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Diver finds underwater camera lost in Maldives and rescues memories of a honeymoon trip

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CameraMaldives.net.mv –  Fortune in misfortune: in March 2013 a Finnish couple lost their Olympus TOUGH while snorkelling in the Maldives – and with it practically all the reminders of their honeymoon. Three months later, a German diver found the camera on the sea floor. Despite few specks of rust on the outside, the memory card inside the camera worked perfectly – therewith, the pictures were rescued. Mario N. posted a photo of his find on Facebook. The same day, the post was shared more than 20,000 times. That was how the owners got to hear of it. Now they have their camera back, and with it their holiday photos.

It’s said that life is stranger than fiction, and this story proves it: while diving in the Maldives, Mario N. made a truly fortunate discovery. On the bottom of the sea lay an Olympus TOUGH. After three months in the Indian Ocean, there are just a few specks of rust to hint at the unusual location where it had been found. The memory card however works perfectly. Around 500 holiday photos taken by a couple, evidently very much in love, can be seen on it. So Mario attempts to track them down. Judging by the photos, the owners come from Finland. He can also roughly make out the time they made their trip.

Using his Facebook account, Mario publishes a search message: “Olympus camera found in the Maldives! Does anyone know these people? The couple may have come from Finland – and they were travelling on or around March 8.” Alongside this, he posts a photo of the couple. Enthused and moved by the story, many Facebook users want to help. Within a few hours, the message has been shared over 20,000 times. Which is how it also comes to be on the page of the diving school ‘Hanko Diving’, where the owners were finally recognised. They were absolutely delighted to get their camera back, and with it the memories of their honeymoon trip – a good omen for their marriage, and a wonderful story to tell their grandchildren at some point!

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Grand Park Kodhipparu unveils ‘Kodhipparu Escapes’ promotion

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As global travellers seek reassurance and simplicity in their holiday planning, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives, an award-winning boutique island resort in North Malé Atoll, has announced its limited-time Spring Savings: Kodhipparu Escapes. This compelling “book now, travel later” offer combines exceptional value with seamless travel access to the Maldives.

Available for bookings from 4–12 April 2026, the offer includes 30% savings on all villas and 15% savings on dining experiences, valid for stays through 31 October 2026.

With ongoing uncertainty in parts of the world, travellers are prioritising destinations that offer ease of access, minimal transit complexity, and dependable connectivity.

The Maldives remains one of the most accessible luxury island destinations, with direct international flights from major hubs across Europe and Asia, enabling smooth and reliable travel planning.

Upon arrival, guests at Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives benefit from a 20-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport, avoiding additional domestic flights or seaplane transfers—making it one of the most convenient resort arrivals in the Maldives.

This simplicity, combined with consistently strong guest feedback, contributes to the resort’s 9/10 guest satisfaction rating, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted and reliable choice for travellers to the Maldives.

The Spring Savings offer allows holidaymakers to secure their escape now while planning for a series of standout experiences across the coming months:

May: Moon-Inspired Island Experiences

A curated programme of lunar rituals, sunset-to-moonlight cruises, and beachside dining invites guests to experience the Maldives through the rhythm of the moon—designed to enhance wellbeing, connection, and stillness .

June: 9th Anniversary Celebrations

Marking nine years of hospitality, the resort will host a series of celebratory dining moments and curated experiences reflecting its ethos of connection and togetherness.

July to September: Summer Lagoon Living

An increasingly popular travel window, offering:

  • Encounters with sharks, turtles, and sting rays on the house reef
  • Uncrowded travel conditions compared to peak summer destinations
  • Calm lagoons ideal for snorkelling and watersports
  • A private island setting designed for space, privacy, and relaxation

At the core of the experience is the resort’s Connected Island Luxury concept—where travel is designed around meaningful moments:

  • Connection to self through wellness and slow living∞ Connection to others through shared experiences
  • Connection to nature through the lagoon, reef, and ocean

Guests can enhance their stay with curated “Connect Experiences”, combining spa, dining, and ocean activities into seamless, purpose-led journeys.

Designed for forward planning, Spring Savings provides both immediate value and future flexibility, allowing travellers to secure preferred dates and experiences well in advance.

For bookings, please visit the resort’s website

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Beneath and beyond the reef, Machchafushi Island tells a story of nature

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Hidden within the South Ari Atoll lies a remarkable ecosystem where life moves in quiet harmony. At Machchafushi Island Resort and Spa by the Centara Collection, the island is more than a destination, it is a living universe shaped by ocean currents, coral gardens, tropical birds, and the rhythms of the reef. From the vibrant world beneath the lagoon to the gentle rustle of palms overhead, every corner of the island supports a delicate network of life. Together, these elements form the Machchafushi Universe, a place where nature thrives, evolves, and invites discovery. Guests become observers of a living story, written in coral formations, passing reef fish, turtles gliding gracefully through the water, nesting seabirds, and the ever-changing colours of the Indian Ocean.

Just steps from the shoreline lies a thriving underwater world. The award-winning house reef surrounding Machchafushi Island shelters a diverse community of marine life, from delicate coral formations to schools of reef fish moving like living currents through the lagoon. Hard and soft corals form intricate underwater gardens, creating habitats for countless species. Among them, Blue-tip Acropora with its cream, brown or greenish branches tipped in blue or purple and Maze Coral with its meandering valleys and thick ridges form the foundation of the reef. Sea fans sway gently in the currents, offering shelter to small fish, crustaceans and seahorses. Parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, reef sharks, stingrays, manta rays, whale sharks and turtles glide through this kaleidoscopic marine tapestry.

The house reef is also home to the Kudhi Maa Shipwreck, a sunken Japanese cargo ship now alive with lionfish, batfish, glassfish and groupers, creating a spectacular underwater theatre for snorkellers and divers alike. Each dive or snorkelling experience reveals another chapter of this underwater universe, defined by colour, movement and remarkable biodiversity.

At the heart of the Machchafushi Universe are the corals themselves, living architects that build the foundation of the reef. Branching corals form underwater forests while massive boulders rise slowly over decades, sheltering fish, protecting the shoreline and sustaining the delicate balance of ocean life. Through reef awareness initiatives and careful stewardship, the resort actively supports the preservation of these vital ecosystems.

Above the shoreline, another world unfolds. Towering coconut palms, tropical shrubs, and coastal vegetation create a lush canopy that shelters a variety of birdlife. Early mornings often begin with the song of birds moving through the trees, while gentle sea breezes carry the rhythm of island life through the foliage. Machchafushi Island Resort and Spa by the Centara Collection is home to a fascinating array of feathered visitors. Grey Herons (Maakana) stand patiently along the water’s edge, hunting fish or crabs, while White-breasted Waterhens (Kanbili) move energetically through bushes and shallow waters. Asian Koels (Koholu) call from the treetops, and graceful Black-naped Terns (Dhivehi Raajeh) and Roseate Terns (Raajeh Dhivehi) glide elegantly over the lagoon. Colourful parrots, including Blue-and-Gold Macaws (Ossie) and Ringneck Parrots (Sunday), bring energy and charm to the island’s surroundings, adding vibrancy and life to the immersive experience of the Machchafushi Universe.

The Banyan Tree, or Ummeedhu Tree meaning Wish Fulfillment in Dhivehi, holds a sacred place at Machchafushi Island. Over two centuries old, its roots reach deep into the earth while its branches stretch skyward, embodying strength, resilience and enduring spirit. Guests may participate in the Sacred Thread Ceremony, tying golden leaves to the tree to set intentions, a quiet moment to reflect, reconnect with nature and leave a piece of their story within the island’s living legend.

Every experience at Machchafushi Island is crafted to awaken the senses. Guests can swim alongside gentle whale sharks, explore the house reef just steps from their villas, glide over coral gardens, or dive into the waters of the Kudhi Maa Wreck. Kayaking and paddleboarding offer a closer connection to the lagoon, while night snorkelling reveals glowing plankton and the secret world of nocturnal marine life.

“At Machchafushi Island, every ripple of the lagoon, every whisper of palms and every vibrant flicker of coral tells a story waiting to be discovered,” says Francesco Pompilio, Cluster General Manager of Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives. “The Machchafushi Universe is more than an island, it is a living tapestry of nature, culture and wonder. From swimming alongside gentle whale sharks and gliding past kaleidoscopic coral gardens to pausing beneath the ancient Banyan Tree and listening to the island’s songbirds at dawn, each moment is crafted to spark connection. Here, we are redefining the Maldivian experience, offering guests not just a stay, but a journey into a universe where nature leads, and every encounter becomes a memory etched in the heart of Machchafushi Island.”

Every coral colony, reef fish, turtle and seabird forms part of the intricate web that makes Machchafushi Island so special. Through responsible marine practices, reef awareness programmes and conservation initiatives, the resort remains committed to protecting this living environment for generations to come. The Machchafushi Universe is not only something to admire, it is something to understand, respect and preserve, a living paradise where every moment tells a story, and every visit becomes part of its enduring legacy.

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Milaidhoo Maldives welcomes visiting Thai healer for spa residency

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Milaidhoo Maldives is set to welcome visiting Thai wellness practitioner Naphat Theechanthuek for a special residency at the island’s serene spa from 11th to 30th April 2026.

With more than two decades of experience in luxury wellness and holistic healing, Naphat brings a deeply intuitive approach to her practice. Her treatments blend time-honoured Thai bodywork with energy-based therapies, creating experiences that nurture balance, release tension and restore harmony between body, mind and spirit.

During her residency, guests will be invited to discover a thoughtfully curated collection of therapies inspired by ancient Thai healing wisdom. These signature rituals combine traditional Thai massage with Himalayan crystal salt stone therapy, herbal compress treatments, Tok-Sen rhythmic tapping therapy, reflexology and the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls.

Every experience begins with a personal consultation, allowing Naphat to tailor each treatment to the guest’s individual needs, whether seeking deep muscular release, energetic alignment, deep relaxation or a moment of mindful reconnection.

Among the highlights of the residency is the Thai Energy Balancing Ritual, an immersive therapy that weaves together Thai massage, Tok-Sen tapping, Himalayan salt stones and the resonant vibrations of crystal bowls to help restore the body’s natural energy flow.

Guests may also experience Crystal Resonance Sound Healing, a deeply meditative session designed to calm the nervous system and invite a profound sense of stillness through harmonic sound vibrations.

Set within the peaceful natural beauty of Milaidhoo Maldives, this visiting practitioner residency offers a rare opportunity to experience authentic Thai healing traditions in one of the world’s most tranquil island settings.

Naphat’s residency will run from 11th to 30th April 2026 and advance reservations are recommended.

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