I never thought I would survive a solo trip

The ocean terrifies me. Its depth, currents and expanse, the unpredictability of it all—for somebody with an anxiety disorder, the lack of control sparks instant fear. But as I looked out at the horizon, seeing the turquoise waters surrounding the shores of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, I’m not scared. In fact, I have no thoughts at all, just a rare calmness that fills my head. Is this what they call tranquillity?

Just as I was getting used to this new feeling, I saw two fins breach the water’s surface. I was out dolphin spotting, after all. With multiple boats hovering above them like mosquitoes, I told myself that seeing the beautiful creatures in their natural habitat would be unlikely, but there they were.

“It’s terrifying to think of what else is down there,” I commented to the boat captain, who came over to hand me a towel after a misdirected wave hit the side of the boat and drenched none of the other eight people .

“Why scary, exciting, no? A whole world exists down there. They probably think our world is also scary. After all the damage we have done,” he said with a smile.

Since it was my first solo trip ever – regionally or internationally — I thanked the universe, God, the Illuminati, Mark Zuckerberg, whoever is running the world right now, that the vengeful orcas weren’t out here.

Saying yes to new experiences at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO

I accepted THE OZEN COLLECTION’s invitation (thanks to Criesse Communications) to visit their luxury resort in the Maldives with a level of excitement and immediacy that shocked Tweak’s founding editor. I’m not a traveller nor a risk taker; fighting borderline agoraphobia, it usually takes a lot of convincing even to get me from one end of Mumbai to the other.

But any escape from the city’s muggy monsoon was welcome, even though I was determined not to be another Eat, Pray, Love cliché. The resort’s team made travelling solo for the first time much simpler. I was met by a staff member at the airport and escorted to their lounge where we waited for the speedboat pick-up. After landing at the resort, I was handed two room keys instead of one, given a detailed review of their 24×7 patrolling security team and a direct line from the room to any department I’d need.

Whether I was sitting out on the patio of my Earth villa watching the sunset or enjoying a floating breakfast in the private pool, it was hard to remember what my travel anxieties were with their hospitality team anticipating every worry a solo female traveller could have, then banishing them.

I’ve always been wary of solo travel — what would I do alone? But my assigned butler, Blue, informed me that OZEN LIFE MAADHOO had plenty of activities that didn’t require a duo. I could have packed my calendar with snorkelling, jet-skiing, gin and wine tastings, dolphin-spotting, the gym and tennis (they have specialists and trainers for both), spa and wellness treatments, fine dining and mixology at their ​​five restaurants and two bars.

I did things I never thought I would, though they may seem simple or silly to some. That first night I sheepishly walked up to the Palms restaurant for dinner with a book to cut the awkwardness and discomfort of eating alone. But when you have a buffet of delectable food options, plus an a la carte menu and enough desserts and sweet treats to thrill a child and frighten their parents, the only thing drawing your attention is the samba of flavours in your mouth. With a serene atmosphere and welcoming team that made every dish a delight, eating solo to the soundtrack of crashing waves started to feel natural.

I really put my taste buds to the test with the 7-course small-plate meal at the Maldivian restaurant, Lonu. Being informed on the spot that 4 out of 7 dishes would include raw fish, I felt the colour leave my face. But since I struggle to say no without feeling bad (like most women), I plastered a grin as I saw the first few plates make their way towards my table. But right from the first sweet potato dish to the final caramelised banana and cake dessert, my mind was blown and my palate expanded.

People have asked me how it went, but how do you succinctly describe what it feels like stepping into a desktop wallpaper and being cradled in the lap of luxury? Lunching at the underwater restaurant M6m (Minus Six Meters), lounging on a beach chair and reading, getting a blast of vitamin D on my private stretch of sand (with water-resistant sunscreen on, of course). Add in the fact that the Maldives is a short plane ride from India and doesn’t require visas. How do you pick just one?

Returning to Mumbai after three days, it feels like my visit to OZEN LIFE MAADHOO didn’t really happen. That it was all a dream. What else would you call walking on pristine beaches with no Lay’s chips packets peaking out of the sand and pollution-free breeze blowing through your hair. Or having your morning coffee as you watch two little white-breasted waterhens chasing each other? I can’t wait to do it again.

Maybe I did Eat, Pray, Love, after all.

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