When I Said YES

Yes, I was in Maldives with my (then) boyfriend, who proposed to me on 9 - 9 - 10.


A bunch of my friends/students thought that the trip to Maldives was a surprise trip and then he proposed one night.

Well, no, I knew we were going to Maldives all these while because I was with him when he bought the package at a really good bargain at Matta Fair in March early this year.


We went to Maldives on 7 - 9 - 10 with me thinking that it's just another beautiful island getaway for us. We needed this break so much and it's Maldives we're talking about.

We joined many fun activities in Maldives!

We did the kayak.

We went sailing!


and enjoyed every moment of it!


We had so much fun!


But there were many "weird" moments when I thought that he's a little bit busy or distracted.


There are many vacations that we went together throughout the years we've been together. I know that he would rarely leave me alone during our trips. Basically because we would not want to loose each other, especially when we're in a foreign country.


On our first morning in Maldives, I remembered Darling saying "why not you go back to the room by yourself first?"


OK LAH I NEEDED TO POO SO I HAD TO GO


But yet, he never ever would leave me alone.

I thought to myself that it's not such a big deal, even though thinking that "hmmm... this is new...." while walking back to the room.


Then, when we were about to go for our romantic Sunset Cruise ...


... he asked me to wait by the restaurant because he has something to checkout at the Photography counter.

I think I was busy-bodying (you know me, I am very curious about everything and if there's something like parties, dinner dress code, people singing, I have to go and see/read/check it out) ... so I think I was reading some of the things on the "Daily Activity Board".

When I was done, he wasn't back yet. So I went to the Photography Room looking for him.

I saw him talking to the official photographer of the resort but didn't know what were they talking about. There was a French couple sitting inside the room, and they actually looked at me and smile and showed a "thumbs up" sign to me.

I smiled and nodded.


OK as I'm writing this I felt so stupid for not asking him why was he at the Photography Room, doing what, why the couple smile at me like that ... HOW COME MY CURIOSITY SHUT DOWN!


Anyway, we had a very very very good time on the cruise. We saw many dolphins! :)



Then, Darling actually asked me if I would like to have dinner in the other restaurant where reservations need to be done a night earlier. Being just "anything", I said OK. As usual.


So on and off, like two times, I noticed that he asked me to go to the restaurant by myself first and he'll join me later OR he'll say that he need to clarify something at the restaurant.


I thought to myself that "OK...leaving me alone again. Maybe it's because the security on the island is good" and never really think much about it because the food was so inviting and the sea was so blue, the activities kept my mind busy!


Then, on 9-9-10, it was that evening when I thought it was so "weird" that Darling kept asking me to go swim alone.

-_______-


Anyway, I think I'm easily convinced (FML) and I went to swim alone and the man told me that he'll accompany me by the pool because he doesn't feel like swimming.

I mean, I didn't want to swim alone. It's so boring. But since he really want me to swim, the pool being so ever gorgeous, and him saying that he'll accompany me by the deck ... so I said "Ok lah, I'll swim".



BUT, suddenly he just had to go refill the water bottles in our room and he lost our hotel room key ... because I asked him how come he was missing for sooooooo long when he was suppose to accompany me by the pool!

Anyway, he looked really tired with his face all sweaty and red when he finally came back to the pool. [poor Darling]


After the swim, we went back to get ready for our reservation at 7.30pm at the Kani Restaurant.

We got ready and on our way walking to the restaurant, I saw somebody singing at the pub by the beach!!!!

So you know lah, being me, I just have to go check it out!


Then, [again] he asked me to go ahead and he'll join me later. -_____-

But I was so excited about the singing that I just walked towards them without thinking a lot. -_______-



After listening to a few songs while enjoying our snacks, it was time to go to our restaurant for our reservation.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I thought it was "wow so nice ..."

You know why?!?!?!

Because even the manager came to the door and told us that we should take a picture here ...


and then greeted Darling by his name. I thought their service is top class!


And we were brought to our seats, my eyes were like that 0____0


WOW

Look at the decorations!!!

And when I noticed the rest of the tables were all just normal in silver linings and ours in red ... I thought it was so sweet of him to surprise me with this arrangement :)


AND THEN ... the more I thought about this arrangement, I was so curious as to how he arranged it!

So the conversation went like that:

Me: Dar, so ... why are our tables so special and pretty one?

Him: Oh, I came to do the reservation and I played a game and I won

Me: -_______-

Me: First prize is it?

Him: Ya loh ... don't ask lah cannot ask one lah

Me: [smiling]


I thought "whatever ... just enjoy the moment" :)




I was having such a good time! The lobsters tasted so good!


I is so so so happy!


Then, when the waiter came to our table to collect our plates after the main course, Darling told the waiter a few things which confused me a little:


Him: Can you please ask Maman (restaurant manager) to bring my dessert please?

Waiter: Oh, I'm not good? Maman is the restaurant manager you know. I'm your waiter.

[Darling looked at me and I looked back at him for a few seconds]

Waiter: You want to make a complain, sir?

Me: Erm, don't trouble people lah it's okay ...

Him: [saying to the waiter] Oh no, you're good ... but can you just ask Maman to serve my dessert?

Waiter: Oh okay ... so you just want Maman to serve your dessert?

Me: -______- [thinking: we better hope we don't get this waiter into trouble]


THE moment came when Maman brought the dessert, I saw the ring and my face was like that ("0") and if you can't imagine, look at the picture below!



OMG, I was too surprised, shocked, happy, felt like crying ...

and so many things were happening all at once in a split second when the photographer suddenly just popped out of no where and started clicking clicking clicking clicking

the rest of the people in the restaurant were looking at me with their camera clicking clicking clicking

and at the same time, Darling was down on one knee beside me [awwww .... my dream came true]


Him: Will you marry me?

Me: [can't forget if I said yes but I just gave him my hand almost right away] :P

and we sealed it with a kiss of course :)



He went back to his seat and finally asked "I think you didn't say yes"

Me: Of course! Yes! :)





The newly-engaged couple and [photo below] my fiance.




Since forever, it has always been a dream [and I believe almost every girl's dream] to have someone proposed to you in a very nice way, down on one knee & in a beautiful setting.

I always thought that when it happens, I'll be too happy I'll cry. But I never thought that it would happen to me for some reason. I am contented with everything I have in life and already, I never thought I would want to ask for anything more to make it perfect. Life ought to have some ups and downs & imperfections.

And I told myself that it's okay to not have anything more. I'm happy. I have a good man who loves me so much. I'm okay.

And when it really happened, looking at my diamond ring, and him picking a size just perfect for my finger [how did he know?!?!], I didn't know how to react because I was too happy. I was way over the moon!

At the moment, I thought to myself that I am just too thankful for everything that happened. I'm really blessed to have someone arrange such a beautiful proposal for me. It made me feel so loved & appreciated being officiated with a ceremony [OK what am I talking about].

After the proposal, many many people gave us their blessings. People at the restaurant, Maman the manager, people at the resort, the good wishes on Facebook were never-ending at one moment, we receive sms'es from our family & friends. I felt so touched, thankful & blessed to have all these people share our happy moment.

We're surely off to another phase in life. There are certainly so much more challenges for us ahead. Life is always a risk, challenge... but all I can remember is when he told me that "everything has a solution". I trust him. I love him.


Live. Love. Laugh.



XOXO,
theRascal

Maldives: The Last Paradise On Earth

I was in Maldives with my (now) fiance for a total of four nights from 7th September to 11th September 2010.

Yes, it was an unforgettable trip. You'll know why in a bit!



Very soft & white sand, which I miss a lot by now.



As we opt to stay at Club Med in Maldives, this was the board that we always visit (in front of the main restaurant) to check out daily activities available for us to participate.

Most of them are for free :)


Oh, that's the main restaurant (picture below)!

Very cozy setting

I was loving the sun a lot.


The sea was so crystal clear & blue!

Thus, we went for some kayaking the next morning after arriving into Maldives at pass midnight (Malaysian time) the night before.


I have been fighting my phobia against water for the longest time. I haven't been really talking about it to anyone, thinking that I should just get over it, psycho myself a little bit and everything will be okay.

Here am I, doing kayaking (nagging a little bit and shouting whenever there's a bigger wave).

I salute my man for being so patient with me throughout our kayaking experience. :)



Of course, the man was doing the job most of the time. When I tried to kayak, we got a little bit tired and chose to go back to shore. :P




The next day, we went sailing!

Darling and I have been wanting to do this for the longest time ever :)



He truly did a good job!


Of course, I took a lot of pictures. And whilst doing that, screaming a little bit when the sea got a little rocky when some speed boats pass by. :/


We had a good time!

Like seriously, I think I cured half my phobia (for now).



This is like part of the huge buffet spread at the main restaurants.


Club Med Kani has 2 separate restaurants. The main one with only buffet, while the other one has limited seats. Thus, reservations have to be made a day earlier to accomodate overwhelming bookings. :)


I miss Maldives so so so very much.


Look at the view that we wake up to every single morning!!!!



We decided to also walk to the back of the island, where some of the Lagoon Suites were situated.


The have nicer sun decks to sun-bathe!



And then, with our tan and very tired legs, we decided to try out the spa. It was certainly VERY worth it! :)



They also had the sand castle competition earlier on for the kids. I think this one (picture below) wins? Because the rest doesn't look like a castle AT ALL.



We also signed up for a sunset cruise for USD20 per pax.




We love the sunset at Maldives.


Totally speechless when we saw this whilst on the cruise ...


with dolphins swimming below us!!! What more can you ask for!


When the sun was about to set, and the dolphins swimming away back to their homes (I suppose), it was time to celebrate with some champagne!


Cheers!

This is Miu Miu (from Taiwan) and me.

Both of us :)


Every dinner, there will be a dress code. Like beach wear, black & white ... etc.

This night, it's "Elegant".


We had a long day. So, we slept in a bit late that day and decided to go to the 2nd restaurant for a late lunch (because the buffet was already closing).

Look at the view!!!


Then, we slowly laze by the beach, had a short swim ...


And sat by the beach where all these were decked out prepared for the night's party!


After my swim at the pool, we went back to the room to wash up.

That night, the Darling has decided to go ahead to reserve (apparently) a table for dinner at the 2nd restaurant.

We were brought into the restaurant ...

and I was super surprised to see this!



Yes, you should have known by now.... HE PROPOSED :)


And the ring fits perfectly :)



The next day, my fiance (ahem!) pampered me with a day's trip via the sea plane for a little excursion :)




Here's the co-pilot giving the in-flight security briefing.



And we're taking off!





I was speechless when I saw how beautiful Maldives is from above. It is really a pity to see some used-to-be islands are now only a lagoon with a little sand bank left.



Nevertheless, it was really beautiful.



The sea plane landed at our first stop - a private beach.



We were given a welcome drink :)


And taken to this hut when we placed our things before going for our first snorkeling experience in Maldives!



There were so so so many corals and fishes that we swam so far ... and had trouble swimming back to shore because we were too tired :P


But we were so happy to come back to a reallllly good lobster picnic party!



and of course, cold drinks :)



Then, we took the sea plane again to another island.


When we took the traditional boat



Oh before that ... here are some pictures Darling took when we were snorkeling!







Beautiful isn't it? :)


Oh, via the traditional boat, we were brought to the main island, where the government offices were situated.

And was enlightened when I saw how cute-little were the offices :)

Shopping, anyone?


Then, we were transferred to this little speed boat and was brought to a sand bank!



09-09-10, a date that made a special mark in both our lives :)






We spotted a crab too!

And then it was time to go back to Club Med Kani ...


When we went for a 1 hour and 50 minute spa, and then to view our engagement pictures. Yes, Darling actually engaged Club Med's official photographer, Krimo Guermond to capture the special moment.

And Krimo was so so kind, he gave us a calender, consisting all his beautiful pictures, as engagement gift :)



That night, we joined the excursion team for dinner.



The rest of the excursion team that day!


On the morning before checking out, we opt for a late breakfast at the second restaurant.

Going back to the place when he proposed. The same seats. :)


Some little baby sharks joined us below for breakfast!


And that evening, we were so honoured to share a very happy moment with French couple, Christian and Lauren.







It was so very simple, intimate & beautiful. :)



We took the opportunity to take pictures too!


This is Apple and Matt from Thailand. Our friend we knew at Club Med.


That night, before leaving, we went back to the restaurant again for dinner.




And also thanked Maman, the restaurant manager wholeheartedly for helping Darling arrange the proposal :)


And this is the last picture before leaving the island to the airport via speed boat.

One last picture of the airport!



And here's a video we took while on the sunset cruise. Spot the dolphins!

I'll be back with my next post on my proposal ... in DETAIL. :)



XOXO,
theRascal