Stand as close to the edge as possible. Hold out your hand and be ready to catch. Lean forward and let go.
This was the advice I got just before I swung into the sky during a trapeze session on my last day in the Maldives but it could very well have been dished out ahead of the trip to the idyllic island destination.
While I'd heard of the stunning island, it was beyond my wildest dreams to ever think of going there. But I recently had the unrivalled joy of lapping up cocktails under the warm, South Asian sun as part of media trip organised by Club Med.
Before my departure from South Africa, advice and “instructions” flowed in from numerous quarters. Friends reminded me to get them souvenirs; colleagues recommended medications to take and cuisine to try. One person told me, frankly, “Try to meet someone.”
Of course, everyone reminded me to soak it all in, relax and have fun.
“Watch out for the heat,” our host from Club Med SA casually advised while we waited to board. I'd remember his words about 13 hours later when we finally touched down at Velana International Airport on Hulhule island. While the heat itself was not unbearable, the humidity hit me like a rush of hot air from an oven opened mid-bake.
As I stepped out of the bustling airport, my “official” welcome to the island was the sight of palm trees in a gentle breeze and the invitingly azure ocean the Maldives is famous for. Paradise, I thought, as I stopped to soak it all in before we were ushered to the speedboat for the final leg of our journey.
BUNGALOWS AND BUTLERS
It took us about 20 minutes to reach Club Med's Kani resort, our home for the next week. Along the way, I spotted some of the archipelago's 1,192 low-lying islands speeding by, some used as industry sites while others are home to resorts.
I've never been to a Club Med resort before so I didn't know what to expect but as we edged closer, the many coconut trees lining the pure-white beach sand gave me a taste of what lay ahead.
Club Med Kani is on Kanifinolhu Island but has a sister property, Club Med Finolhu, on Gasfinolhu Island, a 10-minute boat ride away. The latter offers plush accommodation in beach villas or overwater villas. Kani is a popular option for families and friends while Finolhu, part of Club Med's Exclusive Collection range, is more tailored for couples seeking privacy and seclusion. There is, however, also an Exclusive Collection Space on Kani, dedicated to those seeking a more opulent experience, also with overwater suites, butlers, a private beach and exclusive lounge bar and the best idyllic views.
We were met by friendly staff and an “I love Kani” sign and as we made our way down the jetty, I was once again captivated by the water — this time so clear one could spot some of the sea life weaving in and out of the coral they call home.
In this part of the country, the waters near the beach seamlessly switch between cyan and azure — offering a tantalising temptation to take off your sticky clothes and jump into its clear depths.
We stayed in some of Kani's beachfront bungalows, nestled behind a plethora of plant life and just metres from the beach. My room was beautiful and comfortably spacious, boasting a double vanity, a sofa and a walk-in closet of sorts.
While I was impressed with my room and its amenities, a visit to the neighbouring Finolhu quickly dimmed my view. This part offers a choice between overwater eco-luxury villas — which you can jump from into the sea — and beach villas. Here, guests enjoy the services of a private butler; private pools; and a peace and tranquillity not always found at the busier Kani.
“This is what I thought Kani would look like,” a member of our group said while we toured an overwater villa. I chuckled at her observation and agreed — and never viewed my now humble-looking room quite the same.
LEARNING TO FLY
Club Med Kani offers a variety of activities for guests. Watersports include scuba diving, kayaking, snorkelling and paddling. It's a family-friendly resort, so there are also age-appropriate activities in the children's club. There are land-based activities too, including padel, spa treatments, gym and the trapeze.
After an in-depth tour, we all enjoyed a full-body massage, which made for a refreshing switch after the hours spent island hopping.
I had hoped to try some of the water-based activities suitable for novice swimmers, such as kayaking, but my hopes were dashed by an affable staffer, also from South Africa, who told us being an able swimmer was mandatory.
My companion and I tried making a case about wearing life jackets but the staffer wasn't having it. Our hopes were dead in the water.
Disheartened, we turned our sights to trapezing. I have a fear of heights, but my travel editor's advice to “try to do as much as possible” rang in my head as I nervously stared up at the trapeze station. On the ground, my instructor, another South African, showed us what to do before starting.
“Keep your toes as close to the edge as possible. Lean forward as much as you can — don't worry, someone will hold you back — while holding onto the pole on your left-hand side. Hold out your right arm and be ready to catch the swing as it comes your way. Once you do, let go,” she told us.
After the quick lesson and putting on the mandatory safety harness, I was soon making the frightening but exhilarating journey upwards.
Some of this advice flew over my head but when I finally swung to the other side — my initial terror was now mingled with a thrilling rush I can't quite explain. It turned out to be one of the biggest highlights of the trip.
TOURING AND TASTING
We also enjoyed a visit to the country's capital, Malé, which — one of the world's smallest capital cities, home to nearly half the country's population — stands in stark contrast to the idyllic island we had been cocooned on for a few days. You see it immediately upon arrival in the bustling and congested roads.
Our whirlwind tour included several pit stops. The first was the magnificent Islamic Centre, home to the country's biggest mosque, the Grand Friday Mosque, and then the lush and tranquil Sultan Park. We passed by Muleeaage, the president's official residence, as well as the neighbouring People's Majlis, the parliament building. Our tour took a sombre note as we passed by the Victory Monument and National Art Gallery, both of which pay homage to the bloody coup attempt in 1988. Our final stop was to the island nation's oldest mosque and predecessor to the Grand Friday, Hukuru Miskiy. Adjacent to the intricately designed coral stone structure is a 17th-century cemetery that is the final resting place for some of the country's dignitaries.
But what would a trip be without the people one meets? This turned out to be another high point. Our host had spoken at length about the Club Med culture and the friendliness of the staff. Before I experienced this first-hand, I thought he was exaggerating.
But over the course of the week, we met, hung out and partied with so many of the resort's foreign and local staff members. Kani hosted themed dinners, an opportunity to dress up in our tropical best but also to mingle with other guests.
Even the resort's management got in on the fun, leading the charge with their often colourful or sparkly outfits night after night.
We met a number of South African staff members, doing a variety of jobs, and every interaction felt like a reunion with a bestie at our favourite spot in Johannesburg.
While the first night ended on an early and subdued note, due to jet lag, it was really on the second day that I truly got into the spirit of things and earned myself a cool nickname. “Hey, there's the dancing queen,” a staff member quipped as I approached reception after a night spent mostly on the dance floor.
Club Med's all-inclusive food and drinks offering also meant I had a chance to sample some of the dishes on offer at their two restaurants — buffet-style The Vehli and Kandu, which is à la carte.
While trying new food is always top of my list while travelling, this part didn't appeal to me as much. The food was freshly prepared daily and appealed to even the pickiest eater but I must admit that the buffet became overwhelming very quickly.
I did, however, enjoy the sushi-making lesson at The Velhi. There, I got a basic lesson on the different types of sushi and the art of creating your own roll. I then got a chance to make my own — I shan't share the results of my first attempt but I will say it was enough to let me leave it to the experts.
“Are you ready to go home,” I was asked close to the time of our departure. I pondered that question while gazing out at the sea.
Yes, I answered myself quietly. I'd stepped as close to the edge as possible, leaned into things and let go of my various inhibitions.
GETAWAY AT A GLANCE
GETTING THERE: There are no direct flights between South Africa and the Maldives. Visitors have the option of booking a connecting flight with one stop-over to get to the islands. The writer flew on Emirates via Dubai.
REACHING THE RESORT: From Velana airport, visitors can catch a speedboat to Kanifinolhu, which takes about 20-25 minutes.
ACCOMMODATION: Kani has 272 rooms in total. 150 of these are the superior beachfront rooms (28-29m²), 26 are deluxe rooms (42m²). The resort also has 75 overwater villas (98m²) with direct access to the sea. The latter is part of its Exclusive Collection space, which is also available at Finolhu.
RATES:
- Club Med Kani: From R27,942 per person for seven nights all-inclusive. R56,524 for two people sharing.
- Exclusive Collection Space: R103,810 for two in an overwater villa.
- Club Med Finolhu Villas: R112,263 for two.
- All prices for May 2025 departures. Excludes flights.
- More information or to book: Visit their website.
VISAS:
The Maldives grants visas upon arrival to South African passport holders. Visitors are only required to complete a travel declaration ahead of arrival.
• Ngcobo was a guest of Club Med.
