Hello my dear readers! Hope you are having a wonderful day. Now (ages later) I wanted to share a few photos from our vacation in the Maldives, if you would like to see...
We were lucky enough to stay at the amazing Alila Hadahaa, a newly opened stunning resort located in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll in the south. The Maldives is a long narrow country that make up an island nation of 26 natural atolls.
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UPDATE: under new ownership of Hyatt. Now Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.
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Alila Hadahaa is a special place, surrounded by sea and sky with beautiful architecture (SCDA architects). All the details had me going wild. From the oversized outdoor sofas to the shampoo bottles. Everything perfect. Our beach villa had a little outdoor private plunge pool in the front and an outdoor shower and bathtub in the back! I love showering outdoors. It makes me feel free somehow and doing so in a place this beautiful had me pinching myself.
One afternoon we redesigned the villa together, dreaming up a villa that would be perfect for us to live in with a small family... (no no... not expecting). We pretended that we moved from our everyday lives to a more relaxed beach lifestyle. So tempting.
We spent hours upon hours in the turquoise water, floating around and exploring the reefs daily. We also went diving amongst the most abundant marine life and unspoiled coral reefs. Sharing the water with a few Manta Rays, lots of turtles, a few sharks and a school of 3000 Barracudas! I think Barracudas are kind of scary. Have you seen their teeth? I have to admit that they spooked me. I swam a little faster and grabbed ahold of Jespers hand squeezing it tight...
In the evenings we were bedazzled by the night sky with breathtaking sunsets and stars that shine bright. Located very close to the equator we were able to view bright constellations from both hemispheres. We would lay down on the beach and try to find the Big and Little Dipper, the Great Bear and Orion. We were mesmerized by the sky every evening.
Alila Hadahaa is the first (and currently only) Green Globe certified resort in the Maldives. The resort is fully sustainable and great care has been taken in the construction to preserve the natural vegetation. The resort takes every step possible to minimise it's environmental footprint. An example of this is that Hadahaa saves from disposing of more than 100,000 plastic water bottles a year by filtering and purifying it's own water. Both still and sparking delicious water is offered in reusable stylish water bottles.
The vacation was a dream come true! Now, sitting in Stockholm, Sweden where white snow covers the ground I dream of the Maldives. In need of escaping the cold, I try to feel the sun kiss my skin and the sand between my toes. I try to hear the waves crash against the beach, inhale the smell of the salt sea water and feel the breeze in my hair. Shhhh.... do not disturb. My mind has taken me back to Hadahaa. xx - Joanna
Again I would like to thank all my amazing guests. Alexandra of Make, Do & Send, Jamie of From Me to You, Ange of Lushlee. Petra of Designfragment, Chelsea of Frolic, Deb of Busy Being Fabulous, Leigh of Create, Lana of lanalou style, Jess of The Wife of an Artist, Ellie of Mint, Lexi of Love.Obsess.Inspire and last but not lease SeeSaw. Thank you so much girls! Do check them out!
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update: under new ownership of Hyatt. Now Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.
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UPDATE: I forgot to mention yesterday that the Maldives is one of the 28 official finalist in the New 7 Wonders. If you have a minute do head over and cast your votes. Some amazing places (that I long to visit) are on the list of finalists. One of my votes has gone to the Maldives an other Iguazu Falls (I was there back in 2001 with 2 of my girlfriends and was blown away). Click here for the latest ranking.
Wow!! So gorgeous!! Your photos are so amazing. Looks like an incredible time!!
Posted by: chelsea | February 16, 2010 at 11:39 PM
What an incredible place! I'd love to visit Maldives if I have the chance!
I can see your beautiful tan!!
Posted by: Ange | February 17, 2010 at 02:39 AM
Seriously amazing vacation!! Those pics are just gorgeous -- looks like you were in paradise. Oh, I'd so love a week away on the beach, in the sun, NOT getting tan because I only burn.
Posted by: Brandi | February 17, 2010 at 03:20 AM
Wow! Really! I could live there 24/7.
Posted by: Taylor B. | February 17, 2010 at 05:40 AM
Congrats on such an amazing vacation! We are planning our Honey Moon and this looks amazing. My husband to be loves to dive. Can you get certified there? I have promised to try (even if it scares me).
Posted by: christa | February 17, 2010 at 07:41 AM
this place is fabulous! new reader, i'm in love.
Posted by: kera | February 17, 2010 at 09:02 AM
Oh wow, amazing photos and what a beautiful resort you stayed in!! Wishing I was there now!
Posted by: Lana | February 17, 2010 at 11:21 AM
What a beautiful resort!
Posted by: C.F. | February 17, 2010 at 11:45 AM
You really take wounderful pictures,i would like to go to all your destinations and live in all the same places
Annika
Posted by: annika stendahl | February 17, 2010 at 01:21 PM
Wow - your vacation photos are amazing. What a beautiful spot - and the resort is eco-friendly, too? How do you top that?
Thanks for sharing those photos - Today I spent a few delightful moments traveling to the Maldives....
Posted by: Lisa | February 17, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Christa - Congrats! :) They have a great diving center. You would be in great hands and diving in the most amazing wanter.
Posted by: by JOS | February 17, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Brandi - Jesper burns as well! Had to watch him carefully. I am lucky I dont burn but I do slather on lots of sunscreen.
Posted by: by JOS | February 17, 2010 at 10:54 PM
So jealous of your trip to that amazing paradise and jealous of that caramel colored tan!
Posted by: Elie's Papel | February 17, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Ok... can we switch lives, may be just for a week or two!
Posted by: Lexi | February 18, 2010 at 03:23 PM
Thank you so much for sharing this post! I feel like I am defrosting just looking at the images! I will have to link to this!
Posted by: teaworthy | February 18, 2010 at 04:35 PM
teaworthy - I can only agree with you. It has been so cold in stockholm this winter and i feel cold all the time. just putting the post together made me feel a little warmer. cannot wait for the spring!
Posted by: by JOS | February 18, 2010 at 11:12 PM
OHG! Amazing! Do they have a spa and how about a fitness center and yoga classes?
Posted by: Laura | February 19, 2010 at 12:04 AM
laura - the spa is amazing! super yoga classes! i took the sunset classes out on the jetty. you can take both privet and group classes (lots to choose). they have a great little fitness center as well.
Posted by: by JOS | February 19, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Next time you go to the Maldives, please don't forget to get an extra ticket for me.....
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | February 25, 2010 at 12:38 PM
The place is amazing. I hope Maldives is just a walk from us. I love the beach and the hotel's architectural forms, it's fabulous.
-liz
Posted by: vacation ownership | April 05, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Found you via Google. Now it is final! We are planing our honeymoon and it has been a tossup between Hadahaa and an other resort. We will now be heading off to the maldives and staying at Hadahaa. Thank you for this post! Love your blog.
Posted by: sarah | July 11, 2010 at 10:35 PM
sarah - wonderful! happy I could be of help. i promise you will have an amazing honeymoon.
Posted by: by JOS | July 12, 2010 at 07:28 PM
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL! Perhaps the ultimate in long haul luxury, the Maldives is currently enjoying incredible growth. I would go in a heart beat.
Posted by: Ingeira S. | August 19, 2010 at 09:24 AM
AMAZING!!!!!!!! I really need to go!
Posted by: v.o. | September 07, 2010 at 06:54 PM
What an awesome place! I wouldn't want to go home if I get there.
Posted by: Caitlin at Backlink Builder | December 26, 2010 at 07:05 AM