Miles Traveling Teacher

Maldives ~ $19,734 trip for $1,135!

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Ellen

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This is part of a trip report to the Maldives. That is NOT a typo in the title. Our trip to the Maldives cost approximately $1,135, with a value of $19,734! Here it is itemized, costs are per person:

VALUE COST

Airfare – $12,099 150,000 AA miles + $85

Maldivian Air to island $450

4 nights, Park Hyatt Maldives – $7,017 Four free nights with Hyatt card

2 nights, Crowne Plaza, Hong Kong – $618 80,000 IHG points + $80

We spent about $400 on meals at the Hyatt and about $120 in Hong Kong, including high tea at the Peninsula (more on that AND Hong Kong later)! The airfare value seems really expensive, but it was a business class ticket to Hong Kong, then the Maldives, on Cathay Pacific. It was a “dream come true” trip and one I will always remember.

The sunsets at the Park Hyatt Maldives were glorious, magnificent, amazing and awe-inspiring!

And the beaches were wonderful, with baby powder soft sand!

We went snorkeling lots and saw the MOST colorful fish I’ve ever seen! Sorry I don’t have photos, but my underwater camera rig ran out of batteries the first day.

I found out you can buy islands in the Maldives, the cheapest I saw was only 2.5 million dollars! I guess I will just have to relive my trip through photos! Next, Hong Kong and high tea!

Small Island Visit, Maldives

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Ellen

This is part of a trip report on the Maldives. Everything was wonderful on this trip, but the small island visit was a bit disappointing. We took a boat about 20 minutes away to an island much larger than our little one!

Fishing is a major source of income, about 20%, with tourism the other 80%.

Surprise! We got to visit a school, but it wasn’t in session. I did visit with one of the teachers and that was fun!

Classrooms are the same all over the world – “Listen” being one of the rules!

I loved how colorful and bright the classrooms were – just like ours, of course!

We enjoyed a home visit and watching this women weave.

And here is one of her pieces – beautiful and so very detailed!

One of our views from the island…

The power source. Our island had a generator and we had no problems with electricity or wifi.

It was interesting to see how the local people live, and they do seem to make a good living working in the tourism industry.

Next up – beaches, sunsets, snorkeling, and costs!

Maldivian food is yummy!

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Ellen

This is part of a trip report to the Maldives. The food at the Park Hyatt Maldives was excellent! Breakfast was included in our room, so we ate late and just snacked for lunch. The breakfast menu was extensive and varied – Asian, American, Healthy, etc. In included fresh squeezed juices and some of the best breakfast food I’ve ever had! Here’s just a “taste” of what breakfast by the pool was like.

Our first night we ate the BBQ buffet and it was our least favorite. Some sunset pictures from the restaurant.

On the way to dinner one night – notice the sunset in the background, it doesn’t even look real! (But it was).

One night we splurged for a sunset dinner on the beach and enjoyed a five course menu customized for us AND the fantastic sunset!

Another night we ate at the Island Grill – where you remove your shoes as you eat and put your feet in the sand!

But our favorite was the Maldivian food – we had a native Maldivian eat with us and explain all the different dishes. There was SO MUCH FOOD! And Maldivians eat with their hands! A couple from Russia had eaten it earlier and liked it so much, they requested it again! What a treat…!

How much did all this food cost? On average, about $100 per meal…some meals were more expensive and some less. But where can you get a view like this while you eat?

Next up, a visit to a small local island.

Park Pool Villa = wonderful!

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Ellen

This is part of a trip report to the Maldives. The Park Pool Villa has its own pool and beach access and is the favorite of many people!

This photo looks dark, but it had lots of sunshine all the time!

You can see through the glass doors all the way to the private “backyard” similar to the Park Villa and with the outdoor tub and shower.

The pool was delightful!

And the path to the beach was just a few steps away!

The actual cost of this villa was $1,722 and we stayed there the last night.

How were we able to stay four nights in such an expensive place that cost over $7,000 for absolutely free? My friend and I both got the Hyatt credit card, which gives you two free nights at any property. Another perk of the card is Platinum status (you get complementary room upgrades) AND one free night on your card anniversary! We had to spend $1,000 within three months to qualify for all this. We felt like it was well worth it and a card we will always keep!

The Hyatt Credit Card

More on food and restaurants next (we loved Maldivian food)!