Images from a Hotel Room

Arrived in Port Dickson just before sunset last thursday for a night stop. Had somework to do ie giving a pep talk to a group of brand new employees of our organisation....some 28 motivated and bright individuals. But this is not the matter that I want to talk about this time; but more so to talk on Port Dickson which had lost some of its charm as a tourist destination. There are blocks of condos and resort hotels enroute along the town to Teluk Kemang Road which looks unoccupied and signages which suggested that was so ! It was too quiet...perhaps due to the fact that it is a weekday. But the last time I went ( on a weekend ), things were not any better too. However, I was informed by the hotel staff that on weekends, PD is much more alive to a certain extent. On that thursday night for instance, the Arvillion Admiral Cove Hotel was full, mainly occupied by corporate clients having their various training programmes at the hotel. Service was good and food so-so but the view was gorgeous from my bedroom balcony.

Paradise Lost and Regained

So I met the friendly genie ( please refer earlier blog ) after all in the Maldives. Sure enough, I was transported not by magic carpet but via a speed boat to the resort island called Paradise Island Resort & Spa. Let me quote from the brochure..."Paradise Island...probably as close as you can get here on earth. A white beach, a blue lagoon, the finest food, fun and relaxation." Actually we were given an escorted tour of the place. As we approached the jetty, I noticed right away that the brochure is absolutely right. As usual I am always short of words to describe the beauty and splendour of the place. The water is blue/green and clear; I could see clearly the fishes gliding carelessly even atop the jetty. And swimmers snorkling happily away, enjoying every bit of their adventure and waving at us above them. In the distance it was indeed an awesome sight with pure uninteruppted view of the sea shimmering diamond-like in the sun. Its breathtaking ! The whole environment has a therapeutic effect 0n me. Its calm and peaceful, the perfect gateway to distress oneself. Of course there are other activities that one can indulge in like sea sports such as wind surfing, go on the out-rigger or even enjoy the glass bottom boat to view the corals and fishes. If that do not attract your attention, then spend some time at the spa.....and relax ! Even without the activities, the half day tour has left its mark on me, just being there. Kind of being in paradise on earth.

Male Island, The Maldives

We landed slightly past 9pm on a Saturday. Having been to Male ( pronounced as Maa'lay) for the third time, this is the only time I felt most at eased. But it was a truncated relaxed feeling ! for the reception from officials of the Education Ministry was honestly beyond expectation to the point of being uncomfortable; with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and stretching the other to shake hands with our Maldivian friends were abit too much for me. My friends and I were ushered to the VIP room and before we could sit down, tea were served accompanied with tuna sandwiches. And before we could utter any pleasantaries, our luggages suddenly appeared and finishing the spread, we were taken to jetty number one for a fifteen minute boat ride to Male Island. Yes, Male airport is on a separate atoll and the capital of Male is on another atoll. The Maldives is an island country consisting of close to 1200 atolls spreading thousands of kilometers from north to south situated south west of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. Tourism is indeed the number one income earner for the Maldives. There are many world class resorts on the many atolls, with its beautiful white sandy beaches. And its not cheap ! And if one is lucky enough, one can sometimes meet those rich and famous who frequented those resorts.
Male, the capital of the Maldives is very densely populated. Its an atoll about 2km long and almost .75 km wide. Zillions of motorbikes can be seen ( either parked or on the move ) in Male especially at the waterfront. One would presumed that these two wheelers belong to Maldivians who left their motorbikes in Male for work at the outer atolls. With its narrow streets and people scurrying around, it is an experience to behold for those not familiar with downtown Bangkok or Jakarta. But, it has its own charm and character with its friendly and gentle people. I simply love the waterfront of Male.There are boats and boats and boats and passengers embarking and disembarking all the time, perhaps going to the many atolls
around Male and of course including tourists from many countries. Maybe, if I have the means or meet a nice genie I would certainly request to spend some time in one of those resort islands. Until then, I can only flip the nice brochure of a 7 star resort I found in my hotel room in Male.