Velassaru Maldives

I would like to express my huge gratitude to the entire Velassaru for the most wonderful birthday week I have ever had. Right from the warmest welcome to the kindness and thoughtfulness everyone showed me all week, which was so much more than I could ever have imagined. All the staff at Velassaru make this island the amazing, unforgettable and incredibly special place it is. It is especially lovely to see so many friendly, smiling and familiar faces. I have never visited in August but for years have wanted to spend my birthday in one of the most magical places I know, doing what I really enjoy, and as it was a ‘big’ birthday I decided now was the time. I could not have made a better decision. Nor could I ever have anticipated how fantastic the team on the island where and the effort they put in to make my birthday one I will never forget, without me asking for anything, only hoping I would be able to dive on my birthday. Not only did they organise a fantastic birthday meal, in a private dining space, beautifully decorated and with the most amazing birthday cake, but they also arranged for shark diving on the day itself with another absolutely fabulous chocolate cake when back on the dive boat to celebrate with the dive team. The most wonderful memories that I still can’t quite believe happened. Fathih, Tisha and Soba, Arshad and Minnam make a fantastic dive team and boat crew. It truly is like diving with your best friends, such is the team spirit, and they are an incredibly professional team who have transformed diving for me. One day I hope to achieve the next level of PADI qualifications with the team at Velassaru and would recommend them to everyone. There were many special touches throughout the week, such as singing happy birthday in both Maldivian and English and gifting me a Maldivian sarong, as worn on the fantastic cultural Maldivian nights events I have attended over the years because I love to experience the local customs. This will always remind me of all the special times over the years, visiting Velassaru. The room decorations for my birthday were stunning and must have taken such time and skill, yet it is all a part of the team at Velassaru because they want to make sure you have the best time. Thank you to Sharm, who has been the room boy for my last few visits and sets the room up perfectly each time. Every visit there is something new to see and new activities to participate in. There is a new Pilates studio, built in the last couple of months including reformer Pilates. I also finally used the gym this time, which is fully kitted and air conditioned and although regularly used, never crowded. On my final dive we revisited some of the work that had been started a few years prior to support coral life and it was truly special to be able to see the progress and growth that had happened. I never thought I would have ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos underneath the ocean and to see this firsthand is incredibly special. Hearing from Fathih how the dome was built and placed was like a David Attenborough programme in real life. The night dives were again a brilliant experience as was the opportunity to develop my skills further. When I wasn’t diving, I was often eating and drinking wonderful food including the best ginger tea I have ever tasted, and amazing seafood platters, freshly baked pastries for breakfast and fantastic cocktails at Fen bar. Thank you to Dr Hassan as always, a great philosopher, full of wisdom. Thank you to the gardeners, porters and front office staff who always provide great support services. Thank you to Omary for the ice creams and smiles, every time. Thanks to the staff at Fen and Chill bars, who are always friendly and professional. Thank you to Jahweed, head of housekeeping, Sharm looks after me so well. A very special thank you to Faisal who has been part of the senior team for several years and who makes a phenomenal effort to get to know guests and makes sure they have a truly happy stay. Faisal has been fantastically kind to me and made this and every holiday the best I have ever had. On my actual birthday, a few of the staff came to wish me a happy birthday at breakfast, and once they had gone, the couple on the next table asked me if I was famous. No, this is just how they treat every guest and make their stay special, and why I will never be able to say goodbye. A week or two is never enough even when it is every year.