Crystal Sands have been a long term dream of symphony Maldives to extend services to hospitality industry. Crystal Sands have been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years.Crystal Sands aim to provide preeminent consistent services from all group of restaurants.
Kurumba Maldives – Party With A Purpose
On Thursday 21st April Kurumba Maldives proudly hosted the fundraising event “Party with a Purpose”. This event was held for the fifth consecutive year in aid of 145 orphaned and foster children residing at “Kudakudhinge Hiyaa” located on Villingili and Hulhumalé islands. Support from 9 different Maldivian musician acts, many suppliers and partners contributed to raise over US$23,000. This upcoming year, the funds will be destined mostly to educational projects, in cooperation with the local non-governmental organization ARC – Advocating the Rights for the Children – and Kudakudhinge Hiyaa.
Local artists volunteered their time to perform Maldivian and international tunes in an outdoor setting for the resident guests and invitees’ enjoyment. Performances took place at Kandu Bar between 5.00pm to 12am. The musicians who offered their time and joie de vivre were: Island Fusion, Passive Harmony, Flower Rain, Mishy, Mira, Rishvan Imon, Def Note, DJ Paidé, DJ Maapu and Ammaday.
The set up for the event would have not been possible without the immense support of Event Maldives, as well as a taskforce of more than 55 team members from Kurumba Maldives, who volunteered cheerfully.
Local and foreign suppliers; Cosmopolitan, SIMDI Beverages, Grape Expectations, MMI Maldives, Navean, Coca Cola, SAFCO, Yeoman Group, Good Food Exports, donated goods that were used as refreshments and nourishment throughout the day, from which all proceeds went to the cause. Other suppliers that contributed with diverse useful goods were M7 Print, Bee House and Rateria.
The silent auction was blessed this year with the remarkable support of 24 resorts and 3 major airline carriers as sponsors. This was conducted throughout the event with many guests bidding for the following resorts and prizes: Amari Havodda, Amilla Fushi, Bandos Maldives, Coco Bodu Hithi, Crown & Champa Resorts, Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa, Gili Lankanfushi, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma, Hotel Jen, Jumeirah Vittaveli, LUX* South Ari Atoll, Maalifushi by COMO, Oblu by Atmosphere at Helengeli, Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Reethi Beach Resort, Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Thulhagiri, Velassaru, Vivanta Coral Reef by Taj, W Retreat & Spa, Universal Resorts, Kurumba Maldives, Veli Spa, Emirates Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airlines.
The evening was a great success with many locals, expatriates, local media and senior business invitees plus Kurumba’s in house guests joining in. There was non-stop live entertainment and the evening was blessed with almost perfect weather to host such an event. This year, we also counted on the support of Think Maldives and Digital Studio for photography and videography purposes.
The Kudakudhinge Hiyaa orphanage, located on Villingili and Hulhumalé islands, hosts children between the ages of 6 months and 21 years old. This is a self-supporting service that requires help from the community and industry in order to continue providing a caring, safe and educational environment for these children.
Ali Farooq, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager and Champion of ARC and the orphanages commented: “This is the 5th consecutive and successful year for Party with a Purpose. We are very thankful for the vast support and contributions of performers, suppliers, resorts, airlines and attendees. This is a great achievement for us and we are very proud to support our local community, ARC – Advocating the Rights of Children – and the Kudakudhinge Hiyaa orphanage. We will strive to continue with this charitable event year after year.”
For more information on Kurumba Maldives’ CSR program, please check www.kurumba.com/maldives-csr-activities
For more information about upcoming events in Kurumba Maldives, please check www.kurumba.com/maldives-event-Calendar
Laze
Designed for both business and leisure travel, Hotel Laze is a premium Four star Hotel ideally situated in the heart of Male’ city. The city center is merely away and the airport can be reached within minutes. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city’s must-see destinations.
The hotel features 33 beautifully appointed guest rooms, which include, in room safe, toiletries, hair dryer, Mini Bar. The Hotel is ideal for anyone looking to come to Male’ , and provide visitors the best options for whatever they are looking for including rooms, dining and facilities.
Luminous Resident Artist Tom Bacher Lets It Glow At W Maldives
Coming directly from Cincinnati, Ohio to the Maldives, the award-winning glow-in-the-dark artist Tom Bacher will bring W Hotels’ passion for design to life at W Maldives by taking his residency from May 21 until June 5, 2016.
Preferring showcasing his paintings rather than himself, Tom Bacher will use the iconic W Maldives as his own workshop and art gallery, showcasing his luminous art and holding art classes for inhouse guests and W talents alike. Getting his inspiration from the New York City’s vibrant 24/7 skyline and the Indian Ocean’s colorful marine life, twinkling stars and phosphorescent plankton, the luminous artist will transform the tropical playground into a magical island set to ‘Let It Glow’ with sparkling neon colors.
Artists are supposed to love light, but Tom actually works with crystals of phosphorescence that he mixes with acrylic paints. The amalgam that results has a half-life. The paints on the canvas absorb light during the day; as light fails, the colors change, and when darkness invades the studio or gallery, the pictures start glowing, popping off the wall.
“I do paintings that actually incorporate an element of time and change,” Bacher describes his creative process. He recalls that his fascination with phosphorescence stems from the glow-in-the dark toys, religious statues, and rosaries so popular in the USA in the 1950s.
“I consider paintings that glow and emit their own light as new, just as Impressionism was new at one time,” says Tom Bacher. “I look at Impressionism as the art movement that captured the sun and daylight effects, while today, with luminous colors, it’s possible to capture the night effects because we’re looking at the paintings in the dark. I’ve been using luminous pigments exclusively for 38 years, and I’m still discovering new things.”
Tom Bacher’s work appears in numerous museums, corporate and private collections in the USA and has been exhibited in Paris, Zurich, and Brussels. The artist has also showcased his paintings in West of Soho Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio and New York’s OK Harris Gallery with world famous art dealer Ivan Karp for 20 years. Bacher is currently represented by Cincinnati Art Galleries, Ohio and 100 Titres Gallery in Brussels, Belgium.
Come and check Tom Bacher’s artwork at W Maldives that can be reached by a short and scenic 25-minute seaplane flight from Male International Airport. The resort is set in a wonderland of white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and breath-taking reefs. It features 78 private retreats – each with its own plunge pool and sundeck; six gourmet eateries and lounge bars, including 15BELOW, the Maldives only underground nightclub and an over-water AWAY® spa for an ultimate escape.
For bookings and more information, please explore wretreatmaldives.com/en/letitglow
Kaani Beach Hotel
Kaani Beach Hotel is the Ideal destination for those looking for a honeymoon or just something a little more out of the way and slower paced. With Sea View rooms and private balcony just in front of the beach and a wide variety of relaxing recreational activities such as fishing, snorkeling, sailing, and diving right at the hotel itself.
The Beehive
Ideal for fun and relaxation, The Beehive Hotel is located in Malé, capital island of the Maldives just a 10 minute ferry ride from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city’s must-see destinations.
The ambiance of The Beehive Hotel is reflected in every guestroom. The Beehive offers modern rooms with flat-screen TVs and free Wifi, non smoking rooms and air conditioning are just some of the facilities that can be found throughout the property. The rooms comes with a fridge and ironing facilities. Private bathrooms have hot shower facilities and toiletries.
A hearty buffet breakfast is served daily at the Beehive’s restaurant, The Hive. The restaurant serves Western and Asian dishes.
For convenience, guests can deposit valuables in the safe at the 24-hour front desk. Staff can assist with business and laundry needs.
The hotel offers an excellent variety of recreational facilities, including diving, fishing, water sports (motorized).
MATATO Maldives Travel Awards 2016
Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) has awarded Think Advertising the rights to organize and host MATATO Maldives Travel Awards. The agreement was signed between MATATO and Think Advertising on 18th April 2016. Mr. Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, President of MATATO signed on behalf of MATATO and Mr. Adheel Ismail, CEO of Think Advertising signed on behalf of Think Advertising.
MATATO, established in 2006, is one of the leading organization in the Travel Industry comprising of Travel Agents and Tour Operators. MATATO also represents Resorts, Hotels and Airlines in the Maldives. In addition to the advocating efforts of the organization, MATATO takes part in major international travel exhibitions, publish the annual Travel Guide and also hosts the Maldives Travel Awards. “We are very excited about this new partnership and what Think Advertising will contribute to the awards with their years of experience and expertise. Together we will bring yet another successful edition of the Travel Awards, and the Industry can expect a better show with changes that will retain and elevate the significance of the Awards” – Mr. Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, President of MATATO.
Formed in 2005, Think Advertising is the leading advertising and events management company in the Maldives. For the past 11 years, Think Advertising has served a major clientele and hosted the largest events in various industries. “We thank MATATO for entrusting us to organize and host the Award. We also acknowledge and appreciate the efforts from MATATO and the previous organizer to have organized the Award for the past 4 years. We, at Think Advertising ensures MATATO and the industry that we are committed to take the Award to the next level” – Mr. Adheel Ismail, CEO, Think Advertising.
MATATO Maldives Travel Awards was launched in 2012 and the year 2016 marks the 5th Anniversary. The Travel Awards is the most prestigious and highly recognised label in the tourism sector of the Maldives. Coinciding with the Visit Maldives Year 2016, the event will be one of the premium events of the year in the country.
Think Advertising will be organizing and hosting the next Maldives Travel Awards for MATATO in 2016. In the coming weeks, Think Advertising will be communicating the date of the event and notice for nominations and sponsorships.
Sea Spirit
The MV Sea Spirit is a spacious liveaboard vessel that offers comfortable accommodation together with the high standard of service, offering an exciting and varied schedule of departures encompassing the very best of Maldives Diving.
There are huge advantages to diving on a boat that takes only a small number of passengers – it is so much less intrusive to marine life when twelve divers jump into the water rather than twenty five, so you as a diver will have a much better opportunity to come close up to those elusive species you have been hoping to see. Of course, add to that the more personal service and attention to detail both on board and in the water, and you have an ideal liveaboard experience.
The Sea Spirit is managed by two highly professional Cruise Directors who are fully qualified Dive Instructors and have many years of liveaboard experience behind them. They guide and coordinate the dive planning and ensure that the standards of your holiday are maintained in every way. A good crew and experienced dive team are essential for the successful operation of a liveaboard. With many years experience in the Maldives, the Sea Spirit’s team is able to consistently deliver a high standard of service safety and care.
Whale Submarine Maldives
Maldives consists 99% of water. Whale Submarine Maldives gives you the opportunity to experience Maldives in a unique way. Perfect for those wanting to witness Maldives’ magical underwater, without getting wet.
How to do your booking:
Whale submarine dives in every 90 minutes DAY and NIGHT, starting 9am until 8pm.
If you stay in a resort/hotel that provides Whale Submarine as an in-house excursion, you can do booking through them.
If your resort/hotel does not provide this service you can directly contact Whale Submarine Maldives and they will make arrangements to pick you up from the resort, provided that you are staying at a close by resort.
Your travel agent or tour guide may also arrange this for you.
If you are staying at a far away resort join Whale Submarine dive when you arrive at the airport, for your departure.
If your flight is at 12pm you can join Whale Submarine’s 9am dive, and if you are leaving late in the evening, Whale Submarine have the evening dive for you.
If your flight is early in the morning or if you feel that you would not have enough time at the airport to join the dive, ask your tour operator or travel agent to arrange your transfer to Malé the day before. This will give you the ample time to do some sightseeing in Malé and do some shopping in addition to the dive in the submarine. This would give you the opportunity to explore the capital city, Malé above and below water to be able to appreciate fully what Maldives is.
Check-in:
When you make booking through the resort/hotel you will be transferred directly to the submarines floating dry-dock called ‘Whale House’.
If you are a departure passenger you may check-in to Whale Submarine’s airport counter located at the arrival hall. Here you may leave your luggage with Whale Submarine’s staff and board Whale Submarine’s transfer vessel to the dive site. The ride out to the dive site will take approximately 20 minutes. The transfer vessel transfers you to Whale Submarine’s ‘Whale House’ on the dive site. A special area in the ‘Whale House’ is designated for passengers and here you will be served refreshments and wet tissues.
Ticketing. While you relax on the ‘Whale House’, Whale Submarine’s ticketing staff will issue the tickets. Payments have to be made direct to the counter here and all major credit cards are accepted. Once the tickets are issued you will board the submarine. There is no restroom on the submarine and therefore you are requested to use the restroom on the’ Whale House’ before boarding the submarine.
Ticketing:
While you relax on the ‘Whale House’, Whale Submarine’s ticketing staff will issue the tickets. Payments have to be made direct to the counter here and all major credit cards are accepted. Once the tickets are issued you will board the submarine. Please note, there is NO restroom on the submarine and therefore you are requested to use the restroom on the’ Whale House’ before boarding the submarine.
The Dive:
On board the submarine you will descend to a submerged reef 40 meters beneath the surface. However the first stop is at 25 meters where you will see a colorful display of corals and different types of reef fish. In most of the dives the submarine is greeted by a school of blue or yellow-striped Snappers.
Common Lion fish, Yellow Box Fish and turtles are usually found here. Next stop at 40 meters is yet another type of coral garden and depending on current the submarine will be beached on a sandy spot just close to a big cave. The exterior lights of the submarine will enable you to see the different types of fish taking shelter inside the cave.
Occasionally White Tip Reef Sharks and Napoleons are sighted here. If you are lucky you may be able to see one of the biggest Groupers in the Maldives here on this location. This 2 meter long Giant Grouper frequents this area and is totally devoid of fear for the submarine. In many dives she has come close to the view-ports and showed the passengers its gaping mouth with unevenly arranged razor sharp teeth.
Depending on time of the day, current and many other factors the submarine may dive on some historical sites such as a shipwreck or a more exciting place like a shark feeding area or just another beautiful reef. Before the dive begins the crew inside the submarine would give you a briefing on that particular dive site.
If you are joining a night dive watch closely for the sleeping manta rays as the Whale Submarine’s powerful exterior lights lit the whole area.
Make sure you take your camera with you and never miss any surprise encounter with a shark or maybe a giant grouper or the protected Napoleon’s now feared for extinction.
After a breath-taking 45 minutes dive the submarine will ascent to the surface. The transfer vessel will be there to pick you up immediately after the dive and you will be dropped to Malé, the Airport or back to your resort. The whole tour will take approximately less than 3 hours.
| Mon-Thu: |
8:30 pm – 6:00 pm
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| Sat-Sun: |
8:30 pm – 6:00 pm
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Tel: 3333939 / 7903939
Email: [email protected]Few features of the Whale Submarine. Whale Submarine is designed and constructed in Karlsruhe, Germany under the strict regulations of the American Bureau of Shipping and Bureau Veritas and is capable of carrying 50 passengers to a dive depth of 150 meters. Whale submarine is currently the world’s deep diving largest tourist submarine in existence. So far this submarine has performed more than 5000 dives safely. The cabin of the submarine is fully air-conditioned and has a normal atmospheric pressure and thus you breath normal air. Therefore you are safe to fly just after a dive. Whale Submarine has redundant safety features to ensure the safest, most comfortable ride, and is operated by a fully trained and certified team of French and local pilots. Whale Submarine carries enough oxygen, water and food supplies to support all passengers and crew for 100 hours.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa hosts Surfing Champions Trophy from August 8 to 14, 2016
As surf season gets underway in the Maldives, so too does the build up to the country’s hottest invitational: Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. And kicking off 2016’s illustrious line-up, big wave legend Shane Dorian has confirmed his return to defend last year’s title.
Unique in many ways, the Champions Trophy determines a surfer’s heat time based on their age and tests skill across three different divisions: single-fin, twin-fin, and triple-fin thruster. Places are granted by invitation-only to just six world champions in a battle for inner-circle kudos and the USD 25,000 prize winnings.
Hawaiian big-wave slayer Dorian secured the 2015 title in a nail-biting Grand Final against defending champion Dave Rastovich (AUS). En route to the final, he achieved the Champions Trophy’s highest single wave score – a 10, the first in the competition’s history – and the highest heat total: 19.60 (out of a possible 20).
A recent finalist at the Quicksilver Eddie Invitational and The Jaws Big Wave World Event, Dorian is already turning his attention to the August event, commenting, “Lisa and I can’t wait to return to the Maldives to enjoy the chilled out vibe of the Champions Trophy. It’s such a unique concept with fun waves and great company and definitely one of the highlights of our year.”
The Surfing Champions Trophy is hosted onboard Four Seasons Explorer – the Maldives’ ultimate surf vessel. Fans can get up close to the action with onboard VIP passes, while the surf tour experience continues with shoulder-rubbing events back at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, which plays host to the contest’s competitors, judges and Tropicsurf partners (the pros behind the Resort’s surf operation).
Event Coordinator Mark Winson of Tropicsurf comments, “It’s crazy to think how prominent the Surfing Champions Trophy has become in just six years. It’s a one-of-a-kind event where the camaraderie off the waves makes for an even more magical competition on them.”
It won’t be long before the remaining five world champions are announced, and if previous years are anything to go by, fans can expect powerhouse names and some interesting twists.
For a piece of the action, book the Group Surf & Stay package, available for a minimum booking of five rooms at Kuda Huraa between August 8 and 14, 2016, including:
- All-inclusive 5 or 7 nights accommodation (full board)
- Competition day passes aboard Four Seasons Explorer
- 5 or 7 days of intense surfing with Tropicsurf’s expert guides
- Return transfers
Limited day passes will be available (at a fee) for non-package guests and members of the public wishing to view the event from Four Seasons Explorer. Call + 960 66 00 888 for enquiries and rates.