Page 125 - PROTAGONIST 122

Page 120, everything is set up for a special dinner on the beach.
Page 121, Jing restaurant offers a perfect fusion of Asian and
European cuisine served with the most splendid view. ©Courtesy
of Constance Hotels & Resorts

You can’t believe it until you see it for yourself story beach villas, and eight two-story beach villas, as
from the sky, just before landing. And even then, you well as a 700-square-meter presidential beach villa, all
still aren’t completely certain that something like that overlooking the turquoise lagoon, along with three re-
could really exist: the pristine velvet of a pool table, staurants, a sushi bar, and a spa.
stretching far beyond the horizon, displaying every One of the resort’s highlights, aside from the ama-
shade of green, azure, and blue. zing setting, is its food and wine. Those who prefer not
Around sixty million years ago, an invisible hand to forego the nectar of the gods even in the middle of
collected a fistful of white sand and pearls and scattered the Indian Ocean will appreciate the wine lists of the
them over that infinite expanse, creating the 26 natural island’s two cellars (one of which is among the largest
atolls and 1,192 coral islands that form the Maldives. and best stocked in the entire Maldives); their wide
Of course, it didn’t actually happen that way. The selection and incredible variety of exclusive wines are
explanation might be less romantic, but what’s impor- the result of the “inheritance” of the sommeliers who
tant is that the result is the same. What created this passed the baton to one another over the years.
marvel was the volcanic activity of the hotspot under Relaxation, nature, great food (and wine) seem
the island of Réunion, but this doesn’t detract from to be the watchwords on the island. But what about
the fact that you are in one of the most beautiful (and people who want to be more active and stay in shape?
exclusive) places on the planet. Even if you’ve already Constance Halaveli will also satisfy those who have a
seen every corner of the world over and over again and hard time staying still for even a moment. Aside from
feel like the most seasoned traveler, the first time you all the sea-related activities, which include a TGI Dive
approach the Maldives you realize there’s something Center that offers courses at every level from PADI and
unique about the place, something out of this world. SSI (Scuba School International), the island also has a
Of the 1,192 islands that compose the archipelago, tennis court, a beach volley court, a soccer field, and
only two hundred are inhabited, and another hundred a Life Fitness Cardio gym. Moreover, Wednesday is
or so are set up as tourist resorts. Every island is sur- wellness day and those so inclined can participate in
rounded by a coral reef that encloses and embraces a various activities like meditation and beach yoga orga-
lagoon, protecting its beaches from storm surges and nized throughout the day.
unwanted intruders. Nor will younger guests have the chance to get bo-
Page 122, the main beach and an aerial view of the water villa and
When you set foot on the island after arriving by red: the Kids Club offers many outlets for the adventu-
skiff or seaplane, you immediately realize that there’s rous and creative spirit of youth in the form of treasure
its private pool. ©Courtesy of Constance Hotels & Resorts
only ocean around you, that it’s not so much an island hunts, cooking classes where they’ll learn how to make
as a boat made of white sand, a slender, elongated delicious deserts, muffins, and ice cream, and even the-
form, with a bow and a stern. It feels as if you’re cru- med programs for the younger ones. And if the adults
ising motionless on a stretch of crystal blue water. In aren’t already having enough fun, there are tennis les-
that moment, you aren’t thinking about the massive sons, fitness sessions, reading, swimming, strolling on
limestone bedrock that plunges thousands and thou- the beach, not to mention snorkeling, excursions in se-
sands of meters beneath your feet. You step off one ves- arch of manta rays and dolphins, fishing expeditions,
sel and onto another one and the experience is unique, and trips to the local villages.
exclusive, unforgettable. Everything here is organized and centered on the
And speaking of vessels, Constance Halaveli (the guests’ well-being. If it’s true, as the British poet John
5-star hotel on the North Ari atoll) is shaped like a dho- Donne wrote at the turn of the 17 century, that “No
th
ni, a traditional Maldivian boat. man is an island,” then it is also true that an island is
It’s the ideal location, luxurious and private, for the best place where a man could be. Even if only for
57 water villas, eleven family beach villas, nine one- the duration of a holiday.

122 Travel Protagonist Protagonist Travel 123