Not just the adventure capital but just a beautiful area surrounded by both the Remarkables Mountain range and Lake Wairarapa
Within range of both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, two amazing great days out in the Fiordland National Park (or a few hours if you decide to fly into the former)
My choice was Milford Sound but Queenstown is not a bad call. I spent Christmas Eve - Boxing Day there a few years ago. Loved the jet-boating, kayaking and horse riding topped off by the beautiful scenery. I remember seeing photos of the England cricket team playing there once with the Remarkables in the background.
Going to my 91st different country/Island in 10 days time - safari in Serengeti during the Great Wildebeest Migration season. Booked to go to San Francisco in Feb.
To answer the question, we will be returning to our favourite place, Rannalhi, Maldives in Sept next year - our 6th visit to The Maldives and third to Rannalhi. Apart from the natural beauty of Maldivian islands, plus the abundance of equatic life, Rannalhi is so small that walking from one end of the Island to the other takes just 7 minutes. Rannalhi is at the cheaper end of the cost range for The Maldives, which allows us, within our budget, to stay in a water bungalow over the sea.
For me personally, a holiday taking in Yellowstone Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota, runs Rannalhi a very close second.
Agree with the Maldives, we went to Kuredu Island but it was 22years ago and has changed beyond all recognition now, no water bungalows when we went, just a mud hut on the beach with an open air bathroom. Seaplane from Male was an experience too!
A retirement present was a Lindblad expedition on the Endurance. Amazing wildlife , birds, Orcas, Blue Whales, Albatross, penguins, seals and historic sites like Elephant Island, original Swedish expedition hut on Snow Hill Island even had kayaks to cruise around the icebergs in quiet bays. Almost setting sun turns the whole sky pink and green reflected back in the ice and sea. Return journey had seas 30 feet high. Words can't capture the experience.
Going to my 91st different country/Island in 10 days time - safari in Serengeti during the Great Wildebeest Migration season. Booked to go to San Francisco in Feb.
To answer the question, we will be returning to our favourite place, Rannalhi, Maldives in Sept next year - our 6th visit to The Maldives and third to Rannalhi. Apart from the natural beauty of Maldivian islands, plus the abundance of equatic life, Rannalhi is so small that walking from one end of the Island to the other takes just 7 minutes. Rannalhi is at the cheaper end of the cost range for The Maldives, which allows us, within our budget, to stay in a water bungalow over the sea.
For me personally, a holiday taking in Yellowstone Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota, runs Rannalhi a very close second.
Agree with the Maldives, we went to Kuredu Island but it was 22years ago and has changed beyond all recognition now, no water bungalows when we went, just a mud hut on the beach with an open air bathroom. Seaplane from Male was an experience too!
Sadly I fear for some of the atolls, some appear to have been bought by companies and while using Maldivian people as well as Sri Lankan’s front of house the people behind the scenes (Americans) are money driven. I spoke to the original manager before leaving after our 4th visit and negotiated $500 to renew our wedding vows on our visit the following year. On our return the manager had gone and while it was in the diary no payment had been made, I was told it had been cancelled and it wouldn’t happen. Fortunately I hadnt told my wife as was due to be a surprise. When I left I was told they are now flying in mainly Japanese couples to get married and they fly them out again the same day for around $25000. Meedhapparu is a beautiful island and the Maldivians are beautiful people, the seaplane is certainly an experience you’ll never forget.
Going to my 91st different country/Island in 10 days time - safari in Serengeti during the Great Wildebeest Migration season. Booked to go to San Francisco in Feb.
To answer the question, we will be returning to our favourite place, Rannalhi, Maldives in Sept next year - our 6th visit to The Maldives and third to Rannalhi. Apart from the natural beauty of Maldivian islands, plus the abundance of equatic life, Rannalhi is so small that walking from one end of the Island to the other takes just 7 minutes. Rannalhi is at the cheaper end of the cost range for The Maldives, which allows us, within our budget, to stay in a water bungalow over the sea.
For me personally, a holiday taking in Yellowstone Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota, runs Rannalhi a very close second.
Agree with the Maldives, we went to Kuredu Island but it was 22years ago and has changed beyond all recognition now, no water bungalows when we went, just a mud hut on the beach with an open air bathroom. Seaplane from Male was an experience too!
Sadly I fear for some of the atolls, some appear to have been bought by companies and while using Maldivian people as well as Sri Lankan’s front of house the people behind the scenes (Americans) are money driven. I spoke to the original manager before leaving after our 4th visit and negotiated $500 to renew our wedding vows on our visit the following year. On our return the manager had gone and while it was in the diary no payment had been made, I was told it had been cancelled and it wouldn’t happen. Fortunately I hadnt told my wife as was due to be a surprise. When I left I was told they are now flying in mainly Japanese couples to get married and they fly them out again the same day for around $25000. Meedhapparu is a beautiful island and the Maldivians are beautiful people, the seaplane is certainly an experience you’ll never forget.
Thanks for your views. My immediate experience, booking for next year, has shown no significant price increase since our last visit to the same Island, which was 5 years ago.
Going to my 91st different country/Island in 10 days time - safari in Serengeti during the Great Wildebeest Migration season. Booked to go to San Francisco in Feb.
To answer the question, we will be returning to our favourite place, Rannalhi, Maldives in Sept next year - our 6th visit to The Maldives and third to Rannalhi. Apart from the natural beauty of Maldivian islands, plus the abundance of equatic life, Rannalhi is so small that walking from one end of the Island to the other takes just 7 minutes. Rannalhi is at the cheaper end of the cost range for The Maldives, which allows us, within our budget, to stay in a water bungalow over the sea.
For me personally, a holiday taking in Yellowstone Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota, runs Rannalhi a very close second.
Stayed in Rapid City, did the Blackhills, Mount Rushmore, Badlands, onto Wyoming Devils Tower. Then the Minute Man silo , just outside Wall.
Best place in the world ? Greenwich Park by the Royal Observatory, at dawn on a Summer Morning Looking out over the greatest city in the world!
Going to my 91st different country/Island in 10 days time - safari in Serengeti during the Great Wildebeest Migration season. Booked to go to San Francisco in Feb.
To answer the question, we will be returning to our favourite place, Rannalhi, Maldives in Sept next year - our 6th visit to The Maldives and third to Rannalhi. Apart from the natural beauty of Maldivian islands, plus the abundance of equatic life, Rannalhi is so small that walking from one end of the Island to the other takes just 7 minutes. Rannalhi is at the cheaper end of the cost range for The Maldives, which allows us, within our budget, to stay in a water bungalow over the sea.
For me personally, a holiday taking in Yellowstone Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota, runs Rannalhi a very close second.
Stayed in Rapid City, did the Blackhills, Mount Rushmore, Badlands, onto Wyoming Devils Tower. Then the Minute Man silo , just outside Wall.
Best place in the world ? Greenwich Park by the Royal Observatory, at dawn on a Summer Morning Looking out over the greatest city in the world!
I love the Black Hills, which legally belong to the Sioux nation, under the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. The american government attempted to purchase the Black Hills from the Sioux for $1m in 1874. The latest offer (last year, I think) was 1.3bn. The Sioux cant agree amongst themselves whether to take the money. They realise they will never get the Black Hills back and one suggestion, emanting from the Sioux, is to receive a yearly share of the profits derived from tourists visiting the Black Hills. I hope they get the justice I believe they deserve, some time in the future.
My best ever holiday. It’s expensive but nothing else to spend £ on, so remote so beautiful and Kristen and Julius are fabulous. The bear sightings in the wild are the best thing ever.
My best ever holiday. It’s expensive but nothing else to spend £ on, so remote so beautiful and Kristen and Julius are fabulous. The bear sightings in the wild are the best thing ever.
Just looked at the website you posted on here, thanks. Looks wonderful but sadly my 70+ year old body would not be able to hike that far. Shame, coz it does appeal to me.
Going to my 91st different country/Island in 10 days time - safari in Serengeti during the Great Wildebeest Migration season. Booked to go to San Francisco in Feb.
To answer the question, we will be returning to our favourite place, Rannalhi, Maldives in Sept next year - our 6th visit to The Maldives and third to Rannalhi. Apart from the natural beauty of Maldivian islands, plus the abundance of equatic life, Rannalhi is so small that walking from one end of the Island to the other takes just 7 minutes. Rannalhi is at the cheaper end of the cost range for The Maldives, which allows us, within our budget, to stay in a water bungalow over the sea.
For me personally, a holiday taking in Yellowstone Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota, runs Rannalhi a very close second.
Agree with the Maldives, we went to Kuredu Island but it was 22years ago and has changed beyond all recognition now, no water bungalows when we went, just a mud hut on the beach with an open air bathroom. Seaplane from Male was an experience too!
Sadly I fear for some of the atolls, some appear to have been bought by companies and while using Maldivian people as well as Sri Lankan’s front of house the people behind the scenes (Americans) are money driven. I spoke to the original manager before leaving after our 4th visit and negotiated $500 to renew our wedding vows on our visit the following year. On our return the manager had gone and while it was in the diary no payment had been made, I was told it had been cancelled and it wouldn’t happen. Fortunately I hadnt told my wife as was due to be a surprise. When I left I was told they are now flying in mainly Japanese couples to get married and they fly them out again the same day for around $25000. Meedhapparu is a beautiful island and the Maldivians are beautiful people, the seaplane is certainly an experience you’ll never forget.
Thanks for your views. My immediate experience, booking for next year, has shown no significant price increase since our last visit to the same Island, which was 5 years ago.
Don’t get me wrong Peter, holidays in the Maldives are very much affordable and value for money we paid less on our last four visits than we did six before hand for our first, but we found that the new resort owners were trying to get us to spend even more while we were there. Where as previously we were left to enjoy ourselves, getting invited to the returnees cocktail party and getting hustled to visit the jewellery shop isn’t my idea of fun. As your aware the islands are run by different resorts, maybe we should try a different island if and when we go back. 😉
Going to my 91st different country/Island in 10 days time - safari in Serengeti during the Great Wildebeest Migration season. Booked to go to San Francisco in Feb.
To answer the question, we will be returning to our favourite place, Rannalhi, Maldives in Sept next year - our 6th visit to The Maldives and third to Rannalhi. Apart from the natural beauty of Maldivian islands, plus the abundance of equatic life, Rannalhi is so small that walking from one end of the Island to the other takes just 7 minutes. Rannalhi is at the cheaper end of the cost range for The Maldives, which allows us, within our budget, to stay in a water bungalow over the sea.
For me personally, a holiday taking in Yellowstone Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota, runs Rannalhi a very close second.
Agree with the Maldives, we went to Kuredu Island but it was 22years ago and has changed beyond all recognition now, no water bungalows when we went, just a mud hut on the beach with an open air bathroom. Seaplane from Male was an experience too!
Sadly I fear for some of the atolls, some appear to have been bought by companies and while using Maldivian people as well as Sri Lankan’s front of house the people behind the scenes (Americans) are money driven. I spoke to the original manager before leaving after our 4th visit and negotiated $500 to renew our wedding vows on our visit the following year. On our return the manager had gone and while it was in the diary no payment had been made, I was told it had been cancelled and it wouldn’t happen. Fortunately I hadnt told my wife as was due to be a surprise. When I left I was told they are now flying in mainly Japanese couples to get married and they fly them out again the same day for around $25000. Meedhapparu is a beautiful island and the Maldivians are beautiful people, the seaplane is certainly an experience you’ll never forget.
Thanks for your views. My immediate experience, booking for next year, has shown no significant price increase since our last visit to the same Island, which was 5 years ago.
Don’t get me wrong Peter, holidays in the Maldives are very much affordable and value for money we paid less on our last four visits than we did six before hand for our first, but we found that the new resort owners were trying to get us to spend even more while we were there. Where as previously we were left to enjoy ourselves, getting invited to the returnees cocktail party and getting hustled to visit the jewellery shop isn’t my idea of fun. As your aware the islands are run by different resorts, maybe we should try a different island if and when we go back. 😉
Thanks TCE for your comments. I shall bear them in mind when we return next year
Elounda for me.Perfect place.Been 18 times on the spin and have many Greek friends now. So sitting outside the Allygos bar in the square for me. What restaurant are you referring to?
Christ I went about 20 years ago. It was just down by the slipway where you can catch a boat across to Spinalonga. Well done you for returning. I totally get your enthusiasm for the place.
My best ever holiday. It’s expensive but nothing else to spend £ on, so remote so beautiful and Kristen and Julius are fabulous. The bear sightings in the wild are the best thing ever.
Comments
There's a penzion there that was lovely too and the food was superb.
One day!
Trying to keep warm
To answer the question, we will be returning to our favourite place, Rannalhi, Maldives in Sept next year - our 6th visit to The Maldives and third to Rannalhi. Apart from the natural beauty of Maldivian islands, plus the abundance of equatic life, Rannalhi is so small that walking from one end of the Island to the other takes just 7 minutes. Rannalhi is at the cheaper end of the cost range for The Maldives, which allows us, within our budget, to stay in a water bungalow over the sea.
For me personally, a holiday taking in Yellowstone Park and the Black Hills, South Dakota, runs Rannalhi a very close second.
Seaplane from Male was an experience too!
Best place in the world ? Greenwich Park by the Royal Observatory, at dawn on a Summer Morning Looking out over the greatest city in the world!