Culinary Delights of The Maldives

If the Maldives beaches aren’t enough, or you’re just starving after a long day of scuba diving, the cuisine of these islands will surprise you and satisfy you. With fresh ingredients and a focus on seafood, the Maldives cuisine you find will make you wonder whether you can go back to the way you eat when you’re at home.

Different Foods for Different Travelers

Due to the very location of the Maldives being between Sri Lanka and India, many new foods have gradually been introduced and different cooking styles have influenced the current menus. This mixing of cultures has culminated in a blend of styles resulting in a unique cuisine. However, in addition to local dishes, it is usual for a Maldives resort to offer a diverse menu of foods including: Chinese, Thai, Indian, Malaysian, Sri Lankan and Continental

What You May Eat in the Maldives

The Maldives’ primary source of meat is seafood, especially tuna. Freshly caught fish makes for a delicious meal and the talents of the chefs will amaze you. As with many tropical islands, there is also an abundance of fruit and vegetables. The Maldivian diet is healthy, fresh, and satisfying.

Some authenic cuisine in the Maldives includes:

• Bajiyaa – fish, onions, and coconut stuffed pastry
• Fihunu mas – barbequed fish, marinated with chili peppers
• Gulha – smoked fish stuffed pastry balls
• Keemia – deep fried fish rolls
• Kulhi boakibaa – spicy fish cake
• Mas huni – shredded and smoked fish, mixed with onions and grated coconut
• Masroshi – mas huni wrapped in a roshi bread and baked
• Theluli mas – fried fish with garlic and chili peppers

In the more westernized parts of the Maldives, such as the capital, Malé, you can expect to find many restaurants serving western dishes alongside eastern food and local dishes. If you like the option of a more familiar meal, or you have children with particular tastes, you won’t be disappointed.

The unique taste of Maldivian cuisine is light and fresh, and it fits into the active lifestyle on the islands. Take time to try the different offerings of the Maldives to see what the people have eaten in their own homes for generations.

“Given that Maldives is a 100 percent Muslim country the fact that no Islamic resort exists in the country is surprising,” said Hani Lashin, General Manager of Dubai’s Jauhara Group.

The first Islamic hotel was established in Dubai by Jauhara Group 32 years ago. Lootah Hotel Management manages the three hotels run under the brand in Dubai. The shareholders of Lootah Hotel Management were the first to set up an Islamic Bank in Dubai in 1975.

Hani arrived in the Maldives to take a look for himself at the island of Kalhaidhoo in Shaviyani atoll where the resort is going to be developed on.

“I have seen the island and it’s very beautiful. The island is thickly vegetated and I’m sure if an Islamic Resort is developed on the island it would be very successful,” he said.

The group expressed interest to develop an Islamic resort in the Maldives after talks held following an offer made by a Maldivian company, Kalhaidhu Investment Limited.

“We met them on the internet, and since then on we’ve held discussions and reached an agreement,” Hani told Haveeru.

Hani confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with Kalhaidhu Investment to develop and run a resort under the Jauhara brand for 20 years in the Maldives.

The resort, which would comprise of 50-75 luxury villas with private swimming pools as well as a private beach, restaurant, recreation centre, spa, marina and yachts, is estimated to cost between US$70-100 million and is expected to be complete by late 2013 or early 2014.

Hani said that the resort specifically targeted for Muslims would be unlike any other resorts in the Maldives, as it would offer privacy for both sexes in compliance with Islamic Shari’a.

“The resort won’t offer alcohol or pork, and is quite beneficial when considered health wise. Smoking will also be allowed in a specified area. Sports and other entertainment facilities will be available too but I don’t want to reveal the details yet,” he said.

He revealed that a swimming pool is planned to be built in every suite and separate swimming hours will be fixed for men and women at the beach, though families will be allowed to swim together and enjoy with their children.

“A lot of Muslim countries sell swimsuits designed for Muslims which completely covers the body but allow for smooth movement in the water,” he said.

Hani stressed that the group wanted to commence with work at a steady pace and so this year will only concentrate designing the resort and making necessary preparations before construction begins.

“The resort will be very different and special, and the resort will be designed by one of our companies and will take around two years to be developed and opened up. So the resort will be open for business by late 2013 or early 2014,” he revealed.

Hani highlighted the importance of establishing an Islamic resort in the Maldives and said the Tourism Ministry had also welcomed the idea of an Islamic resort in the Maldives.

“From the statistics we received it was evident that Arabs didn’t come to holiday in the Maldives. The number of Arab tourists in a year amount to just 1.1 percent of the total. The Arab market is huge and the Maldives should consider the potential value attainable from it,” he said.

Hani expressed confidence that the number of Muslim tourists will increase with the opening of the resort.

“Some people hesitate when it comes to something new. We are experienced in this field. Following the opening of the first Islamic Hotel in Dubai other hotels followed suit. While there are around 90 resorts in the Maldives, I feel that 10 Islamic resorts among them are necessary,” he added.

Source : Haveeru News

Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort and Spa Launches New Restaurant, ‘Bamboo’

MALDIVES – Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa opens its newest restaurant this February, ‘Bamboo’. Created specifically to introduce new flavours to the five-star resort’s guests, Bamboo offers a taste of casual dining from across south and south-east Asia with a menu that features dishes as varied as Japanese sushi and Chinese dim sum to Sri Lankan and Vietnamese specialties.

“Bamboo is a beautiful little restaurant where guests can enjoy fresh cuisine from around Asia,” says Food and Beverage Manager Stephan Faessler. “We focussed on offering our interpretation of typical street food, such as sizzling hot dishes served fast and fresh from the hot wok or steamer, superbly presented sushi and sashimi as well as a quintessential collection of soups, salads, curries, noodle and rice dishes.”

Surrounded by lush tropical greenery in a snug setting by the resort’s main bar, Bamboo is open for lunch and dinner. Diners can expect to enjoy pure, full-flavored Asian delicacies served quickly in a beautiful resort environment where Thai, Singaporean and Japanese dishes sit comfortably next to Sri Lankan, Chinese and Malay specialties in sight of the Indian Ocean.

The Bamboo Menu

SASHIMI, NIGIRI & MAKI

• Maldivian yellow fin tuna
• Atlantic Ocean salmon
• Indian Ocean reef fish
• Salmon maki
• California sushi roll
• Cucumber maki
• Maldivian yellow fin tuna maki
• Sri Lankan lagoon crab maki
• Maldivian yellow fin tuna nigiri
• Atlantic Ocean salmon nigiri
• Indian Ocean reef fish nigiri
• Indian Ocean squid nigiri
• Maldivian blue sea water shrimp nigiri

SALADS

• Chinese style oriental chicken salad with crunchy ramen noodles
• Cold soba noodles with tempura fish
• Thai style minced chicken salad
• Glass noodle salad with shrimps

SOUPS

• Spicy miso with ramen noodles
• Thai tom yum kung
• Shrimp wonton soup
• Singaporean style mee rebus soup
• Chinese baby corn soup with egg drop

DIM SUM STEAMER SELECTION

• Roasted pork bun
• Shrimp hakaw
• Mixed shumai
• Pork & shiitake mushroom shumai
• Spinach & tofu dumpling

MAIN COURSES

• Ramen noodles with prawns, broccoli and coriander
• Ramen noodles with yakitori chicken breast and spring onions
• Japanese soba noodles with vegetable tempura and spring onions
• Pad Thai with lemon grass prawns
• Singaporean style beef chow fun with coriander
• Sri Lankan kottu rotti with chicken thigh
• Mixed satay with Malay rice and peanut sauce
• Malaysian curry laksa (curry mee) with seafood
• Sri Lankan lamprais served with chicken liver curry
• Traditional Thai green curry with tiger prawns
• Chili chicken and cashew nut with steamed rice
• Clay pot prawns with glass noodles
• Panang style curry with tender beef and steamed rice

DESSERTS

• Thai steamed banana cake with young coconut cream
• Vietnamese style crème caramel with sweet coffee sauce
• Asian coconut custard with crispy coconut chips
• South-Asian fruits scented with fresh lemon grass syrup
• Chilled Maldivian melon and sago soup
• Warm sticky rice with Thai mango

More information can be found of the Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi Resort & Spa Facebook page, and for more information on the resort or for bookings please visit www. MaldivesIruFushi.hilton.com or email reservations.irufushi@hilton.com.

Contact:
Katherine Anthony
+960 668 0105
katherine.anthony@hilton.com

Seven areas of Baa atoll have been declared protected and the area of two previously protected areas have been extended.

A declaration was signed today between the Environment Ministry and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) on the occasion of the World Environment Day, declaring the seven areas protected.

Many environmental projects have been conducted in Baa Atoll before and the atoll is noted for its biodiversity compared to all other atolls that make up the nation.

The areas protected under the declaration include an uninhabited island called Mendhu, the island’s reef and several other uninhabited islands surrounding the island covering a total of 200 metres.

Baa atoll Goidhoo swamp area, Maahuruvalhi Faru and the surrounding area isolated on the western side of the atoll, and the islands and reefs of Bathalaahura, Gaaganduhura and Vinanehfaruhura encompassing an area of 32 square kilometres are included in the list.

Under the declaration, an area known as Dhorukandu including an island called Mathifaruhura has gained protected status as well.

A kilometre of area surrounding a ship called ‘Kobin’ that was grounded on the northern side of the island of Baa atoll Fulhadhoo in 1602 has also been protected.

The span of Dhigalihaa area, which was protected in 1998, and the area around Baa atoll Hanifaru Island, which has been protected since 2009, has been extended today as well.

Dhigaligiri has been added to the Dhigalihaa protected area and Hanifaru has been included in the protected area around the island.

Speaking at a meeting held at the Housing Ministry today, Environment Minister Mohamed Aslam said Baa Atoll being one of the most biologically diverse atolls in the country has gained global attention.

The minister said United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has been suggested to recognise Baa Atoll as the Maldives very first biosphere reserve by July.

Biosphere reserves are globally recognised protected areas to promote sustainable protection of land and marine biodiversity.

Source: Haveeru News

The Maldives is growing more popular each day for exotic vacation plans – and it’s not surprising. Not only is the Maldives gorgeous in appearance, but Maldives resorts offer activities and accommodations that appeal to all personalities and interests. With the many resort activities, there is truly something for everyone on one of the world’s most beautiful island nations, the Maldives.

An Active Vacation

Diving is one of the most popular activities, however, if you are after a slightly tamer version, snorkelling is equally fascinating. The marine flora and fauna of the Maldivian waters is truly spellbinding.

You can also enjoy: Catamarans, Tubing, Fishing, Para-sailing, Beach Volley, Jet Skiing, Windsurfing, Resort pools, Hot tubs and many more.

Relaxation for the Body and Mind

If you aren’t looking for much in the way of activity on your vacation and would prefer to relax on the beach or at one of the many quality spas, you have many options to choose from. The Maldives offers a number of resorts with full menus of spa treatments and services, or you can head to the white sands. Here is what is available:

• Spa services – including facials, massages, body scrubs, etc.
• Beaches and secluded lagoons – if you want to get away from everyone, find a spot on the beach, close your eyes, and let your thoughts drift away

Find more about Maldives spa resorts

Family Activities for Everyone

If you are on a family vacation, you can find Maldives resorts that offer family activities, including: Pools, Tennis, Badminton, Table tennis, Water parks, Sporting centers, Family games on the beach

Find more about Maldives family resorts

The Maldives Honeymoon

Many newly married couples choose the Maldives as their honeymoon destination. With romantic sunsets and sunrises, each day becomes a picturesque memory. Many Maldives resorts offer honeymoon packages, including breakfasts that are cooked in your room as well as champagne on your own private beach.

With something for everyone, Maldives resorts offer you a chance to try a little bit of everything, or just sit back on the beach and work on your tan.

Find more about Maldives honeymoon resorts