The Island Of Five Senses
Travel+Leisure India|April 2017

There was dance in my step in the Maldives. Time was measured in footprints on the beach and I was drifting with the soft sound of the waves, carrying music in my pocket, enjoying the feeling of being alone—yet not lonely—on the 35-acre private island, JA Manafaru. 

Apeksha Bhateja
The Island Of Five Senses

I remember sitting on the wooden walkway outside my water villa, head raised in reverence to the silvery blackboard of stars, following their rays as they touched the inky ocean. I was most calm, most still that night, not worried about the world outside of this panorama. It’s not often that this happens to me; I travel with a vengeance and that can be exhausting sometimes, but the island caught me unawares. In the Maldives, I finally got a chance to catch my breath and the clocks stopped.

An exclusive resort with 84 villas, suites, and bungalows, JA Manafaru is located on the northern most atoll in the Maldives Haa Alif and the seaplane is the fastest way to reach there. (Most resorts have to share seaplane transfers and sit through multiple stops, but JA guests get their exclusive charter.) I was escorted to the lounge before the flight for light snacks and drinks and very thoughtfully, the staffhanded me a sling bag with earplugs, a tablet with information about the Maldives and the resort, and a fan for the airtime. Turned out, I didn’t need any diversions; the view was riveting.

It was a stunning display of blues and a tinge of green and white, bringing to mind the range of colour shades that paint companies use on their cards— from azure, sapphire, blueberry, violets to forest green and vanilla.

After 75 minutes of being snuggled in the clouds, the island spread out its fluttering wings for us—an arm of water villas on each side. The resort was built in 2006 and opened the next year, but it went through different owners and management until William HarleyFleming, General Manager of JA Manafaru, discovered it for Dubai-based JA Resorts and Hotels. “The structures were ideal at the property, but we revamped it to give it a fresher, lighter look as well as redesigned the concepts of all outlets,” he said.

This story is from the April 2017 edition of Travel+Leisure India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 2017 edition of Travel+Leisure India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRAVEL+LEISURE INDIAView All
GOOD SPIRITS
Travel+Leisure India

GOOD SPIRITS

I think it must have been my mother's mom, Moyra, from whom I inherited my love of travel. Widowed in her sixties, she used her late husband's pension to fund a succession of solo trips, each more ambitious than the last.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2024
THE BIG SWING
Travel+Leisure India

THE BIG SWING

When her son, a lifelong sports fan, expressed an interest in visiting the baseball stadiums of Japan, Helen Schulman planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tokyo. The result was a home run.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2024
Safari Bond
Travel+Leisure India

Safari Bond

Tanzania abounds in national parks with dramatic landscapes. Devanshi Mody scouts a few with her mother, encountering captivating wildlife and insightful guides on the way.

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2024
Toddler Towns
Travel+Leisure India

Toddler Towns

Turning a leisurely vacation into a child-friendly one brings unique challenges but also the joy of seeing the world in a new light. Huzan Tata recounts navigating Austria and Hungary with a toddler in tow.

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2024
And Quiet Flows the Ganges
Travel+Leisure India

And Quiet Flows the Ganges

The river Ganges becomes a steadfast travel companion for Gustasp and Jeroo Irani on a sustainable luxury cruise to the Sundarbans National Park and Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2024
"Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort Is The Perfect Place To Disconnect From The City"
Travel+Leisure India

"Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort Is The Perfect Place To Disconnect From The City"

Be it comedic flair in rom coms like De De Pyaar De and Manmadhudu 2, an action hero persona in thrillers like Runway 34 and Spyder, or displays of vulnerability in emotional dramas like Doctor G and Chhatriwali, RAKUL PREET SINGH embraces genres and movie industries with a certain panache. In a conversation with Bayar Jain, the versatile actor speaks about adapting to different styles of acting and credits her parents for this journey.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
At Home In The Mountains
Travel+Leisure India

At Home In The Mountains

Actor Rakul Preet Singh has had little time to celebrate post her wedding to her dear friend Jackky Bhagnani. Two months into the union, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia whisks away the newly wed actor to Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort in Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh for a celebration of the mind and soul.

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2024
Just For Laughs
Travel+Leisure India

Just For Laughs

A Mumbai-based businessman, Atul Khatri switched the gears of his career at 44 to become a stand-up comedian. Since then, he has performed at many international shows, sending the audience into a laughing fit with his middle-class life anecdotes and jokes surrounding fatherhood. The comedian speaks to Simrran Gill about his sets, dealing with trolls, and the best compliment he has received.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
World Through Their Eyes
Travel+Leisure India

World Through Their Eyes

A television host, model, and actor, Mini Mathur is also a passionate advocate of family bonding over travel. In 2018, she produced and presented Mini Me, a 10-part series that chronicled her travels with her seven-year-old daughter across six countries in Europe. In a conversation with Bayar Jain, the multi-hyphenate reveals the fun and challenges of exploring the globe with her kids, Sairah and Vivaan.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024
Paws and Go
Travel+Leisure India

Paws and Go

Pet parents Tanveer Taj and Priyanka Jena (wheelsandtails) started travelling with their dogs in 2015. In 2019, they embarked on a road trip across India for 90 days, covering more than 10,000 km with their furry kids, Frodo and Cruise. The couple's Instagram feed is abuzz with pictures and videos of the Golden Retriever, Labrador, and their pet cat Noorie running around on beaches and climbing mountains. The couple speaks to Simrran Gill about the joy and challenges of travelling with their pets.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2024