Russjstewart
Contributor
Just putting up a quick post to share some of our recent experiences in the Maldives.
It was an almost a spur of the moment trip spurred on by some reasonable air fares from Air Asia.
As the budget was a bit tight we elected to stay at a guest house on a local ( inhabited) island. I am happy to say it was a damn good decision. We stayed at the Liberty Guest House on Mahibadhoo Island in the Ari Atoll, and dived with the in-house dive shop -Zala Divers.
The rooms were excellent value and were air conditioned as well as having ceiling fans. The room was serviced each day while we were out diving. The dining room was excellent value with a good range of well cooked meals, at a price that was so low it was hard to believe.
I was very happy with the dive operator, Zala Divers.we were doing the same dives as the rich people staying at the resorts for a better price.
Diving was from dhow type dive boats, setup for giant stride entries and a well designed ladder for exits.
All the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Being an idiot I managed to leave my spring fin straps in Melbourne, and only just realised when I put the fins on on to go diving. Within minutes bungee cord had been found on the boat and straps rigged so I could dive.
The hire gear all looked fairly new and in good condition.
Being a "local island" a certain amount of modesty in relation to dress standards was required, but once the boat was out of the harbour those who felt the need to feed their melanomas by stripping down to bathers were able to. The Guest House was also able to organise day trips to a nearby local island with a designated bikini beach, to trips to a deserted island or if you really needed a drink a trip to a resort island.
All in all I was very happy with the whole experience.
It was an almost a spur of the moment trip spurred on by some reasonable air fares from Air Asia.
As the budget was a bit tight we elected to stay at a guest house on a local ( inhabited) island. I am happy to say it was a damn good decision. We stayed at the Liberty Guest House on Mahibadhoo Island in the Ari Atoll, and dived with the in-house dive shop -Zala Divers.
The rooms were excellent value and were air conditioned as well as having ceiling fans. The room was serviced each day while we were out diving. The dining room was excellent value with a good range of well cooked meals, at a price that was so low it was hard to believe.
I was very happy with the dive operator, Zala Divers.we were doing the same dives as the rich people staying at the resorts for a better price.
Diving was from dhow type dive boats, setup for giant stride entries and a well designed ladder for exits.
All the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Being an idiot I managed to leave my spring fin straps in Melbourne, and only just realised when I put the fins on on to go diving. Within minutes bungee cord had been found on the boat and straps rigged so I could dive.
The hire gear all looked fairly new and in good condition.
Being a "local island" a certain amount of modesty in relation to dress standards was required, but once the boat was out of the harbour those who felt the need to feed their melanomas by stripping down to bathers were able to. The Guest House was also able to organise day trips to a nearby local island with a designated bikini beach, to trips to a deserted island or if you really needed a drink a trip to a resort island.
All in all I was very happy with the whole experience.
