuinely a bit scared, but at least it stood out and I didn’t accidentally stand on it!
Lunch Anyone?
We stopped for lunch in another village. It was more plastic bag fare, instant ramen noodles this time. It reminded me strongly of being a student. The villagers didn’t seem fussed that a bunch of pale, grimy backpackers were going into one of their houses, and just kept working.
These chillies might have livened up up those noodles somewhat.
The rest of the trek was just an exercise in odd hobbling. I was having to walk in weird and wonderful ways to avoid the pain in my feet from being too bad. It was with such joy that we saw the little minibus driving along a long open road to collect us. I was so thrilled to change my shoes back at our little A-frame hut and get stuck into some delicious food.
Trekking is an amazing way to see a little nugget of a country that you are exploring. It can be a great mental break from the madness of going between one town and another the whole time. Nature has a way of calming you down and the action of walking, steadily, constantly allows your mind the space to wonder and wander. I loved that we didn’t see any other tourists on our trek, I am pretty sure the whole thing was a little more…I struggle to use the word authentic, but maybe beneficial to the communities we briefly passed through, I really hope so anyway. So get those walking shoes on, go trekking Northern Thailand, and see what you can find.
India is huge. No, really, it is the 7th largest country in the world, you can fit the UK into India 20 times. With all that distance to cover, it may be tempting to jump on a plane and reach your destination quickly, but you will miss out on all the fun. Instead, I am here to convince you that rail travel is the better choice. Trust me, travelling India by train is the best way to see the country, and here’s why.
We can hardly claim to be experts on the life of Pai, but it doesn’t mean we aren’t going to tell you all about our time there! This small town in Thailand‘s north-east is a strange microcosm of backpacking life in the country. A timeless town where the strumming of The Beatles drifts out onto the sleepy streets amidst the tempting wafts of curry paste steam. So what is it about life in Pai that keeps drawing us in? (more…)
The first time I visited Chiang Mai was during our five month trip around Asia. I can tell you that I am struggling to remember much of what we did. It has all blurred into the mists of mis-memory (I think I just invented a word) and is the sum of our photos. But seeing as you are here, let me share with you what I do remember about Chiang Mai.
Travelling between Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, and Chiang Mai, it’s second city is easy. You can fly, you can take an overnight bus, you can get a private transfer or, like us, you can catch the night train. It was inevitable that I would be on the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
Whether you are travelling to the Maldives for a romantic honeymoon, a once-in-a-lifetime treat, or because you just can’t stay away, you will want the trip to be as easy and relaxing as possible. This is where our FlyMe Maldives review comes in. We believe you should check out FlyMe for your perfect Maldives transfers.
FlyMe Maldives Review – Your Perfect Maldives Transfer Airline
FlyMe Villa Air will help create seamless transfers from Malé International Airport to your resort destination. They arrange the flights, the transport to the port and then your boat transfer to whichever island you are bound for.
Airport Experience
Arriving at Malé, our flight was delayed and so we were in quite a flap. Luckily, the domestic terminal is just a two minute walk away from the international one!
There were only two people in front of us in the queue and so ten minutes after picking up our bag, we were heading through security. Check in was super quick, the desk clerk was perfectly pleasant, and we got seats next to each other, no questions asked. Brilliant.
Getting through security was fast and emerging into the small departure lounge, we could see why. It was a very small room. Most of these small domestic flights take off in the morning (to connect with the international flights) and so it was relatively busy. We got seats quickly, before they were snapped up by a large tour group, and waited for our flight to be called.
We were called fifteen minutes later, and stepped out into the glorious sunshine to climb the tiny set of stairs up and into the plane.
FlyMe for your perfect Maldives transfersReady for take offVilla Air 68 seater ATR 72-500 aircraft
The interior was nice and bright. Despite the sun shining through the windows, they had the lights on which made quite a difference. We have been on similar planes that have seemed quite dull in comparison.
The air conditioning wasn’t very strong. I loved the warmth but I know that some people, dressed in their winter clothes from their first flights were too warm. Pop your shorts or skirt on, and you’ll be grand!
Seats
The cabin was quite small, but had two seats either side. They were covered in navy blue leatherette with FlyMe Villa Air head protectors.
Headrest cover
There was a small extendable tray table and below it, a seat back pocket containing the safety information. We were SO curious to find out what the special instructions were for Chinese passengers!
The seats were comfortable, but then it was just a short flight. They had great leg room, but the arm rests could be too slim if you didn’t know your neighbour.
Leg room
Storage
The overhead lockers were reasonably-sized but not huge. Don’t expect to put all your bags up there.
Instead, put your smaller belongings under the seat in front. The design of the chair legs means that it is only the small things that will fit under there.
Entertainment
OK, so there is no seat back screen, or even a communal one, but that isn’t why these flights are so cool. They are short, and fly relatively low, just 3000 feet. The entertainment lies in the lovely views you will get out of the window. This is why you use FlyMe for your perfect Maldives transfers!
The island of Hulhumalé. Can you spot the whirring propeller blades?I mean, the bays in the Maldives are just to die for!
The other entertainment, and it is one of the things I can’t get across to you very well in a blog post, is the fantastic FlyMe Villa Air theme song. It made us smile every time we heard it. They also played gentle music during the flight. I really liked it, it made it all feel very relaxed.
Food
Being a twenty minute flight, we weren’t expecting any kind of food service. We were pleasantly surprised when they came round with little butterscotch sweets. It really is the little unexpected things that delight us.
The Bus
After we disembarked and picked up our bags, we made our way through the exit doors of Dharavandhoo Airport. There were two buses ready and waiting. One was for passengers, the other for luggage. Both were marked with the words “Villa Air”. Don’t panic, this is part of FlyMe so they are for you!
Now you know what we are like, we just kept hold of our hand luggage-sized backpacks and boarded the passenger bus for the five minute drive to the port.
The Boat
Shiny, white speedboats bobbed in the harbour, ready to whisk separate groups of people to their resorts. We stepped aboard a boat with a few others who were off to a different resort. They would drop us off on the way. It took just five minutes and then we were there!
It was so tempting to just jump straight in that gorgeous water!
On our return journey we had the boat to ourselves. It felt like such a luxury to have the boat all to ourselves. The crew were friendly and slightly bemused by our lack of luggage…but that’s just how we roll!
Final Thoughts
The flight back to Malé was smooth, very much the same as our flight out. The main difference was watching the sun burst across the morning sea. It was a real treat.
If you are looking to book transfers with FlyMe Villa Air, visit their website here.
FlyMe Villa Air has two main routes; Malé to Dharavandhoo (Baa Atoll or Malé to Maamigili (South Ari Atoll). They are looking at expanding their route options.
They have now acquired a sea plane which you can use for whale shark spotting tours. It is used to help the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme with research too!
We thought that FlyMe Villa Air was a really easy and enjoyable company to deal with. It would have been really tricky to organise separate flight and boat tickets, with a very hot, sweaty, unpleasant walk from the airport to the port thrown in. Although it is not the height of luxury, it is friendly and easy service. We believe it would be a great choice to pick FlyMe for your perfect Maldives transfers.
We were guests of FlyMe Villa Air but this is an unbiased review, and all my opinions are my own.
The Maldives ranks as one of the most dreamy destinations on earth. We were lucky enough to try a bed in the Maldives, and tick it off of our bucket list. Read on for our full Kihaa Maldives Review.
The Maldives
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Honeymoons, luxury resorts, beaches and sunshine; The Maldives evokes the most perfect images of an island paradise. Mental images of a magical Jackson Pollock, of tropical islands splashed across the turquoise canvas of the Indian Ocean. We were incredibly excited, and probably a tiny bit dubious, to see if it really lived up to the hype. Let me start this whole thing by assuring you that it really is the most stunning place.
“But what about the hotel” I hear you cry, here’s our Kihaa Maldives Review.
The Kihaa Maldives Review
Location
When we first booked our flight, we had no clue where to stay or what to see. The Maldives is the most disparate country on earth so there a huge area to pick from. After a little research we found Kihaa Maldives, located on Kihaadhuffaru Island in the Baa Atoll. We flew from London to Zurich and after a few hours wandering around the city got a flight with Edelweiss Air to Malé
The Baa Atoll lies to the West of Malé, the capital of the Maldives and location of the main airport. To reach the island, we took a very short domestic flight with Flyme Villa Air to an island called Dharavadhoo. From there we took a five minute speedboat to Kihaa Maldives. You can also come by seaplane if you are feeling fancy.
If you come to the Baa Atoll at the right time of year, you are staying as close as possible to Hanifaru Bay. This is the spot which attracts hundreds of manta rays every year. They come to feed on the up-swell of plankton, and it can also attract friendly whale sharks. If only we had been there two months later!
Arrival
The boat pulled up to a pier and we stepped up in an excited rush onto Kihaa’s jetty. Ahead of us stretched a swathe of white sandy beach backed by lush greenery.
Note: At this point we had to reset our watches. Kihaa is on “Kihaa Time”, one hour ahead of the rest of the country. (This is to preserve the daylight, a bit like British Summer Time)
Weclome to Kiahaa Maldives Review
We were shown into the reception and main lobby which was sand-floored and timber-lined. It was the perfect beach-side cabana. We were treated to a fresh, young coconut each as we checked in, and had the features and facilities of the resort explained to us. Due to the time change we had to run off and grab our first spot of lunch, before checking in to our room.
Did you know; Kihaa means young coconut. Lets continue with our Kihaa Maldives review
Colonial styling
A Look Around the Property
Rooms
Our Room
We were staying in one of Kihaa’s reserve beach villas. Approaching it from the one of the tracks that leads around the island, it was hard to tell what was inside. What a pleasant surprise, it was huge! The king size bed was incredibly tempting after our overnight flight. But we resisted and pulled down the mosquito nets ready for the evening.
Looking around the room, each new little touch made me squeal a teeny tiny bit. I loved that there was a can of Raid in the cupboard just in case you need to defeat an insect foe. The tea selection was really very good for in room facilities. If you like cold drinks, there’s Coke, Sprite and beer in the fridge, and drinking water to put in there too. Even better than that, was the bottle of bubbly on the table. That got quite a big squeal!
We had several places to lounge other than the bed. On the side was a reading nook covered in cushions, a table with two chairs and a garden furniture suite outside. A few steps through the foliage and we had our very own sunbeds on a fabulous beach.
It really was a villaHow cute is this flower welcome!?A welcome treatThe sideboard with TV and hot drink stationThe bunketteInside one of the wardrobesThe front porchOur hole in the hedgeThe little hose just outside our door to get rid of the beach on our feet
The Bathroom
Oh the bathroom! It was definitely the fanciest bathroom we have ever had. It was partly outside which was super cool. We had not one, or two, but three showers! There was one outside, one under the cover of the roof and one in our roll top bath. In the shower we got shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. I always love when someone gives us conditioner; Mr Fluskey doesn’t care so much.
Using the toilet almost outside took a little getting used to, but showering with the sun shining through the water was incredible. Mr Fluskey even took a shower in the rain. That’s one for a bucket list.
A toilet and a bidet…because we are fancyShowers 1 & 2Shower 3His & Hers sinksAll your handy sink treats
Note: The Maldives sits in the Arabian Sea, although many people describe it as in the Indian Ocean. Now, on with our Kihaa Maldives Review.
Other Rooms
We also got the chance to look around the utterly divine, and totally sought after water villas. There are ten water villas at Kihaa, and two water suites. When most people think of the Maldives, this is what they are picturing, so we just couldn’t leave without nosing around.
These villas are in the best place to enjoy sunset as the pier is pointing West. Every single one has its own little pool and stairs leading directly into the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea. You can relax on your deck and watch the fish below you. The water villas all have HUGE showers and roll top baths. The suites give you a whole extra room and bathroom. You could fit a whole family in there, or just enjoy having all that space to yourselves.
Water VillasEnjoy the sunset from your own poolStairs into the seaHow lush would this be in the heat of the day?!Water Villa bedroomWater Suite living roomAnother lovely welcomeWater Suite bathWater Suite showerView from the deckThe very end of the pier, a common area to watch the sun go downWater Villas
Activities Around the Resort
Pools
There are two public pools at Kihaa. I say public because there are four kinds of room with their own private pools!
The family pool is a quirky series of circles set back from the beach and surrounded by plenty of seating. The bar is near enough to keep your thirst quenched.
The other option is the infinity pool. This is set right on the beach and looks out over the sea. We spent a lot more time here. I adored the cool seating options around it (sun beds, day beds, cabanas) and thought the tiles were gorgeous!
Blue from sea to sky…to pool!?The pool bar
Beaches
So if you are coming all the way to the Maldives, then you must like a nice beach. Luckily, Kihaa is set on the stunning island of Kihaadhuffaru which has almost a kilometre of beautiful white sand. We loved exploring along the coast. There were deserted stretches that we had all to ourselves, loads of funky seating options and the water that lapped the shore was just perfectly clear. Below is quite a big collection of beach photos throughout the day.
A sunset pavillionSunriseYour own little spot in paradiseSunkissedOh now we all know I LOVE a swing!Ready for bonfires on the beachSunriseDawn saying farewell to the moonAs the sun starts to setFarewell golden shadesThe film screen is right on the beachSomewhere to blogNot a soulOur own sunbedsDreamyThis spot made me so happyAnother day bedSomewhere to chill outThe little tea bunker
Gym
We made the mistake of ignoring the gym until the last day. Usually the gym or sports centre at hotels are small and sad. How different this was! We were blown away by the size of the room, the variety of machines, and how clean and cool it was. They have free weights, tennis courts and even two squash courts!
Welcome to the gymInside the gymTennis court at the gym
The Dive Centre
We popped in to discuss our option and the staff were very friendly. We ended up booking a short snorkelling trip to Turtle Reef. It was just an hour and a half but they gave us water on the boat on the way out. Then, on the way home we got coffee and cookies.
Underwater, our guide found four turtles, a baby shark and loads of fish. It was a lovely way to spend an hour. The equipment was great quality with not a single mask leak. That’s pretty rare for us.
Had we been at the resort longer, we would definitely have made use of the water sports. Included is paddle boarding and small catamarans. There was also a very tempting jet ski. I am always so worried that I’ll crash though (and am far too excited to let Mr Fluskey steer it). I think we will wait until there is a whole lot of open ocean to try it.
The K Spa
The large water villa near the main restaurant is the resort’s spa. We popped in to have a look around and peruse the menu. The whole place smelled delicious, the perfect mingling of lemongrass and tea tree that always whets my spa appetite. Sitting and looking at the different massage options, we could feel the sea breeze. We chose not to have any treatments but the staff were all very nice.
Who wouldn’t want a foot treatment with this view!?K Spa
Our meal plan was the “all meals” plan. That meant three meals a day at the main buffet, with soft drinks during the service. They also offer an all-inclusive plan which covers lots more.
Malaafaiy – The Buffet
This is the buffet restaurant, which was surprisingly good. We didn’t see any recycled food, which is always a very good sign. The variety of hot dishes was interesting and everything was tasty. We enjoyed the pasta station, which had good al dente pasta shapes cooked in a choice yummy sauces. We have been victim to soggy pasta stations in the past so this was a nice surprise.
The entranceBuffet time!Bread stationDessert station“Dessert dim sum”
Breakfast was pretty good. There was cereal, a buffet and an omelette station. I was quite impressed with quality of the croissants and other pastries. They were crispy and light, not usually the case at hotel buffets outside of France.
The restaurantThe omelette station with a really friendly chefThe buffetCroissantsMr Fluskey makes for the food!My random collection of breakfast foods….ahhhh buffets
Sangu – A La Carte
We didn’t try the a la carte but considering the quality of the buffet, I bet it is delicious. There is something special about dining on the beach, with the sand between your toes and the sound of the waves as a backdrop.
Dining al fresco on the beach
Drinks
Undhoali – The Main Bar
The infinity pool bar was by far our favourite. Not only was it by the gorgeous pool, but it has SWINGS!!! Such a happy Rosie. We had two cocktails here, both mixed beautifully. They were not the terrible watered-down kind that is often the curse of the all-inclusive hotel. It is worth noting that the all-inclusive package doesn’t cover every drink, about 20% of the menu is still chargeable. When we ordered a drink in late afternoon, it came with a couple of little snacks too, a welcome addition. Let’s continue with our Kihaa Maldives review.
Raaveriya – By The Other Pool
The next bar is tucked behind the family pool. It is fully stocked with alcohol from all over the world. The Cava, the cheapest bubbles on the menu, was surprisingly tasty. They also have mocktails and little snacks.
Something Special
Evening Fun
If you don’t just fancy hanging out on your veranda, sitting in your pool or getting an early night, there are daily evening activities. The first night we were there was movie night. Working our way through our bottle of bubbly, we knew we would fall asleep if we tried to watch a film. So we just relaxed on the other beach, which we had all to ourselves.
The film screen was right on the beach
On our second evening, we got to take part in a cocktail party. This is a chance to mingle with the staff and enjoy some brightly coloured drinks. We had such wonderful conversations with the people we had seen around the resort.
The red mint, it was delicious!Bubbly anyone?I look super sunburnt but it was just the sunset glow!Bottoms up by the beach
Later that evening, we also joined in with the karaoke by the pool. Unfortunately we don’t have any video evidence of this. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to see it. It was a very jovial atmosphere and staff joined in as well as guests. It was so great to hear some proper Maldivian songs, as well as our butchering of musical theatre classics.
Final Thoughts on our Kihaa Maldives Review
Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV) has very regular flights to Malé International (MLE), your gateway to The Maldives from all over the world.
They sometimes have great deals like “kids stay for free”. Check out their website and book directly with them at www.kihaamaldives.com/
We hope you enjoyed our Kihaa Maldives Review. Kihaa was taken over by new management a year or two ago. The original management were Italian, the new owners are Maldivian and are making real strives to recapture the Maldivian essence of the resort. We thought that it was obvious that everyone really cares about your experience. If you want to find a place in the Maldives that will welcome you with open hearts then come and discover Kihaa Maldives.
We were hosted for this Kihaa Maldives Review but we had a genuinely wonderful time and as always, all opinions are my own.
The story so far…we found a crazy deal from London to Malé, Maldives; just £192 one way!! We have taken one flight from London to Zürich on SWISS (read about it here), and now we are going to embark upon leg two. From Zürich, we would be taking our flight with Edelweiss Air, the leisure airline owned by SWISS International Airlines. This is our review of Edelweiss Air Airbus A340-300 economy ZRH – MLE Zürich to Malé.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Having checked in from London, we didn’t need to visit the check in counter, which is good because Zürich International’s check-in is slightly confusing.
We made it through security quickly but then discovered that there wasn’t a lot of seating in the airport’s main concourse. The flight was delayed by a late inbound, and so we needed to find a seat.
We sat and watched the screens (plus Flightradar24) as the flight was delayed by tiny increments.
Finally a gate number popped up and it was a 15 minute journey down to the gate. We approached the desk when we got there. The SWISS app had shown that there were a fair few empty seats. The staff were really sweet and accommodating. Mr Fluskey wangled his way into an empty row of four so he could get a decent night’s sleep.
That is one happy hubby
Interior
The cabin was bright and clean, but the blue seats and orange pillows were a little clashtastic! I thought the logo on the wall was a simple but cute touch.
When we boarded, the lights were all plain white, but they faded in the orange side lights which was much nicer after take off. (Sorry that it made lots of my pictures quite orange-tinted).
The windows were quite small so if like me, you like the view, make sure you get the window seat. As soon as one person is looking out, the view will be utterly obstructed. Let’s continue with our review of Edelweiss Air.
I liked the bright blue of the seat covers but the bobbly material and blocky padding felt cheap.
Edelweiss Air’s seat recline seemed slightly below average for an economy seat on a long haul flight. You get a strange headrest. It is very adjustable vertically, which is great, but bending the side flaps forward creates a v-shape. Do you have a v-shaped head? We don’t!
Head rest adjusts loadsHead rest does not fold wellBut look, I match the seats!
The tray table was very compact, and easy to operate. The only issue was that you have to push it quite hard to close it again, and it was quite a loud pop, unless you lifted the flap. This would really bother the person in front of you, so a little care should be taken.
The seat back pocket space is very good. You have a plastic magazine pocket above the tray table. Remember that small things will fall out of the bottom when the tray is opened so keep this for those magazines.
Below the tray table is the actual pocket. There is a large section, and on the front two smaller sections for your phone, cables and other little bits you need. Just remember to check all the pockets before you disembark!
Entertainment
The screens in the seat back are a great size for an economy cabin. It is also a nice matte finish so it isn’t too ruined by reflections. At the bottom of the screen is the headphone jack. We love having the plug here as it is much harder to accidentally knock out. There is also a USB point so you can charge your devices (slowly).
The selection of films was pretty good, with films from the last six months. I watched Jumanji and Pitch Perfect 3 (because I’m just that cool). They also had a reasonable selection of TV, including a few Netflix favourites.
Amenities
The sleeping gear was a game of two halves. The pillows were very plump and I liked the thick covers. The blankets, however, were quite thin and not even big enough to cover half of my five foot frame. If we were taller, they would have been really silly. I don’t think that the blankets being square helped.
No amenity kit was provided for this overnight flight in basic economy, but economy max gets one.
The bathrooms were clean enough but were very basic. The water came out luke-warm; nice to wash your hands in but a bit weird for brushing your teeth. It was just another reminder that you are in the economy cabin at the back.
Food
Dinner
Dinner was served roughly an hour and a half into the flight. There were three options for the main. Sausage and potatoes, a white wine and mushroom risotto, and fish option.
Both Mr Fluskey and I opted for the white sausage and potato. The white sausage tasted a little better than a cheap hot dog but I got a few bits of gristle which was quite off putting. The potatoes turned out to be three potato rostis which were a mushy. It is very hard to keep deep fried things crispy when they are contained. The whole thing was sitting in a tomato sauce which was somewhere between a passata and ketchup. It seemed naturally sweet from the tomatoes but it definitely suffered from being very boring.
I mean, how do you make a wiener look appealing!?
With dinner there was delicious brown bread, so good that I had two pieces. I used the ham and cheese to make a tasty little open sandwich. I wasn’t a fan of the rice and veggie salad thing so I left that.
The strawberry mousse cake was very sweet but full of strawberry flavour, much better than most of the mousse cakes on planes I’ve had before.
In economy, unless you pay for economy max, customers have to pay for alcohol. Mr Fluskey and I both decided to stick to water and apple juice. It was probably the first time in years that we hadn’t had a proper drink on a long haul flight, but our bodies presumably thanked us.
Just before bed, they handed out little bottles of water, which I always think is great, especially in economy.
Breakfast
As it was an overnight flight of nine hours, we got two meal services. Breakfast was very continantal which I enjoyed. I always feel a bit gross after a hot plane breakfast.
The dried beef was delicious, the ham fine, and I always love a bit of cheese. I made a apricot jam, and brie slice which was scrummy (another two bits of gorgeous brown bread). The square pot had some sort of cold muesli/porridge concoction that was my idea of texture hell, so I left that too.
The coffee it was served with was actually really good. Strong enough to give me a little perk up, but not bitter.
Check out what we got up to when we arrived in the Maldives
Final Thoughts
We hope our review of Edelweiss Air was helpful. We found flying with Edelweiss Air fine, but didn’t really have anything overly special about it. There were no defining points to encourage us to book it again over another airline.
The food left a bit to be desired, but as I’m sure you’ve gathered, the bread was fantastic! Beyond the food, back in normal economy, we felt slightly like our custom had been forgotten. The blankets weren’t good enough for an overnight flight, and the complete lack of amenity kit would be very annoying if we didn’t always pack our own version.
Flying via Zürich would be worth it if, like on this trip, it saved so much money. If, however, there was a comparable flight on another airline, I may choose the other one.
Bangkok, a sprawling Asian metropolis of almost 8.3 million people, is the capital of Thailand. Glittering shopping malls and glittering temples abound, and through it all, the Chao Phraya river flows. However, if it is your first time visiting the city, it is highly possible you will end up on the infamous backpacker street in Bangkok, the area through which a never-ending supply of backpackers flow; Khao San Road. This is very special place, a time suck like nowhere else you’ve ever been. If you are not careful, you will end up spending a week on Khao San Road.
Are you a dark tourist? What is dark tourism? Here at Flying Fluskey we most certainly are dark tourists! That is why we are sharing (what we think are) the best dark tourism places around the world. But first:
You have read the travel magazines and the blogs, seen the TV shows, and thousands upon thousands of Instagram photos, but there are still some places out there that you don’t really know. You may think you know them, I bet you’ve heard about them many times but here are nine cities that may surprise you.
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