The Islandchief , Travel Tabloid 19| February issue 2018

VOL 19 | FEBRUARY 2018 | www.islandchief.com

Ryszard Majewski

Preserving the Spirit of Kurumba P: 12

10 Maldives

Unusual Things to Do in

P: 18

From Parrot Fish to Paradise

Vakkaru Maldives P: 16

Email : news@islandchief.com | Hotline : +960 9994534

CELEBRATE LOVE AT

KURUMBA MALDIVES

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urumba Maldives has announced various activities the resort has planned for fruity smoke from shishas. this Valentine’s Day to celebrate life and love through the true Maldivian island experience.

Special accommodation deals for the period include the Romantic Gateway

The main area of the resort will be specially decorated with creative “love” cocktails in package offering a seamless escape to the resort with a few extras to enjoy, all the bars to set the mood for celebration. such as a Balinese massage at Veli Spa for a couple and relaxing Sunset Cruise “Love romance? Get some extra in Kurumba Maldives on Valentine’s 2018, a day about romance and remembering the moments. Set on a tropical Maldivian island in the middle of Indian Ocean, the resort offers a range of experiences to explore hand in hand with your loved one.” Reads a statement by Kurumba.

Guests can treat themselves to an exclusive 5 course dinner served in Kurumba’s signature dining outlet, Thila restaurant. All courses are paired with fine wines selected by the resort’s sommelier, offering guests a true romantic and gastronomic journey in Kurumba Maldives to share between the loved ones while gazing at the stars.

Furthermore the resort’s Italian restaurant Isola will also have on offer an exceptional 3 course dinner menu carefully design by our Executive Chef especially for the occasion.

The spa of Kurumba Maldives is also set to offer unique Maldivian healing treatments, romantic outdoor couple massages next to the sparkling ocean or Valentine’s chocolate flavoured specials, designed for the occasion.

in search of wild dolphins while viewing the sun setting over the Indian Ocean.

Kurumba was the very first private island resort in the Maldives when it opened its doors in 1972 in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives, celebrates its 45th Anniversary this year.

Opened by four young Maldivians on an uninhabited coconut plantation island in October 1972, Kurumba marked the beginning of the tourist industry in the country. At that time, the Maldives was isolated with no contact with the outside world except by ham radio, no telephones, mains electricity or water, few vehicles and no paved roads, and only a small airstrip built by volunteers.

Kurumba began with 30 huts built of coral and thatched with coconut leaves; the first guests were barefoot backpackers in search of sand, sea and sun. The Maldivian hosts prepared meals informally. Today the resort is still Maldivian owned and managed.

Other holiday’s specials include romantic champagne and chocolate coated fruit delivery service from In Villa Dining, or dreamy Arabic night in Fez, About 1,000 tourists visited the island in 1972; in 2016 1.4 million tourists Kurumba’s famous shisha lounge, with colourful after dinner cocktails and the stayed in over 117 resorts through the Maldives.

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LONDON AND HONG KONG NEXT DESTINATIONS FOR SINGAPORE AIRLINES’ NEW A380 CABIN PRODUCTS

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ingapore Airlines (SIA) today announced that London and Hong Kong will be the next destinations to be served by its newest Airbus A380 aircraft, featuring the Airline’s recently unveiled new cabin products.

unveiled early in November and debuted on 18 December 2017 to Sydney following the delivery of the first of five new A380s being acquired from Airbus.

The new cabin products will initially be fitted to the five new A380s, following which retrofit work will commence on 14 aircraft that are already in service.

The new cabin products seat up to 471 customers in four classes, with six in Suites, 78 in Business Class, 44 in Premium Economy Class and 343 in Economy Class.

Starting 16 February 2018, the aircraft will operate as SQ322 (SingaporeLondon) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. From 17 February 2018 to 5 April 2018, it will operate as SQ305 (London-Singapore). With effect from 7 April 2018, the new aircraft are scheduled to operate as SQ317 (London- Singapore Airlines was the launch Singapore) on Mondays, Thursdays and operator of the A380 when it took Saturdays. delivery of the world’s first superjumbo in 2007. The new aircraft configuration From 18 February 2018 to 6 April 2018, will carry up to 471 customers in four the new A380s will also be deployed classes of travel, with six Singapore on services to Hong Kong, operating Airlines Suites, 78 Business Class seats, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays 44 Premium Economy Class seats and and Sundays as SQ860 (Singapore343 Economy Class seats.

Hong Kong) and SQ863 (Hong KongSingapore Airlines’ A380s currently Singapore). With effect from 8 April serve Auckland, Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong 2018, the aircraft are scheduled to Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, New Delhi, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Fridays and Sundays as SQ856 Sydney, and Zurich.

(Singapore-Hong Kong) and SQ861 (Hong Kong-Singapore).

SIA’s new cabin products were publicly

February 2018 | www.theislandchief.com

SILKAIR

AVIATION NEWS

FIRST TO FLY THE NEW BOEING 737 MAX 8 TO AUSTRALIA

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has become the first airline to fly the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to Australia.

SilkAir Flight MI-801 touched down in Darwin, Australia on Sunday 7th January at 2:50pm and was welcomed with a water-cannon salute. There was also excitement on the 8th January as the airline celebrated the arrival of the MAX 8 into Cairns. The newest aircraft to join the SilkAir fleet, the MAX 8 offers customers an enhanced on-board experience and new cabin products, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant flight.

“We are thrilled to be the first airline to introduce the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 to Australia. The new MAX 8 enables us to offer customers access to new and exciting destinations and paves the way for a new phase of growth.” Said Mr. Foo Chai Woo, Chief Executive of SilkAir, commenting on the launch of the MAX 8 to both Darwin and Cairns.

“With the aircraft entering into service, we look forward to inviting customers on-board to enjoy the quality experience that the MAX 8 offers.”

The MAX 8 aircraft was first introduced to the fleet on 30 October 2017, with Hiroshima, Japan as its launch route. Currently, the MAX 8 aircraft is also deployed to other longer haul destinations in the network including Kathmandu, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

The Max 8 aircraft features thoughtful refinements to both the Business and Economy Classes. The enhanced Business Class now features a 25% increase in seat pitch (39”to 49”) as well as additional seat recline (8” to 12”) for

added comfort. Beyond the hardware, Business Class customers can also look forward to indulging in gourmet coffee from the world-renowned illycaffè, brewed freshly on-board.

Economy Class seats have also been refined and showcase a sleeker and more ergonomic design. Each seat is fitted with a seat-back tablet and phone holders, accompanied by personal inseat USB charging ports. Customers onboard the MAX 8 can be assured of uninterrupted, hands-free comfort when enjoying SilkAir’s signature in-flight entertainment service, SilkAir Studio, which offers over 100 entertainment options.

As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir operates the Singapore Airlines Group’s narrowbody fleet and extends the Group network by seeding and developing new, exciting destinations in Asia Pacific.

The airline took to the skies in February 1989 as Tradewinds the Airline, before evolving into SilkAir in 1992. In its early days, the airline catered to passengers holidaying in exotic destinations in the region, including Phuket and Tioman.

As the carrier developed, regional business destinations such as Phnom Penh, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur were added.

Today, the full service airline operates about 400 weekly flights to 52 destinations in 15 countries. Recent additions to the network include Colombo (Apr 2017) and Hiroshima (Oct 2017). The airline currently has a fleet of 33 aircraft, comprising 3 Airbus A319s, 10 Airbus 320s, 17 Boeing 737800s and 3 Boeing 737 MAX 8.

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ISLAND PRESS

DINING WITH THE STARS 2018 - DIAMONDS

RESORTS

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ining with the Stars, the gourmet event that brings the star chefs of the Jeunes Restaurateurs to the kitchens of the most exclusive Diamonds Resorts of the Planhotel Hospitality Group, will have its 4th edition in 2018.

The Resorts participating this year are Diamonds Athuruga and Diamonds Thudufushi in the Maldives and Diamonds Star of the East in Zanzibar.

“The JRE Chefs, coming from all over Europe, will create sensory experiences with unique dishes, to delight the palates of guests, in these charming locations.” reeds a statement by Diamonds Hotels & Resorts.

“JRE Chefs combine extraordinary talent, a deep passion for cuisine, a love of local produce, and a strong sense of tradition. Their cooking expertise paired with the outstanding atmosphere of their restaurants offers a truly incredible experience.” Reeds a statement by Diamonds Hotels & Resorts.

Diamonds Athuruga is a luxury all inclusive paradise located in the magnificent Ari Atoll, at just 20 minutes flight from Malé. It is the ideal Resort to discover the Maldives from a centre of excellence, where attention to detail will make your journey unforgettable. Be prepared to enjoy unique dishes, prepared According to Diamonds Hotels & Resorts by famous Chefs like Marcello Trentini, From 1st January 2018 until 08 April 2018, David Heine and many others. every week and in each Resort, a different Diamonds Thudufushi is a lavish all Chef from the JRE will be performing a inclusive Resort situated in the Ari Atoll at Gourmet Dinner, a mini Cooking Course, just 20 minute scenic seaplane flight away a Four Hands Dinner with the Resort’s from Malé. Come and discover this unique Executive Chef and a Show Cooking. culinary experience, with the participation of starred Chefs such as Ernesto Iaccarino The JRE initiative which is now its fourth and other Jeunes Restaurateurs like Daniel year has continued to grow and expand as Lehmann, Alain Alders and many others, 42 Chefs of the Jeunes Restaurateure from which will make your stay an unforgettable all over Europe bring their culinary art one. excellence to Diamonds Resorts’ tropical Diamonds Resorts is a brand of the locations of the Athuruga and Thudufushi Planhotel Hospitality Group. The resorts islands in the Maldives and Star of the East are luxury all-inclusive resorts situated Resort in Zanzibar. in unique, magical and idyllic locations.

The brand’s philosophy is to listen to the 28 famous guest chefs from all over the individual needs of our guests in order Europe from JRE Association will be to offer personalised services, exquisite cooking in the Maldives with 14 chefs in culinary experiences and exclusive services Diamonds Thundufushi and 14 more in to make each stay extraordinary and Athuruga from January to April 2018. unforgettable.

KUREDU ISLAND RESORT & SPA BAGS THE HOLIDAYCHECK GOLD AWARD

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uredu Island Resort & Spa has been awarded the HolidayCheck Gold Award, for the 5th year in a row.

Based on the reviews and recommendations of visitors to the resorts, the HolidayCheck Award, from German travel company Holidaycheck.de, recognised the exceptional experience kuredu’s guests have when visiting the resort and the great testament of hard work and dedication of the whole team on Kuredu.

Whilst these awards are great recognition for hard work, kuredu believes that the reaction the team gets from the guests is their true reward. Offering excellent service, and often exceeding expectations, the team at Kuredu always strive to make every guest’s stay a wonderful, memorable occasion that will stay with them forever.

Kuredu as one of the top resorts in the country. The Management also thanked the Kuredu team, without whom this award would not have been achievable.

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, Maldives, sits on the northern tip of the Lhaviyani Atoll, a 40 minute seaplane flight from Male.

Kuredu Resort & Spa stretches over 3km of pristine white sandy beach, with a large lagoon and house reef providing sanctuary for an abundance of fish and marine life.

With just 4 resorts spread across the atoll, Kuredu boasts stunning views across turquoise lagoons and fringing reefs.

Kuredu Maldives Resort is part of the Crown & Champa Resorts, who owns a number of resorts based in the Maldives and Seychelles.

Crown & Champa Resorts “CCR” is a trade name for a group of resort hotels in the “We are very lucky to have such an amazing Republic of Maldives, owned and operated island in wonderful surroundings to call by various Maldivian and foreign partners, home, and to be able to share it and with all whose common interest is to work together of our guests is a real privilege.” The resort to achieve better business performance. states in an announcement.

These common interests include but are not limited to: new development, design, The Crown Champa Resort, the concept, construction, marketing & sales, Management and team of Kuredu, thanked operations, finance, purchasing, and all of the guests who provided such positive human resources development. CCR was feedback from their past visits, voting established in 2000.

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ALWAYS ON DUTY

NOW IN MALDIVES With our enthusiasm for hospitality and travelling we make guests feel at home.

Pleasing customers and guests is something that has always been our goal and will be in the years to come.

Through the years we have built a large network to serve the hotel industry with knowledge and passion.

HAIR DRYERS

IRONS

KETTLES

TRAY SETS

LUGGAGE RACKS

SCALES

TORCHES

IRON ORGANISERS

H O S P I TA L I T Y T E C H N O L O G Y M . C h a n d h a n e e g e , 3 r d F l o o r, A l h i v i l a a M a g u , M a l e ’ , M a l d i v e s | E m a i l : o p e r a t i o n s @ t g s m a l d i v e s . c o m | Te l : + 9 6 0 3 0 0 1 0 5 5

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NEWS

USHER IN SPRING WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE NEW YEAR DELIGHTS AND PASTIES AT THE HOTEL JEN MALE’ MALDIVES

Chinese New Year of the Dog with joyous celebrations, sumptuous feasts at the Hotel Jen Male’ Maldives Lime Restaurant. Amidst the conviviality, delight yourself and your loved ones with the two day set meal for the dinner.

CULINARY FEASTS AT LIME RESTAURANT

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he Chinese New Year celebration is only complete with traditional delights and auspicious symbolism.

Indulge family, friends, business partners and colleagues with a hearty meal to welcome the Year of the Dog at Lime Restaurant as our Chefs team presents authentic and nostalgic flavors as well as signature creations for the Festive. These dishes reveal flavors that are rooted in Chinese tradition while at the same time, healthy and creatively presented.

They include for Appetizer and salads preserved jelly fish salad, prawn pomelo fruit salad, black fungus salad, and chicken and noodle salad.

For Hot light the deep fried vegetable spring rolls to chicken wings with garlic and deep fried chicken spring rolls and Hot and a sour chicken soup whilst for main steamed fish in hong kong stlye, fry chicken with lemon sauce, braised tofu with minced chicken, butter prawn with garlic , Yang chow fried rice, stir fried noodles with vegetables, steamed pak choy with shitake mushroom sauce, wok fry beef ginger and spring onion, fried fish fillet with black bean sauce , stir fry chicken kung pao style, fry chicken with lemon sauce , braised tofu with minced chicken, butter prawn with garlic and many more will be available within these three offers.

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CURRENT NEWS

CROSSROADS- FIRST INVESTOR OPEN HOUSE EVENT BY SINGHA ESTATE PLC

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ingha Estate PLC has announced its first investor open house event to be held on January 17. Registration for the event is now open.

This event, titled “Emboodhoo Lagoon: CROSSROADS”, provides the opportunity to meet and match more than 15 international retail stores with unique offerings for both travellers and residents of Malé.

World-renowned brands participating in the event include Health & Wellness, Food & Beverage brands including Mango Tree Bistro, Indus, Kenny Rogers Roasters, NaRaYa and Divana Spa. The purpose of the open house event is to provide business investment opportunities

STEFAN GOEHCKE

JOINS SIX SENSES LAAMU AS EXECUTIVE CHEF

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ix Senses Laamu has announced the appointment of Stefan Goehcke as executive chef.

Chef Stefan started the culinary career in his native Germany in 2001.

After working under some of the finest chefs in Europe, Stefan’s expertise and services as a head chef were devoted to top resorts such as the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Vietnam, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts in St. Lucia as well as Gili Lankanfushi and Baros in the Maldives.

Chef Stefan was appointed executive chef of Six Senses Laamu in November 2017. He currently manages a team of more than 75 people who operate five kitchens on the island. Having worked with high-end brands, Stefan has gained a vast professional experience and skills in managing large teams.

“I am glad and delighted to work with a great team of young and talented local and international chefs here at Six Senses Laamu.”Said Chef Stefan.

With his extensive knowledge of delicacies from around the globe and his experience of global cuisines, Stefan loves to incorporate local ingredients and the freshest produce from the island’s organic garden into each recipe.

“Chef Stefan is an extremely passionate and creative chef and we are delighted to welcome him to the team. Known for his innovative ideas and focus on fresh and healthy cuisines, an executive chef of Stefan’s caliber will give a fresh new perspective to what we offer and provide a solid foundation for what is to come. “Said Marteyne van Well, general manager of Six Senses Laamu.

A perfectionist by nature, contributing to the Six Senses values of using local and sustainable ingredients, Chef Stefan is determined to create the most memorable and tasty dishes for guests during their stay with Six Senses.

Six Senses Laamu is the only resort in the Laamu Atoll, deep in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by a beautiful coral house reef. Most of the villas and facilities are built overwater, however beach villas and on-land dining is an option. All villas offer a sense of privacy and seclusion, with an amazing view to the Ocean and Maldivian nature.

Six Senses Laamu offers a wide range of dining options, with cuisines from around the world, an ice cream parlor, an overwater wine cellar and a signature Chill bar.

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas operates 11 resorts and 30 spas in 20 countries under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas.

Each property has a distinctive personality, but shares a commitment to community, sustainability, wellness and design. This award-winning approach extends to new openings, including the urban concept premiering in New York in 2019.

in Maldives’ first integrated resort megaproject at Emboodhoo Lagoon.

“This Investment Retail Opportunity Forum is designed to be a connection for international and local investors to have a great opportunity to meet many leader brands in today’s retail business which could be a way to become a biggest player in the retail business.” reeds a statement by Singhaestate.

Thailand’s Singha Estate PLC is the real estate development arm of Boon Rawd Brewery. Singha recently leased Emboodhoo Falhu, which is one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives and has announced plans to develop the entire area into the largest integrated resort in the Indian Ocean.

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NEW OPENING

HERITANCE AARAH

AITKEN SPENCE TO OPEN NEW RESORT AND BRAND TO MALDIVES.

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itken Spence Hotels and Resorts is set to introduce its Heritance brand to the Maldives with the opening of Heritance Aarah towards the end of the year.

The resort will be accessible by a scenic 40-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport. According to the official website of Heritance Aarah, the resort will feature 157 villas and suites separated by tropical vegetation for privacy.

The rooms are designed and built with a fusion of indigenous Maldivian and modern architecture. Room categories at the new resort include 51 Beach Villas, 10 Family Beach Villas, 10 Pool Beach Villas, four Family Pool Beach Villas, 56 Water Villas, 25 Luxury Water Villas and a Presidential Water Suite.

Heritance Aarah is set to treat its guests to a host of dining options at six restaurants which include: • An All Day Dining Restaurant • A Signature Overwater Restaurant • A Sundown Over Water Restaurant • A Speciality Lagoon Restaurant • An Overwater Teppanyaki Restaurant • A Sushi Bar and a Rustic Beach BBQ Grill Furthermore an array of exotic cocktails and a wide selection of wine will be available for guests at five bars situated at the resort. The five bars include: • The main Pool Bar • Overwater Lounge Bar • Sundown Overwater Lagoon Bar, • Infinity Pool Bar • The Overwater Sky Bar. Guests looking to pamper themselves will be delighted to know that the resort will feature an overeater spa with six treatment rooms set over the lagoon offering a choice of luxurious health and beauty treatments and professional consultations to balance the body and mind.

Furthermore the resort will have a PADI licences dive centre along with a host of water sports, a kids club, a tennis court and a fully equipped gymnasium Aitken Spence Hotels and Resorts manages over 24 hotels in Sri Lanka, India, Oman and the Maldives. The chain runs six properties in the Maldives under its Adaaran brand; Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Adaaran Club Rannalhi, Adaaran

Prestige Vadoo, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, Adaaran Prestige Water Villas and Adaaran Prestige Ocean Villas.

Along with Aarah, Aitken Spence also acquired lease rights of another uninhabited island, Raafushi in the northern Noonu atoll. The company, however has yet to reveal more of its development plans for the island.

Four Heritance branded hotels are in operation across Sri Lanka, including Heritance Kandalma, Heritance Tea Factory, Heritance Negombo, Heritance Ayurveda and Heritance Ahungalla.

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Mr.Ryszard Majewski Preserving the Spirit of Kurumba

The Islandchief is honoured to have had the opportunity to sit down with the General Manager of Kurumba Mr.Ryszard Majewski. As we got to know each other and discuss various aspects of the hospitality industry of the Maldives, We ask about the work philosophies in place at Kurumba, about changing traveller behaviour and challenges faced by the industry.

“ I think what make

Kurumba such a memorable place is the staff. I am very proud as the General Manager to have such an incredible team here.

�

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1.How did you first venture into the Hospitality Industry? Were you in a different field before?

I started working in the hospitality industry at the age of 14, on weekends and summer jobs. I found it quite interesting working with different nationalities, people from all around the world and then after school I went to travel around the world.

After that I really didn’t know what I wanted but I always knew I love travelling, so the hospitality industry all about travelling, meeting new people and lot of experiences with different nationalities and cultures as I mentioned, so I went to the states. I furthered my education in America before travelling around the world.

6.How would you describe your role here at Karumba? What changes have you added since you came here? And what changes do you plane to implement in the future?

One of my main focuses installed today on a daily basis is to keep the staff hyped by doing different activities with them, engaging them with our guests and training them which I believe is very important. I think once you stop training people they start getting bored.

So we always explore different methods for training. We have a training team here that we have hired. We have hired a Russian teacher, because Russians are one of the top three clientele that come here and it is very important that our staffs learn some basic words to communicate with them.

I have worked in five different continents now and what I loved about the job or what I love about hospitality is that you just meet different people The changes that we have made here include increasing the number of every day and it’s not a nine to five office job every day it is a different bars at the beach. We have opened a new Thai and Chinese restaurant challenge. I cannot sit in the office till 9 to 5 so this is perfect for me. last year which gave us a very positive effect.

2.Tell us a bit about Kurumba Maldives and the sort of improvements We also now have a new shisha lounge that we have opened up at around you wish to make under your guidance. the end of last year.

Well I think Kurumba internationally, regionally and locally has a really good reputation. We are the icon of the tourism industry, of resorts in the Maldives, as everybody knows it’s the first resort opened all the way back in 1972 and the very first Italian tourists arrived here.

With huge support from the owners and the great team that I have here and especially the kind of guests we have here, this is kind of a perfect destination and it is reflected well by how we have won so many awards throughout the years and this is all contributed by my team members.

We have many projects that we have to do here or that we would like to do to improve because the market is so demanding, people travelling around the world they do a lot of shopping, compare resort to resort so Kurumba has to be in the market or on the market for the expectations of the guests.

3.What do you think of the changing traveller trends throughout the world, (i.e. Maldives as a wellness destination/experience focused travel) and how does Kurumba cope with these changing trends.

We always go to travel fairs and always listen to tour operators, we listen to our guests, what their demands are what they request and so we try to meet those standards. Maldives is becoming very competitive because more resorts are coming up here but I think because of Kurumba’s proximity to the airport, proximity to male, we have a huge advantage over why people choose us and we have a huge amount of repeater guest that choose us for wellness especially for the great spa that we have and just the for the location where we are situated. I speak to guests everyday on email, I speak to them personally and those are the reason why they come to stay with us. They love our food, we got eight restaurants we got four bars here so for them, they can eat in a different restaurant every single night.

7.Share your work philosophy with us? What are the top rules that you encourage your colleagues to go by?

How we engage with the staffs is very important. I always believe in the philosophy ”once you look after the staff, they look after you and automatically they look after the guests.” This is a small village here and everybody is living 24 hours amongst each other. So you really need to make best out of it. You need to be the friend and you also need to be sometimes the manager and a leader so I think because of the environment we have here with the staff contributes to everybody’s contribution here even if the staff have been here for 35 years or 6 months 8.The resort has recently celebrated its 45th anniversary, in your opinion what is the one thing that makes Karumba special?

I think what make Kurumba such a memorable place is the staff. If you look at trip advisor and look over the comments, the guests they always love the staff, they comeback for the staff and they have such good relationship with staff. I am very proud as the general manager to have such an incredible team here. the 45th anniversary celebration was all about thanking the staff for the push and the motivation and the drive to be always the best and our owners for making this place last for 45 years. With the combination of the owners support and the staff we have lasted for 45 years and we will go for another 45 years.

9. What has been the most challenging aspect of working in the Maldives? And tell us about some of the differences of work at home as opposed to the Maldives.

4.What are your thoughts on eco-sustainability, what steps are taken

by Karumba to improve its sustainability levels?

Its finding the right staff for the right job and especially now with new resorts opening the competition is always increasing. Finding good local staff is a challenge as we try to get the best staff for Kurumba.

Thanks to our chairman and owners for supporting us, as they are very much into this kind of eco-sustainability. We have recycling plants here.

For example our coconuts from our trees we recycle them into oil which we use for making products for the treatments at our spa, for any of the massages or for anything else.

We take people on internships. The universal resorts have got a training program where we take people right after they finish school, with some of them having no work experiences and put them on a 6 month training period and see if they like this kind of industry because this is the biggest industry in the Maldives.

Furthermore we have compost recycling, all the leaves or everything from the garden we put it back into feeding our gardens. Finally the other thing is that all our plastic bottles and our crystal glasses, we recycle them and use them in our construction material. So only our food perishables for example and plastic bottles we take away from here but for the rest of the garbage are all recycled on the resort.

And we try to concentrate on continuing on this industry with some great Maldivian staff and developing them into future managers or general managers.

5.How do you try to inspire and mentor your team here?

For me this kind of island lifestyle is perfect as I love the nature, I am not a city person, I don’t like the city life. I get uncomfortable when there are too many people and too much traffic and noises. I am a swimmer and I love the sea. I am a sporty person. I go to gym and sometimes I play tennis. These are the things that I usually do at my private time.

It’s all about motivation. We are always encouraging our team especially our managers to motivate the staff, to support them and listen to them.

We also conduct a lot of training, as we have a strong training program here where we train the staff up whether they are new to the resort or have been here for a long time.

10. So to top it off, what do you do aside from work while you are here?

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Ceres – Nature’s Perfect Juice Ceres is an amazing Drink that utilizes fruit straight from nature with the wholesome goodness found in its raw form. The human body needs to replenish the body’s essential nutrients and everyone has their own methods when it comes to restoring essential body fluids, vitamins and minerals. Whether it’s after a good workout at the gym or a tiring day at the office, A cup of pure fruit juice is equivalent to a single fruit enriched with natural fruit sugars, fructose and glucose.

Ceres all natural Fruit Juice offers a host of incredible benefits such as: • Ceres exotic flavours of All Natural 100% Pure Fruit Juice are filled with the wholesome goodness of vitamins and minerals found in fresh fruit.

• Contains no added sugars or preservatives, this drink is nutritious and great tasting with a flavour range that will nourish the body and delight the taste buds while proving to be a perfect drink for the whole family • Tucked away in a crescent of mountains at the Southern tip of Africa, lies a beautiful fertile valley called Ceres blessed with abundant sunshine and fertile soil, it is home to some of the world’s most succulent fruit. Sun-ripened to perfection, the fruit from this valley is full of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Not all fruit juices are drinkable in their natural state Fruits such as Guava and Apricot are often too thick for a straw and grapefruit are simply too sour or bitter. In order to bring the juice to a drinkable consistency, the fruit puree is blended with other fruit juices.

The blended juices are then flash pasteurized, deaerated and poured into sterilized packaging material. The flash pasteurization (exclusion of air and the most up-to-date aseptic packaging methodology) guarantees the product a 12-month shelf life without adding any preservatives.

The companies’ choice of using Aseptic packaging ensures that No matter how far Ceres juices travel, when the cartons are opened, it’s the very same Valley goodness and natural perfection that is delivered to wherever you are.

This packaging is also the main factor behind the companies’ ability to deliver drinks without the use of any preservatives or colorants.

The real secret to the great tasting fruit drinks by Ceres lies in the core of Ceres Valley. Tucked away in the Heart of Mother Nature between sheltered mountains, the valley is a phenomenal natural wonder that establishes the perfect conditions to produce the tastiest fruits.

Ice cold winters ensure the trees sleep heavily and healthy while the hot African summers wake and activate the sugar, creating sweeter, Juicier Ceres fruit. Exotic fruits are sourced further afield to extend and complement the delicious harvest.

“The Valley where streams feed the lush orchards and the deep soil gives life to the succulent fruit used in the beverages.”

Reeds a statement by Ceres Ceres Fruit Juices is a Beverage Company based in Paarl, South Africa. Since the early 1980s, Ceres Fruit Juices has been successfully exporting its brands to a number of international markets.

At present Ceres exports to more than 84 in Africa, Europe, The Far east, Middle East, Asia and North America. In the Maldives, Ceres Juice is partnered with Lily international as the brands official distributors and whole sale retailers. Ceres fruit juice can be found in shops, resorts, cafes and restaurants all over the country.

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Lily International Pvt. Ltd | H. Coal Field, 2nd Floor | Kalhuhuraa Magu | K. Male’, 20085, Republic of Maldives T: +960 333 2882 | F: +960 333 2893 | E: info@lily-international.com | W: www.lily-international.com

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FROM PARROT FISH TO PARADISE

VAKKARU MALDIVES

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akkaru Maldives which opened its doors to guests officially on December 2017, is an island resort amidst the UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE of Baa Atoll with no other island in sight, leaving guests to feel like they have totally escaped it all.

The island upon which the resort is built is 85% composed entirely of sediment produced on the surrounding coral reefs by parrotfish grinding up coral during feeding and after digesting the edible content, excreting the rest as sand, creating the powder soft, brilliant white sands that encircle the island.

From that beginning, the exceptional beauty and awe-inspiring location were what drew the owners of this untouched jewel, to select Vakkaru in their quest to fashion an idyllic, sustainable environment of pared-back luxury under the endless emeralds and azures of The Maldives.

“It is an extraordinarily stunning island with a fantastic house reef and more than 1,400 existing mature coconut trees that have been integrated into the resort plan. I love that we were able to keep all the trees given that “Vakkaru” means coconut palm wood in Dhivehi” says Narelle McDougall, Director of Business Development, herself no stranger to the allure of the Maldives having lived and worked there for the last 5 and a half years.

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With the intention of preserving the integrity of local architecture with a contemporary style, Vakkaru Maldives is completely designed to draw on the rich traditions of the locale, with elements focused on Maldivian style fused with the finest natural materials.

As a result the resort boasts of amazing spaces for guests to connect with each other and the environment around them. “fashionable design elements, impressive room size, exquisite high thread count pure cotton bed linens, irresistible bathroom amenities, intelligent guest room connectivity and an array of recreational activities await travellers seeking an earthy yet elegant, intimate getaway in arguably one of the most desirable island destinations on the planet.� Says McDougall.

While the natural beauty of the island is kept, this independently operated resort is also remarkably decadent.

An indulgent selection of dining choices from across the world are served in four restaurants and two bars, offering the perfect environment for everyone to relax and dine in style. Guests will also have the chance to enjoy home grown ingredients, hand-picked from the island’s organic garden as they sample flavours from Europe to Asia.

Vakkaru Maldives is a scenic twenty-five minutes ride away from Male International Airport by seaplane.

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February 2018 | www.theislandchief.com

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TOP 10 UNUSUAL THINGS TO DO IN MALDIVES

Maldives is the perfect destination to swap the hustle and bustle of your city life for a sun-drenched beach bliss escape with a relaxed and tranquil ambiance, but it has so much more to offer that it is often bewildering to decide what to do. Don’t worry, I have compiled a list of ten of the most quirky and unusual aspect of the country that you’ve (hopefully) not been suggested before.

MUD BATHING IN FUVAHMULAH

Remember playing in the mud at some point during your childhood? Some parents may not approve of their children partaking in this type of ‘down and dirty’ activities. But, as adults, there are healthier choices with mud facials and treatments which are said to exfoliate, improve circulation, and relieve muscle tension and body aches. In recent years, locals and foreigners have been drawn to Kodakilhi, a natural muddy pool near Bandaara Kilhi, one of the two fresh water lakes in Fuvahmulah, the third largest island in the country.

DIVING INTO THE AIR POCKET OF THE KUDA GIRI WRECK

Kuda Giri is the wreckage of a deliberately sunk freight ship near Maafushi island in South Malé atoll. It is an interesting dive site and pinnacle that has transformed to an artificial reef full of marine life, and today it’s a haven for divers from all over the world.

It is also possible to penetrate the wreck in a few places, and surprisingly at 25 meters (80 feet) deep at the bottom of the ocean, the sunken ship holds an air pocket of divers’ exhaust gases (carbon dioxide) lethal to humans at concentrations of about 5 percent.

But, what makes this experience remarkable and rare is being able to scream through your diving regulator at your dive buddy and capture a photograph as a memory.

Recommended for experienced divers or beginners under professional supervision.

OCTOPUS HUNTING If you love the exquisite flavors and aromas of seafood, then don’t miss out on the chance to try unique specialty dishes during your Maldives holiday. Fringed by the ocean, seafood is the name of the game in this Indian Ocean island chain. Octopus dishes are abundant throughout the Maldives and are a favorite among the locals and visitors alike.

An Octopus has three hearts, and eight semi-autonomous arms that can taste the world.

They are gifted with amazing camouflage skills and are extremely intelligent. And how are these extraordinary creatures hunted? The best places to find them are around nooks and crannies of the rock formations along the reef. They are usually teased or impaled by the pole spear while they hide in its cave, and as soon as it starts swimming away, they are grabbed by the tentacles and their heads are flipped inside out to make them more docile.

GETTIN’ VAJIDHU WITH IT been recorded much earlier than the 11th century in Maldives. It begins with drumming and are usually performed by a group of about 15 people, including three drummers and a lead vocalist. The songs begin with slow drum beats, emphasis on drumming and dancing – as the music gradually gets louder and faster, the dancers continue maintaining their wild beats in sync with the frantic moves, their facial expressions and physical gestures drastically change leading to a trance. Although Boduberu is commonly performed across the country, very few Boduberu groups perform the Baburu dance.

DRONING OVER LAAMU ATOLL LINK ROAD Drone Photography has rapidly transformed into one of the most captivating ways to document the Earth from above and we have to admit, we are hooked. And while Maldives is a dream holiday destination with more than 120 resort islands catering exclusively for travelers who are in search of luxurious sojourns across the globe, not all them allow their guests to capture their happy moments through drone photography.

Most of the resort islands prohibit operating drones or other mechanical flying devices over or inside their property. While many tourists buy drones prior to traveling to Maldives on holiday, it’s recommended to check with the resort islands for their drone policies before confirming their reservations. Choose Laamu atoll for drone photography and to capture some of Maldives’ most scenic sights as your backdrop. A 15-km asphalt road in Laamu atoll, also the longest road in the country connecting the four neighboring islands of Gan, Maandhoo, Kahdhoo and Fonadhoo offer spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Drone photography here will definitely not disappoint you.

Source: www.theislandlogic.com

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WRECK SNORKELING NEAR KEYODHOO One doesn’t necessarily have to join a boat excursion to experience good snorkeling and diving in Maldives. This beautiful wreck in Vaavu atoll, just a kilometer away from the island of Keyodhoo is surrounded by pristine coral reefs and dramatic undersea landscapes, teeming with a myriad of marine life that is heaven for underwater enthusiasts. The bow of the wreck sticks out of the water right next to the reef and divers hail it as one of the best dive sites around the atoll. Go out a bit further and you’ll find schools of reef sharks.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING IN GOIDHOO’S FRESHWATER LAKE If you’ve ever seen someone doing Stand up paddleboarding, or SUP for short, you’ll know how good it looks – smoothly gliding on the water while standing up. This activity features graceful simplicity and could be mastered in less than an hour. It is a rapidly growing global sport mixing surfing and paddling and gives participants a strong core workout. A freshwater lake, a veritable rarity in the Maldives at Goidhoo island in Baa atoll is a great place for beginners, as there are paddle board rentals around the lake. You’ll discover this region of the Maldives as magical as you will find anywhere in the country, and there is no better way of exploring it than on a calm day. Whether you want to relax, do some SUP yoga or explore the gorgeous surroundings covered in tropical growth – mostly palms of several varieties (including coconut palms) and rubber plants.

TAKE PART IN THE EID CELEBRATIONS The Maldives is an Islamic country, and the two muslim festivals of Eid are annually celebrated across the nation. Many Malé residents also travel to their home islands for Eid to celebrate along with family members and friends. Eid customs and activities differ from island to island, and atoll to atoll, but one quality shared by all of them is the the traditions of generosity and hospitality. Many of the customs have seen significant changes with time – modern music concerts and shows are now held in the capital city of Malé and other islands – there is a renewed focus on reviving traditional sports such as Baibala, Maali, Koadi, Dhanidi jehun and Bodumas. Visit the local islands during your stay in Maldives and observe and take part in the Eid festivities to experience some of the cultural and traditional activities performed by the islanders to mark the special occasion.

SPEND A NIGHT BY THE BEACH ON A HOLHUASHI Maldives is picturesque, idyllic and serene to explore during the day, and when the sun goes down and the moon shines bright and stars begin to glitter, the scenic beauty takes on a whole different level – complimenting a unique and fulfilling “island nightlife” experience. Many of the country’s inhabited local islands feature a holhuashi, a Maldivian version of a gazebo, built with hollow wooden trunks roped to form a bench-like seat, and often shaded by a thatched roof. They are usually set up by the beach, often where the boats dock, and is a place where islanders wind off and socialize after a day’s work, playing traditional and cultural games, and listening to the local radio programmes. There’s no better way to take in the night’s sights and sounds than by sleeping in a holhuashi and enjoy a night full of star-gazing while listening to the sound of gentle waves washing ashore. This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.

ENJOY TRUE, HEARTFELT HOSPITALITY It is not at all unusual to end up getting a free meal or a place to spend the night at a Maldivian’s home, as a foreigner especially outside the capital city. Hospitality has always been a value Maldivians cherish deeply and are extended to anyone who is willing to grace them with a visit.

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LE DUE

YOUR VILLA IN PARADISE

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e due is a beautiful 3 bedroom, fully air condoned beach front property boasting a spacious living room and garden.

Located in Thulusdhoo Island on North Male Atoll, the property is easily accessible via a 30 minute speedboat ride from Velana international Airport or via a 1 hour and 15 minute journey by public ferry.

This 2 bedroom villa sleeps up to 5 people. It has 2 bedrooms each with double beds and an additional wide sofa in the lounge. There is a fully equipped open space kitchen, simply furnished, all rooms provide private bathrooms equipped with hot-water showers.

Strategically located close to various cafes, bars, restaurants and shops, La due Guesthouse is ideal for a range of water sports including diving and jet skiing, as well as island hopping and dolphin watching excursions.

“Immerse yourself in nature, relax in our peaceful garden overlooking the waves and on request, you can also enjoy our unique outdoor Antigravity Yoga class, for your wellbeing and mindfulness.” reeds a statement by Le due.

A variety of activities such as snorkelling, surf trips, sand banks excursions, day trips to resorts and massages can be arranged upon request.

The Guesthouse is located at walking distance from the famous Coke’s Surf Break, while the staff at La due can organize trips to major well known surf points like Chickens, Sultans, Ninjas, Jails and more.

Cokes Surf Point can be accessed just off the Beach of Thulusdhoo Island, Chickens is only 5 minutes boat ride away. The other breaks are between 15 to 40 minutes away from the island.

La due Thulusdhoo is the perfect retreat whether you are looking for an amazing vacation with family or friends, looking for an adventurous or relaxing holiday or a special romantic gateway.

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Top 3 dive sites nearby

Maafushivaru Resort.

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eing set in a remote location of the Maldives, in the southern region of the Ari Atoll archipelago diving experiences near Maafushivaru bring forth wonderful tales with a mere plunge into the aquatic realm below.

30 dive sites accessible by Dhoni provide expansive options on varying tiers of difficulty and qualification, offering the best of the thriving marine ecosystems in the Maldives. The dive team at Maafushivaru shares their top 3 recommendations.

1- Kudarah Thila

2- Maamigili Beyru

3- Manta Block

A marine protected dive site for Advanced Open Water divers only. Reachable in 25 minutes from Maafushivaru, it comprises of a small ‘thila’ (pinnacle) that could be circled twice in 1 dive. The reef top is 12 to 14 metres; declining into 30+ meters on the side.

This is part of SAMPA (South Ari Marine Protected Area) and one of the main spots to see whale sharks. This dive site is suitable for both beginners and for experienced divers (minimum requirement of Open Water certification) and can be reached in 1 hour.

Manta Block: This dive site is a cleaning station for reef mantas and can be reached within 45 minutes. The resort visit this dive site as part of their half day manta trips (2 tank dives), Open Water and Advanced Divers will both love this site.

Guests can expect large overhangs with sea fans, massive schools of blue striped snappers and red snappers, grey reef sharks if lucky and if very lucky even lemon sharks. It is a fantastic dive site for everyone who loves big fish sightings but also for macro lovers as there are good chances of seeing small critters like nudibranchs or shrimps. The corals at this ‘thila’ are outstanding, it has one of the best reef tops in South Ari atoll.

Briefly described as a simple wall dive beginning around 7-12m on the reef top and dropping down in a slope to 30+ meters, but the resort’s dive team usually dives around 15m.

Fantastic coral life, mainly hard corals. High chance to see whale sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean but also there is always a chance to see schools of mobulas, eagle rays, napoleons, grey reef sharks and sometimes even dolphins.

Besides that, it is also one of the main macro spots (ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, flatworms, etc)

When the mantas get cleaned at this dive site, guests can relax and watch them without having to do anything else. The dive team provide reef hooks if there is current so guests don’t have to move at all for 1 hour and can just enjoy these huge rays swimming close over their head while the mantas are getting cleaned.

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