IN TOUCH magazine - Baros Maldives

APRIL, MAY & JUNE 2016

IN TOUCH magazine

IN TOUCH magazine — Baros Maldives. Welcome to this edition of IN TOUCH, our magazine created to keep you “in touch” with Baros Maldives. All of us at Baros Maldives look forward to being in touch with you every few months in this manner so we can provide you with valuable information on the Maldives and on our luxury boutique island resort. Imagine, we are even going to share some of our most delicious recipes with you and tell some of our best kept Spa secrets. We hope you will enjoy being reminded about Baros Maldives and that you will want to be in touch with us too. ©2016 . Contents and photos are owned by Baros Maldives and should not be reproduced , distributed , transmitted , or displayed for any commercial use.

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Heritage Architecture — A Brief Maldivian Language Guide

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Bon Appetit! Dragon Fruit Salad — Let’s Cocktail Ginger-Orange Daiquiri

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Spa Secrets Green Coffee Wrap

I am pleased to inform you that Baros Maldives has, yet again, won some prestigious awards. In January it was announced that Baros Maldives has been honoured with five top Travelers’ Choice awards by TripAdvisor.

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Underwater Conserving Coral

We greatly value the recognition by TripAdvisor in this manner because the awards are based on the comments of guests who have stayed at Baros Maldives. To be rated so highly for Romance, Luxury and Service is a compliment to the dedication of the Baros Maldives team to ensure every guest enjoys staying with us. I would like to thank all our guests for this support over the years and for constantly motivating us to stay true to our Maldivian heritage.

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Baros Maldives TripAdvisor Awards

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Sandbank Cinema — Get to know Shijah Front Office Manager

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Did You Know That...

Dear IN TOUCH Reader,

We were also delighted to learn that during the Valentine’s celebrations in February several proposals of marriage were made by guests staying on the island, including some in the romantic setting of our sandbank. At Baros Maldives we share the joy of our guests in arranging special moments so they become a memorable, once in a lifetime experience. If you have a special occasion or anniversary to commemorate please let us know. It’s our pleasure to make everything happen smoothly. Warm regards, Shuhan

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IN TOUCH magazine — Baros Maldives

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Get in touch

Heritage Architecture.

A BRIEF MALDIVIAN LANGUAGE GUIDE

Although the Maldives are archetypal tropical islands with palm fringed sandy beaches lapped by the gentle surf from tranquil blue lagoons, seemingly locked in time, the islanders are very progressive in their architecture. That’s why few examples of heritage buildings remain because they have been superseded by convenient, modern constructions. Originally buildings were created using indigenous materials, palm wood for beams and plaited palm leaves for exterior screens and thatched roofs. Architectural practices were green and sustainable, evolving gradually to the use of coral stone for more durable residences. Since nowhere in the Maldives is far from the sea, nor above a metre or so in height, and the climate is generally hot, dwellings were constructed to match natural conditions. They were placed with openings facing prevailing winds so they kept cool in the heat, and were constructed on raised platforms as protection from the elements. As trading by sea with other countries flourished, timber was imported and used in the construction of more permanent residences for doors, which were sliding, and windows. They were set in private compounds, with walls (of coral stone) defining the boundary of the property. In Utheem, in the northern atoll of Haa Alif, the residence of the 16th Century Maldivian hero, Mohammed Thakurufaan, is a beautifully preserved example. A more recent version of a house with a wooden façade is the building that has become the Royal Garden Café in Male’ although it has been extensively modernised. Behind the compound wall is a small garden. The main door leads into an ante-room which is where, in ancient times, the host would greet his visitors. The rear rooms were for sleeping on mats placed on platforms raised above the damp ground.

HERITAGE House – ge Garden – bageechaa History – thaareekh Architecture – farumaa kurun

The original Maldivian residence would have had its bathing area (the gifili) outside in the compound by a well, open to the sky and the open-roofed bathrooms at Baros Maldives reflect that design. In olden days privacy was provided by a fence of cadjan in the form of a mat made with coconut leaves sewn together with coir rope. The traditional way of building houses with coral stone is now prohibited since coral reefs are protected, but old coral houses can still be seen in Male’ and local islands. Building styles began to change in the 19th Century under foreign influence and as imported materials became more readily available. A surviving example of colonial architecture is Mulee-aage (built in 1906) in Male’ which can be seen on a visits to the capital. At Baros Maldives over the festive season at the end of the year, we build our own traditional palm thatch hut for guests to get a feeling for the past traditional Maldives.

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Culture – sagaafaiy Coral – muraka Thatch – fangi Village – avah City – rah Heritage – tharika

Bon Appetit! Dragon Fruit Salad This fresh and delicious salad was added to the Lime Restaurant menu recently and has proved to be a great success. The exotic Dragon Fruit brings a freshness and a citrus flavour, mixing perfectly with the Kataifi -wrapped and deep fried Indian Ocean Prawns. Kataifi is a popular Middle Eastern pastry made with a special form of shredded phyllo dough that is also called kataifi. The dough is excellent for making light savoury appetisers. This spectacular appetiser can be enjoyed both for lunch and dinner on the Lime Restaurant terrace. Serves 2 people Recipe by Baros Culinary Team For the Dragon Fruit Salad 600g Dragon Fruit, / 10g Shallots / 20g Onions red, sliced 10g Basil / 5g Red Chili chopped / 5g Coriander Leaves 10g Mint / 5 Crispy fried shallots

Let’s cocktail 500ml Lime Juice / 800g Sugar / 20g Salt 200ml Fish Sauce / 130g Red Finger Chilli / 10g Red Bird’s Eye Chilli / 20g Garlic (Optional) 3 pieces Tiger Prawns (wrapped with Kataifi dough and deep fried) • Cut the Dragon Fruit in half. Gently scoop out the white fruit from its centre and dice it. • Slice the crispy fried shallots and mix together with all the herbs and chillies. • Blend lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, salt, sugar and chilli to a make the dressing and marinate the Dragon Fruit salad in it. • Check seasoning and decorate with fresh herbs and some more crispy fried shallots For the Kataifi Prawns 40g Kataifi pastry 3 medium size Tiger Prawns (peeled with tail left on) 50g melted butter 5g lime juice and pinch of salt • Peel and de-vein Tiger Prawns leaving the tail on. Dry in a cloth then season with salt and lime juice • Place strands of Kataifi pastry in length on a clean surface. Melt butter and brush it gently on the pastry. • Wrap each prawn in some buttered pastry and deep fry wrapped prawns gently until light golden brown and crispy.

CHEF’S TIP The Dragon Fruit is a grown in Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central and South America and Israel.The plant is a type of cactus and the fruit comes in three varieties: two kinds have pink skin but with different coloured flesh (one white, the other red), while another type is yellow with white flesh. Dragon fruit is low in calories and offers numerous nutrients, including Vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, plus fibre and antioxidants. Dragon Fruit is sweet and crunchy, with a flavour that's like a cross between kiwi and pear. To choose a perfectly ripe dragon fruit look for bright, even-coloured skin. A few blotches are normal but a lot indicates the fruit may be over-ripe. Hold the Dragon Fruit in your palm and try pressing the skin with your thumb or fingers - it should give a little, but shouldn't be too soft or mushy. If it's very firm, it will need to ripen for a few days.

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Ginger-Orange Daiquiri The classic Daiquiri was invented by an American mining engineer who was in Cuba at the time of the Spanish– American War and named it after a beach near Santiago de Cuba. Here at Baros Maldives, we like the classics, but we also like to spice them up a bit. One of our all-time favourites, this GingerOrange Daiquiri brings the sting from ginger into perfect harmony with the fruity orange. Ingredients 40 ml Bacardi Gold 20 ml Ginger Liqueur 20 ml Lime Juice 10 ml Honey Syrup/Sugar Syrup 10 ml Orange Juice Glass Stem glass or cocktail glass. Garnish Lime wedge on the glass rim. Method Pour all the ingredients together into a shaker with ice cubes and shake well. Strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge

YOGA Extended Triangle Pose Utthita Trikonasana (oo-TEE-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna) utthita = extended trikona = three angle or triangle. 1. Stand up straight. With an exhalation, step or lightly jump your feet 3 1/2 to 4 feet apart. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach them out to the sides, shoulder blades wide, palms down. 2. Turn your left foot in slightly to the right and your right foot out to the right 90 degrees. Align the right heel with the left heel. Firm your thighs and turn your right thigh outwards, so that the centre of the right knee cap is in line with the centre of the right ankle. 3. Exhale and extend your torso to the right directly over the plane of the right leg, bending from the hip joint, not the waist. Anchor this movement by strengthening the left leg and pressing the outer heel firmly to the floor. Rotate the torso to the left, keeping the two sides equally long. Let the left hip come slightly forward and lengthen the tailbone toward the back heel. 4. Rest your right hand on your shin, ankle, or the floor outside your right foot, whatever is possible without distorting the sides of the torso. Stretch your left arm toward the ceiling, in line with the tops of your shoulders. Keep your head in a neutral position or turn it to the left, eyes gazing softly at the left thumb.

Spa Secrets Green Coffee Wrap Green coffee bean extract, produced from the green beans of the Arabica plant, is a relatively new ingredient to weight loss products that has been attracting attention as it has a number of health benefits, in particular as a weight loss aid. You can experience this seemingly magical extract in The Spa as part of our Anti-Cellulite Temptress Wrap treatment.This helps slim and tone the body with a cuttingedge cellulite treatment. The slimming and toning wrap stimulates your body's ability to break down fat, increase metabolism, and eliminate water retention. Pure 100% Micronised Green Coffee, naturally rich in Chlorogenic Acid, Polysaccharides, Proteins, and Essential Oils, smooths

and enhances skin texture, visibly reducing spongy, dimply, cellulitic areas.

5. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to one minute. Inhale to come up, strongly pressing the back heel into the floor and reaching the top arm towards the ceiling. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time to the left. Benefits

In The Spa at Baros Maldives, we use a warm thermal blanket placed on top of the massage table. On top of this is a thin linen blanket that is used to wrap the guest up comfortably. It is important to be well hydrated before experiencing the green coffee wrap as, during a typical wrap, you will perspire, and will need to replenish the water in your body.

• Stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles. • Stretches the hips, groins, hamstrings, and calves; shoulders, chest, and spine. • Stimulates the abdominal organs. • Helps relieve stress. • Improves digestion. • Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause. • Relieves backache, especially through second trimester of pregnancy. • Therapeutic for anxiety, flat feet, infertility, neck pain, osteoporosis, and sciatica. Beginners: Brace your back heel or the back of your torso against a wall if you feel unsteady in the pose.

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Advanced: For more experienced students, align the front heel with the back foot arch.

UNDERWATER Conserving Coral The coral polyp, which is responsible for the formation of reefs, is an extremely fragile animal that easily gets damaged on contact with fins or dive equipment. Therefore “prevention is better than cure” is our principle and all our guests who visit the Marine Centre are advised how, when and where to go snorkelling to avoid any contact with corals or other marine organisms. Unfortunately some coral fragments break off due to careless snorkellers or get bitten off by fish as they search for food within the branches of reefs. These fragments eventually end up on the sandy sea floor where they have only a small chance of survival. This is where our Reef Rehabilitation Programme begins. Guests can actively contribute to our reef enhancement project by sponsoring a Coral Frame. During this activity, we teach about the coral propagation process and escort participants in a swim out to our house reef. There we collect broken coral fragments and re-attach them to especially designed structures. These provide a stable substrate (the coral frame) that is elevated from the sandy seafloor. This not only gives artificial reef-structure corals a chance to grow, but also creates new homes for various marine animals. Our nursery is inhabited by juvenile batfish, flutemouth, flounders, octopuses, various species of Damselfish and Sweepers, Blennies and Snails. Goatfish and Surgeonfish regularly visit the coral frames and some juvenile Oriental Sweetlips spend the early months of their lives sheltering under them. Our marine biologists keep participants up-to-date by e-mail every six months about the growth of the corals as they develop on the table. Growth rates of corals are highly variable, depending on a variety of factors like species, location on the reef and age of the colony. Since starting the Coral Regeneration Project in Baros Maldives in 2009 we have submerged 171 coral tables. Some of them are located around the centre of the water villa area, but now most of them surround the Lighthouse Restaurant. We devote a lot of time to our coral nursery and we are passionate about the marine environment. We do as much as we can to reduce the predation pressure on corals in the house reef and surrounding reefs. Thus we conduct regular hunting and removal of Crown of Thorns (starfish) and Drupella (snail) as they are coral eaters. We also organise regular cleaning of the house reef, to keep it trash-free. We cooperate with national projects, such as collecting data for the Olive Ridley project (which involves locating abandoned ‘ghost’ nets in which they could become trapped), the Manta Trust (Manta Rays conservation) and the Maldives Turtle ID programme.

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Baros Maldives ACCLAIMED AGAIN We are proud to announce that Baros Maldives has again won acclaim as one of the world’s foremost romantic resorts. The latest award is the recognition by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice of Baros Maldives as Number 8 in the World’s Best Hotels for Romance, and as Number 2 Best Hotel for Romance in Asia. The Awards are based on millions of reviews collected during 2015 from TripAdvisor users worldwide. Established in 2002, the Travelers’ Choice awards are the highest honour TripAdvisor can bestow on a hotel. They reflect “the best of the best” for service, quality, and customer satisfaction.

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Baros Maldives also won a further three TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, being acclaimed as No 9 in Asia Top Hotels as well as featuring in the top 25 of Asia’s Luxury Hotels and among the top for the Best Service of a Hotel in Asia. We appreciate these awards because they are the result of genuine guest feedback online, helping to motivate us as they reflect the impact of the personal hospitality that’s a hallmark of Baros Maldives.


GET TO KNOW Shijah

Front Office Manager Like many of the Baros Maldives staff members, Shijah was born and raised in Maradhoo, Addu City, in the most southern atoll of the Maldives. He moved to Male’ to pursue higher education followed by studies for a Diploma in Hotel Catering and Institutional Operation at the Maldives College of Education. He is currently studying for his MBA in his spare time. Shijah started his career in the hospitality industry in December 2005 as a Telephone Operator at Conrad Maldives. At that resort, he collected extensive experience holding various positions both working front of house in the resort’s reception and in the Human Resources department.

Sandbank Cinema It’s the ultimate open-air theatre: Cinema on a Sandbank.

bean bags to watch the movie on a large screen under the stars.

We have recently introduced the unusual concept of guests being able to watch a movie of their choice (selected from the range of complimentary DVDs in our gift shop) at a private screening on the Baros Maldives sandbank.

If you want to be alone to enjoy the movie, the sandbank butler will give you a mobile phone to call him to return for you when you are ready to leave.

The evening begins with a boat ride to the sandbank as the sun sets. A bottle of house champagne, bar snacks and Baros-made popcorn are served by the sandbank butler, while you settle into comfortable

To make an even more memorable and romantic experience, we would be happy to arrange a candle lit dinner just for two on the sandbank before the movie starts.

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Shijah joined Baros in 2008 functioning as the Guest Activity Coordinator for a year. In 2012 he returned to Baros Maldives as the Front Office Manager, benefitting from already knowing the island and the team very well. Shijah has worked at three different resort islands to expand his knowledge. He says he is most impressed by Baros Maldives, not only for the concept and the way the island is operated, but also for the management and the whole team. He believes that it is the people of Baros Maldives that give the resort its special appeal to guests. Shijah says, as Front Office Manager, he enjoys meeting new people everyday, interacting with repeat guests and making sure that every guest has a wonderful holiday at Baros Maldives.

Did you know that... ........while snorkelling around our house reef you can spot three different species of shark: blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) and nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)? All of them are harmless. ........our sunken boats “Samara” and “Tara” are one of the favourite spots for nurse sharks to sleep at day time? ........at our our house reef we have one blacktip reef shark without its dorsal fin? It’s hard to say what happened to him but he seems to be completely fine as he has been swimming around here for nearly 10 years. ........shark teeth are very dynamic? As teeth are ground down or they fall out, new ones from the other rows come forward to fill the slot. ........the presence of sharks is a key indicator of the health of an ecosystem.

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Get in touch

Any questions, suggestions, comments? Get in touch with us on Baros Maldives, we are looking forward to hearing from you.

∙∙ Shuhan, Resort Manager [email protected] ∙∙ Musthafeez, Executive Assistant Manager [email protected] ∙∙ Upul, Executive Sous Chef [email protected] ∙∙ Lisa, PR & Communications Manager [email protected] ∙∙ Shanoon, Sales & Marketing Manager [email protected] ∙∙ Shijah, Front Office Manager [email protected] ∙∙ Abdulla, Food & Beverage Manager [email protected] ∙∙ Ron, Spa Manager [email protected] ∙∙ Elisa, Marine Biologist [email protected] ∙∙ Karin, Dive Manager [email protected] Tel: +960 664 26 72 [email protected] . www.baros.com

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PO Box 2015, Male’ 20-02, Republic of Maldives Tel: + 960 664 26 72, Fax: + 960 664 34 97 [email protected], www.baros.com

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