Fowls and Underwater Creatures (Maldives Diaries)

From Gulhifushi, we took our shuttle ride back to Dhigu. This was the interesting scenery. A crane stands almost solitary along the shore. Then we noticed it "walk", as it follows a horseshoe crab underwater (first photo). They are easy to photograph because they aren't shy from humans.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

The western shoreline of Dhigu. Most guests prefer the eastern beach which also has the infinity pool and the spa.

Milky Puddles of Maldives (Maldives Diaries)

It's the quality of sand that makes the Maldives special. With fine white sand, puddles after monsoon rains aren't murky nor muddy. They are milky! Where else do you see milky puddles? The same is true in the local island of Maafushi which is 10-15 minutes away from Anantara by speed boat.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Dhigu - Anantara's Family Island (Maldives Diaries)

Guests arrive in Anantara's Dhigu, the family island (where children are welcome). This has the reception where payments and orientation are done. It has several restaurants, and none of them are off-limits from their guests or visitors (except the six-star island of Naladhu). Your day entrance is inclusive of consumable meals (and if you're a moderate "eater", it is not that easy to consume). The same entrance fee allows use of their facilities; visits to other islands (Veli, Gulhifushi, Moyo Island) including shuttle rides between islands; use of infinity pool, etc. Your entrance fee could be used for spa treatments because its consumable. The island has strong wifi for all guests to use so you can actually connect to the world wide web while having fun.

Anantara is 35 minutes south of Male by speedboat. A Male ferry boat to Maafushi, which is just 10 minutes from Anantara, takes 2 hours however. The resort has 110 beach villas and overwater suites (water cottages). Fuddan Fusion Grill offers steaks and seafood. Terrazzo has Italian cuisine. Aqua Cafe is for cocktails and bars, but it's directly facing the pool so we opted to stay there due to the great view. Children 6 years and under, in the company of their guardians, dine free.

The resort staff has their own place called Marina Island. This is where they rest and "come home" to. Naladhu, meanwhile, is popular among discrete Russian millionaires and celebrities who don't want to be seen. It has 19 large villas and private pools. There's also a single communal pool with "zero community feel" due to its exclusivity, There are 6 beach houses facing the sea. Rich guests celebrate privacy in style.

We had our lunch at the Aqua Restaurant, just beside the infinity pool. One of their head waiters was very friendly that even before our meal, he kept giving us apples. This was an absolutely sweet gesture, and something that sticks in your mind. He would offer advice on which food to partake. We finally decided on Pizza Gamberetti ($30), Stir Fried Beef ($35), Grilled Chicken Bread Burger with Salsa ($25) and sodas.

In relation to the subject of "exclusivity" (which is Naludhu), some islands in Maldives won't even allow day visitors in their restaurants (Bandos resort island in the North Male Atoll) even if you're a paying day guest. The same resort island won't allow their day visitors to use their swimming pool (you're not even allowed to view it - which is ridiculous, thus your very expensive visit has exceedingly limited options. Had I known these facts earlier, I would have given Bandos a miss. It just wasn't worth all the trouble, considering they're one of the least picturesque among the resort islands I have visited. Not Anantara though. This resort is populated by some of the warmest folks this side of earth. They know how to pamper every guests, in-house or day visitor. They're generous with the use of all their facilities, you don't feel like you have to act under a set of stringent rules or limitations. No wonder they're become quite an icon in South Male atoll.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Dhigu's reception and lobby.

Souvenir shop

Fushi Cafe

Grilled chicken bread burger with salsa

Pizza Gamberetti

Stir fried beef

Kid's club and playground

One of the secluded beach-front cottages

Free use of bikes.

Arrival jetty

Their website: http://dhigu-maldives.anantara.com/

My speedboat (water taxis). This is why travels in the Maldives are expensive. You have to rent speed boats like this and they usually cost $200-300 per person.

Veli - Anantara's Honeymoon Island (Maldives Diaries)

Veli is Anantara's most popular. It's their honeymooner's island, where children aren't allowed. It is accessed via a shuttle boat from Dhigu's pontoon. It has 67 rooms, an orchid garden, a gym, restaurants - Origami Japanese restaurant, Dhoni Bar, Baan Huraa (a Thai restaurant); a spa, a dive center, and a bridge that leads to the Pavillion  in the middle of the sea. The resort island is located 21 kilometers south of Male. Your transfer fee from the airport will set you back by $180 per person. If your arrival in Maldives happens after midnight, you'd have to arrange for an overnight stay in the capital; then your speedboat transfer to Anantara will happen the next day.

The same bridge takes guests to the island of Naludhu, exclusive for guests with villas in this playground of the filthy rich where rooms command a hefty price tag of $35,000 a night. You do have your own butler; your own spa, and any gourmet dish that you shall desire. From Veli or the Pavilion, Naludhu doesn't look all that special though. And I am sure it has a beach similar to Dhigu or Veli.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

One of my favorite spots in Veli. You get to walk under a graceful canopy of plants.

The bridge that goes to the Pavilion and (if you're a villa there), Naludhu island.

Dhoni Bar

78 Degrees Restaurant

"Movie Under the Stars", an open air cinema with bean bags and a swing.

This is a giant chair that actually sits 4 people, facing the cinema.

Veli's pontoon.

This photo only courtesy of www.otal.com. You can visit all of the islands in the complex except Naludhu.