---
type: "Article"
title: "Saying “so long” to the Maldives after nine years in barefoot paradise"
description: "Roberto Arganese, having lived for nine years on this Maldives dream island Gili Lankanfushi, will leave paradise in the next few weeks."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/maldives/farewell-nine-years-maldives"
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 2
tags: ["Nature", "Maldives"]
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generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T14:14:25+00:00 }
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sources:
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    resource: farewell-nine-years-maldives.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Walter Schaerer"
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timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:14:25+00:00
---

# Saying “so long” to the Maldives after nine years in barefoot paradise

> Gili Lankanfushi is a barefoot luxury resort in the Maldives, framed here through a farewell interview with its long-serving marketing director who spent nine years living on the island. The article offers an insider's portrait of life at this Robinson Crusoe-style Indian Ocean retreat.

## Destination
Gili Lankanfushi Resort, Maldives (previously known as Soneva Lankanfushi)

## Why visit
A barefoot luxury resort operating on the motto 'No News, No Shoes,' Gili Lankanfushi is described as a Robinson Crusoe-style island that leaves no wish unfulfilled, set against the vastness of the Indian Ocean.

## Good to know
The resort's guiding philosophy is 'No News, No Shoes' — guests and staff go barefoot throughout the day. The Maldivians are noted for being very friendly.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hammok-Restaurant-Gili-Lankanfushi.jpg"
    caption: "Paradise on earth on Gili Lankanfushi"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Roberto-Arganese-Gili-Lankanfushi.jpg"
    caption: "Roberto at work"
```