“Sometimes the best adventures are the unexpected ones.”
This month’s blog takes a lighter turn — a chance to swap the serious for the sun-soaked, and indulge in a little armchair escapism.
A Bucket List Journey of White Sand, Azure Seas & Relaxation
Sitting in a geography classroom all those years ago, I remember being told about coral atolls, coconut palms, and distant islands scattered across the Indian Ocean.
Never did I imagine I’d ever set foot on one — but here I am in retirement (well, semi-retirement!) — setting off on an adventure to the mesmerizing Maldives, a place where “island time” isn’t just a phrase, it’s a philosophy.
Time to put some of those travel tips from Part 3 – Travel Detour into practice! 🌴
(Whatever happened to Madagascar, I hear you ask? Unfortunately, civil unrest made us look for different horizons — but as far as Madagascar is concerned, it’s a case of “to be continued” rather than “trip abandoned!”)
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DESTINATION DECISION
Having never had a gap year, my wife and I decided a while ago that now — in this next chapter of our lives — we had the chance to create that gap year, one adventure at a time.
Our approach:
- Make a Bucket List – starting with all those destinations we once only dreamed of visiting.
- Prioritise the Faraway – long-haul flights might not feel so appealing in years to come!
- Balance Adventure with Downtime – exploration is wonderful, but so is the serenity of a deserted beach.
So, why the Maldives this time?
Personal reasons:
- A love of the sea — its soothing nature, its power, and the promise of glimpsing a totally different world under its surface.
- The Maldives offers both escape and connection — snorkelling one day, total stillness the next.
- Another long-dreamed-of tick on our bucket list.
- The promise of small-island stays, where shoes are optional and the pace of life slows almost to a stop.
Practical reasons:
- A change was needed from our original destination (Madagascar) due to civil unrest.
- October is ideal — warm seas, clear snorkelling conditions, and fewer crowds (though the occasional tropical downpour does make an appearance).
- The Maldives retains that timeless allure of “desert island” escapes — palm-fringed beaches and blissful simplicity.
- It’s an easy long-haul choice: a warm welcome, smooth connections, and instant decompression from “life on land.”
“It’s amazing how quickly a busy mind relaxes into the slower pace of island living.”
PREPARATIONS
Packing Smart: The “Not-So-Usual” Items
Of course, the basics made it into the cases straight away — swimsuits, sunglasses, sandals — but a few extra travel items also deserved inclusion:
- Packing cubes – make unpacking a breeze (why spend time on chores when there’s an island to discover?)
- Zip-off trousers – ideal for in-transit days – shorts and trousers all in one!
- Necker – a beautifully versatile item: sun shield, eye mask, or even makeshift hat
- E-book reader – minimises luggage weight while offering access to an unlimited library
- Favourite snacks from home – emergency supplies for layovers and a taste of home
- Skin So Soft dry oil – bug protection with minimal environmental impact
- Perfume / aftershave atomiser – frees up luggage space and avoids the risk of breakages
- Door stop – one of the simplest, smartest travel safety tools out there
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Top Tips
Extend Your Holiday – If you’re flying from an airport that’s not right on your doorstep, turn your trip into a mini-break by booking a hotel in your departure city before your flight. You’ve got the luxury of time now — so make the most of it! It’s a great way to reduce travel stress and enjoy a little extra exploring before you even take off.
Create More Packing Space – Spending a night before departure? Post your dirty laundry home instead of lugging it along on holiday. It’s a surprisingly effective (and freeing!) way to travel lighter.
Use Airport Lounges – Got a layover of two hours or more? Treat yourself to the comfort of an airport lounge. With food, drinks, and quiet spaces to relax, they often work out cheaper than buying refreshments on the main concourse — especially if you book passes in advance. Check out lounge pass aggregators such as Priority Pass, DragonPass, and LoungeKey for great deals and global access.
“Small adjustments, big difference — especially when travel days can feel like a marathon.”
What Did We See & Do in THE MALDIVES
If you’re picturing overwater villas and turquoise horizons, you’re not wrong — but there’s so much more here, if you care to look.
Everywhere you look, shades of blue stretch to the horizon — from the turquoise waters of the lagoon to the inky sea beyond the reef. It’s a place defined by a slow rhythm, simplicity, and the kind of beauty that makes you pause and pinch yourself.
FAVOURITE MALDAVIAN MOMENTS
- Drifting over coral reefs teeming with colour — fish, sea cucumbers, eels & turtles
- Swimming with sharks (the friendly, non-snacking kind!)
- Sipping cocktails on the beach (it just has to be done!)
- Watching a golden sunset fade into the ocean
- Looking up into clear night skies, studded with millions of stars
SELECTED IMAGES
Just a few images of the island adventure….
Sun Rise
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
Given our recent schedule, some rest and relaxation was a good idea. We’d planned downtime at the end of our Madagascar adventure, but instead we suddenly had two full weeks to unwind in an exotic setting — so what’s not to like?
I’m a restless soul and find it hard to do nothing — so two weeks on a small island was always going to be a challenge. We therefore laid some plans for:
- Snorkelling – tropical fish, turtles, and anemones
- Wildlife photography – capturing crabs, insects, and island life
- Downloaded TV series – guaranteed entertainment for quiet evenings
- Reading – where else can you find the time to be alone with a good book?
- Maybe some island hopping
- Walking around the island
- Laptop time – a little work, photo sorting, and journaling
- Meet new people – being in a holiday setting is one of the few times when existing social networks don’t apply. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with new faces, exchange ideas, and challenge your own status quo.
To be fair, it wasn’t all plain sailing (forgive the pun). The weather wasn’t quite what we’d hoped for, the wildlife was scarcer than expected, and it was impractical to get a ‘culture fix’.
Still, between some gym sessions (unscheduled but useful), extra snorkelling, a cookery competition (I did the stirring!), and the simple joy of passing the time of day with other guests — not to mention quality moments with my better half — it was exactly the reset we needed.
“Sometimes, you only realise you’ve slowed down once you stop trying to fill every minute.”
Have You Been?
Have you visited the Maldives? What were your favourite experiences — or is it still on your wish list?
💬 Comment below or email:
rookieretiree@btinternet.com
“The Maldives is all about being in the moment — letting the senses soak up the here and now.”
Out of Time…
We’ve run out of space again (island time will do that to you!), but I’ll be back in November with a brand-new topic: downsizing & decluttering — including some practical ideas on what to do with all those digital (and dusty) travel photos.
MORE STORIES ON THE ROOKIE RETIREMENT JOURNEY
Discover more stories, ideas, and inspiration for life after full-time work:
👉 Browse the FULL SERIES here: [Contents Page]
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