Best of the Maldives: Pool Sound Healing – Meyyafushi

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Meyyafushi - pool sound therapy 3

I’ve seen hydroponic gardening in the Maldives, and hydrotherapy, but this is the first instance of hydrophonic therapy. One of my most memorable “spa” treatments ever was a massage floating in the Blue Lagoon at Reykjavik, Iceland. Meyyafushi has combined two treatment innovation – sound therapy and pool therapy – into one truly distinctive session.

  • “Meyyafushi Maldives continues to elevate its wellness offerings with immersive sound healing experiences set in one of the island’s most striking locations – the adults-only glass-bottom infinity pool overlooking the turquoise blues of the Maldives.”

If floating in a pool at a tropical paradise wasn’t soothing enough, then the addition of sound therapy entrances you even more.

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Best of the Maldives: Ballroom Dancing – Siyam World

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Siyam World - ballroom dancing

With big stages, come big acts. And featured tonight is a long awaited “Haven’t Seen” (from my second “Haven’t Seen Yet post back in 2013 – ballroom and Latin dancing. “Siyam World Hosts Tango Night with World Champions”:

  • “Siyam World, Maldives is hosting a Tango Night on the 23rd of January with the Tango World Champions, Simone Facchini and Gioia Abballe…[They now] come to Siyam World, Maldives to give a memorable performance and conduct their classes for those looking to learn the art of Tango”
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Best of the Maldives: Rooftop Glass-Bottom Pool – Meeyafushi

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Meeyafushi - glass pool 2

Over the several decades of visiting the Maldives, we have seen the other water feature, the pool, evolve from a simple, conventional rectangular tub to infinity styling and even a rooftop version (Hotel Jen, AIG Grand). And the special luxury element, the glass floor, has found its way to all corners of resorts. Now Meyyafushi has introduced the literal apex culmination of these design distinctions – a rooftop glass-bottom infinity pool!

Meeyafushi - glass pool 1

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Best of the Maldives: Russian Station – Siyam World

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Siyam World - Russian cuisine 2

Resorts regularly cater to a range of global cuisines especially if there is a sizeable contingent of guests hailing from certain locales. Japanese miso soup, German cold cuts, French pastries at breakfast. Indian curries, Italian pastas, Chinese stir fry’s at dinner. Siyam World is the first resort we have seen with a Russian station at its buffet. We sampled the Ukha Soup and Chicken Sausage Bun (see above) and found them quite delightful. приятного аппетита!

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Best of the Maldives: Bonfire – Oaga

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Oaga - bonfire]

One of my favourite tropical memories was when I lived in Togo, West Africa and a bunch of the local Peace Corps Volunteers invited me for a nighttime cookout on the beach. With the warm air and the always enchanting dance of flames in the fire pit dug out of the sand, the evening was quite magical. Oaga has introduced this experience for its all-inclusive guests called “O Fire”:

  • “An evening of music, fire, and relaxation… Gather around a large bonfire on the beach to enjoy live music, dance, and socialise with one another. The bonfire is lit as the sun sets, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere that is perfect for enjoying music and each other’s company. Our resort’s talented musicians will entertain you with a mix of traditional and contemporary songs, and everyone is welcome to join in the singing, dancing, and storytelling.”
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Best of the Maldives: Plastic Upcycling – Siyam World

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Siyam World - plastic upcycling

Siyam World is floating a different kind of “cycling” with their Pllastic Upcycling Center…

  • “Siyam World Maldives has unveiled the nation’s first dedicated Plastic Upcycling Center in collaboration with local environmental NGO CLEAN Maldives…Designed to turn discarded plastic items, such as oil containers, cleaning product drums, and shampoo bottles, into functional products like sunbeds, planters, and outdoor seating, the upcycling center is the first of its kind to operate at this scale in the Maldives at a resort. While other small-scale efforts have existed previously, including one formerly active in Malé and limited facilities elsewhere, this represents a nation-first in terms of scale, circular process, and community integration on a resort island. Beyond resort-generated waste, the facility also accepts plastic from the nearby inhabited island of Kudafari, reinforcing Siyam World’s role in supporting surrounding communities. In a shared value model, 60% of the upcycled items will remain at the resort, while 40% will be distributed by CLEAN Maldives, with both partners committing to donating select products for use in public spaces like island parks, beaches, and communal areas.”
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Best of the Maldives: Private Car – Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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Siyam World - private car

The resorts feature quite a collection of vehicles to transport you around the property (especially the bigger ones). Reethi Rah allowed its guests to self-drive one of their standard buggies, but Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s is stylish Jeep design with plush seats and flashy red colour. It is available to residents of their multi-bedroom Beach Residence and a driving license is required.

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Best of the Maldives: Cereal Treats – Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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Olhuveli - corn flakes pudding

I was delighted to come across this “Corn Flakes Pudding” at lunch not only because I am an all-day breakfast kind of guy, but also because it evoked a wonderful culinary story told in Netflix’ “Chef’s Table” episode with Christina Tosi. One of Tosi’s famed innovations was “cereal milk” pastries after which her iconic restaurant “Milk Bar” is dubbed (they even have “Cereal Milk Soft Serve Ice Cream”). So I had to ask Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Executive Chef Didi Hassan when I spoke to him about this concoction to which he recounted the following:

  • “We need to have a kind of crunchy dessert. Kind of like cookies. I didn’t have any options. I created this granola mix with the chocolate. And then the guests were asking for it for three days in a row. “Can I have this one? Can I have this one?” I asked the executive pastry chef to come up with a new pudding. I told him to go for something no regular. Something people can remember us by.”
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Best of the Maldives: Cake Mixing – Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli - cake mixing 3

“Cake Mixing” is a holiday tradition that hadn’t especially heard of. The closest our family came to it was baking and frosting Christmas cookies, but I guess making fruit cakes is a big thing. Actually, our close friends of German heritage do annually have a big stollen cake mixing (and baking) tradition that we are a beneficiary of by means of an annual fruit, nut and marzipan packed treat every December. It turns out that cake mixing has become an especially popular tradition in India and neighbouring Maldives has picked it as well.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli has featured a cake mixing event at its resort every year, but this year’s was the biggest, most elaborate ever including a celebrity chef leading the way – Charith N Silva who has the YouTube channel ‘Wild Cookbook’ with over 600 videos and is now Sri Lanka’s largest YouTube channel with over 10 million subscribers.

  • “Every year, it has been a tradition in SSOV to do the annual cake festive cake mixing called ‘Rumtopf’. A Rumtopf is a traditional practice in Germany where festive fruit preserve commonly prepared ahead of the holiday festive season. It consists of seasonal fruits layered with sugar and preserved in rum, allowing the flavors to mature over time. During the festive period, the dried minced fruit is served as a celebratory accompaniment ingredient for fruit cakes, baked goods, desserts, etc.”

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