It’s been 14 years since my last visit to the world’s lowest islands – Maldives (mol·deevz). I love this place; it’s a giant aquatic playground with 1192 islands (only a fifth are inhabited).

Try scrolling through Instagram without seeing an idyllic image of crystal blue water and tiny islands in the Maldives—impossible. So many come here to shoot, and pretty pictures are everywhere I look!

We’re currently at Soneva Fushi, the private island of Kunfunadhoo in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. It’s a large resort, 1.4km long, and your primary mode of transport is barefoot on bicycles.

The big question is, where’s the surf? Soneva Fushi has a little wave, but I wouldn’t fly for 13 hours to surf it. I am told our next destination has some little pipes and more exposure to the swell, so we’ve been zip-lining, glass-blowing, eating (lots), snorkelling, and running a muck on the many water slides—it’s a kids’ paradise!

Finally, I also want to recognise the atrocities that happened on Saturday in Bondi (whilst we were flying). It’s just so heartbreaking and unbelievable. No words. Unthinkable.⁠ Our thoughts are with all the affected families of this tragedy x 

Hold your loved ones tight. :: uge