Areca Nuts | the Chew of Maldives

A slice of Areca nut

Areca nuts, often erroneously referred as the betel nuts are widely used as a mint after meals and holds a distinct history in Maldives.

According to historians and travelers like François Pyrard de Laval, areca nuts were deeply embedded into the Maldivian culture. The early Maldivians used a girdle on their waist in which they kept a good supply of areca nuts and it was customary that when they meet each other on the road, may it be a friend or stranger to offer his own betel nuts. It was also bestowed as a royal gift and offered to the person who proposes for marriage as a gift of approval.

Such traditions have changed over time but the areca nut continues to dominate the ‘chewing culture’ in the Maldives. It is now offered in almost all cafés, restaurants and shops in Maldives, in different forms with fixings like betel leaf, cloves and lime. Some modern innovations of the areca nut includes the ‘Kill’ a finely ground mixture of areca nuts, betel leaves, cardamon, sugar and cloves. Another form is ‘Supari’ a sweet flavored betel nut chunks in small sachets imported from India.

When consumed in small amounts, betel nuts can have health benefits such as prevention from tooth decay, digestive problems and healing of skin. It also helps remove strong food odors and prevent from bad breathes. Resorts like Alila Villas Hadahaa offers you to experience the areca nut after meals.

Unwind® | Top Ten Water Sports You Should Try in the Maldives

Here are our top ten water thrills to keep you energized, exhilarated and asking for more!

Photo: Kite surfing at Hilton Iru fushi Resort & Spa

#1 Kitesurfing: Why do we love it? It is a zero-carbon water sport, which doesn’t burn any fuel but totally gives you an exhilarating workout flirting with nature, and challenging the winds and the waves with your slick moves!
#2 Wake-boarding
#3 Knee-boarding
#4 Seabob
#5 Fun Tubing
#6 Wind surfing
#7 Jet Skiing
#8 Para Sailing
#9 Catamaran Sailing
#10 Banana Boat Riding
What’s top on your list?

unwind® | Maldivian Nakaiy

Photo: Meade RCX400 telescope at Ever Soneva So Celestial Observatory

Maldivians had been in harmony with nature ever since Maldives bore its first residents to the present generation. In the past Maldivian were very much in-tune with nature and embed this into travel, culture and lifestyle. Sailors and navigators traveled based on constellation of stars which was passed down from our forefathers who adopted ‘Nakaiy’ system. This was originally a system used in astrology by the neighboring Indians and later adapted as part of the calendar system used in the Maldives.

‘Nakaiy’ meaning constellation of stars was referred to the twenty-eight lunar divisions of stars, each Nakaiy is named after a particular star. Maldives, being unable to see the 28th star implemented the calendar on 27 Nakaiys. This system is still being used to determine dry and the wet seasons in Maldives which helps to organize events such as fishing, agriculture, leisure activities such as kite flying, surfing and snorkeling; clearly showing the correlation between Maldivians with nature.

Map out the stars or simply star gaze at ‘Ever Soneva So Celestial’ observatory set within the organic garden at Soneva Fushi and discover the divinely heavens above from paradise.

unwind® | Superb-Sundays

Switch off your television and tune into something much better...

The Apprentice at Four Seasons

Photo: Exceptional service at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

The Apprenticeship Program at Four Seasons Maldives is a training scheme designed for young Maldivians with little or no knowledge in this discipline to enter the hotel business and make this exciting industry their career. The program offers theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to successfully perform in a competitive working environment. Through a combination of intensive practical on-the-job training and weekly classroom sessions including language training, this program have build up solid professionals in the Maldivian work-force since its inception in 2002. The classroom materials are taught by senior hotel managers with years of international hospitality industry experience in the fields of lodging, food & beverage, housekeeping, dive and marine. Character building which involves personal commitment and maturity is one of the pre-requisites for the successful completion of the Apprenticeship. Each participating apprentice is assigned a mentor and a buddy for moral support, encouragement and counseling.

unwind® applauds companies such as the Four Seasons who act socially and environmentally responsible within the Maldivian communities. Four Seasons currently owns two properties in the Maldives, Kuda Huraa is located in North Malé Atoll and second property is in Baa Atoll set on the pristine island of Landaa Giraavaru. Both resorts are constantly recognized by their guests and international hoteliers alike for their excellence in service.

unwind® | travel tip

Photo: Scenic aerial view of Huvafen Fushi from a seaplane

The geographic distribution of the magnificent Maldivian islands offers you an exciting array of transfer options from the airport to your escape destination. Depending on the location of your resort, you may either need to take a speedboat, yacht, seaplane or a domestic flight from the airport, all conveniently arranged by the resort for you prior to your arrival.

If you are headed to the Soneva Gili or Chaaya Dhonveli Resort, you would be taking a quick speedboat ride from the airport. Resorts like Kanhuhura and Conrad Rangali Island Resort & Spa are accessed via seaplanes, which travels only during the daylight hours between 6 am and 5 pm. If your international flight arrives at night, accommodation would be arranged for you at a hotel or resort close by the airport for the night.

If you are traveling to the Waldorf=Astoria Beach House or theShangri-La Vilingili Resort & Spa - Maldives, you would be boarding a domestic flight en route to your island destination. Domestic flights and seaplane transfers allows a certain checked-in baggage and carry-on limit with any excess kilos being charged to you.

Therefore, we always do advice our fabulous unwind® travelers to check the mode of your transfer type at the time of your reservation to prepare yourself prior to your arrival. Happy travels!

LIME Spa | A World's First

Photo: Underwater Therapy Room at LIME Spa

Renowned for being the world’s first underwater Spa; LIME at Huvafen Fushi is an experience on its own. With the motto "Give us your sore, your tired, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free so that we may rub, soothe, soak, heal, treat, pamper and otherwise restore to a blissful state" assures you a pampering like no other. Its ethereal and unique architecture leading you to the world underwater, with an array of astounding diversity of corals, rainbow colored fish and schools of manta rays, an experience therapeutic in itself!

Revive your body and soul through rejuvenating treatments and rituals such as massages, body exotics, yoga, fitness programs and treatments tailored to your desires. Perfect your experience with the composed Lime’s signature underwater massage “Unite Me-Crystal” ritual in the unique underwater treatment room combining local products such as coconuts, lime, minerals adding a Maldivian essence and feel your body slip into heaven. Lime also features six over water treatment rooms with glass floors to view soothing waters below and facilities like salt water floatation pool, steam room, sauna to enhance your extra ordinary spa experience and rediscover yourself.