vacation – Rendezvous with Ruba

It was late August as my husband and I landed – after a rather rough ferry ride from Athens – on the Greek Island of Mykonos. After a (thankfully) short and not-so-exciting stay in Athens, we weren’t expecting too much from Mykonos, to be painfully honest. We were, however, proved very wrong as it turned out to be – without any exaggeration – the most exciting place I’ve ever been to in my life. The island was magical, through and through.

The first thing that struck me about the place was the fashion – and the gloriously well-dressed men. There were people who looked like they just stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine. It was Milan, Paris, New York and London, all rolled into one. From high-end designer clothes to super-sleek hair and matching accessories, it was fashion week every day in Mykonos Town. What one needed to place there was a runway and maybe a couple of cameras. If they filmed Mykonos, no-one would bother watching fashion-themed TV series such as ‘Gossip Girl’. Okay, maybe that’s a bit too much but yes, indeed, the amount of fashion in that little dot of an island had me impressed.

We chose to stay in Paradise Beach Resort, whose website read, ‘A place where you can give in to the true pleasures of life’. Oh, how we couldn’t wait to experience THAT.

The air-conditioned beach cabins were compact and perfect and within 2 minutes walk to the most happening area in the island. A mostly young and loud crowd, the place is perfect for those in their 20s – and maybe 30s – to exhaust themselves with non-stop partying and making new friends.Never a big fan of Greek food, I wasn’t particularly impressed with anything other than their gyros. The meat dishes were usually dry and the (in)famous Greek Salad didn’t taste as spectacular as it looked.

The beaches weren’t exactly breath-taking but then again, Mykonos – unlike Santorini – is not predominantly known for its beauty. It is a place to unwind, party and enjoy the sight of gorgeous white structures and houses, unexpected fairy-tale views from various hilltops and pretty narrow streets. What more can someone in their 20sask for? Having witnessed Ibiza’s heavily commercialised party scene, I have to admit, Mykonos would make a much better choice for those looking to have a wicked time.

Thronging with tourists, early August would probably be the best time to visit – lots of interesting people from all over the world and an almost-perfect weather. Accommodation is not too pricey if booked well in advance and the food may be expensive at fancy places but small little corner restaurants have the most affordable treats.

With a raw, super island-y feel to the place, friendly folks, cute streets and shops and tons of action, you will not want to leave for weeks. We, on the other hand, had to go back to work and grudgingly left after an unforgettable four-day trip.

It was a cloudy evening as we arrived at the COMO Hotels and Resort’s 2002 creation in the South of Maldives – Cocoa Island. Stepping out from the speedboat after a bump-less 40 minute-ride from Malé International Airport, I realized – as I glanced at the pristine white sand and crystal clear water – that I had been transported to a whole different planet, altogether.

Never a strong believer of love at first sight, I took one good look at the small island and decided – after living in denial for 26 years – there really must be such a thing as falling in love at first sight, after all.

An exclusive luxury resort for those looking to unwind, relax and enjoy nature in its purest form, Cocoa Island exceeded my expectations in every imaginable category.

This little dot of an island – no more than a few kilometres across – occupies a super-quiet, undisturbed area that looks out into an empty horizon. The sand is milky white and well-maintained in terms of cleanliness.

Lead through a planked walkway, we were quickly and efficiently checked in by the staff and given a quick tour of the resort. There were cleverly designed planked walkways leading to 33 suites and villas perched atop calm, shallow water, surrounded all over by house reef and oh-so-clear lagoon, rich with marine life. Spotting baby sharks, crabs and colourful fish all around us as we made our way to our loft villa, we couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of it all.

Brought to life by Singaporean architect Cheong Yew Kuan, the style at Cocoa is deliberately restrained, contemporary with a hint of sophistication. Certain rooms are built like ‘Dhoni’ boats, based on designs used by Maldivian fishermen. Each of these 33 rooms – which include eight Dhoni Suites, nine Dhoni Loft Suites, ten Loft Villas, four One-Bedroom Villas and two two-bedroom COMO Villas sit offshore on the southern side of Cocoa, overhanging the lagoon.

Our Loft Villa had a private terrace with direct access into the lagoon. The bedroom on the mezzanine level was done in simplistic interior while the outdoor shower with steps into the sea couldn’t have been more perfect. With modern amenities in an islandy setting, there was a feeling of comfort and tranquillity all around us.

Not wanting to waste a single beautiful second, we quickly changed into comfy beachwear and set off to explore the magical little place.

Cocoa Island is the perfect choice for those looking for a romantic getaway with heaps of privacy, far away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. There were times we felt like we were the only ones on the island. Thirty-three is a clever number for a small, luxury resort that delivers what it promises.

When I heard the island has just one restaurant, my curiosity grew. Ufaa is a unique foot-in-the-sand space where Head Chef Timothy De Souza keeps the entire island happy with his mouth-watering creations. There were – surprisingly authentic – Indian thaali nights, scrumptious seafood, steaks cooked to perfection and mouth-watering desserts.

Daily breakfast buffet wasn’t a disappointment either, mind you. A vast choice of fruits, hot and cold breakfast, it was a flawless setup – one we looked forward to every morning.

Expect breathtaking sunsets, complimentary daily yoga, fabulous spa treatments, heaps of water-activities for the adventurous and gallons of romance in the air.

My partner couldn’t wait to snorkel at every opportunity he got, mostly in the gorgeous lagoon directly behind our villa.

You know the place is magical when you – especially if you’re not a morning person – wake up every day at 6:30am and eagerly draw back the curtains, hoping to catch a glimpse of dolphins swimming their way across every morning. We were lucky enough to spot them from our villa once – they glimmered and danced in the ocean – while we squealed and yelled in delight.

There is not much to do after dinner when the island becomes pitch-dark, except look forward to a yet another beautiful day. You can, nevertheless, grab a bottle of bubbly, find a comfortable spot and gaze at the stars above – hand in hand with your partner. Even the stars at Cocoa Island have something magical going on up there, let me tell you that.

A luxury resort that requires a five star budget, it is a destination worth visiting at least twice in your life. As I bring this article to a close, I sit here already planning my next holiday to Cocoa Island – March 2013 it will be!