Bathala Island Resort
Good thing though, boss offered us a complimentary stay at Bathala Island Resort. It was J-Blogged second visit to the island but it was my first so I was really excited. We got up early for our veeerrry early morning transfer. Check in was at 5.15am at the Maldivian Air Taxi counter so I had to wake up at 4:30am! OMG! If not for the love of sunbathing I would not have even got up from my bed!
There was no seaplane transfer direct to the resort that day hence we had to be dropped off at the nearby Constance Halaveli resort. We were picked up late (I think they have forgotten us until we called the resort! Aww) but the Halaveli staff we were with were so hospitable and invited us to join their speed launch and wait for the dhoni transfer to Bathala from the comforts of their jetty lounge area. Thank you very much for such a welcome!
The view of the resort from the seaplane. Perfect!
Bathala Island Resort is a 3-star resort which is frequented by diving enthusiasts due to its proximity to fantastic diving sites and a very colorful marine ecosystem within its lagoon. The guests were mainly Italians although there were some smattering of Japanese divers from time to time. During our stay, it was almost fully booked. Well, it’s almost always fully booked the whole year round!
Due to the lack of overwater villas and facilities, the corals around the house reef are still intact where you can snorkel to your heart’s content. Not my heart though, I will just content myself with swimming in the chest-deep waters close to the beach! Hahaha but hey, look at this manta ray! I think this manta pitied me so it came near the shore just to say Hi!
Been a bit pale from days spent cooped up inside the office every single day, so I dedicated a single morning (and an hour in the afternoon) just rolling around in the sand to top up my tan!
In between our suntanning sessions, we went over to the Rehendi Spa to have a Balinese massage. Heavenly! The therapists were great! The spa itself is a novelty. It’s an old dhoni which was transformed into a spa with a fabulous view of the sunset from its treatment room. Couple this with the magical hands of the therapists, and its complete bliss…
Almost everyone (including the waiters and room attendants) in this resort I think can converse in Italian! Well, that is…..except us! Lol
Italians I realized love parties and social events, and this being a majority Italian-filled resort, every night there is always an event going on. The first night, they had a Cabaret Show with comedy skits performed by the inhouse tour guides. It was hilarious! Even if we cannot understand a single thing, we were still laughing out loud just by interpreting their actions.
Afterwards, everyone went back to the bar and someone had turned up the music and it was Party Time! Rihanna’s songs really made me get up and dance till midnight! Oh well, no office work the following day so I can just sleep in! hahahaha
Another highly anticipated event every night is the shark-watching at around 7:30pm at the arrival jetty. They come to visit the island every night. Its so amazing to look at them playing or scrambling for scraps of fish meat thrown at them (not really environmentally-friendly though as this makes the sharks domesticated).
When not in the beach, our days were spent either having a cappuccino while reading a book under the trees or in a hammock or better yet, having an early cocktail at the bar. What blissful we live…..hahahaha…..I could get used to this, eh?
Meals are taken at the main restaurant (although the bar also offers some light snacks and sandwiches) in buffet style. You really have to ask the waiters or the attending chefs for English translations though coz some of the display tags on the food are in Italian!
The rooms are pretty basic but they managed to keep it really clean and tidy. The bathrooms are the open-air style very typical of old Maldivian resorts. But I love the towels! I was so surprised --- the luxurious Frette range!
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