14 TROPICAL RETREATS MAKING MALDIVIAN MEMORIES ON THE SAPPHIRE SEA THE MALDIVES IS WHERE YOU GO TO MAKE MEMORIES AND THE OUTRIGGER KONOTTA MALDIVES RESORT DELIVERED THEM, WRITES FLOYD COWAN. FLOYD AND FARAH COWAN PHOTOS COWAN FARAH AND FLOYD arah and I settled into bubbling hot NEVER MORE TROPICAL water on the second level of our Beach Maldivian memories begin the moment you step Villa at the Outrigger Konotta Maldives off the boat and onto the jetty. Nasru and Urana Resort. Out there the sea rested gently warmly welcomed us and cold wet welcome drinks under a full moon that beamed fat just were most welcome. The unbelievably white sand Fabove the black velvet horizon. With the dawn the beams as it is caressed by the sea that is so clear world would glitter with azures, turquois, cyan, it could be on a mission of stealth – not to be greens and blues that sparkle like sapphires on seen. Shaded by palm trees it is picture perfect – the sheltering sea. For now, we were content to meaning it took some time to get from the boat to luxuriate in our sumptuous villa, marinating in the our villa that was the shortest of distances away. hot tub with welcome drink close at hand. The jets In the water schools of sardine and mackerels billowed the water and massaged tired muscles circle about and small baby reef sharks circle after a long day of travel. them. The sharks are not dangerous to me, as I am not a fish, and I watch them endlessly, IN THE SILKY AIR fascinated. And as we walked down the jetty a It had been a very civilized travel day. Our Silk Air turtle darted out to sea. Thrilling. Turtles may flight from Singapore left at 10:05am for Male and be slow on land, but in the water, they move with 4 1/2 hours later we were in Velana International astounding speed. Airport at 11:30am, with the time difference handing us back the hours. Jalaal, the Outrigger REST & ROLL representative, warmly greeted us as we came out Some people worry that there wouldn’t be enough the gate and lead us to Moonimaa Lounge for them to do at an island resort. Had we never where we could partake of the buffet while left our villa during our entire stay, I think I would we waited for our flight to Kaadedhdhoo have been quite content. Airport. Kaadedhdhoo Airport has the whole island to itself with no permanent residents. Once again, the Outrigger had their people on the ground waiting for us. They helped us with our luggage as we walked to the jetty to catch the speed boat for the 30-minute trip to Konotta island. Other than staff, we were the only guests on this trip. We enjoyed the wind on our skin as we absorbed the freshest of air.

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ACTIVITIES ABOUND There is much to do at Outrigger Konotta to keep even the most hyperactive child engaged. Surrounded BLACK TIP REEF SHARK by the crystal waters of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, many of the activities take advantage of the The living and sleeping rooms are decadently thriving reef and the spacious, not only allowing your body to stretch playful sea. out, but your inner being to expand. The There are Friday bathrooms are oversized, and numerous relaxation Night Movies, Cocktail areas that include outdoor lounges, sundecks, the Nights, Barbeques and hot tub area and the private swimming pool with you can have a private an always trickling wall fountain ensure you are dinner on the beach. completely comfortable in your piece of paradise. Secluded and romantic. Amenities include rain showers, bathtubs, carefully We had breakfast and stocked minibars. The two-bedroom beach pool dinner at Blue Salt, but BEACH VILLA villas have private kitchens with state-of-the-art WITH PRIVATE POOL there is also Nala Rah, equipment. a Japanese restaurant All accommodation is exquisite. There are 21 JACUZZI IN providing elegant BEACH VILLA Beach Pool Villas, eight two-bedroom Beach Pool dining from the teppan Villas, 21 Ocean Pool Villas, two Lagoon Pool Villas grill and raw bar. It has and the Grand Konotta Villa. an extensive beverage selection that includes INSPIRED CUISINE Japanese whiskey, fine The innovative Maldivian cuisine goes beyond wine, sake and sochu. seafood. Having to meet the needs of a diverse Poolside dining offers international clientele requires creativity in the international, Asian and kitchen. The menu ranges from Nasi Goreng, to locally inspired cuisine Fish of the Day, Char Grilled Rump Steak and – which you can also Sushi. Desserts change daily, and they will satisfy enjoy at your villa – and the deepest craving. create your own menu. One of the pleasures of breakfast at the BLUE SALT Outrigger Konotta is eating outside in the fresh air with the sun low and gentle in the sky. The buffet offers Eastern and Western fare and those things we all enjoy – such as fresh juices and detox drinks, ice tea, ice coffee. Good coffee – available however you like it, pastries and a great quantity of bread. Items are also served a la carte. There is so much you can try something different every day. For dinners they do specialty evenings such as Moroccan Night or India Night. We were lucky that we were there when the moon was full, and it would make an entrance as we were enjoying dinner. At the Outrigger we enjoyed many special moments. And sometimes those moments were with the staff. Their warmth went beyond hospitality, it is personality. Everyone was engaging, and we always felt as if we were being given special treatment – which everyone else received. THRILLING WATER SPORTS the Hong Kong Not surprisingly there is a world-class water sports University of and scuba diving at the reef centre. They have all Science and the equipment for diving and snorkelling. There Technology are a number of ways of getting out on the water, taking general in the water and under the water. Take the plunge biology, with PADI professional dive training, available for cell biology, beginners and master divers. Courses in night molecular biology and diving and underwater photography will enhance marine biology. us time lapse photos where we could see the your dive adventure. We were joined changes as the coral grows. There are Catamaran lessons and courses for by Jason, a young lad The total number of restored coral is now beginners and experienced sailors. You can water from China who liked around 400 branches. “We’re now looking to ski, wakeboard, and kneeboard or try Seabob. The to practice his English involve more guests to join our coral restoration Jet Ski allows you to tour neighbouring islands or that was already pretty activities as well as showing them the wonderful zip around the bay to spot dolphins. Or try wave good. Joan gave us underwater world. Right now, we have 19 coral surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing or parasailing. an overall view of the frames restored underwater as well as stone piles Banana boats, flying arm chairs, and other seas, but focused on with new coral growing on them.” recreational equipment are also available. You can coral, why they become Guests can join the Outrigger’s monthly take lessons for all these activities. bleached and what coral restoration workshop and marine talk to Outrigger OZONE’s find out more about the mysterious underwater ECO CONCERNS coral conservation environment. Every Wednesday and Saturday Joan All this beauty, in this pristine environment, makes programme is doing. gives free marine educational talks. In fact, these you acutely aware that your mere presence in can be arranged anytime. paradise could be the seed of its destruction. We GROWING CORAL didn’t want to do anything that would negatively Outrigger established DIVE IN impact this beautiful environment – and the its coral restoration For guests who can scuba dive they can take a Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort feels the same project three years ago night dive and have a look at the fluorescence way. under previous marine corals under UV light. For those who like to Outrigger, across all their resorts, is highly biologist Caterina. New snorkel, there is a group of stingrays always aware of its responsibility to the world in which coral beds are being hanging out near the jetty. “I’d love to take the they live and do business in. We were to get created with reusable chance and show people how friendly and curious a behind the scenes look into the operations steel reinforcement these beautiful reef sharks are. They really are side, but first we had a session with Joan Li the rods where concrete portrayed in a wrong way in movies and TV new resident marine biologist who is tasked to tablets, seeded with shows,” Joan states. take forward the OZONE (Outrigger’s ZONE) new coral, are placed. The following day Rodolfo T. Aboy, Chief conservation initiatives. Over time, an entire Engineer, met us at the front desk and we stepped reef structure grows through the looking glass into a world that few DREAM JOB and flourishes. Existing guests get to see. In the Engineering Department’s A Chinese national, Joan says her new job is a reef structures are offices, work spaces and work yard every effort is dream posting and she brings a boatload of carefully maintained carried out to ensure that no waste goes into the enthusiasm and energy to her work. As well by controlling invasive environment and no damage is done through the as education and experience. Joan studied at species. Joan showed use of needed resources.

JASON CHECKS OUT THE CORAL

RECYCLE BINS OZONE

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RODOLFO ABOY AND MUSTA FITUR

make forms that can After the dolphins were seen their spirits seem to be used in a variety improve. of ways throughout In the afternoon we boarded the “submarine”. the resort. Being on a It looks like a submarine, it gives you views that tropical island there is you might get from a submarine, but it doesn’t go a great deal of plant totally underwater. Farah enjoyed this experience material that needs the most as it gave us an extended view of the reef, to be crushed and the coral and the many schools of colourful fish. composed, and the We circled the entire island, delighting in the views. department has the machine to do that. All the staff at Outrigger are dedicated to having zero negative impact on the environment HANDLING WASTE and the Engineering Water is a great challenge for a resort and the Department is on the Chief Engineer explained how Outrigger meets its front line of that effort. drinking, cooking and cleaning water needs. The Working hardest in water is desalinated using two 4 X 4 membranes this effort is General filters. It is tested at various stages by staff hourly Manager John Allanson DOLPHIN QUEST and a bacteriology test is done by the Ministry of who had all the ideas the Interior every 25 days at 12 points around the for the Beautification of island. “So far we have a perfect record,” states the Resort. Rodolfo. The department also makes still and sparkling DOLPHIN QUEST water. They bottle 1700 bottles of water a day in It wasn’t all work and high occupancy. You will find the reusable glass no play. At 9:30am we bottles in your room. Minerals are added to the joined Captain Nizamo water and they make excellent sparkling water. A and Muhai the guide, special bottled washer was purchased to ensure along with several other that the bottles are perfectly clean every time they guests that included are reused. our new friend Jason Waste comes in many forms. Waste from the and his parents, for kitchen is separated and what cannot be used the Dolphin Quest. DOLPHIN QUEST as compost is put with all the waste that can’t We clambered aboard be repurposed or recycled and is taken to the the brightly coloured SEMI-SUBMARINE garbage dump on the big island, Thilafushi, near traditional Dhoni for Male where waste from all over the Maldives is our two-hour journey. dealt with. This costs the resort for one disposal “It is not 100% trip US$1,308 under the Eco Centro Strategy. No guaranteed we will see plastic is used on the island, but that doesn’t stop the dolphins,” Muhai it from coming in with guests. enthused. “But 80%.” Even without seeing INNOVATIVE REPURPOSING dolphins it is a pleasant Used diesel is another problem that has become time on the sapphire an asset to surrounding communities where the sea, enjoying drinks, local people burn it in lamps. Oil that goes through the passing islands the power generator, that supplies electricity to the and the enthusiasm entire resort, is also repurposed. of the staff. There was VIEW FROM THE SUBMARINE One of the activities that Rodolfo is most a honeymoon couple proud of is the Regifoam machine that the on board, along with Engineering Department uses. Using materials both mothers. The two such as sand and crushed glass – a lot of wine ladies looked a bit glum bottles – they make it into blocks for walls to as they didn’t seem to sound proof rooms. At no cost to the Resort, they take to the sea too well. Pocket Guide

OUTRIGGER KONOTTA MALDIVES RESORT South Huvadhoo Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Republic of Maldives T: +960 684 7770 F: +960 684 7772 www.outrigger.com

SILK AIR www.silkair.com HYDRO POOL AT NAVASANA SPA

SNORKELER

DOLPHIN QUEST

NIGHT SNORKEL

NAVASANA SPA and were asked not ECLECTIC & ELECTRIC In the afternoon of our last full day we entered to shine the light right The world ashore has lost none of its magic

DOLPHIN QUEST a haven of tranquillity for a delightful hour of into the face of the either. The staff kindly take my equipment back massage. The treatments are inspired by a world fish or the shrimp. We to the Dive Centre to allow me to go to my villa SEMI-SUBMARINE of cultures and lifestyles which help you discover enjoyed the tropical that is nearby. I shower and change for dinner – and indulge in time-honoured traditions. These reef in the dark when our last on the island. secrets have been merged into lavish body and different fish come out Hurricane lamps are set on the tables beauty treatments, all designed for, and dedicated to play. The rays are on the beach as it is barbeque night. There to, utmost relaxation. The spa provides guests with more active at night is music, dancers and drums to add to an treatments that range from aromatic milk baths to and part of our group already electric atmosphere. We enjoy our last Thai massage. did spot one. evening in the moonlight once again enjoying We couldn’t linger as long as we would’ve liked The swim takes the companionable service of, Nasru, Urana to in the hydropools as I was going for the night 40 – 50 minutes Niluka, Jameel, and Precious. We appreciated snorkel, led by Joan, who is a very experienced and there is never a the attentive service that began before we arrived diver. The equipment provided was very good, the dull moment as the with emails from Abdulla Faiz, ensuring or travels mask sealing so well to my face that I seldom had tropical reef moves up would go well, to Tulic and Joan who ensured we to stop to shake out water. We lowered ourselves close, then drops away, were always well taken care of when we were on VIEW FROM into the gentle sea from the service jetty. as squirrel, lion and the island. THE SUBMARINE soldier fish and many Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort is a NIGHT LIFE others, dart about. memory making island with its closeness to The sun was nearing the horizon so there were a With only the sound of nature and the closeness you gain to the people number of people out to take pictures as it set. We your breathing you feel who do all they can to ensure your time with them started in daylight and slowly the dark gathered, you are in an entirely is the absolute best. v changing the experience. We all had flashlights different world.

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