By VIDA ROGERS




Here, one newlywed, Vida Rogers, explains why the Maldives was the perfect choice for both, combining the romance of white-sand beaches and luxury accommodation with undersea adventures and private beach barbecues...

Pure bliss: After a long journey, Vida and Richard are greeted by a truly beautiful sight

The sea-plane took off and was soon just an ever-dwindling spot on the blue horizon.

We were left standing on a platform about the size of the average family saloon car, bobbing gently up and down on the waves; my new husband, myself and our luggage. And nothing else.

Surrounded by the vastness of the Indian Ocean and with the sun beating down, heating us up to a sticky 30C we wouldn't last long out here.

Nor did we need to. Fortunately, our isolation lasted just a few minutes until our 'rescue' by a dhoni - a traditional small fishing boat - which had travelled all of 200 yards from a nearby tiny island to take us ashore.


Let the sightseeing begin! A short hop on a floating plane to the resort saw the honeymoon start in style


For a fleeting moment I had visions of our bags disappearing into the sea as they were transferred to the boat , but they were hoisted swiftly and safely on board and we headed for dry land.

The flight in itself had been unusual: sitting at the front of the tiny plane with the cockpit door open we had a view bettered only by the captain and co-pilot, snazzily clad in shorts and flip-flops. Welcome to flying Maldives-style.

Our journey from London had been a long one, a ten-hour flight to the Maldives capital Male and then the 30 minute sea-plane hop to our island. But as that famous advert goes, good things come to those who wait.


Heavenly sunsets: Watching the sun sink beneath the horizon was a perfect precursor to a romantic dinner


It was our honeymoon and we had chosen the idyllic setting of the Coco Palm resort on the private island of Dhuni Kolhu, in the Baa Atoll.

The setting was lush, the sands around the resort were wash-day white and the lagoon beyond the beach was filled with clear, emerald water. The words ‘tropical paradise’ hardly does it justice.

A stroll around the entire island took barely 30 minutes, not that we were necessarily in walking mode; if you want exercise then it is the water you head for.

And, given the island's dimensions, there wasn’t far to go to the sea, no matter which of the four types of accommodation you were in.

We were staying in a Deluxe Villa with an outdoor bathroom, complete with sunken bath; a plunge-pool; a private entrance to the beach and sun-loungers both on the sand and the decking.

We managed a quick, refreshing dip on our arrival, then indulged in the height of pretension, an evening meal of barbecued lobster washed down with a glass of champagne, well, we were on honeymoon after all.


All at sea: The newlyweds could enjoy glorious solitude in a water villa at Coco Palm Bodu Hithi


After all my 'hard work' I felt I fully deserved our final evening meal which consisted of a five-course feast accompanied by a different glass of wine with each course.

It's funny how a honeymoon doing exactly what you please in beautiful surroundings can leave you exhausted. But exhausted we were. Perhaps I need another one to get over it...


Travel Facts
Kuoni (01306 747008 / www.kuoni.co.uk) offers seven nights at the Coco Palm Resorts in the Maldives on room and breakfast basis, staying three nights at Coco Palm, Dhuni Kolhu in a beach villa and four nights at Coco Palm, Bodu Hithi in an island villa. Prices start from £2,130 per person and include flights with Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow with transfers in resort and access to the VIP lounge in Male airport on departure.

source: dailymail