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 AND FARAH 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. www.asianjourneys.com.sg | October/November 2018 AsianJourneys 16 TROPICAL RETREATS 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.