4D3N Maldives Trip On Budget Below RM2,000

Maldives, one of those countries I never thought I could ever travel to someday. The ultimate reason why holding me back from visiting Maldives is because of the luxury and overly expensive resorts and water villas which believed to reserve for the rich and famous only. Not until the boyfriend bought me a round-trip airticket to Maldives and he told me it's possible to travel to Maldives on a budget, I thought he was kidding at first. Only to find out he's been to Maldives for 4 times before, guess he's not fooling me. He was right - it's possible to visit Maldives without the worry of burning a big hole on your wallet, or maybe your bank account.

FLYING IN MALDIVES

From Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), so far AirAsia is the only airlines flying directly from Kuala Lumpur and arrive at Male International Airport, located on Hulhule Island sits next to the capital city of Male. The flight duration takes approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes. Time difference wise, Maldives is 3 hours behind Malaysia. 

As for visa, don't worry about it cause visitors with valid travel documents will be given a free 30-day visa on arrival. Bear in mind being a Muslim country, Maldives prohibit and ban items like alcohol, pigs and pork products, pornographic materials and public observance of non-Muslims religions.

LANGUAGE & CURRENCY EXCHANGE

The official language of Maldives is Dhivehi but fret not, cause English is widely spoken in business and tourist sectors. We have no issue with the language barrier at all. As for the currency, their official is Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). However, majority of the resorts and most local islands accept US dollar as payment and because of that, we don't even bother to exchange for any MVR at all. 

US$1 = 15 MVR

We didn't buy any local simcard cause our trip is pretty short and brief. Plus, almost all the hotels, inns, and guesthouses and even eateries do provide free WiFi. In case you are interested to get their local simcard, you can buy at the airport once get out from the arrival hall.

ACCOMMODATION IN MALDIVES
Generally, there are two different type of islands in Maldives; the private and public. The private islands are mostly dominated by the luxury and expensive resorts whereas for the public islands, also known as inhabited island, there are local people living there. Being a budget-conscious traveller like me, I would rather to save up my money staying in the public island instead. Besides giving more affordable options for the independent tourists exploring the atolls, there are plenty of tour agencies, restaurants, shops available here. We chosen to stay in Maafushi Island in South Male Atoll - which I found quite popular among the budget travellers.



In Maafushi Island, there are numerous hotels and inns within the island, ranging from USD50-USD100 per night. The popular one are like Arena, White Shell, Kaani and more. The boyfriend pick to stay in Kaani Village & Spa that cost RM260 per night includes free breakfast.



AIRPORT TRANSFER TO MAAFUSHI
I unable to share the info regarding the airport transfer to Male Island cause I don't have the chance to visit this main capital city. Right after we arrived Maldives at night (around 8pm), immediately we head to Maafushi by taking scheduled speedboat - one way takes approximately 30 minutes ride and costs USD20 per person. These schedule speedboats only run 4 or 5 times per day (normally 8am, 12pm, 5pm, 7pm and 10pm - it's wise to ask the hotel you book from regarding the latest timetable). You can also opt for public ferry which of course, it's more cheaper but then, it's kinda slow as it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, infrequent and no public ferries on Friday.

SUMMARY OF MY 4D3N ITINERARY 
Day 1: Arrived Maldives at night. Took speedboat to Maafushi and rest.
Day 2: Full day snorkelling
Day 3: Diving / Excursion to private resort
Day 4: Half day snorkelling. Leaving Maldives

Basically, the things to do in Maldives are snorkelling and diving - the primary activities. Besides these, you can also go for fishing trip, water sports like kayaking, jetski, parasailing and more, or even splurge on a private island excursion.

After scout here and there, I found that those water activities offer by Arena Beach Hotel is the cheapest one. So, here is the price list I got from the excursion desk:

Excursions	Details	Price
Fishing (Traditional hand line fishing equipment and bottled water)	Morning Fishing Trip Freshly caught fish will be served for lunch service Time: 5.30am – 8am	USD35/pax (min 6 pax)
	Sunset Fishing Freshly caught fish will be served on dinner service Time: 5pm – 8pm	USD25/pax (min 6 pax)
Half-Day Adventure 10am – 3pm	·     3-point snorkeling (turtle, colourful fishes) ·     Lunch at sandbank ·     Dolphin watching cruise ·     Underwater photograph	USD25/pax (min 6 pax)
Shark Point Snorkelling 10am – 4pm	·     Snorkelling with buddle of nurse sharks ·     Visit one local island ·     Light lunch	USD50/pax (min 6 pax)

As for our day 2 full day adventure, we booked from our hotel cause we found out the package offers is more interesting and fascinating where we got to snorkelling with manta rays (these can't be seen in Malaysia)

Full-Day Adventure - USD65 per pax (Booked from Kaani Village & Spa)

• 3-point snorkelling (manta rays, nursge sharks and shipwreck)
• Lunch at sandbank
• Dolphin watching cruise
• Free underwater photograph and video

Snorkelling with manta rays

Shark!!! Fret not, cause this nurse shark is actually very friendly and won't bite one

Up-close with stingrays. Sorry but I can't help myself from keep thinking sambal


50 shades of blue at the sandbank

Shipwreck

Private Island Excursions 

Can't afford to stay on the water villas but would love to pay visit at these luxury resorts? Oh well, you can do so cause there are few private islands are open to non-guests who are not staying there. Since I unable to join boyfriend for diving, therefore I made up my mind to splurge myself on a full day private island excursion. To be honest, it's really hard to pick which resort/private island I should go cause almost all of them look exceptionally stunning and awe-inspiring. At the end, I chosen to visit Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, a 5 stars prestige luxury resorts. The package included a buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, as well as access to swimming pool and private beach. We even got to see fish and shark feeding by end of the trip before kiss goodbye to the resort.    

Excursions	Details	Price per pax
Full Day Resort Visit Inclusions: Round trip boat transfers Buffet lunch Unlimited drinks* Pool access* *unless stated wise	Adaaran Club Rannalhi   (No swimming pool access)	USD100
	Fihalhohi Island Resort (No swimming pool access)	USD 100
	Embudhoo Village Resort (Non alcoholic drinks during lunch time only)	USD 110
	Olhuveli Resort (Unlimited drinks during lunch time only	USD 120
	Adaaran Prestige Vadoo	USD 125
	Centara Ras Fushi Resort	USD 135
	Club Med Kani	USD 165

FOOD IN MAAFUSHI

Since our breakfast are provided by the hotel as well as our lunch already included during the excursions (snorkelling and resort visit), the only thing we need to settle is the dinner. Be prepared that an ala carte meal costs as low from USD6 and the widespread of buffet at the price of USD15 (after tax). We didn't get to try the buffet dinner cause we felt not worth for us since we are not big eater and therefore, we settled our dinner at Hot Bite (the location is very close to the Bikin Beach)

Not just Hot Bite serve both Western and Asian meals, they do serve Maldivian food too. 

 BBQ Dinner Buffet at Arena Beach Hotel for the price of USD15 per person

TOTAL SPENDING 

This is my total damage cause I took the full day resort visit package on Day 3:

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	USD	RM
Airfare AirAsia KL – Male Maldives - KL Accommodations Kaani Village & Spa – 3 nights Transportation Speedboat airport transfer (USD20/trip) Excursions Full day snorkelling – Day 2 Full day resort visit – Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Half day snorkelling – Day 4 Food and drinks Hot Bite Souvenirs Postcards – 2 for USD1 Stamp (1 piece) Magnet (1 unit)	- - 40 65 125 25 13 1 1 3	390 390 165 269 517 103 54 4 4 12
TOTAL (RM)		1,908

And this one is the boyfriend's total damage since he went for diving:

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	USD	RM
Airfare AirAsia KL – Male Maldives - KL Accommodations Kaani Village & Spa – 3 nights Transportation Speedboat airport transfer (USD20/trip) Excursions Full day snorkelling – Day 2 Diving – 2 dives* Half day snorkelling – Day 4 Food and drinks Hot Bite *Diving package he took from Arena Club - the package including diving equipments and lunch	- - 40 65 70 25 13	390 390 165 269 289 103 54
TOTAL (RM)		1,660

USD1 = RM4.135 as at June 2019

Conclusion, it's possible to realise your dreams to Maldives with the budget under RM2,000, as per what the boyfriend told me earlier. If not due to unfavorable exchange rate of US dollar, I think I might be spending less than what I calculated as above. 

Maldives, you are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in the world but you also make me 50 shades darker. 

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Summary of My 9D8N Taipei & Taichung, Taiwan (2015) Travelogues & Travel Expenses

Here is the compilation for all the posts relating to my trip to Taiwan for the third time where I managed to cover few popular cities like Taipei, Kaohsiung, Kenting and Taichung within 9 days and 8 nights I went back in 2015. By end of this post, I also share how much I spent throughout my trip. Did I spend more or less compare to my previous two trips? Read until the end to find out. 

Day 1: 7th March 2015

Arrived Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and took Kuo-Kang bus #1819 to Taipei Main Station. From there, we took taxi to Sato Castle Motel where we stayed for a night.

Hotel Review: Sato Castle Motel, Taipei


Day 2: 8th March 2015

On the next day, we travel on Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) for getting to Kaohsiung from Taipei. 

Although the cost of travelling via HSR is higher than taking the bus, but the journey takes just 90 minutes than 4 to 5 hours under the bus ride. Through the online booking, you can get an early bird discount up to 35% from the normal ticket fare. Normally this online booking is available up to 28 days from the departure date. Please take note the HSR station for Kaohsiung is Zuoying (左營).

Stay: Jia's Inn Liuhe

Direction: 6-minute walk from MRT City Council Station or 10-minute walk from MRT Formosa Boulevard Station. 

Dome of Light

Direction: Take the red line of Kaohsiung MRT and alight at Kaohsiung Arena Station. Proceed to B1 level and you will instantly see this beautiful art glass installation.

Ruifeng Night Market

Direction: Take the red line of Kaohsiung MRT and alight at Kaohsiung Arena Station. Get off from Exit 1 and walk for about 5 minutes.

Opening Hours: 6 pm to 12 am daily

Liuhe Night Market

Direction: Take either the red line or orange line of Kaohsiung MRT and alight at Formosa Boulevard Station. Get out from Exit 11.

Opening Hours: 6 pm to 11 pm daily

Day 3: 9th March 2015

Cijin Island

From Sizihwan Station under the orange line of Kaohsiung MRT, head over to Gushan Ferry Terminal. Get out from Exit 1, then turn left and walk to the end of the street. After that, turn right and you will see the ferry pier. One way ferry ride cost NT$15 and it's free seating. Once we reach Cijin Island, we decided to rent electric bike to explore the island itself cause it is unexpectedly consider to be huge in size. We're totally underestimated this island.

So, what to discover in Cijin Island?

1. Cihou Fort
2. Cihou Lighthouse - Opens 9 am to 5pm. Closed on every Monday 
3. Cijin Star Tunnel
4. Cijin Windmill Park 
5. Sea Shell Museum - Opens 9 am to 5pm. Closed on every Monday

Love River

Direction: Take the orange line of Kaohsiung MRT and alight at Yanchengpu Station. Take the exit for Wufu road and walk east up Wufu Road toward Love River.

READ HERE: 3D2N Itinerary in Kaohsiung

Day 4: 10th March 2015

A Relaxed and Laid-Back Trip In Kaohsiung
In order to get to Kenting, take a ride on Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) to Zuoying Station first if you are travelling from Taoyuan or Taipei. From there, take Kuo Kang or Kenting Express bus heading to Kenting. The journey takes approximately of 2 hours for the price of NT$407 for a single trip and NT$600 for roundtrip.

Another second option is by sharing cab, like what we did. If you are traveling in a group of 4, probably this option is cheaper than taking the bus. 

It is possible to do day trip to Kenting from Kaohsiung but for me, I prefer to stay for a night just to experience the night market there. 

Stay: Sunhow Inn
Things To Do: Visit night market and Kenting Beach

Day 5: 11th March 2015
A Quick One In Taichung & Garden Stay Fengjia

From Kenting, my friend and I shared a cab to Kaohsiung and we requested to stop at HSR Zouying Station. From there, we took the High Speed Rail straight to Taichung. 

Alternatively, you can opt for bus from Kaohsiung to Taichung but being me, train is always my ultimate choice if the price is not hurting my bank account badly. 

Stay: Garden Stay, Fengjia
Things To Do: Visit Fengjia Night Market

Day 6: 12th March 2015

Right after our trip to Taichung, we travel back to Taipei again before leaving the nation. As usual, we took High Speed Rail from Taichung to Taipei instead of the long distance bus. For this round, I didn't book my ticket in advanced, we just went to the counter and bought on the spot. Because the HSR journey between Taichung and Taipei is relatively short, like approximately less than 40 minutes, therefore the trains are quite frequent. Well of course if you book through online earlier, you can get an early bird discount up to 35% from the normal fare. 

READ HERE: Taipei's Itinerary for Three Days

Taipei Zoo
Direction: Take MRT Brown Line to the southern terminus Taipei Zoo
Opening Hours: 9 am to 5pm
Admission Fee: NT$60 for adult and NT$30 for children (You can pay using Easy Card too)


Ximending Hot Pot
Address: 108, Wanhua District, Xining Rd, 157 號, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Opening Hours: 11.30 am to 2 am
Price: NT$498 for lunch; NT$598 for dinner


Day 7: 13th March 2015
Yangmingshan National Park

Direction: From MRT Jiantan Station, take Exit 1. And walk to the left-side bus station, buses heading to the north. Take either city bus R5 or small bus S15 or S17 to Yangmingshan station. 

You can also take bus 260 from Taipei Main Station.


Wufenpu Fashion Area

Direction: Take MRT Green Line 3 to the Songshan Station - Exit 3. Once get out from the exit, walk straight and continue walking until cross Songlong Road. The shopping district is located within the maze of alleys and lanes to your front and left. 

Opening Hours: Hours of operation for various shops are usually vary, generally opening after noon and staying open until there are no customers left, most commonly around 10pm to midnight.


Raohe Night Market

Direction: Take MRT Green Line 3 to the Songshan Station - Exit 5

Opening Hours: 5pm to 12am daily

Day 8: 14th March 2015
Yehliu Geopark

Direction: Take Kuo Kang 1815 bus from Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A - Exit Z3 (located at Taipei Main Station). Remember to purchase the bus ticket at Kuo Kang counter before boarding. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes, and the bus will drop you on the main road just outside the park entrance. Walk down the lane on the left side to enter. A single ride costs NT$96. 

Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm

Admission Fee: NT$80 for adult and NT$40 for children

Pingxi Station

Direction: Upon reaching Taipei station, make way to Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) to purchase northbound train ticket to Ruifang Station (瑞芳) for NT$49 each. Then from Ruifang Station, purchase One Day Pass at NT$54 for unlimited rides along the Pingxi Branch Line or a single trip at NT$20.

Day 9: 15th March 2015
Good9 Stay Inn Ximending & Last Day in Taiwan

Stay: Good9 Stay Inn Ximending

Travel Expenses

And the following are the details of travel expenses breakdown which I spent throughout 9 days and 8 nights in Taiwan: 

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	NT$	RM
Air Fares Malaysia Airlines KK – Taipei - KK Add: Upgraded to Business Class Accommodations Taipei – Sato Castle Motel (1 night) Kaohsiung – Jia’s Inn Liuhe ( 2 nights) Kenting – Sunhow Inn (1 night) Taichung – Garden Stay Fengjia (1 night) Taipei – Good9 Stay Inn (3 nights) Transportation Admission Fee Taipei Zoo Yehliu Geopark Food and drinks Others 8 Days Travel Prepaid Sim Card Movie & Popcorn Souvenirs, snacks, postcards, stamps, etc.	- - - - - 980 5,100 3,098 60 80 2,239 450 245 4,392	650 300 51 193 100 58 301 366 7 9 264 53 29 518
	TOTAL	2,899

(The exchange rate by the time I changed NT$100 = RM11.30)

Like I mentioned earlier cause this is my third visit to Taiwan, hence I tend to spend lesser on my personal spending especially for souvenirs. For my previous two trips, I spent roughly RM1,000 for each trip just to buy souvenirs and snacks. Plus, I already know what I want to buy and spend and this prevent myself from buying those unnecessary items and products.


Switchboard wall stickers and handphone cover bought in Kaohsiung.


Masking tapes


Top and handphone covers bought in Fengjia Night Market


Creative postcards designed and printed on woods, fabrics and even metal license plate.

And that's the end of my 2015 Taiwan travelogue. Hip hip hurray! *Jumping of happiness mode*
I know it's way too late for me to update about this, maybe some of the info might be outdated but don't worry, I did my research earlier while blogging by sharing the latest update information at least.

So now here comes another question - what's next? Which one should I blog first - New Zealand, Sri Lanka or Northern Light Hunting in Sweden and Norway? Find out soon on the next upcoming post. 

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