Это рай! It is a paradise!

It’s worth starting our story with the fact that it was the best vacation in the last 10 years. Therefore, many thanks to the girls from the St. Petersburg travel agency “Plyazh”, especially Marina (sorry, I don’t know her last name), because we actually chose the island on her recommendation. “And his name” (c) - Holiday Island. We were there from 25.12. 08 to 05.01. 09. Once again, we were convinced that the more misadventures during the organization, the better the event goes. We note right away that the travel agency has nothing to do with these misadventures, but the native Aeroflot distinguished itself. Charter Moscow - Male was supposed to take off at 21:00, so we took a ticket from St. Petersburg to Moscow so that we had three hours to "transfer". However, a week before departure, Aeroflot moved the time of arrival to 18:55, which is why the “handicap” melted to an unacceptable 45 minutes, and we urgently had to change tickets from St. Petersburg. Once again, thanks to Marina from the "Plyazh" for organizing everything quickly and clearly, as a result of which, on the evening of the "notification" day, our tickets were already changed. The charter was everywhere voiced as a direct flight Moscow - Male, so when we heard about the start of registration for the flight Moscow - Dubai - Male, we thought that we had misheard or misunderstood something. However, in this case, the native Aeroflot turned out to be “underestimated” by us. We had to fly straight to Male on IL-96. To put it mildly, all the passengers were in deep shock when the bus brought us to the Tu-154. Who knows what kind of plane it is, can appreciate the charm of a flight on it for 9 hours. But even here Aeroflot outdid itself. We first flew 5 hours to Dubai. We stood there for 1.5 hours for refueling, while we were not let out of the plane anywhere. After that - 4 hours from Dubai to Male. But, in fairness, their feeding was excellent. An hour after arriving in Male, we were already loading onto a seaplane. During this hour, I even managed to get a local SIM card for my phone (not without the help of a local worker named Tankachan). I note right away that it was not in vain that I fussed, because about 10 rubles. one minute of conversation with Russia in roaming would only be a dream. After 40 min. we were already on the island. Already after, talking with those who traveled by speedboat, they realized that they did not regret the extra 120 bucks for two. Memories from this 2.5-3-hour "cruise" are far from joyless for people, especially for those with children. They met us at the Holiday, as expected, with wet towels and cocktails. After filling in the questionnaires, we were “identified” in bungalow No. 105. There are not even two-story bungalows there at all, and all the rooms are detached houses. All bungalows have either one large or two "small" beds. In quotation marks because these "small" ones are the size of a lorry. There is an air conditioner, a ceiling fan, a TV with a bunch of channels (from Russian - "Russia Planet"), a minibar, a couple of tables with chairs, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a bathroom with a sink, a push, a trouble, a bathroom with a shower, plus a separate shower outside in "kindergarten". Each bungalow has something like a terrace with a table and chairs. In addition, each bungalow has two sun loungers with mattresses. We did not like Bungalow No. 105, because it is located directly opposite the refrigerators, the rumble from which is noticeably annoying. In addition, the beach from that (northeast) side of the island is all bottom in corals, which are thrown onto the beach, causing some discomfort. Therefore, we asked to be moved to another bungalow, preferably in the northwestern part of the island. They rolled out a list of free bungalows, and we chose number 169 - the farthest in the northwestern part. Two "small" beds instead of one large one - a dubious drawback, because we just moved them, getting an indecent size sex trough. All bungalows are separated from the beach by thickets of palm trees, mangrove trees and some bushes. From each bungalow to the beach leads its own passage through the thickets. To the ocean - 30 - 50 meters. The sand is white, made of coral chips, and practically does not heat up. The water temperature is 28-30 degrees round the clock. The air temperature is the same (not counting the sun). They burned out very quickly. If the skin is tender, then 30 will not save, so smear with 50. The restaurant is located in the center of the island near the lobby, sports center, shops and bar. We took breakfast and dinner (HB). We ate twice in the whole time. In general, in our opinion, it is enough to take only breakfast (BB), and then eat somewhere between lunch and dinner. It will be good to have a meal together for 40-50 bucks, incl. the drinks. It is unrealistic to eat the difference in the cost of a ticket for HB and BB. It is very convenient in the restaurant that a table is assigned to you for the entire stay and even a waiter who serves you. I was very lucky in the sense that during the Christmas and New Year holidays a program of contests and competitions with heaps of prizes was organized. We personally went all out, taking part in volleyball, football, canoeing, tug of war, shuttle relay races, eating buns without the help of hands for speed. There was also a children's party. Each participant received a T-shirt and a bunch of sweets and chocolates. We took away 12 T-shirts. The winners always received some kind of souvenir, and the winner also received a bottle of wine or sparkling wine in addition. Before dinner there was "happy hour" (they themselves called it that), during which all cocktails were 25% off. The full price of cocktails is from 8 to 14 bucks. At the same time, you do not need to carry cards or cash with you - you write down all expenses and purchases on your number and pay when you leave. But when calculating before leaving, carefully check all bills. Do not be too lazy to compare the printout with the submitted receipts. We were charged an extra 120 bucks. The hotel staff is nowhere to be found. It's just that there are smart people who write down booze on other people's numbers. Crab races, bingo (the essence of loto), karaoke, discos were also held periodically in the evenings. In the "assortment" there are also Russian songs. We were unlucky in the crab race: our wards slept through not only the start, but almost the entire race. But in bingo, they won half of the prizes, including one main one, "enriched" with several souvenirs, a bottle of sparkling wine and about 30 cans of Heineken. It is worth noting the work of the staff. The waiters are helpful, quick and not intrusive at all. The animators are very creative and "politically correct". They did not allow the football match Russia - Italy as part of the program. New Year's Eve was pretty normal. First there was a buffet on the beach. Then - a very beautifully decorated gala dinner. After dinner - competition Mister and Miss Hotel. We will always remember the waiter, who, 15 seconds before New Year’s Eve, could not open our champagne, but still managed to match the end of the “countdown”. Then there were small fireworks and a disco. Every day some excursions or trips are organized. We went to see dolphins in the open ocean and go fishing in the evening. Caught 6 barracudas and something else edible. In the evening, a barbecue was made from all the fish caught. We snorkeled off the northwest coast of the island. Small sharks (50 - 80 cm each) came right up to the shore. Lots of corals and a wide variety of fish despite the shallow depth. Invest in an underwater box. These photos will be your pride. In general, there is a special excursions for snorkelers - boats are taken to the house reef. We never got together, and those who traveled even saw whale sharks. But even without an excursion, you can still have a great snorkel on the neighboring island of Sun Island. Sun and Holiday belong to the same owner, so a free boat runs between them 6 times a day. You can also order a boat at any time for a fee. All expenses and purchases in Sanaa can also be recorded on your number. Just do not forget to take a voucher in the lobby before leaving for the Sun, because without it you will not even get on the boat. And in general, it is better to sign up for all excursions and trips in advance, especially since the sheets for recording for the next three days are displayed at the lobby. As you know, there are no comrades for taste and color (c), but we didn’t like San. The island is big and you get the feeling that you are not on an island, but in a small town. But again, it all depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for. If you prefer privacy and tranquility, then welcome to Holiday. San is for party lovers. Nevertheless, San has its advantages: there is a large fresh water pool, more choice of shops, restaurants, bars and sports grounds, and, of course, a spa center. (But a spa center is now being built on Holiday, and the construction does not interfere with rest at all). The SPA center is made in Thai style, and only Thai people work in it. We took a cooling cucumber body mask after we burned out (helped a lot), lobi lobi (massage plus bath for lovers) and classic Thai massage. They were delighted. Some went to San in the evening to feed the stingrays. They liked it, especially since the slopes there, according to them, reach 1.5 m in diameter. We ourselves saw the stingrays that came up to the pier on Holiday in the evening, but they are not very big. Among the shortcomings of Holiday is the construction of an international airport on a neighboring island. Now the construction does not interfere (except that it spoils the view), but what it will be like on Holiday when the airport starts working, it seems difficult. On the way back to Russia, Aeroflot was not original. We, as expected, were given an Il-96, so we flew in comfort.