What was I feeling, exactly? I have been “pre-grieving” – if that is even a thing – for a year now, knowing that if I didn’t deal with what was about to happen, I would sink… so I decided we would swim.
Like the experience of many parents, this summer drew to a close with a degree of sadness at the impending flight from the nest of a daughter about to embark on further education. It was, therefore, with added poignancy that our planned trip to “paradise” was possibly the last adventure we might share, as adult life ushered in a whole new social scenario for my daughter.
Gracie is no stranger to finding herself somewhere new in the world, as she accompanied me to many film sets, some for months at a time, requiring completely new schools and sets of friends. Adaptability became the key to survival for both of us, with new experiences the reward. We have been lucky enough to share so many adventures, while I have had the privilege of watching her grow in confidence and knowledge, which I know will serve her well as she ventures into the big, bad world.
Anna and Gracie chose to prioritise “sunlight over blue light” and limited their phone use on the trip
(Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort)
It had been five years since we took a mother-daughter trip and I was determined to make her first getaway as an adult so special that she would take away memories that would last a lifetime.
But where to ensure an unforgettable experience? I had always imagined the Maldives as a place where one got married, a romance-only archipelago littered with honeymooners. I was advised that I should change my thoughts on this. So I did, booking us a stay at Avani+ Fares, a five-star island resort that offers luxe accommodation including over-water villas.
Mother nature was on our side. Not only would we swim, we would find ourselves deep in the Indian Ocean hoping to see giant manta rays. At one point, we actually found ourselves dancing with a whale shark.
It’s only when you get to the Maldives that you understand its magnificence – and only when you leave that you understand the impact it has had on your soul.
Gracie’s first words after a car, a train, a plane, a bus, a seaplane, and finally a boat were: “Well… I didn’t know the earth could look like this. I am so happy. It’s the happiest I could be… It’s beyond…
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