A British Airways Flight Attendant Travel Blog/Review ~ Kandima Maldives

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Hi All, I am Gail Mckenzie Worldwide Flight Attendant for British Airways.

I have a passion for Travelling, Photography & The Arts.

I try to explore as much as possible when staying downroute with work and have a long travel bucket list I’m ticking off in my spare time. I hope my pictures and blogs inspire you and help you with your own adventures around the world.

I have recently returned from Paradise Found

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My Travel Blog & Review January 2019

Hope you like it! You can book the staff deal I took below too

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So here I am sat on the plane thinking about what a magical 5 nights I have just experienced.

How I wish I was still lying on that bounty beach with a cocktail in hand instead of flying back to a snowy London.

I have to say Kandima was truly wonderful and certainly a place I will never forget.

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Our Arrival at Kandima Maldives!

From the moment we stepped off our British Airways direct flight from LGW into Male we were greeted by a friendly face from Kandima. He took our luggage for us and calmly walked us to check in where he insisted we relaxed in a nearby seat whilst he checked us into our domestic flight. We felt like VIP’s and thought it was lovely to have everything taken care for us and instantly felt the London stress lift and fell into holiday mode. 

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After a short wait we were ushered across the tarmac and onto our Maldivian air flight. Usually transfers and connections can be tiresome, but this is where the adventure begun as we flew over hundreds of beautiful white Atol's rimmed with all shades of blue. It looked incredible and something up to then I had only seen amongst the pages of a National Geographic Magazine. I was soon glad I chose a Maldivian resort that required a plane transfer rather than speedboat simply for the views!

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Within 40 minutes of leaving Male we had touched down into Dhaalu Atol and as before a Kandima smile was awaiting our arrival along with a bus which took us 10 minutes away to our anchored speedboat! I told you it was a real adventure!

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After 20 mins speeding through the ocean we had finally arrived at Kandima and we were speechless at its beauty! Wow! We had found Paradise!

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The sea was a clear turquoise with little fish swimming by, the beach was fringed with palm trees that looked so perfect they didn't look real and the sand was so bright white it almost hurt your eyes. 

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We were greeted by staff who took our cases, offered us a refreshing cocktail and cold towel and a seat in the lobby where we were surrounded by banana trees and could put our feet into the soft sand.

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We simply couldn't put our camera down the whole time!

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Sleep!

In no time we were personally taken to our Jacuzzi Beach Villa which we were thrilled about as they had upgraded us from a studio suite (common for staff with the company I booked with) . The room was amazing so spacious with a sea view from our massive king sized bed and a complimentary bottle of Prosecco on ice, fruit basket and a box of yummy macaroons.

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We loved our bathroom which was all outdoors, private and featured 2 showers, a bathtub, lounge area and a hot tub! There are lots of different types of rooms at Kandima, we took a peek at them all, and to be honest we would be happy to stay in any of them, even the cheapest one ~ the sky studios, raised up 1 floor with amazing views over the sea. Kids under 12 share in adults rooms FREE by the way!

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Outside we had a terrace with table and chairs perfect for that pre dinner vino and two sunloungers onto the white sandy beach which looks like it goes on for miles. These pictures are taken from the room...talk about a view. The moment you walk out of the room in the morning you are instantly in a good mood! 

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What a truly amazing place to wake up! Never been anywhere quite like it - and never wanted to leave! 

The Aqua Villas, a bit more expensive but still great value, are over the ocean with views straight out over the aqua coloured sea and steps to put you in it! 

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What to do

To say there is plenty to do here is an understatement! From the aquatic Centre you could do snorkeling trips, parasailing, kite surfing and even take your PADI diving course. They can organize day trips to nearby islands for you, sunset cruises and game fishing. There is a Gym, Spa, Health Club and Tennis courts! Or simply walk up to the end of the island and sunbath on the sandbanks which was beautiful!

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On the way we swam out to little shallow reefs where we saw untouched coral, fish including stingrays and reef sharks which gave my boyfriend a surprise whist snorkeling. We were told they were all harmless so not to worry there.

In the evenings there were live bands on, dj nights, karaoke nights, open air cinema and once a week a white party in forbidden bar. If you fancy a change from the beach there are two pools one being the longest in the Maldives at 100m.

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If you fancy keeping fit whist there there is a great little gym with a beautiful pool among the lush jungle and many fitness classes you can take. Every morning they do complimentary classes. 

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We  tried yoga one day which we loved being next to the sea and even my boyfriend being a complete novice enjoyed the experience. Shortly followed by the beach!

Even with so many rooms and people, the resort island is over 1.5 klms long so you can always find a quiet area to chill out with no people around!

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...Oh So Stylish & Kool Kandima!

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Dining

With 10 restaurants and 3 bars you are spoilt for choice here! We dined in the delicious International buffet restaurants (Flavour & Zest) much of the time where they had loads of different dishes from around the world, healthy options, a kids section and they would even cook you something on request which was fantastic. Soft drinks were also included. 

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If you fancy trying elsewhere you have restaurant options galore with Mediterranean, Beach BBQ where the staff will cook you up a great steak by the ocean, Authentic Asian and other snack options at the beach bar, aroma coffee shop and deli shop. On the bed & breakfast package the buffet is simply enormous and we kept going back for more and more and found it lasted us for hours and we only needed a light salad at lunchtime! With the 20% staff discount from food & beverage, this meant we could eat as and when and where we wanted and still maintain a low budget. (the half and full board packages restricts you to the buffet restaurants, and we wanted to try out as many of the 10 restaurants as we could using the 20% discount at dinner. 

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So our recommendation is to book the bed and breakfast deal and take advantage of the buffet breakfast and use the 20% discount for the rest.

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Spa

We treated ourselves to a couples massage and facial while there and I have to say it was one of the best treatments I’ve ever had, definitely worth it and we both came out floating! The treatment rooms are by the ocean so you can hear the waves as you lie there relaxing and afterwards you can chill on the day beds drinking ginger tea and stare out to sea before you dip into the gorgeous plunge pools among the lush green jungle setting.

Relax in the on-site steam room, have a full-body massage while listening to the waves lapping the shore or spruce up your hands and feet in our nail bar. You’re in for a treat! Guests can spoil themselves with a visit to the Spa, which has 10 treatment rooms. Services include body scrubs, yoga classes, manicure, pedicure & many more. The spa is outfitted with a sauna, a spa tub, and a steam room. Visitors under 15 years of age are not permitted in the spa by the way.

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... and when the sun goes down, hey go a little crazy ... no one cares! 

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... and my summary?

Kandima is a game changing resort which sells itself to being great for everyone not just the usual honeymooners with 266 studios and villas from beachside to aqua villas there is something to suit all.

We both absolutely loved it and can’t wait to revisit the friendly, fun tropical island again next year!

You can book the same deal we did at a simply incredible airline and travel agent special rate, which also gets you 20% discount from food and beverage + 20% discount in the Spa + 20% Discount from water sports & diving at the resort. Oh and an 'oh so Kool' bonus free night if you go for a week 

Click here to see more and book this super special staff discounted deal!

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Oh...I musn't forget, meet Paul Hudspith a friend and fellow Flight Attendant, he booked through the same compnay as us and made this wonderful VBLOG video