unwind® eco-tip | eco-crafting

Who says being eco-friendly is a bore? Unveil the creativity in you through eco-crafting and take a new meaning into the three principles of waste management of Reduce, Reuse and Recycling.

If you decide to take novels while travel and don’t want to forget where you read last after pausing for a swim or spa, bookmarks are the easiest crafts you can create with your used gift wraps and a piece of ribbon or even coir rope available in the local souvenir shops in Maldives. Bedazzle or paint your old sandals and carry it on your way, it’s all sand here! Ever thought of proposing in a unique way? Surprise your loved one by giving a message in a bottle, by recycling champagne bottles, a note and a piece of thin coir rope to tie it up.

After your wonderful trip in Maldives, take home the travel pictures and add little captions and designs, you can also create your own unique photo frames! Scrapbooking is a craft which both contributes to your creativity and the environment. Use the old magazines, newspapers, gift wraps, ribbons, used papers and design your own travel scrapbooks!

Why all the fun for adults? Keep your young ones occupied with travel crafts such as recycling and designing gift boxes and gift cards or enjoy art and crafts in the Kid’s club. Now you can have fun and help the environment at the same time.

unwind® eco tip | Environmental Education for Kids

Photo: Four Seasons staff teaching coconut leaf based arts and crafts at the Kuda Velaa Club

In order to create an eco-conscious generation for a greener future, we need to educate and create environmental awareness among children from a young age.

There are plenty of eco-educational activities and games for children to have fun while learning such as making art & crafts using recycled materials, beach games or even snorkeling. Drop a few Eco tips along the way as you go on with your daily lives. Shopping can be turned into an interesting search for eco friendly labels and products, also the best time to provide awareness about animal products such as turtle shells, leather and fur.

If you are setting out for a vacation, look for eco-friendly resorts offering such activities for children. The Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru lets the children snorkel and explore nemo’s home with a marine biologist, making it fun to learn about marine life while the Shangri-La Vilingili Resort & Spa offers nature trails to discover the island's indigenous flora and fauna. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island also offers the opportunity of spotting colorful fish on a snorkeling trip or going exploring for dolphins. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island also offers the opportunity to spot colorful fish during snorkeling trips or exploring the life of dolphins.

Fortieth Anniversary of Earth Day

Photo: Alila Villas Hadahaa - the first green globe certified resort in the Maldives

Earth day was established in 1970 to create awareness of the Earth’s delicate environment and develop a sustainable environment for the future generations. Today over 190 countries and 1 billion people participate in events on April 22. Many extend it to an entire week with dedicated activities focused on environmental issues.

Organizations such as the CNN International will premier two environmental programs, “The Special Debate for Earth’s Frontiers: The future of energy” and “Green Light for Business” focusing on the impact of businesses on the natural world. The Special debate: for Earth’s Frontiers will feature a panel of experts such as the President of Maldives, winner of 09 Anna Lindh Prize dubbed Time Magazines’ Hero of the Environment, Mohamed Nasheed; Academy Award winning director James Cameron; Chinese Director of Climate group Changhua Wu and Chairman & CEO of PUMA, Jochen Zeitz.

Maldives being a low-lying nation, it is threatened to become extinct under the rising seas due the effects of climate change. This beautiful island chain has now become a voice to other such nations and continues to bring a global light into this issue from hosting the ‘under water cabinet meeting’ last year to vowing to become the first carbon neutral nation by 2020. This year, activities such as Plankton Presentations and Reef Clean ups will be held in the local islands as well as resorts.

We invite you to peruse through earthday.org to view earth day events near you.

Stay Five Nights FREE at Soneva's

Become a Soneva Environmental Advisor this summer and earn five complimentary nights stay at Sonevas

Six Senses & Spa, the pioneer in eco-tourism in the Maldives is now initiating philanthropic escapes, a gratifying travel experience which is becoming a world-wide trend. The Soneva properties in the Maldives – Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili are renowned for their community involvement with projects like 'buy local ' which not only helps the environment but also generate local revenue streams; donating personal computers to schools; donating scanning equipment to the hospital in Baa Atoll; work with ECOCARE - a local environment NGO and more.

Soneva's are now inviting their guests to go ‘behind the scenes’ and discover how much more there is to the wonderful hospitality and rich culture within the Maldivian atolls. Book five nights and volunteer for five hours daily on the local community project of your choice, such as marine conservation, teaching children at a local school, planting trees (carbon-mitigation) and learning how to turn waste into wealth.

Of course, no good deeds go "unrewarded"! Your valuable contribution is awarded with five (additional) nights accommodation at the property of your choice - Soneva Gili or Soneva Fushi. This volunteer program is available to book between June 1 and October 12, 2010, so rush your inquiries to our design specialist to tailor your volunteer escape!