We decided that we want to renew our wedding every five years. So, it was about time to plan a new wedding vow for 2022. For our 10th wedding anniversary, of course, we wanted to get married again in a beautiful place. The Maldives were already on our wish list in 2012. Unfortunately, an official wedding ceremony is not recognized there. But for a renewal of vows or even a symbolic wedding, the Maldives are perfect!
We found a very special and romantic place in the Indian Ocean with the luxury resort The Residence Maldives. It consists of two resorts connected by a 1 km bridge. And between The Residence Dhigurah and The Residence Falhumaafushi there is a small beautiful private island – Castaway Island. Only 40 miles north of the equator, in the barely developed Gaafu Alifu Atoll, this small island is perfect for a beach wedding with paradise flair.
This was the perfect place for us and we wanted to say “yes” for the third time at exactly this place. After all, what could be more beautiful than celebrating love to the sound of the sea, the chirping of birds and Bodu Beru drummers?
Here at The Residence Maldives, the staff is also the heart and soul of the resort. In the morning of our 10th wedding anniversary, we were surprised by a bottle of sparkling wine, flowers and really personal congratulations.
After that I had to go to the spa for my bridal make up and hair styling. The little crew was already waiting for me and made me feel like a princess. In the same time Marcus staid at our stunning water villa and enjoyed the villa and the water.
Can you imagine…
We have been married for 10 years now, but we were nervous again like 10 years ago…
Finally a beautiful decorated buggy picked us up and brought us to the island. We already heard the sounds of traditional music of the Bodu Beru drummers when we arrived.
The sound, the water, the waves gave us a perfect surrounding for our wedding ceremony. After the ceremony we had champagne and a piece of our wedding cake. After that we planted a cocnut tree on Castaway Island – to have a symbol of our love.
So, we truly have a reason to come back to see if the plant is growing.
Thanks to the whole staff of The Residence we had a really special and beautiful wedding renewal which we will never forget.
With the {Now and Forever} wedding package, you have the all-inclusive package here. Everything is taken care off and it also includes everything you would want for a wedding.
Honeymooners and guests celebrating their wedding anniversary receive:
One bottle of wine
One breakfast at the villa
One sunset cocktail with canapés at The Beach Bar
15% discount on spa treatments (minimum stay 4 nights).
Additionally, when booking half board – an upgrade to full board (minimum stay 7 nights).
Valid until 6 months after the wedding or in the month of the wedding anniversary.
After the wedding ceremony, we were then able to have the hotel’s own photographer Shaamil capture this unique moment in beautiful pictures.
But since the sun sets quickly near the equator, we even got the opportunity to take more wedding pictures the next day. Because of the three islands there are so many beautiful little places you can take pictures at.
The romantic dinner in the evening…
We had our romantic dinner at Falhumaa restaurant in the evening. It was a dinner which was prepared especially for us and our day with little romantic pieces and a lovely service.
“Made in heaven, joined together in paradise.”
This beautiful and artistic decoration on our bed was another wonderful surprise. It was truly a work of art! It’s sad when you have to destroy it again. And there was a fancy wedding certificate to take home and to remember.
And there was also a lovely decorated bathtub waiting for us in the bathroom.
We had a perfect stay at The Residence Maldives with stunning experiences. But moreover, our third wedding ceremony in paradise will always be a very special day for us. This tropical resort is the perfect place for a dream wedding, a renewal of vows, a WeddingMoon (wedding + honeymoon) or even a honeymoon. With perfect relaxation under coconut trees, best cuisine, beautiful villas on and in the sea and lovely staff, very special experiences and and a lot of memories to take home.
Let’s Get Married!
We highly recommend such a wedding on the beach to everyone. And even if it’s not for the official wedding ceremony, why not renew your vows? So, get inspired and celebrate your love! For our 15th wedding anniversary, we will of course get married again. Probably in Africa – in the wilderness.
Fiji is the ultimate place of yearning in the South Seas! It is one of the happiest places with the most charming people in the world. The Award Winning Tokoriki Island Resort is one of the most romantic, adults-only resorts we have ever visited. The warm Fijian hospitality of the kind staff touches you deeply, and the design of the 5-star luxury boutique resort is truly impressive. Visiting Tokoriki was an unforgettable experience that can only be described in one word – bliss!
More than 20 years ago, Andrew Turnbull, a successful lollipop importer, decided to buy Tokoriki Island and fulfilled his dream of owning his own resort. With his love for Fiji and the locals, he has created a luxury resort that today is among the top 1% in the world.
“Everyone said I didn’t have a clue about running a resort but my wife and I had travelled around the world and we knew what we liked in a hotel.” – Andrew Turnbull, Owner
Fiji is an island state in the South Pacific, north of New Zealand and east of Australia. Tokoriki, located in the Mamanuca Islands, can be reached from the main island Viti Levu in style by helicopter in 15 minutes or by catamaran in an hour.
Both the welcome and farewell in Fiji is unique and exceptional indeed. We were picked up by boat and warmly welcomed by Vincent.
Upon arrival at Tokoriki, we were welcomed with a welcome song, a beautiful necklace, a refreshing drink and a foot ritual, which can be redeemed at the spa.
The extraordinary design of the resort, the garden, and the Bures was created by Yvonne, the wife of owner Andrew Turnbull. With great attention to detail, she has selected every single piece of furniture and decorative element to create a unique ambiance. What an incredible eye for design!
“There isn’t a light switch or a coat of paint my wife hasn’t chosen,” – Andrew Turnbull, Owner
Everything looks incredibly stylish, yet with the warm earthy tones and natural materials, it exudes a comfortable and cosy atmosphere inviting you to feel at home and relax!
At the bar, besides beaming smiles, you can also get an ice-cold Fijian beer or a fancy cocktail.
Beach, please!
You can swim in the crystal clear water of the spectacular lagoon at low and high tide. By the way, Tokoriki is also a member of the Mamanuca Environment Society that helps to protect turtles, corals and monitor the water quality.
Pool Time
At the 25 m long freshwater infinity pool, you can relax, enjoy the peace and quiet and the sea view. With a maximum of 72 guests on the island, you will always find a free sunbed.
The spectacular lighting of the torches at the pool by the typical Fiji Warriors at sunset is not to be missed!
Beachfront Bures & Villas
The unique 36 detached Bures and villas are all located on the beach and embody a blend of contemporary style and Fijian design. They are at least 60 square meters, air-conditioned and have beautiful tropical indoor and outdoor showers. All have a large terrace with mesmerizing views of the azure sea and 28 of them also have a private pool.
Beachfront Pool Bure
To get away from it all, relax and unwind, and just enjoy nature, there are no televisions, telephones or internet.
The warm colours, the natural materials, the stunning works of art and the typical Fijian decorative elements, create a romantic and intimate atmosphere.
We could use this beautiful Bure, number 1, on the last day until our departure.
Taste of the Islands
On Tokoriki, there are many possibilities to enjoy the delicious Fijian food. You can enjoy the delicious dishes with local and imported products in your own villa, on the jetty, in the restaurant or by the sea. Daily changing menus with South Pacific and Asian influences and a modern international touch are served.
If you book half-board, a sumptuous breakfast with sparkling wine, afternoon tea and a 3-course menu is included. There is no extra charge for breakfast or dinner by the sea or the teppanyaki experience. With full-board, a 2-course lunch is also included.
Breakfast by the sea
Breakfast with this stunning ocean view is simply mesmerizing!
Lunch
What is extraordinary about lunch, is not only the delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere, but also the live music provided by talented singers, like Vili.
“Vili has a voice of an angel. If you hear him sing “Hallelujah” you will cry!!” – Andrew Turnbull, Owner
Halleluja – sung by Vili:
Oishii Teppanyaki
The Teppanyaki experience is an intimate, social dining experience in the tropical garden surrounded by water lily ponds for a maximum of four couples. The À-la-carte menu, served by the entertaining chef, is tasty and a lot of fun!
Dinner
Sunset Dining
It does not get more romantic than dinner by the sea at sunset! This really is the perfect spot to celebrate special occasions.
We celebrated Marcus’ birthday here. Being serenaded by the warm-hearted employees, the surprise birthday cake and then Vili and Tom, who sang for us, ensured that this was an unforgettable experience!
Unlimited ’60 Minute Massage’ Retreat
The spa at Tokoriki is beautifully embedded in nature and has lovely open and uniquely designed treatment rooms. Usually, treatments in such a luxury resort are expensive. But with the “Unlimited Spa” offer, Andrew and his wife wanted to provide an affordable package so that everyone could enjoy the massages. Magnificient!
When you book the spa package, once you arrive at the resort, you can arrange spa appointments for the next few days. Where else can you get a 60 Minute massage twice a day? Absolutely brilliant!
Unlimited 60-minute massage retreat
3 days FJ$450 per person or FJ$790 per couple
4 days FJ$550 per person or FJ$990 per couple
5 days FJ$650 per person or FJ$1190 per couple
The massages are performed by loving and professionally certified therapists and are an incredibly relaxing spa experience amidst volcanic rock walls, gentle falling water and birdsong.
Only Nama products are used. The ingredients come from the pristine waters of the Yasawa region of Fiji, an unspoiled region without any pollution. The Nama Collection is free from synthetic fragrances, chemicals, parabens, synthetic colours or flavours and is created to provide lasting hydration.
Thanks to the beautiful ambiance and the lovely therapists we enjoyed this special spa experience tremendously!
Honeymoon & Wedding
Tokoriki is one of the most beautiful and romantic places on earth, with the most charming people. This not just a throwaway remark; the people in Fiji and especially the singers here in Tokoriki really touched our hearts. And that’s why it is one of the most magical places to propose, celebrate a honeymoon, host a beach wedding or any other special occasion.
Honeymoon gift (from 3 nights)
Couples Experience FJ$2375 (approximately 975 EUR per night) Including all meals, daily 60-minute massage, island beach picnic plus three tours per couple (visiting a local village, guided snorkel trip and Monuriki visit). A minimum stay of 5 nights applies.
Renewal of Vows from FJ$ 1915 (free of charge with a stay of 7 nights or more)
Ceremony by the Minister
Floral welcome in your Bure / Villa on arrival and at turndown
Chapel
Table flower arrangement
Bottle of Moet & Chandon
Paradise Wedding from FJ$ 4425
Choice of location – beach, Bure or Villa
Marriage Licence fee
Ceremony by Minister
Tokoriki wedding certificate cylinder
Floral welcome in your Bure or Villa on arrival and turndown on wedding night
Table flower arrangement
Bridal bouquet
Traditional flower leis
Traditional Fijian warrior escort for the bride
Serenaders during ceremony
Decorated wedding cake for two
Toast – a bottle of Moet & Chandon (or similar)
Wedding Dinner – oceanfront candlelit dinner including a bottle of Moet & Chandon (or similar)
Traditional Wedding
from FJ$5615
as above plus
Chapel
Fijian choir
Flower girl in traditional Fijian dress
Tokoriki gift “memory” – marked with name and date of the wedding
Room service – Breakfast with a bottle of Moet & Chandon
Free cocktail tasting on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 17:30 to 18:00
Kava ceremony on Wednesday and Sunday evening
Happy Hour daily from 17:30 to 19:00
The Kava Ceremony is a nice social experience where you can get to know the Fijian culture a little better.
Transfer
Helicopter: FJ$682 p.p. one way, FJ$1202 p.P. return, 15 minutes Speedboat: FJ$1180 per couple one way, 20 minutes SSC Ferry:FJ$160 p.p. one way, departure daily from Port Denarau at 9:15 & 15:00 – arrival at Tokoriki Island Resort at 10:15 & 16:15
Conclusion
Honestly, Tokoriki touches your heart and guarantees unforgettable memories! The people here in Fiji are truly unique! We could not have chosen a more beautiful place for Marcus’ birthday. Tokoriki is romance pure and exudes a joy for life! The unique design of the resort, the extraordinaryspa experience, the variety of gourmet experiences, and the friendly and attentive staff make this resort a highly recommended spot to celebrate life’s special moments.And if you get the chance to hear Vili sing, it is unforgettable indeed!
Rooms: 36 Bures & Villas (28 with pools) Flight duration: 11 hours to Singapore and from there another 10 and a half hours to Nadi Transfer: helicopter, seaplane, speedboat or SSC ferry Vaccinations: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Pertussis, Measles, and Hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended Air Temperature: 20 – 34 degrees Celsius Water Temperature: 25 – 28 degrees Celsius Time difference: CET +11 hours Best time to travel: May to October has pleasant temperatures; November to April is the time with the highest humidity and the heaviest precipitation and possibly cyclones and hurricanes. It is also cheaper and not so crowded during this period. In the west of the Fiji Islands, there is less rain than on the eastern islands. Price: FJ$1430 per night for 2 adults (16 years and older, minimum stay 2 nights), half board incl. full breakfast, afternoon tea and a 3-course menu – FJ$210 per person per day (no extra charge for dinner by the sea, breakfast by the sea or a teppanyaki experience) Specials: a bottle of French champagne from Moet & Chandon for the honeymoon, birthday or wedding anniversary (6 nights or more), FJ$ 250 resort credit for 5 nights, FJ $ 1000 resort credit for 7 nights stays, free helicopter transfer for 7 nights Vale VIP Programme: VIP check-in, welcome cocktail, refreshing fragrant towels, Tokoriki Lei (garland), footbath, early check-in before 2pm, free upgrade (subject to availability) on arrival, free Bure to shower if late check-out is not possible (if booked directly with the resort) Activities: Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, Hobie Cat Sailing, Snorkeling Equipment, Kayak, Spa, Traditional Basket Weaving, Board Games, Garden Chess, Library, Coconut Tree of Life Story, Fresh Water and Saltwater Swimming Pools, Glass Bottom Boating, Herbal Medicine Walk, Hiking, Jogging, Table Tennis, Petanque, Chapel Service, Soccer, Cultural Entertainment, Volleyball and TRX Fitness Platform Special features: unique ambiance, magnificent tropical garden, delicious cuisine, ingenious spa experience, excellent staff, stunning design Perfect for: couples, romantics, friends, honeymooners, people seeking peace and quiet, wellness
Condé Nast Traveller UK – ‘Top 100’ list
Luxury Travel Magazine’s – ‘Best Overseas Luxury Romantic & Boutique Property’
TripAdvisor Awards – #1 Top Hotel in Fiji – 2019 – 2014
TripAdvisor Awards – #1 Top Hotel for Romance in Fiji
TripAdvisor Awards – #1 Top Hotel for Service in Fiji 2019
TripAdvisor – The Best of Mamanuca Islands
TripAdvisor – Top Ten Hotels in Fiji
TripAdvisor – #1 Best Restaurant in the Mamanucas for “Oishii’ Teppanyaki
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Please note: We financed our stay at Tokoriki Island Resort ourselves.
A love story with heart, high priests, buffalo & frangipani
Well, would you marry your husband again? After we had an unforgettable wedding in the Seychelles in 2012, we decided that our vow renewal should also be very special. When we got married, we promised that we would renew our commitment to each other every 5 years. So, for our 5th wedding anniversary – we wanted to say I do again in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Moving pictures of our beautiful wedding ceremony – by Bali Light Cinema
Our choice for our vow renewal fell on Sumba Island – an almost untouched island in Indonesia. The award-winning Nihi Sumba Island Resort would provide the perfect setting for our spectacular vow renewal ceremony – it is an extraordinary luxury eco-resort in a beautiful bay with a long, secluded beach.
The journey to Sumba is very long indeed – the most beautiful places are probably those not easily reached. And that is precisely why this island has been able to preserve its wild beauty. Once you arrive, after about a 50-minute flight from Denpasar, Bali at the small Tambolaka airport on Sumba, you will be picked up by a Nihi staff member in a cool jeep and then it is about a one and half hour trip across the island to the resort.
We stayed in the beautiful Mendaka villa – one of 32 unique villas in the Nihi Sumba Island Resort (our article) >>.
One of the unique things about Bali and Sumba Island is that a woman is always addressed as Ibu and a man as Babak – that is so sweet and endearing and makes you feel welcome immediately.
On October 5, 2017, it was finally time. While I was being styled and pampered in a beautiful, very relaxed atmosphere on the first floor, Marcus was waiting downstairs on the ground floor at the pool.
After a relaxing manicure and pedicure, Mitha, a dear Nihi employee, did my hair and make-up. In all honesty, I would have preferred to keep my curls, but that’s just the way it was. And if you get married abroad, you should always be open-minded.
I found it a bit flustering that in comparison to the first time, all of a sudden we had four people milling around us. Our photographer, Jason Childs, the two guys from Bali Light Cinema and Hilda from Bali Diva Weddings, the cinematographer.
Loraine, the Nihi hotel manager, made two beautiful Frangipani bridal bouquets herself so that I could choose the one I liked most.
Luckily, after some rain showers, the sun came out in the afternoon. Of course, our first choice was to get married on the beach, but even if it rained, there was a Plan B under the shelter of the trees. Loraine passionately did everything she could to find us the perfect spot.
Of course, if you get married on Sumba, you have to wear a traditional Sumbanese warrior garment.
Renewal of Vow Package from USD 981++
NihiOka Spa Safari, including a visit to a nearby Sumbanese village, breakfast and lunch on the cliffs, as well as a range of spa treatments, from massages and reflexology to salt scrubs and mud wraps
Traditional Sumbanese vow renewal performed by Sumbanese high priests
Romantic dinner in a restaurant of your choice
A proper traditional Sumbanese wedding also would have included chicken heads – but we decided to go ahead without those!
This beautiful backdrop is where our wedding ceremony took place. We love Frangipani and as with our wedding in the Seychelles – they were everywhere.
The Sumbanese farmers bring their buffalo to walk on the beach every day. If you would like to, you can book them for your wedding. A fantastic, unique photo opportunity and apart from that, they are so cute and friendly-natured!
The ceremony was performed by two Sumbanese high-priests. The service was held in the traditional Bahasa language and unfortunately, we did not understand a single word, but it was very touching. Luckily Nina, another kind Nihi employee, was there to interpret for us. Most impressively, they called the gods and asked them to bless us.
Some of the pictures are even from Nina, who took them with her cell phone.
A fire was even lit in our honor. And after a glass of sparkling wine and sushi (!), we still had time for a few photos before sunset.
The fact that the buffalo were there during the entire ceremony was a dream came true!
The endless long beach belongs to the resort, so you really have it all to yourself – that is the ultimate luxury and a one of a kind experience.
Since I am a wedding photographer myself, of course, I just had to take a few of my own pictures.
After the wedding, we directly went back to the resort and had a romantic dinner on the beach in a beautiful quiet and romantically decorated spot. One of a kind!
The loving attention to detail and kind service are exceptional at Nihi!
And when Mitha, Asna and Nina serenaded us, the floodgates opened… As a highlight, there were fireworks – just for us on the beach! Simply fantastic!
In the villa, everything was lovingly decorated and there were even a personal message and a small gift.
Once again, we experienced a moving, heartfelt day with an unforgettable wedding by the sea. Just like the first time, it was exciting, romantic and beautiful! And of course, I just had to go into the pool to trash my dress.
The Nihi team went out of their way and surprised us time after time. Whether with the stunning frangipani bridal bouquet, the buffalo, the fantastic decoration of the wedding venue, the sparkling wine and sushi on the beach, the wedding cake, the touching serenade or the stunning fireworks – with so much love they made our day extraordinary.
The day was unforgettable and will remain in our hearts forever!
Further information
Wedding Cinematography – Bali Light Cinema We sincerely thank Bali Light Cinema and Bali Diva Weddings for accompanying us on our special day and for capturing our memories. They are just beautiful and now we can experience the day again and again. For weddings in Bali and the surrounding areas, we can really recommend them for photos and cinematography!
Photography – Jason Childs Australian photographer, Jason Childs shot the great pictures. Actually, he is a famous surfer photographer and only shoots weddings for friends. We are so grateful that he accompanied us to our vow renewal ceremony.
Leading Hotels of the World – Elite-Mitglied
The World’s Most Romantic Hotels – Travel+Leisure 2018 #1 Hotel in the World – Travel+Leisure 2016, 2017
Destination Resort of the Year – AsiaSpa Awards 2015
Well-being in harmony with nature – this 5-star Coco Collection resort is synonymous with absolute exclusivity and environmentally thoughtful luxury. It is located 124 km from Malé, in the north western Baa Atoll, where nature is still untouched in many places. Coco Palm can almost be called the wild sister of the chic Coco Bodu Hithi.
With the Olive Ridley Project and the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre they also make an important contribution to the protection of the sea turtles!
In addition to the many water sports you can also enjoy a movie night under the stars or visit the uninhabited island Embudhoo for picnics and overnight there. If you would like to, you can even have the whole island to yourself and get married there. How wildly romantic!
It is about a 40 minute trip with a TMA seaplane from Malé Airport to the island. This really is easy and relaxed flying. The pilots fly barefoot and sometimes there is a spontaneous stopover at another island.
I always thought that you would be taken directly to the island, but no, the plane lands next to a platform in the middle of the sea. From there, you travel by boat to the island. Very cool!
Where time stands still
The resort was built about 20 years ago and exudes a very special and original charm, through the beautiful wildness of nature, but most of all, through its very special employees!
Shameer from India welcomed and looked after us during our entire stay. What a cool guy! He even arranged for my sunglasses to be fished out of the depths of the ocean, but more about that later on!
Did you know that the sand around the Maldives moves around? This wide stretch of beach can for example be on the other side of the island in a few years.
At exactly 6 o’clock the sting-rays, sharks and a lot of other fish come to feed. How do they know when it’s time to eat again?
Of course there are also critical voices saying that they get too lazy to hunt themselves, but they like it. For years, they have been fed by one and the same employee, and they welcome him as a friend. They bumped into him, just as dogs would do. Cute!
Villas
The 98 villas in Maldivian style with their thatched roofs reflect the style of the region. They are carefully distributed all over the island and offer plenty of privacy and above all closeness to nature. Some have an open-air bathroom, a pool or are built on stilts. What do we like most? That there are no TV’s! Who needs a TV when you are on holiday and even more so when in paradise?! We definitely do not!
Deluxe Villas
We stayed in one of the Deluxe Villas, which was the first to be built on the island. It is hidden in the jungle and yet right on the beach. It has a great terrace with a day bed and the pool has the perfect depth of 1.50m.
Inside, there is a comfortable four poster bed and a chic chest of drawers with a mini-bar filled to the brim.
You also receive 2 complimentary large glass water bottles, which are refilled in the morning and in the evening with fresh Coco Water. The water is from the island’s desalination plant. Roughly 1 liter of drinking water is extracted from 5 liters of salt water.
The absolute highlight of this villa, besides the pool, is the open air bathroom! Such chic and extraordinary design!
After the construction of the first villa, No. 28, the design was changed. In our opinion, a real pity! Although the other Deluxe Villas have a different design, they are also very romantic! However, in the near future, some will gradually be rebuilt.
These villas also have a terrace with plunge pool, direct access to the ocean, a cozy four poster bed, a mini bar and an open bathroom!
There are also Ocean Front, Beach and Sunset Beach Villas.
The vegetation on the island is wild and natural. You find these little black-and-white birds and chameleons all over the island.
Lagoon Villas
If you prefer to live directly on the water, the Lagoon Villas are perfect. We liked both – you are either right on the beach or directly on the water!
The Lagoon Villas have a sun terrace, a plunge pool, a four poster bed, a mini bar and a large jacuzzi bath.
The Sunset Lagoon Villas are a bit larger, have a pool with glass bottom and offer plenty of privacy.
Restaurants & Bars
Conch Bar In the Conch Bar you can enjoy the evening with wine, beer, cocktails and small snacks. Or you can listen to a talk by the resident marine biologist or to the locals chatting away.
Beach Bar The beach bar has the perfect location to enjoy the sunset with a delicious sundowner in hand!
Cowrie Restaurant The main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are different themed evenings and a live cooking station.
The restaurant is quite big. If you prefer a more romantic setting, you can also book a private dinner on the beach or a private BBQ in your villa. We found the upper area with its comfy seating also quite cozy.
The buffet was always very lovingly arranged! One evening there even was tuna-sashimi – freshly caught and super delicious!
Cornus Restaurant This restaurant offers Thai, Indian and Maldivian cuisine on certain days.
Beach BBQ Dinner
An especially romantic version of dinner is the beach BBQ right under the stars and with freshly grilled lobsters, crabs, pineapples, potatoes and so much more.
There are plenty of appetizers and desserts to choose from.
It was really the best lobster we have ever eaten so far. So fresh!
Coco Spa
The Coco Spa offers treatments from Bali, Thailand and India.
We had a wonderful Balinese massage – very professional and so relaxing! We simply loved the open treatment rooms. To be massaged with the twittering of birds in the background is amazing!
There is a separate treatment room for Thai massages and of course, there also is a fitness room.
Dolphin Whatching
We went on both the Dolphin Sunset Cruise in the evening and the Dolphin Sunrise Cruise in the morning. And although the chances of seeing dolphins are better in the morning, we also saw them in the evening on the Sunset Cruise.
We also had a really great guide, who saw them from afar!
And they came very close, because they like to swim along the bow of the boat. The boat makes underwater sounds, which they experience as pleasant and they like the bubbles that rise at the bow of the boat. In the evening there was also an Englishwoman on board who whistled softly the whole time. Perhaps she also lured them to the boat with her whistling. For we were told, the fishermen in the Maldives do the same. They attract the dolphins by whistling and in turn, by just being there, the dolphins help them to catch tuna.
The next morning on the Sunrise Cruise, I sat down at the bow all by myself and whistled softly. And then the dolphins came so close that I could actually hear them. It was almost like they were communicating with me! I do not know whether it was just coincidence or not – but I heard them “talking” – when they were swimming right beneath me. This was truly an unforgettable experience!
I have already swum with wild dolphins in Kenya and Mauritius, but they have never been this close before.
There were approximately 50 – 60 spinner dolphins. One of the hotel’s resident biologists was also on board and gladly answered all our questions.
The Sunset Cruise in the evening is quite romantic and while sipping on some sparkling wine you can watch the glowing sky.
When we returned to the island, the moon was already out, just as the sun was setting in the pink-and-purple ocean. Magical!
Water Sports
Catamaran sailing, water skiing and windsurfing are available. And if you want to go diving or learn how to dive, you can do so at the hotel’s PADI diving school. The nearby reefs are perfectly suitable for snorkeling and diving. Unfortunately, most of the coral has been destroyed through various environmental influences, but as a result there are now more fish found in the reefs. We also saw plenty of sea turtles here. And whoever feels like it, can even go swimming with mantas or stingrays.
Visits to the local village
We also visited a village on a nearby island with Shameer. We were even invited inside for a cup of tea by one of his friends. Really nice!
Previously people lived here in small thatched houses. Today, however, they also live in chic, colorful stone houses with every kind of comfort. Tourism and fishing offer the most job opportunities.
At the end of the tour, as I was about to get onto the boat, my sunglasses fell into the water at the docks. What a dilemma – without my sunglasses I could not see a thing in the glaring sun. But what could I do, other than buying a new pair of glasses, or so I thought at least. But not with Shameer! A few hours later, he returned with my sunglasses. He actually went back to the village with the diving instructor that then fished my sunglasses out of the water. How incredibly cool and caring is that?!
For the sake of the environment
Coco Palm has dedicated itself to preserving and protecting the environment, especially the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Coco Palm also tries to keep the human fingerprint as low as possible and supports the local Maldivian population.
“Coco Palm is committed to preserving and developing the island of Dhuni Kolhu according to the principles of eco-tourism. We are an excellent example of how environmental sustainability and maintaining the cultural integrity of the Maldivian people can be cultivated in a 5-star resort.”
Group General Manager Anthony G. Paton has written a few basic principles about the protection of the environment for their guests. However, some of these, we should also take to heart, even when at home: Some Best Practices for our surroundings and the eco system
“We did not inherit our planet from our grand parents; we are simply borrowing it from our great grand children”
More info on the philosophy, the principles and how Coco Palm protects the environment, can be found here.
Marine Turtle Rescue Centre
With the help of donations and in cooperation with the Olive Ridley Project, a new marine turtle rescue center was being built under the guidance of marine biologist Claire Petros (more info). Now, injured sea turtles and those in need of care can be nursed back to health here.
When we were there, it was still under construction, but has now been finished and has just opened its doors.
We already met Claire on our flight there. She had a turtle with her on board that had one leg missing; apparently it was torn off by a shark. On the island, Claire lovingly took care of this small emaciated turtle.
In the Conch Bar Claire also held an interesting talk about the Olive Ridley Project. It is actually quite crazy when you hear how many fishing nets are lost in the ocean every year and how many marine animals get entangled and eventually die because of them.
You can help! Everyone should really pay particular attention to the tuna that they buy. In the Maldives, tuna is still caught using the one-by-one method with only a pole and line. If you only buy sustainably caught fish, you can play a small part in the preservation of marine animals even when you are back at home.
A further contribution to the protection of the environment: vegetables, spices and herbs are all grown on the island’s own small farm.
And even some the furniture is manufactured locally in the carpenter’s workshop and by hand.
Honeymoon & Wedding
Honeymoon Special 25% discount on the accommodation price (can be combined with early booking discounts)
Cocktail reception, 1 bottle of house wine, fruit platter, romantic bed decoration, romantic 3-course candlelight dinner
Sunset Cruise included when booking a Sunset Beach Villa or Deluxe Villa
Movies on the beach with wine and Coco Palm gift included when booking a Lagoon Villa or Sunset Lagoon Villa
Valentine’s Day Special Love is in the Air Package: breakfast on the beach or in the villa at $ 90 per couple, private BBQ in the villa at $ 270 per couple or beach BBQ at $ 250 per couple (more info)
„Renewal of Vows“ Package from $ 2500
Spa treatments, ceremony on the beach or on the deserted island Embudhoo with an overnight stay, bridal bouquet, wedding cake, photographer, champagne breakfast and much more (more info)
Conclusion
We had a wonderful and relaxed time on this beautiful rustic island and in our awesome villa. Nature is simply magnificent here! If you are looking to spend some romantic time in harmony with nature, we can highly recommend it! And getting married on the deserted island must be beautiful.
The managers and the employees put their hearts and souls into what they do and that gives this eco resort that certain something! Their commitment to nature is also commendable – we learned so much here and also met such passionate people. It was not just a holiday, but a great experience that has left its mark, also in our hearts.
Rooms: 98 villas: 9 Ocean Front Villas, 23 Beach Villas, 25 Sunset Beach Villas, 27 Deluxe Villas, 12 Lagoon Villas and 2 Sunset Lagoon Villas Duration: Nonstop from Frankfurt to Male with Condor in 10.5 hours Transfer: 124 km from Male Airport, about 40 minutes by seaplane Air Temperature: 24 – 33° Celsius Water Temperature: 27 – 29° Celsius Malaria: Malaria free Vaccinations: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended. Mosquito repellent to prevent Dengue fever. Best season: (November) December to March Time Difference: 5 hours Price: From 398 EUR per night Honeymoon Special: 25% discount on accommodation Special features: Untouched island, great excursions, beautiful romantic villas, very personal service Perfect for: Couples, families, nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts, romantics, honeymooners, weddings
Coco Collection Green Pearls – Unique Places Preferred Hotels & Resorts MATATO Maldives Travel Awards – Best Eco Resort in Maldives – 2012, 2014
Booking.com – Outstanding Hotel Partner Award – 2014
World Luxury Hotel Awards – Global winner in Best Luxury Resort – 2014
Kuoni Swiss – Travelife Gold Award – 2012
Trip Advisor – Certificate of Excellence – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Green Globe EarthCheck – Silver Certificate – 2010, 2012
Green Resort Award by President of the Maldives – 2001, 2009
Green Globe EarthCheck – Bronze Certificate, recognizing our commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standards – 2009
Green Globe EarthCheck – Benchmarked Certificate for achieving the Green Globe Company standard for the Accommodation Sector – 2008
VIP International Reader’s Travel Award – 1st Place for the most beautiful Spa-Resort Worldwide – 2008
Kuoni Swiss, Switzerland – Green Planet Award – 2007
TUI Holly Award – One of the 100 Most Popular Hotels Around the World – 2006, 2007, 2009
World Travel Award – Indian Ocean’s Leading Resort – 2005
World Travel Award – Maldives’ Leading Resort – 2005 World Travel Award – Maldives’ Leading Resort – 2004
World of TUI – Umwelt Champion – 2004, 2012
You can find many more informations about the Maldives in the interesting A Guide To Maldives by Michelle from Traveljunkiediary.com!
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Please note: Our stay was sponsored by the Coco Collection. Thank you so much! The opinions expressed in the article are nonetheless 100% our own!
A Gourmet & Adventure Road Trip in Pictures with hotel, restaurant, adventure and travel tips
Stunning sunsets, gourmet food at its finest, the best wines, beautiful scenery, incredible starry skies, romantic candlelight and fireplaces – to us, this is pure romance and Africa! We fell in love with Africa on our Namibia trip last year and could finally visit the continent again this year. This time we went on a gourmet tour to South Africa. And South Africa is an insanely amazing country!
You can find some of the world’s best restaurants and wineries here as well as beautiful luxury hotels and lodges. There are so many good and inexpensive restaurants (see tips below) that you are spoiled for choice. To get as a good a meal in Germany, you have to go a star-rated restaurant and will then easily pay three times as much.
The South African Rand is currently at a record low. Of course that is bad for the locals! For us, as travelers, that however also means, a luxury holiday at competitive prices. And with so much romance, this country is of course perfect for your honeymoon or even a marriage proposal! Furthermore, South Africa is one of the most family-friendly and secure long haul destinations.
South Africa has beautiful beaches, rugged coastlines, deserts, endless dry savannahs, scrublands, rainforests, lagoons, wetlands, high plateaus, low and extremely high mountain ranges. As they say, the whole world in one country. And yes, this country in southern Africa is so incredibly diverse, that even after our trip, we still feel we have missed out on so much. One simply can experience and do so much here, that one holiday is hardly enough.
The climate on the Atlantic coast in the west is sometimes rough and not necessarily suitable for a beach holiday, as the water is just too cold. Nonetheless there are still a few hardy surfers and swimmers. To the east on the Indian Ocean the weather is mild with a Mediterranean climate and in the northeast it is tropical and hot.
The combination of modern big city life, European comfort and the originality of black continent Africa with its friendly people and unique flora and fauna is something really special.
If you want to enjoy the best gourmet food and delicious wines, exciting entertainment and great trips, the Western and Eastern Cape is the place to be! Those looking for wild Africa and even more romance, should definitely visit the Kruger Park. A combination of both, is of course, perfect!
We would like to give you some tips for your dream holiday or maybe even your honeymoon in South Africa. Apart from the hotels and restaurants where we were, we have even more tips from travelers we met along on the way!
21 days, 1120 km, 2 flights, 5 Hotels, 3 Lodges and 10 Safaris
We traveled to South Africa from mid-April to early May 2016. We experienced this time, it is autumn in South Africa, as very pleasant. Sure, there were a couple of rainy days, but otherwise the weather was nice and warm. It was also not that crowded in Cape Town. Where on usually waits three hours in line at Table Mountain during peak season, we simply walked through.
We started our trip in Camps Bay, Cape Town. From there we went to Paarl and Robertson, you should also not miss Franschhoek, in the Cape Winelands and then to De Kelders on the rough (whale) coast. After that, we drove to Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth on the Garden Route. From Port Elizabeth we took a domestic flight to Hoedspruit and from there we went to the Kruger Park.
We visited beautiful hidden gems – great hotels, guest houses and lodges with lots of charm and that special something. And they all were unique in their own way.
Be inspired by our pictures and tips!
Cape Town/Camps Bay
Cape Town is definitely worth a visit or even better, several visits! We stayed 4 nights and feel that we have only seen a very small fraction of the city. In the absolute peak season, between Christmas and New Year, it is teeming with tourists. Even in the green season, from June to August, Cape Town is worth a visit. Then it is quiet, windless, mosquito and tourist free.
Exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the world, also called “Mother City”, stays with you forever. The view of the 1086 m high Table Mountain on one side and the amazing view of the ocean on the other, is impressive. The city is an exciting mix of Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, Florida and California.
Sea Five Boutique Hotel /Camps Bay
This luxury beach house with 7 suites, priced from 169 EUR per night, is centrally located on a quiet hillside of Camps Bay, one of South Africa’s most famous beaches. From here it is just 300 meters to the beach. The tasteful design, relaxing atmosphere and the great pool guarantees that holiday feeling from the first moment on. The rooms are very spacious and beautifully decorated. And such a fully stocked minibar inclusive in the price, is seldom seen! Our report>
5 Central Drive, Camps Bay 8005, Kapstadt, South Africa, www.seafive.co.za
Sea Star Rocks /Camps Bay
The very stylish Sea Star Collection hotel has 3 suites, priced from 182 EUR per night, and an overwhelming view of the ocean. The huge glass doors offer a wonderful panoramic view of Lion’s Head, Bakoven and Camps Bay beach. To have such a view is really pure luxury! But besides this, the hotel, with the huge paintings on the walls and bright yellow armchairs, is stylishly furnished. You can take a dip in the 18-meter infinity pool or relax in the hot tub. The very likeable managers Thekla and Clarissa takes great care of their guests. Our report>
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat /Cederberg Mountains
(Beautiful Lodge in the wilderness, No. 2 of the Top 25 Hotels in Africa , 140 miles north of Cape Town)
Agert Pakhuis Pass, Cederberg Mountains, Clanwilliam, 8135, South Africa, www.bushmanskloof.co.za
Restaurants We went to these restaurants ourselves, or they were highly recommended to us.
Codfathers /Camps Bay (visited by us)
(best seafood & sushi)
37 The Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa, www.codfather.co.za
The Hussar Grill /Camps Bay (visited by us)
(Delicious steak & great atmosphere)
108 Camps Bay Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa, www.hussargrill.co.za
Paranga /Camps Bay
(Trendy cuisine on the beach front)
Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa, www.paranga.co.za
The Round House /Camps Bay
(Fine dining with seasonal cuisine)
The Glen, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa www.theroundhouserestaurant.com
Umi Fusion /Camps Bay
(Modern Japanese cuisine with great views)
201 The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa www.umirestaurant.co.za
The Bungalow /Clifton
(International cuisine with spectacular views)
Glen Country Club, 3 Victoria Road (Old LA Med), Clifton, South Africa, www.thebungalow.co.za
Willoughby & Co /V&A Waterfront
(Very fine Japanese cuisine, sushi is the house specialty)
Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, Breakwater Blvd, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, www.willoughbyandco.co.za
The Test Kitchen /Woodstock
(Africa’s best restaurant – 2016 World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards)
The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7915, South Africa, www.thetestkitchen.co.za
The Potluck Club /Woodstock
(Modern and world-renowned, many small plates to share) Silo Top Floor, The Old Biscuit Mill, 373-375 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7915, South Africa, www.thepotluckclub.co.za
Myoga /Newlands
(Brilliant 7-course meal for only R365 per person) 60 Colinton Road, At the Vineyard Hotel and Spa, Newlands, 7700, South Africa, www.myoga.co.za
Wine Tasting – Eagle´s Nest /Constantia (visited by us)
(Award-winning wines with a delicious cheese platter in a warm atmosphere, separate white wine only tasting also available) Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa http://eaglesnestwines.com
Wine Tasting – Beau Constantia /Constantia Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa,www.beauconstantia.com
Tip: Both wineries are accessible on the City Sightseeing Bus (Wine Tour). Personally, we found Groot Constantia too big and a bit too touristy.
Table Mountain / Cape Town
(brilliant view from this city’s landmark, easily accessible by cable car or with rock climbing) www.tablemountain.net
Sundowners on Signal Hill / Cape Town
Locals gather here for a drink and to watch the beautiful sunset.
(Parking at the top of Kloof Nek Road or use the red City Sightseeing bus)
City Sightseeing Bus /Cape Town (used by us)
(Explore the city in a convenient and interesting way, also goes directly to Table Mountain) www.citysightseeing.co.za
Cape Peninsula Route /Cape Peninsula (visited by us)
(250 km long route via Camps Bay, Constantia and Kirstenbosch, Hout Bay, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, Simon’s Town, Cape Point to Chapman’s Peak Drive.)
Boulders Beach /Simon´s Town (visited by us)
(Home to a Jackass penguin colony – a bit touristy, but very cute)
Kleintuin Road, Sea Forth, Simon’s Town, South Africa, more info: www.capetown.travel
Cape Winelands
South Africa is famous for its fine wines. The vineyards in the Western Cape belong to UNESCO and include the 6 wine regions Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson and Wellington. You can enjoy great wine tastings, wine tours and tasty food is also served at the countless wineries. The beautiful landscape is best explored during the South African winter, since everything is wonderfully green then. However, it can also rain every now and then.
Palmiet Valley Wine Estate /Paarl
This 300-year-old wine farm is located in the Paarl Valley, between countless vineyards and the Drakenstein mountains, a mere 40 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. The historic manor in the Cape Dutch style has a swimming pool and 13 rooms in 6 categories, priced from 75 EUR per night. Every room has a romantic four-poster bed and a great bathroom. The stylish and peaceful estate is especially popular with bridal couples. Weddings can take place in the cellar, the small chapel or in the open air. Up to 80 people can celebrate at a wedding to their heart’s content. The gourmet breakfast and the 3-course dinner are a real treat. (Our report follows)
Sonstraal Rd, Paarl, 7628, South Africa, www.palmietvalleyestate.co.za
Rosendal Winery and Wellness Retreat /Robertson
The romantic guest house with 8 rooms, priced from 64 EUR per night, can be reached from Cape Town via Route 62 in about 2 hours. Five of the bedrooms, the Spa Suites, are in the main house and have a great view of the infinity pool. Three rooms are located in the farm house and overlook the vineyards. The restaurant has a really gifted chef who conjures up very delicious gourmet food in the cozy restaurant. The Spa is also highly recommended, for example, for a Signature African Wood Massage. (Our report follows)
Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guest House /Franschhoek
(Nice guest house with 6 rooms) www.aka.co.za
Majeka House /Stellenbosch
(Luxury hotel with 20 extravagant rooms and spa) www.majekahouse.co.za
Restaurants
La Petite Ferme/Franschhoek
(Top 15, “Best Value” in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, very idyllic) Lambrechts Rd, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa, www.lapetiteferme.co.za
Bread & Wine at Moreson /Franschhoek
(For that special lunch at the top winery “Môreson”)
Moreson Farm, Happy Valley Road, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa www.moreson.co.za
The Tasting Room /Franschhoek
(Internationally acclaimed and highly creative cuisine at Le Quartier Français)
Wilhelmina St, Franschhoek, 7690, Südafrika, www.lqf.co.za/restaurants
Olive Tasting – Marbrin Farm /Robertson (visited by us)
(Very entertaining olive oil tasting on a fine, isolated farm, top quality)
Klaasvoogds East, Robertson, 6707, South Africa, www.marbrin.co.za
De Kelders | Gansbaai | Hermanus
These three cities are located about 170 kilometers southeast of Cape Town on the Walker Bay coast. Those who would like to dive with white sharks, is exactly in the right place when in Gansbaai. The waters around Dyer Island, about 12 km off the coast, are swarming with white sharks (8 m) like hardly any other place on earth, due to a large seal colony. Shark cage diving is just not our thing!
The coast between De Kelders and Hermanus is a whale watcher’s paradise from June to November every year, with the best time being in October and November. Then there are up to 80 Southern Right Whales (15-20 m) giving birth in the bay. Both towns have received Best Whale Watching Site awards from UNESCO.
Sea Star Lodge /De Kelders
This modern 5-star guest house is located in De Kelders on the coast of Walker Bay. You have a magnificent view of the Atlantic coast from the lounge and the 6 suites, priced from 91 EUR per night. We stayed in the Master Suite – which is almost as big as an apartment – and the Tree Top Room with a great bathroom and a terrace with uninterrupted ocean views! Manager Candice takes good care of the guests. Whoever feels like it, can go on a very interesting township tour with Vuyi, one of the staff members. Tip: If you stay here, you can occasionally go out for dinner to the private restaurant of interior designer Niel Stemmet or to the Sea Star Cliff. Very delicious! (Our report follows)
Sea Star Cliff /De Kelders (visited by us)
(Very stylish guest house directly on the Cape Whale Coast) www.seastarcliff.co.za/
De Kelders Private Retreat /De Kelders (visited by us)
(Guest rooms in the private house of the cool interior designer and chef Neil Stemmet www.dekeldersprivateretreat.com
Harbour House Hotel /Hermanus
(Beautiful rooms in a prominent position right on the coast) www.harbourhousehotel.co.za
Restaurants
Blue Goose Restaurant /Gansbaai (visited by us)
(Chic superb fish and grill restaurant) 12 Franken St, Gansbaai, 7220, South Africa,www.facebook.com/Blue-Goose
Coffee on the Rocks /De Kelders
(Cozy cafe and AirBnB accommodation, right on the coast and perfect for whale watching) 81 Cliff St, Gansbaai, 7220, South Africa, www.coffee-on-the-rocks.com
Adventure
Horse Riding mit Bertie /Gansbaai (visited by us)
(Beautiful rides on the beach or in the mountains for beginners and advanced riders, 1 hour from R350) Telephone: 079 1958463
Township Tour with Vuyi /Sea Star Lodge, De Kelders (visited by us)
(Interesting tour to get to know the lives of the local people a bit better)
Great White Shark Cage Diving /Gansbaai
(For the brave – should be great)
9 Kus Drive, Kleinbaai, Gansbaai, South Africa, 7220, www.sharkcagediving.co.za
Shopping
Lembu Gallery and Studio /Hermanus (visited by us)
(Handmade art, decorative items & fabrics – can also be ordered online)
167a Main Road, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa, www.lembu.net
Anza Curtains /Hermanus (visited by us)
(Nice shop for interior design & decoration)
151C Main Road, Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa, Facebook: Anza Curtains
Garden Route
The Garden Route is a very popular and fertile region along the Indian Ocean and the N2. It is situated between Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth. It is greener here than in the deserts landscapes to the north. There are numerous great beaches, beautiful lagoons, rugged cliffs, deep forests (Knysna), the Tsitsikamma National Park with the Storms River Mouth and many small, beautiful towns such as George, Wilderness and Oudtshoorn. For the more active, there is plenty to do: swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking, biking, golfing, canoeing, abseiling or bungee jumping.
Hog Hollow Country Lodge & Villa /Plettenberg Bay
This cozy and romantic lodge, surrounded by nature and overlooking the Tsitsikamma mountains, is located 18 km from Plettenberg Bay. The 16 suites, priced from 190 EUR per night, all have a fireplace, a large bathroom with a corner bath, a minibar, a terrace with a wonderful view of the countryside and no TV. Highlight: the large glass doors in our room and in the bathroom can open completely. The fireplace was also another highlight! You can enjoy a good meal in the cozy restaurant or go for a swim in the pool. The Villa and the new Country House with pool can comfortable accommodate large families or up to 3 couples travelling. For animal encounters, you can visit Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, the Elephant Sanctuary and the Knysna Elephant Park. Or you can explore the countryside on horseback with Hog Hollow Horse Trails. (Our report follows)
Restaurant
Askop Road, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, 6602, South Africa, www.hog-hollow.com
The Fat Fish /Plettenberg Bay (visited by us)
(Brilliant seafood & sushi)
Milkwood Centre, Hopwood St, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa www.thefatfish.co.za
HillsNek SafariCamp /Port Elizabeth
This family run safari lodge with full board and 4 tents, priced from 430 EUR per night, is located in a quiet corner of the Amakala Game Reserve. The tents are all connected by wooden walkways to the main lodge and they each have a great safari-style bathroom, a romantic outdoor shower, no TV (we always find this great!), a minibar and spectacular panoramic views over the landscape. With a little luck, you get to see wild animals on the game drives at 06:00 or at 16:00. The lodge is perfect for families, friends and couples. It is also very popular for marriage proposals. A romantic dinner at sunset on your own private terrace or in your tent offers the perfect setting for it. (Our report follows)
Plett Game Reserve /Plettenberg Bay
(Colonial style lodge with 10 rooms, safari on horseback included) www.plett-game-reserve.co.za
The Fernery Lodge & Chalets /Tsitsikamma
(6 suites & 11 chalets in the beautiful countryside with ocean views and a great restaurant) www.forestferns.co.za
Tsala Treetop Lodge /Plettenberg Bay
(Romantic luxury treehouse suites and villas + great restaurant “Zinzi”) www.tsala.com
Gorah Elephant Camp /Addo Elephant Park, nahe Port Elizabeth
(The only camp in the Addo Elephant Park with 11 tents in the chic colonial style) www.gorah.hunterhotels.com
Adventure
Tsitsikamma National Park /Garden Route National Park (visited by us)
(Hike to Storm’s River Bridge)
Garden Route National Park, 6308, South Africa, www.sanparks.org
Addo Elephant Nationalpark /Port Elizabeth
(Safari in your own car)
R335, Addo, 6105, South Africa,www.sanparks.org/parks/addo
Kruger National Park
The absolute highlight of our trip – the famous Kruger National Park. It is the largest wildlife sanctuary and the most exciting safari destination in South Africa. In summer, from November to April, it is hot with higher rainfall, but warm and dry in winter. Game drives and encounters with African wildlife are spectacular and unforgettable!
Makumu Game Lodge /Kruger Park
This exceptional luxury lodge is located in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (60,000 hectares) – one of the largest private reserves in the country and part of the Kruger National Park. It offers total privacy, all-inclusive luxury and nature in abundance. Even the furnishings of the main house and 3 suites, priced from 454 EUR per night, is luxurious and individualistic. The Zulu, Ndebele and Bushman Suites are inspired by these South African tribes. Every detail was selected with great care. To create the perfect bush feeling, there is no power in the suites, but only candlelight. If you are lucky, a few elephants might even pass by the pool. The warm-hearted manager couple, Chris (ranger) and Janet, the ingenious cook Nelly and the whole team will make your stay unforgettable. The food is top notch and the safaris are absolutely spectacular! With luck (we are in the bush after all) we encountered the Big Five and of course lots of other wild animals. (Our report follows)
Garonga Safari Camp / Makalali Private Game Reserve
(Romantic camp with 12 tents, west of the Kruger Park) www.garonga.com
Further information
Best time
Spring and autumn are recommended in particular. When it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is summer in South Africa. Therefore Christmas and New Year are especially popular. During peak season, from November to February, Cape Town is very hot, windy, crowded, expensive and the roads are full. September and October are more ideal, the plants bloom, temperatures are bearable, it is the best time for whale watching, but it could be windy. Mid-January to mid-March is warm with lower rainfall. From the middle of May to early September it is cool with short, but heavy rain showers. There are also warmer days during this time period and the prices are lower.
Flights
You can fly nonstop with Condor from Frankfurt to Cape Town overnight in about 12 hours. Very comfortable! We can highly recommend the Premium Class. Obviously, it is more expensive, but so worthwhile! The 15 cm extra legroom are already really worth it – this way you will survive the night on the plane well. On top of that there is also a wellness set: extra-wide pillows, additional baggage allowance and a really good Premium menu! If you have the necessary small change, business class is of course, even more comfortable.
Pretty cool: Condor donates 0.60 EUR of each flight to the Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP. Among others, a school to the value of 40,000 EUR has already been financed in Omuhonga, in the north of Namibia.
There is a great honeymoon special with South African Airways: 50% discount for the 2nd person, valid up until 6 months after the wedding date.
Rental Car
Just like in Namibia, we can again highly recommend Avis for South Africa. We arrived in De Kelders with a flat tire. And instead of just changing the tyre, they brought us a new car from Cape Town. And an even better one. This is what I call service!
We hope you have found a few cool tips here! Have a great trip! What are your tips for South Africa?
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Note: During our stay we were partially supported by all 8 hotels, guest houses and lodges. Thank you so much! Thanks to Condor for the upgrade! The opinions expressed in this article are as always 100% our own!
Our visit to the 8 hotels, guest houses and lodges was part of the “Favourite Gourmet Self-Drive Journey”. Planned and organized by Silke Marshall Marketing Solutions. A heartfelt thank you!!!
A paradise for nature lovers, animal lovers, romantics, honeymooners and large carnivores in the OKONJIMA Nature Reserve
Situated halfway between the capital Windhoek and the Etosha National Park, the OKONJIMAGame Reserve is situated amidst the Omboroko Mountains on the Waterberg Plateau, near Otjiwarongo. OKONJIMA (a Herero name meaning “Place of the baboons”) is not just simply a luxury lodge but also the home of the non-profit organization “AfriCat Foundation & Carnivore Care Center”.
The trip through the reserve is thus already a wonderful experience. Here you can already meet the first wild animals.
The former cattle farm of the Brahman cattle breeding is a family-run business. In 1993 the cattle was sold, the Hanssen’s farm house was rebuilt into a lodge and the cattle farm turned into a nature protection project. Wayne, Donna and Rosalea Hanssen bought the farm from their parents and are now living there.
The unconventional concept of the lodge offers a broad range of options and is in our opinion unique. You can stay in the family-friendly Plains Camp, in the wonderful Chalets in the Luxury Bush Camp, in the luxurious Private Bush Suite, in the Grand African Villa or on the Campsite.
With the “AfriCat-Foundation” family Hanssen has set herself the task to protect and rehabilitate the endangered large carnivores such as cheetahs, leopards and lions. Today the 20.000ha nature reserve is the home of numerous cheetahs, leopards, lions, caracals, wild dogs and hyenas. Since 1993 more than 1,000 big cats have been saved and caretaken by AfriCat, 86% of those have been released back into the wild.
The extraordinary design and the lovingly styled interior of the lodge have been created by the family Hanssen and by Shanna. Everything is being designed, created and produced by the OKONJIMA team or ordered in Windhoek. Terrific!
Interview with Manager Shanna Rae Groenewald
We talked to Shanna, the wonderful manager of Okonjima. She elaborately imparts the visitors her knowledge about the beautiful big cats and the vision of AfriCat and Okonjima in a very passionate way. Apart from this she plans individual and dreamlike bush weddings and loves to photograph them herself.
Private Bush Suite
The Private Bush Suite is really stunning and just perfect for a romantic stay for two or with the family, for the honeymoon or the wedding. You have a lot of privacy and pure luxury here!
In the two luxurious bedrooms there is space for four persons. There is a bedroom with sunrise view and one with sunset view, a living room with chimney, a bathroom with a bath tub, an indoor and an outdoor shower, several terraces, a pool, a fireplace and an own waterhole where you can observe the wild animals.
After arriving at the Bush Suite we were heartily welcomed by Claudia and we were directly visited by giraffes, kudus, impalas and wart hogs.
The special extra: An own cook, an own guide with safari jeep and a maid who practically anticipate your every wish belong to the suite. All activities and meal times are being adjusted to your wishes. Where else can you have such a luxury? Simply magnificent!
Bush-Suite Team: Mike (guide), Claudia (the good soul) & Christopher (cook)
There is sufficient bird food in the villa for feeding the birds.
Especially in the evening it is dreamily romantic with your own fireplace, the chimney in the living-room and the extremely delicious three course menu made by your own cook. We can hardly imagine something more romantic than sitting nearby the fireplace in the evening and observing the animals pass by the water hole.
All drinks are included. The villa has a kitchen with a well stocked fridge and all kinds of wines and soft drinks.
One cannot awake in a more pleasant manner. And if you want to, you can sleep with open walls, the way we used to do. We loved it! It got a bit chilly in the night but therefore there were enough warm blankets to cover yourself with. For this view and this sunrise we loved getting up early to see animals or to make an exciting game drive.
Grand African Villa
The villa for families or groups is bigger than the Bush Suite but just as stylish though. Over 10 persons can stay here. The family villa is the only one which is situated in the middle of the reserve. It may happen that the large carnivores walk by your place.
Luxury Bush Camp
The Bush Camp consists of eight unique chalets with thatched roofs in African style and a wedding suite. This was being renovated and extended. Pictures will follow soon.
Plains Camp
In 2014 the former Main Camp, that used to be the farm house, was extended and the old barn was transformed into the main sector of the Plains Camp.
This family-friendly camp consists of 6 to 10 comfortable en-suite double rooms with garden view and 10 new, spacious rooms with mountain or bush view. The lapa design mirrors with its elaborate details the story of the farm. And super personal: There are pictures of all employees and family members on the walls! There is also a cozy lounge area, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and the pool of the camp – this was formerly the farm’s water cistern.
Activities
Africat Foundation and Carnivore Care Center, game driving by day and by night, leopard and cheetah tracking (by tracking devices), hiking with and without a guide, Bushman Trail, photography, birding, observing nocturnal animals, and so on.
Tracking cheetahs and leopards with the passionate guides is a truly unique experience! Thanks to direction-finding transmitters you can get really close to the animals and above all, you can find them. Our guide Mike was really awesome and he was engaged with his heart and soul for the matter. You could feel his deep love for the animals and it was all a huge fun with him!
The following species belong to the carnivores: leopard, cheetah, caracal, small-spotted and large-spotted genets, spotted hyenas, wild dogs, aardwolves, bat-eared foxes, ratels, zorillas, slender, zebra and dwarf mangooses, red meerkats …
But you can also find other animal species: antelopes (kudu, orxy, eland, impala, red hartebeest, steinbock, blue wildebeest, springbok, duiker, Kirk’s dik-dik, porcupine, warthog, pangolin, giraffe, aardvark, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Burchell’s zebra, cape baboon, dassie, spring, bush and Jameson’s red rock hare, dassie rat, real ground squirrel, dormice, bats, turtles,… and more than 250 bird species.
AfriCat Foundation
True to the motto „Conservation through Education“ AfriCat dedicates itself to the protection and preservation of the carnivores in Namibia.
Carnivores are an important part of the ecosystem and also an important economic factor for the tourism. By informing and educating the local farmers and cattle drovers the foundation asks for more understanding, in order to weaken the conflict between man and carnivores – understanding prevents destruction! An awesome and absolutely impressive project!
OKONJIMA supports R.E.S.T. (Rare and Endangered Species Trust) and the Perivoli-Okonjima Country School because children are the future in a more sympathetic cohabitation of man and animals.
Further information from the passionate and truly engaged manager Shanna:
Do you want to help? Such a foundation is very costly. With a donation you can help the AfriCat Foundation with its great work. For 240,- EUR per year you can for example adopt a cheetah. Adopt a carnivore here!
We love Okonjima!
We are still highly impressed by our stay in this unbelievable and fascinating dream lodge. The stylish and cozy atmosphere, the extraordinary design, the passion and heartiness of the staff and the love for the beautiful carnivores and other animals struck you in an unspeakable way. We have met here only people who inspired us, who work devotedly and who want to achieve very much.
Perfect for:
Nature and animal lovers There is no better place in Namibia where you can observe cheetahs and leopards. We were overwhelmed by the number of wild animals that you can observe from the next nearness.
Romantics & honeymooners There is hardly anything more romantic than the Bush Suite with its fireplace, the chimney and the great view. The wonderful atmosphere, the heartiness and the feeling of being pampered the whole day by the team are the absolutely perfect frame for a dreamlike and romantic time for two. Awakening in the morning with open tent walls and the incredibly beautiful sunrise is an absolute dream!
Wedding
Manager Shanna organizes a customized dream (bush) wedding for the couple. There are not too many weddings being held here. Big weddings just once a year. A legally recognized ceremony is pretty effortful in Namibia, but it is possible. Easier is a symbolic ceremony. But if you wish, Shanna takes care of the paperwork. We would also like to get married here again! This vastness, the wild animals and the nice people can make this day nothing but perfect.
Okonjima Brochure
AfriCat Flyer
Air temperature: -1 – 40 degrees Water temperature:12 – 14 degrees Best travel period: May – September (rainy period January to March),End of April and May is the best weather. Best time for safaris: September-October (end of the dry period) Price: from 175 – 380 EUR/night for a double room in Plains Camp, from 535 EUR/night for a Bush Camp Chalet, from 915 EUR/night for the Private Bush Suite including full board, guide, cook and maid. Catering: self-catering on the Campsite, for all other half board, full board or dinner, Bed & Breakfast incl. soft drinks and wines Total ranking: ****** Specialties: Absolutely unique design and concept, wonderful nature, innumerable wild animals, romantic and relaxing atmosphere, super friendly staff, super interesting game drives with leopard and cheetah tracking, great animal preservation project.
Okonjima is situated in a malaria-free and ebola-free area!
PO Box 793, Otjiwarongo, Namibia
info@okonjimalodge.com
The World Travel Award for 2004 The Amarula Africa Award 2003 The Silver Otter Award 2002 – UK, 2nd place The WWF Green Trust Award 2000 The Genesis Award 1997 – Discovery Channel, BBC
Note: Many thanks to OKONJIMA for upgrading us into the Private Bush Suite. The views expressed in this article are, as always – our own! To 100%!
We are looking forward to your comments and we hope you feel now inspired to visit the Lodge or to support AfriCat with their precious work!
The perfect hotel for couples, a romantic beach wedding or heavenly honeymoons
Koh Lanta – one of the hidden treasures of Thailand and one of the most beautiful honeymoon spots of the country. We visited in February the breath-taking tropical island off the coast of Krabi in the Andaman Sea.
After a flight of one hour and a half from Bangkok, another 50 minutes by taxi and another 45 minutes by speedboat southbound you arrive at the remote Ba Kan Tiang Bay. It is seen from afar the beautiful villas that are embedded in the rain forest and spread over the rolling hills. Welcome to Paradise!
The five star Hotel Pimalai Resort & Spa was built in 2001 and it belongs to the „Small Luxury Hotels of the World”. It is the most luxurious resort of the island and it is located at a nearly 900m long brightly white sandy beach with turquoise waters. The old Sanskrit words Pimon and Alai, that make up the hotel’s name mean: place of purity, on a little place in heaven. Here you can enjoy the life under coco palms and in lush tropical vegetation on a nearly untouched island.
Rooms
The resort has 121 rooms, suites and villas and is separated into two parts by a rarely trafficked street. The Deluxe rooms, the suites and the beach villas are located on the lower part. The upper part (comfortably accessible by buggy) is reserved for the pool villas.
We stayed in a spacious 48sq Deluxe room with balcony. The rooms are furnished in Thai style with a lot of teak and bamboo and they are spread into two-storied units. From the balcony we had a good ocean view including the sunset.
The 70sq Bayfront Deluxe Rooms near the beach offer a great view from the balcony and the bathroom over the bay. The Pavilion Suites (110sq) with their living room and bedroom have a terrace and a private garden with open air shower.
Perfect for the honeymoon: The spacious One-Bedroom-Pool-Villas (204 sq) with gorgeous sea view which are located further up the hills. They have a separate living room, kitchen unit, outdoor Thai Sala and a terrace. The highlight is the 22sq swimming pool. By their sloping site (60m over sea level) they offer a spectacular view over the Andaman Sea.
Pools
Next to the nearly unspoiled beach the hotel has two spectacular infinity pool and a whirl pool. We loved the infinity pool high up near the Seven Seas Restaurant! You can have yourself brought there by buggy and then you can stay the whole day and relax. The view is just breath-taking. With a cocktail in your hand you can admire the sunset in a very romantic way.
Restaurants
You can have yourself culinarily got spoiled in five restaurants and four bars. Each restaurant has its own style and an incomparable ambience. The main restaurant „Baan Pimalai“ serves Thai and international specialties. In the „Spice´n Rice“ restaurant you can have breakfast and in the evening you can get everything from Pad Thai to Fried Rice in a relaxed and romantic atmosphere. Far up over the bay in „The Seven Seas Restaurant & Wine Lounge“ with spectacular viewyou can have international cuisine and noble wines. In the „Rak Talay Beach Bar“, the beach restaurant you can sit snuggly with your feet in the sand. The food is delicious!
Wedding
Nearly every day you can see a wedding at the beach. Everything is being lovingly and individually prepared for the couple according their wishes. From fresh and casual to exclusive and elegant with an own banquet table on the beach. Of course there are some hotel guests and tourists at the beach, but the area is being spaciously enclosed so that you have your own private atmosphere. The marriage ceremony at the beach (Buddhist or Christian) takes place in the evening at sunset. If we had not married on the Seychelles, this hotel would have probably been our alternative choice for Thailand. The isle and the hotel are just perfect for marriages. A nearly deserted beach, wonderful nature and a lot of privacy. And in the Seven Seas Restaurant high up the hills with great bay view you can spend a wonderful evening with your guests.
Spa
You can spend relaxing moments in the rewarded Pimalai Spa, which is located in the middle of an exotic garden in the jungle. In the pretty thatched roofed pavilions made of teak, bamboo and boulder you can have aroma therapies and other relaxing wellness applications. We had the Pimalai Signature Massage, which is a picture-perfect dream, rally wonderfully relaxing! Besides there is a fitness center, tennis courts, beach volley, wind surfing, sail boats, canoe, bike rentals and a PADI dive school (from November to April).
Tipps
Shopping and Thai-Food In the main village Saladan, in the north of the island, there are Thai restaurants and numerous shops that invite you to stay.
Bar At the beach you can walk to some relaxing restaurants and bars. The “Why Not Bar” directly at the beach offers delicious cocktails, fire shows and live music. The employees are good humored, cool guys. This is already worth the fun! And who can sing, can rock the bar together with the band.
And when you go the other direction you can have a cosy evening in the “Same same but different”.
Nature In the Ease of the island there are vast mangrove forests which can be visited by kayak, by longtail boat or in a tour. Take some bananas and feed the monkeys. They come and get them in your boat. But you’d better stay away from the restaurant “Thung Yen Pheng Sea Food”. It is great with its fresh fish but we have had an upset stomach. But by this we could experience the exquisite medical service at the hotel. The nurse (24h service) has taken good care of us and did a perfect job. We received medicine and the next day we felt a lot better.
Snorkeling and diving
The offshore islands offer perfect snorkeling and diving areals. Some day trips are being offered, so that you can discover the islands around Koh Lanta.
Transfer
If you stay for at least three night the transfer from the airport is included.
Recommendation
It is better you stay 5-7 nights so that you can better discover the island. Once you setteled down, you do not want to leave any more!
Air temperature: 25 – 35 degrees, at night 20 – 25 degrees Water temperature: 28 degrees Best travel period: Beginning of December to mid of April Price: from 149 EUR/night Honeymoon offer: Flower decoration on the bed, wedding cake and a bottle of wine (at least 3 nights) Transfer: from the airport(70 km distance) to Baan Huahin Pier 50 min, from the pier to the resort ca. 45 min with the speed boat, from May to October overland transport with two ferry trips. Total ranking: ***** Specialties: Enjoying the sunset over the bay in your own pool or in the Seven Seas Infinity pool | unique location | great beach at low and high tide | the most beautiful hotel of the island Insel | luxury, elegance and friendly service Perfect for: Couples, wedding, honeymoon, diving and beach holidays
For everybody who can imagine, and who has the same dream, but who doesn’t dare – or just as an inspiration – I would like to tell you about our dream wedding in the Seychelles at the wonderful and famous beach Anse Source d’Argent in La Digue.
It has always been our dream to marry at the beach. Luckily, for both of us! And now our dream has come true! We could choose between Thailand (a lot of complicated paperwork), the Maldives (the marriage is legally not recognized), Mauritius (the marriage is legally recognized but much too touristic) and the Seychelles (passport and birth certificate, the marriage is legally recognized). So the Seychelles should be the location of our wedding.
Well, the travel is rather exhausting. 4 hours flight to Abu Dhabi, then further 6 hours flight to Mahé in the Seychelles. (I booked the flight half a year before directly on the website of the airline.)
From Mahé we took a little cute airplane from Air Seychelles to the isle of Praslin. Sometimes in the cockpit a window opened during the flight, but this did not disturb the pilots at all. Fresh air does not harm. So they closed the window again and flight on! Flight time: ca. 20-30 min.
Oh yes, the wedding dress. Actually it is not allowed to take it in your hand luggage. Of course I did it nonetheless. During the check-in luckily nobody has paid attention to the garment bag. And then, as I had expected, the stewardess has turned a blind eye and I always had a good space for the dress. In the second airplane there was an extra wardrobe for the wedding dresses. Like this I did not even have to iron the dress at the hotel, everything was still perfect.
At Praslin we have been brought by private transfer to the other side of the island to the landing stage for boats. Like this you can already get some impressions of the landscape and can have a chat with the local driver in order to get some tips. By the way all the transfers have worked out just fine. Driving time: ca. 15-20 min.
The last tour was the boats trip from Praslin with wonderful sunset to La Digue. Driving time: ca. 15 min.
After what had seems like 24hours trip we finally reached the hotel. And that was worth the effort! Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie is the perfect hotel for the wedding dream. Wonderfully romantic, super personal and just made to feel comfy. The hotel itself does not plan weddings. This is made by Mason´s Travel on the island.
And here we are at the wonderful powder beach known from the Bacardi commercial on TV, called Anse Source d’Argent. On the picture you can see the actual location of the beach wedding ceremony. But unfortunately it is located directly at the entry to the beach where a lot of tourists stray along the whole day. And the location is not directly at the beach, but in a fixed pavilion. For those who like it… But this place was not for us. So I had already booked before an extra white pavilion. Like this we could choose our favorite place at the beach. As it is necessary to arrive at least 3 days before the ceremony on the island, you have enough time. We chose this place:
Of course one must also have a talent for luck so that there is no ebb when the ceremony takes place. Then our ceremony would also have taken place at one of the tourist places. But we were lucky.
And another tip: Normally ceremonies take place at 11 in the morning or at 1 in the afternoon. But then there is a lot of activity at the beach. So this is why we wanted our wedding to take place at 4 in the afternoon. First of all there are nearly no tourists at the beach, secondly you have a great sunset and thirdly you can sleep in and have a relaxed breakfast. This has also gone right.
In the morning of the wedding day the room maid has decorated everything very lovingly with flowers. In the evening a champagne bottle and a fruit plate were waiting for us, even though we have not had the honeymoon package. Really great!
At twelve noon the hair styling and makeup started. The stylist was booked by Mason´s Travel. You cannot choose yourself the stylist, so you will have to have faith. The same for the bridal bouquet. I chose from a few options by email my favorite bridal bouquet. It should look similar then. But you cannot choose it exactly the same. And in the end my bridal bouquet was just perfect. A thousand times more beautiful then on the pictures. White beautiful franchipani flowers!
During the time when I was being styled, Marcus could relax at the pool.
Then at 3 a.m. we drove by ox cart to the beach. By bike it takes about half an hour to the beach. By ox cart it takes nearly one hour.
We owe this wonderful ox cart to Danny from Mason´s Travel. A well tempered, cuddly guy, with the heart at the right place. He made our dream at the dream beach come true.
Nel mio cuore per sempre
From left to right: Our marriage witness Solange, the civil registrar, us and Danny, our best man.
As we were all alone there, we could choose two marriage witnesses. We chose two great employees from Mason´s Travel. But we could have equally well picked the driver of the ox cart.
Normally the ceremony takes about 20 min, but our ceremony took about 50 min. No mass-processing and absolutely personal. After that we had a photo shoot with our photographer Laurent. Unfortunately there was not very much time left because the sunset is at 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. And then the sun sets.
The wonderful pictures were taken by the French photographer Laurent Levy. He lives at Praslin, the neighbor island of La Digue. I am more than happy that I found him while researching the internet. By the way it was him who suggested a ceremony at 4 p.m. because of the much better light.
These Polaroids that were taken by Laurent were sent to our families by cheap island post and like this they got to know about our secret wedding.
In the evening we had a wonderful candle light dinner at the Hotel Le Domaine. The place and the menu can be chosen one day before. We chose a quiet, isolated place in the beach sand near the water. We could also have chosen a place next to the pool. Nearly the whole personnel has congratulated us during that evening. The service is very personal and it does not seem hypocritical, but it comes from the heart. You simply feely so comfy.
La Digue is in our opinion the perfect place for a wedding. You feel like in a different world. Our dreamlike beach wedding will always be unforgettable for us. We can only warmly recommend to every couple to flee from the whole wedding and family stress at home and to have a dreamlike wedding on this dreamlike island. For us it was just absolutely perfect and incredibly romantic!
Here is a little excerpt from our wedding video. It was made by Veronique, the video partner of our photographer Laurent. Wonderful, we think!
We spent the honeymoon on the dreamlike island Silhouette in Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa. The perfect place for Trash the Dress! Afterwards the dress was clean again.
And now some further information:
Voyage planning: Whether the wonderful honeymoon or the unforgettable dream wedding at the beach – I help you with the travel planning and travel bookings! Just write me an e-mail with your ideas and we’ll find the perfect trip for you!
Wedding package: Coordination, ceremony and apostille, beach wedding (at the hotel or Anse Source D’Argent or Anse Severe), ride by ox cart decorated with local flowers, palm leaves, table decoration, bottle of champagne and wedding cake, wedding bouquet, makeup and hair styling, pavilion at the beach with stakes and white canvas.
Wedding photographer:Laurent Levy, Praslin
Laurent is super congenial, absolutely professional and really relaxed.
Wedding bag: handmade and with individual printed photo by Angee W
Best travel time: november and around november
In Mahé and Silhouette it is raining the most often. During our 2 weeks journey we have had only one rainy day in Silhouette.
Let’s Get Married!
Maybe your wedding dream on an island at the beach will also come true. We wish it for you! If you have any questions, you are welcome to ask us!
Yesterday it attracted us again to the rustic old mill at the Moselle. Here you always feel comfortable, secure and well cared for, so that you love to visit it again and again.
Doesn’t it look like an enchanted fairytale castle?! 🙂
Thomas Höreth and his wife Gudrun have invested so much love and effort into the renovation of the old mill from the 11th century and have created something wonderful.
As always the restaurant was very well frequented and we were glad to find a nice place in a quiet and cosy corner.
And again we discovered a lot of lovingly created details such as a book to browse on every table.
Even the menu is funny and written in a very personal way. Funny anecdotes and nice quotes provide much food for thought or bring a smile upon your face.
The classic for 25 years: Home-made poppy ice cream with hot plums.
Have an envious glance at this apple pie!
Who wants a special marriage ceremony and likes romantic and quaint atmosphere can get married in the fountain cellar.
Before you find the right one, you can have a lot of fun with the wrong ones… We mean of course the wine!
In the little store you will find excellent wine by Thomas Höreth to take away. And the “Take-away wine” can also be purchased online here.
… Kindly note the cute squirrel!
Part 1 – Here you can read our report about a romantic night for two in the private hotel of the old Mill.
The report about the vineyard kitchen with regional fresh cuisine will follow in short in Part 3. 😉
