Twisha and Siddharth, Maldives
From snorkeling to spotting bioluminescent plankton, this couple's honeymoon at Taj Exotica Resort and Spa combined the best of adventure and romance.
Surrounded by azure blue waters, golden beaches, swaying palms and sheltered by a serene blue sky, Twisha Sanghavi and Siddharth Mehta’s honeymoon at the Maldives was no less than a fairytale. Staying at the plush Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, this duo had a gala time as they spent their days indulging their taste buds, snorkeling and treating themselves to the stunning views created by Mother Nature.
How They Met
Twisha shares, “Siddharth and I are two very different personalities, and had it not been for an arranged marriage setup I think we would have never crossed paths. But as fate would have it, we were definitely meant to be! I still remember the first time we met in 2019, we both were quite unsure about clicking together. But, I think we just needed a little push to go beyond our boxed versions of what an ideal life partner would be for us, and our parents did the needful by playing cupid. Both our families decided to meet and encouraged us to give it another shot. At first, we did meet each other with a lot of preconceived notions but once we let our guards down there was no looking back!”
Honeymoon Planning
Twisha shares, “The Maldives wasn’t exactly our first choice but keeping the pandemic in mind, it was a safe yet picturesque destination. It was also a perfect getaway for us after the rigors of the wedding. It wasn’t a very long stay as we were only there for four nights. I think we made the right choice by going to the Maldives as we struck the right balance between adventure and relaxation. Furthermore, we were also a bit apprehensive about the food as some of our acquaintances had mentioned that we may not get many vegetarian options. Keeping this in mind, we booked Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, knowing that they would offer a variety of delicious vegetarian dishes along with impeccable hospitality.”
Honeymoon Highlights
Twisha recollects, “Our room was actually a delight to be in! Due to the pandemic, we maintained a safe distance from others by booking a premium villa that came with its own private beach and pool. We also had our own private butler on call who was extremely efficient. He arranged a date night for us within the room and helped us craft plans to explore the destination. Hospitality wise everything was beyond par! It’s a long walk from the room to the restaurant and whenever the mood struck us, we could call for a golf cart which would promptly arrive and whisk us away to our destination of choice.
We also dedicated an entire day to deep-sea snorkeling, and on our last day we went to a couple’s spa session at Jiva Spa which was a relaxing experience as we could hear the ocean waves as we looked upon the breathtaking sunset view. In the evening as we were dining, our butler informed us that he’d seen bioluminescent plankton at one of the parts of the hotel which is quite a rare phenomenon that is found in other parts of the Maldives. We were impressed by the proactiveness of the staff who even arranged for a car to take us to the spot! It was an unexpected treat for us.”
Most romantic moment
Twisha shares, “It was a rainy day and there was a swing that is constructed within the ocean. Siddharth and I just sat on the swing and enjoyed our moment of isolation. It was just the two of us in the middle of nowhere. We sat there for an hour or two having fun and enjoying the weather in peaceful solitude.”
Must-experience
Twisha shares, “We were never bored at the Maldives as we dabbled in many activities like snorkeling and kayaking. There were a lot of activities like jet skiing within the resort itself, and we had a memorable time experiencing these adventures together. I think these activities are especially fun for couples as they get to know each other better and see each other in a new light! This destination is not just beautiful but also jam-packed with exciting experiences for all!”
Can-avoid
Twisha advises, “I believe that a lot of people who aren’t trained or don’t quite know scuba diving also try to attempt the same in the Maldives. Personally, I think endeavors like these should only be taken up after proper training. We decided to opt for snorkeling instead, and would probably plan another trip to the Maldives some other time to learn more about scuba diving!”
Must-avoid
“It would probably be wise to avoid going to the Maldives on a holiday or long weekend. The tail end of our trip fell on the Indian Republic Day long weekend, and since it’s currently a destination that’s widely popular amongst Indians owing to the proximity and practicality, the last two days of our trip saw a very busy resort which honestly can be a huge bummer for honeymooning couples.”
Hotels We Stayed At
Taj Exotica Resort and Spa