I fell in love with this island with a unique atmosphere, the most French of the Maldives. The pretty Rihiveli, which means "silver sand", measures only 400 m x 70 m. It shares a huge lagoon with a natural pool with two deserted islets. The Island of the Rising Sun and the Bird Island can be reached on foot in a quarter of an hour or by canoe in a few minutes. The concept developed by the team of Rihiveli The Dream is quite unique and enchanting: to have as little impact as possible on the surrounding nature. The mascot, Juliette, is none other than a crab that arrived with the 2004 tsunami. She comes to meet the residents at cocktail hour on the beach. You will also meet Lucky, the grey parrot, who whistles the Marseillaise and the ladies. The moorhens, numerous on the Maldivian islands, will not hesitate to come and greet you in your room or on your terrace. The immense flying foxes spread their wings every evening to feast on fruit in the trees. Here, the fauna is not only in the water.The island is moderately built, the bungalows are of modest size, and a large part is left to the beach, especially on the western side. Here, no swimming pool, no outrageous luxury, not even air conditioning! But a crazy charm, a dynamic and friendly team and a sumptuous lagoon with changing colors The resort used to be managed by a Maldivian group and was left somewhat abandoned: maintenance work not undertaken, staff salaries not paid, residence permits for foreign workers not regularized. Faced with this slump, a French 40-something bought the operating rights in 2018, determined to restore this jewel to its former glory. The administrative negligence has been settled, the palm roofs of the bungalows have been completely redone, the small works undertaken. Rihiveli is slowly recovering and now needs to meet a new clientele. The place is ideal for those who appreciate social contact. In the restaurant, large round tables are set up and meals are enjoyed in the company of the French-speaking staff and other residents. The restaurant offers a view of the clear sea and the occasional visit from white tip sharks or turtles. Evenings are spent in the bar. Thehappy hour usually attracts all the guests at aperitif time, before being called to the sound of the conch shell for the meal. People return after dinner for board games and dancing. Every Wednesday evening, the restaurant moves to the beach for a barbecue and a white night. In addition to the atmosphere, the residents appreciate the numerous diving spots which allow, among other things, to admire the manta rays throughout the year. When we arrived on the island, the captain of the boat spotted a group of dolphins, which he went to greet. Another advantage is that the island operates on an "all-inclusive" system. The rates include all activities (except diving and spa) and meals (excluding drinks), so there are no unpleasant surprises. It is really with a light mind that you can enjoy your time on the island, with a smile on your face and a tear in your eye when you leave.

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Vue depuis le lagon sur l'île du Soleil Levant. Dyetech - Fotolia
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