KURUMBA – WHERE TIME TAKES TIME OFF

Frenzied wedding shoppers. Overexcited spouses-to-be. Anxious newlyweds. Eager honeymooners. We were a classic example of ‘that-couple-that-just-got-married’. So after an exhausting few days and extremely tired feet, we headed to Maldives to calm our nerves. And to be honest, it was one of the best decisions of our lives (after deciding to get hitched, of course!) A flight full of honeymooners and lovebirds later, we landed at Malé. It was breath-taking. With the warm Maldivian sun shining gloriously against the minty blues, we couldn’t wait to soak in this happy holiday vibe. We were booked at Kurumba. And right from the time we landed, their service was impeccable. The hotel staff greeted us at the airport and a 15-minute speedboat ride later, we arrived at Kurumba.

Dotted with villas and tucked cosily amidst a foliage of fresh green, it oozed romance from the word go. We were in love! We were greeted with happy smiles, a refreshing lemongrass-soaked face towel and a Kurumba ice-cream. After a long flight, this was divine. The staff was prompt and luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long for our room. We had booked the Deluxe Pool Villa. And the minute we stepped in, we were in love. Again! With wooden floors and rich timber furniture, it was a perfect blend of classic and contemporary. The bed was fluffy, so much so we thought we’d melt into it. While the staples included an Espresso machine, a mini bar, internet access, TV, super-soft beach slippers, and the works, our most used gadget was the docking station. We spent hours listening to our favourite songs, while the ocean breeze wafted in our room through the patio. Yes, our room was literally on the beach. And when the sun set, our room felt like a page out of a novel. It felt warm, it felt right. Just like the person I had decided to spend my life with. While romance was one half of the villa, the other half was absolute fun. Our very own private pool complete with Jacuzzi was an ace touch. But wait. It gets better. Our pool overlooked a waterfall. Yes, inside our villa! Not just that, every nook and cranny was thoughtfully planned. We had a lush open-air shower and a day-bed for two under a thatched roof pavilion. All we could think of was lazing around, reading a book, napping and taking in the joy of doing nothing. 

Now we’re foodies and we love to eat. So Kurumba was haven. This beautiful resort not only had champagne for breakfast, but also had 8 delightful restaurants, each promising a culinary adventure. Whatever the mood, there was just the food. We indulged in the cheesy goodness with a lip-smacking Crab Risotto at their Italian restaurant, Isola. At Al Qasr, which means palace, we were truly given a royal treatment and were spoilt for choice with their Middle Eastern specialities. Yes, a spread for a king. And his queen. No, it doesn’t end there. You can gorge on their delicious international buffet at Vihamanaa or indulge in colourful sushi and sashimi platter with an overwater dinner at Hamakaze. Or simply enjoy the sun down over relaxing loungers and pods, with wine and live bands. Their thoughtful service also included the Kurumba newsletter, highlighting the activities and the weather forecasts for the day. From snorkelling to water-sports, to sunset cruises along the Indian Ocean, time whizzed past. If you’re the less adventurous kind, you can unwind amidst aromatic oils and soothing massages at their array of spas. And if you love to shop, their souvenir store has the most charming curios and collectables. If nothing else, you can always stroll by the beach and let the waves do the talking, while you do the walking.

Our Maldivian honeymoon was special. And Kurumba made it even more so. In the peace of this beautiful island, we found time for comfort and comfort in time.

P.S.: Our hard disk containing our honeymoon pictures got corrupted, taking with it all the property images and the memories. We could just salvage a few personal pictures we had mailed to close friends and family. A few images in this post are courtesy www.kurumba.com