April in the Maldives was calling, and my wife and I decided to answer. What followed was a 12-day adventure that reminded me exactly why I fell in love with travel in the first place—and why I’m passionate about helping others plan their own dream journeys.
Singapore: The Unexpected Star
We started in Singapore, and I’ll be honest—I have been to Singapore a dozen times but I wasn’t expecting it to be the highlight it became.
Orchard Road is exactly what everyone says it is: a sensory overload in the best possible way. The energy, the shops, the people from every corner of the world converging in one place. We stayed at the Voco on Orchard Road, and the location couldn’t have been better. Stepping out of the hotel, you’re immediately immersed in the action.
One of my favourite memories was renting bicycles and pedalling through the city. There’s something about experiencing a destination at that pace—slow enough to actually see things, fast enough to cover ground. We cycled through the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which was serene in a way that contrasts beautifully with the urban buzz just outside its gates. Towering trees, manicured landscapes, locals on their lunch breaks—it felt like we’d stepped into a different city entirely.
And the food. Oh, the food.
We ate everywhere, but one standout was Sushi Tei. I’ve worked in the restaurant industry long enough to know when something is done right. The precision, the freshness, the respect for the craft—it was exceptional. If you’re in Singapore and you love sushi, don’t skip it.
Travel insight: Don’t underestimate a city stopover. Many people rush through Singapore to get somewhere else. We almost did. Spending three days here turned it from a transit point into a destination we’d gladly return to.
Bintan Island: The Reset Button
From Singapore, we took a ferry to Bintan Island—a short journey that felt like stepping into another world.
We’d booked three nights at the Movenpick Resort Bintan Island, and I’m genuinely glad we did. The resort had recently undergone a complete makeover, and it shows. The rooms feel brand new, the grounds are immaculate, and crucially, it’s quiet. After Singapore’s energy, quiet was exactly what we needed.
This was the kind of resort where you can do absolutely nothing and feel like you’ve accomplished something. We swam in the pool, watched the sunset, read books we’d been meaning to get to. My wife and I actually had conversations that lasted longer than between activities—a rarity in modern travel.
The food was excellent, the staff were genuinely attentive, and the whole experience felt like a deliberate pause before the next chapter.
Travel insight: Don’t underestimate the power of a quieter stop in the middle of your journey. If you’re planning a multi-destination trip, a resort-based retreat day can prevent burnout and actually enhance the entire experience.
The Approach: Flying Into the Maldives
We flew from Singapore to Colombo on Sri Lankan Airways, then on to Male.
The moment the aircraft started its descent into the Maldives, the atolls came into view—and my wife literally gasped.
Seeing those perfect circles of turquoise water and coral reefs from the air, knowing that in a few hours you’ll be swimming in them—it builds an anticipation that no amount of brochures can capture.
A speedboat transfer later, we arrived at Dusit D2 Maldives.
Dusit D2: Five Days of Perfection
Here’s the thing about all-inclusive luxury resorts: they’re designed so you never have to leave. And that’s not cynicism—that’s actually the point.
The Dusit D2 Maldives is flawless in this regard.
We dined at multiple on-site restaurants, each one different from the last. Impeccable food, impeccable service. The cocktails were artfully crafted, not just competently made. The kind of place where someone’s thought carefully about every element of your experience.
But the real magic? The snorkelling.
The coral reefs around the resort are genuinely breathtaking. We’d snorkel in the morning and still be processing what we’d seen by evening. Clownfish, parrotfish, reef sharks (harmless), turtles—it’s like swimming through an aquarium, except it’s real and it’s absolutely silent except for the sound of your own breathing through the snorkel.
Five nights turned out to be the perfect length. We experienced everything the resort had to offer without it feeling rushed, but also without it becoming repetitive. We left wanting to stay one more day—which, I think, is the ideal place to end a holiday.
Travel insight: With all-inclusive resorts, the five-night sweet spot is real. Anything less and you’re still settling in when it’s time to leave. Much more than a week and you might start craving a change of scenery. Know yourself, but five nights is the Goldilocks of resort holidays.
The Journey Home: Singapore Redux
We flew back to Singapore and stayed a night at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel—which I genuinely recommend if you ever have a stopover there. Being literally connected to the airport removes the usual airport hotel fatigue.
But the real revelation was Jewel Changi.
If you’ve never experienced it, Jewel is less “airport terminal” and more “destination in itself.” We spent hours—actually hours—browsing the shops, eating at multiple restaurants, and just wandering. There’s something about an airport lounge where you’re not stressed about missing a flight because you’re not flying out for hours. It becomes this surreal, consequence-free shopping and dining experience.
The Broader Perspective
Looking back on those 12 days, what strikes me isn’t just the destinations or the hotels—it’s how the journey flowed.
The Singapore energy led into the Bintan stillness. The Bintan pause prepared us for the intensity of the Maldives snorkelling. The Maldives luxury was bookended perfectly by Singapore’s urban exploration. And that final airport lounge moment felt like a gentle descent back to reality rather than an abrupt stop.
This is what I try to do when I’m planning trips for my clients: not just book hotels and flights, but orchestrate a journey that has rhythm. That builds and releases. That leaves you exactly as fulfilled as you hoped.
Coming Home With Stories
We returned to Australia with sun-kissed skin, about 5 kilos of extra weight (entirely worth it), and a camera full of photos we’re still sorting through three months later.
But more than that, we came home with the reminder of why we travel in the first place—not to collect destinations like stamps in a passport, but to step outside our everyday and come back changed.
If the Maldives is on your list, I’d genuinely recommend taking a similar route. Singapore for energy and exploration. Bintan for rest and reflection. Then the Maldives for the experience you’ve been dreaming about.
And if you’d like help putting together a similar itinerary—or something completely different—that’s what I’m here for.
Sunraysia Boutique Travel specializes in luxury travel and multi-destination itineraries. I design journeys, not just bookings. If you’d like to chat about your own Maldives adventure or any other destination on your list, let’s have a conversation.
