Venue ANGSANA VELAVARU, MALDIVES
For some moments, we were transported back to an age of innocence when the sky was an impossible azure blue, dotted with soft pillows and wisps of cloud; and minds were clear and unpolluted to dream and to flit about like elves in paradise. My constant companion remarked about how he felt like a child again, and how he did not want to get out of that idyllic daybed. Our feelings and thoughts were finally in alignment as we languished one last time on that fantasy-inducing contraption – a bed semi-enveloped in a fine white mesh which billowed gently in the salty sea breeze, laid out carelessly but artfully on the white sandy beach at Velavaru – a small solitary island in the middle of the Indian Ocean in Maldives, which encouraged a sort of island delirium to set in, even as we were only two hours away from taking our leave.
Even before we set foot on the island resort of Angsana Velavaru, we had really good vibes about our stay here. Besides the fact that it is under the Banyan Tree group of resorts and spas, which always guaranteed a natural and ecological experience of the beautiful locations they choose to set up properties, the fickle Maldivian weather was also cooperative and provided the perfect start to our holiday.
After the one-hour seaplane ride from Male International Airport, during which it drizzled and even rained intermittently, the skies cleared up and the sun played out its warmth in the welcoming disposition of our host from Angsana Velavaru. Alison, perfectly tanned and fresh like the wind in my face as I stepped out of the rather claustrophobic seaplane, greeted us at the platform where we landed, right smack in the middle of the open sea.
We hopped onto a powered boat and within a few minutes, we saw a welcoming party at the end of a wooden jetty jutting out into the bluest lagoon only seen in travel documentaries and tourism posters. “This is all real!” I registered this thought loudly, and made a mental note to achieve a tan like Alison’s.
As we settled down at the lobby to freshen up with lemongrass-scented icy cold towels and palate-tingling passion fruit sorbet, I started gathering my first impressions of the place. Having been to other Banyan Tree properties in the past, and many other 5 or 6-star resorts, what Angsana Velavaru hinted at, and duly fulfilled in my next 3 days there was a casual and warm experience that was organic and unpretentious. It was like being hosted at a good friend’s home. It was comfortable, pampering, heartfelt, but none of that chi-chi or overly indulgent feel, which in my opinion, would have marred the more rustic and natural charm of the place. What really made our experience unforgettable at Angsana Velavaru were definitely the environment and the people who run the place.
Whereas a lot of top-end hotels and resorts strive to achieve luxury and gain control of the elements to create more comfort for guests, it does take wisdom to strike a fine balance between artifice and natural beauty. And whilst decadent luxury might win hands-down in a downtown city hotel; in a natural paradise like the Maldives, respecting nature and letting it take centre-stage seems the right thing to do, and is in line with Banyan Trees’ business ethos.
All villas at the property enjoy a direct view of the sea. Mine came with an outdoor jet-pool which I regrettably failed to use because there was simply too much to do. I loved the fact that I could just run out the door and jump right into the turquoise blue lagoon, or lounge in my sun-chair either in the partial shade of the porch and the shrubbery, or out on the natural white sand beach when there was enough cloud cover so I don’t get a nasty burn. There are also options for indoor and outdoor shower facilities.
I was impressed by little thoughtful gestures such as a daily supply of bottled water, both still and sparkling. Conservationists will be happy to know that the water comes in recyclable glass bottles. Furthermore, I was thoroughly charmed by the big earthen urn on the wooden deck leading to the beach which was filled with cool water, and had a wooden ladle perched on it, for guests to wash their hot sandy feet, before stepping into the room.
These are what I call practical luxuries. Nothing fancy, but it does cater to individual needs and preferences, which makes all the difference in the world of hospitality.
The intimacy of the resort is reinforced by its size. It only took fifteen minutes to walk around the island. In the mornings, at the advice of the staff, I took a walk after my breakfast, and true to what they said, I saw many baby stingrays, as well as a variety of small fishes swimming right up to the shallow waters of the coastline. For an urban creature like me, it was like Christopher Columbus discovering America. I was thrilled and exhilarated, but as my stay in Maldives eventually taught me, encountering nature, especially marine life, is a daily and inherent aspect of Maldivian life, one which fortunately, the local government and people, and evidently, the ecologically-conscious management at Angsana Velavaru, hold in high regard.
An Eco-friendly Ethos
Maldivian economy relies much on eco-tourism and fishery. Its abundance of corals and other marine life is world-famous. However, its legacy had been tarnished by the effects of El Nino in 1998. High water temperatures caused huge damage to reefs and marine life all over the world, not sparing Maldives in its onslaught.
When Banyan Tree Holdings chose to build its properties in the Maldives, it inherited the responsibility of reviving its lost legacy. From opting for more difficult and costlier options of constructing their properties in order to protect the delicate house reefs, to regenerative projects such as coral preservation and transplantation, providing education to guests and local students on environmentalism, conducting scientific studies on endangered species, as well as the setting up of an in-house marine lab team, and The Green Imperative Fund, the company is fiercely committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. Angsana’s Marine Lab Team, under the guidance of Abdul Azeez, who is the father of their coral regeneration projects and Resident Marine Environment Advisor, works hand in hand with the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in the Maldives.
Play Your Part In Saving The Environment
I found out all this through a very thorough and interesting presentation given by Moosa, one third of the resident Marine Lab Team at Angsana Velavaru. In case you’re wondering how three people can get so much done, it is because their projects always involve guests, students and locals, and even the whole company, all the way up to the General Manager.
These projects include coral transplantation, where live corals are transplanted and secured onto steel structures in the open sea using simple cable ties. Moosa shared an interesting anecdote that by trial and error, they discovered that corals seemed to favour the white-coloured cable ties, as opposed to the black ones, growing a lot more enthusiastically on the former. Judging by the rate of growth, these structures will be completely masked over by the thriving corals in no time, providing limitless enjoyment for both marine life enthusiasts and hunting ground for reef fishes.
For simpler projects which can involve guests, there are also coral planting projects in very shallow waters literally just steps away from the coastline, or just next to the jetty, where only snorkeling gear and bikinis are needed for the task.
Even though these manmade habitats for corals cannot be compared to the real thing, such as what we experienced at the beautiful house reef, they do contribute much in trying to help nature achieve that delicate balance so offset by global warming and human activities, enhancing the biodiversity of the underwater world by attracting more species of marine life such as reef fish, sea slugs, sea turtles and even the endangered Napoleon Wrasse fish to its thriving marine habitat.
It was such an amazing thing, and for me, definitely one of the most irresistible charms of Angsana Velavaru, when I could just wade out a few metres from the beach, flop facedown with my snorkel and just lose myself in this mini piece of underwater paradise. For someone who is a little aquaphobic, I felt so happy and safe, and needed absolutely no supervision, or the fuss of going out on an excursion boat. The simplicity and sincerity behind these projects make them so endearing. If you’ve ever experienced any guilt while having a ball of a time in some beautiful pristine location, wondering if you are destroying the very thing you are enjoying, here at Angsana Velavaru, you can have a guilt-free happy as a fish-in-water time, quite literally.
Other projects include encouraging professional and recreational divers (guests of the hotel) to play a role in NAPWATCH – the Napoleon Wrasse International Monitoring Programme under Ocean NEnvironment.Angsana Velavaru has been declared an official site for the monitoring of the endangered Napoleon Wrasse fish, whose individual facial features are as unique as human thumbprints. Divers are briefed to take a photograph of the fish if they chance upon one and fill up a form, giving details of the fish. The collective data will then be sent on to a team of experts in Australia who will analyse the data to estimate the size of the Napoleon Wrasse population, behaviour and movement.
Never a Boring Moment
Although it is common wisdom that one should just chill and do nothing on an island vacation, I was surprisingly thoroughly occupied with experiencing many “firsts”. Besides the private snorkeling expedition to view both the house reef and the coral projects undertaken by the Marine Lab Team, I also went on a night-fishing trip, where I managed to catch 2 mid-sized red snappers with just a line! I cannot tell you the satisfaction of eating your own catch, done in 2 different styles (tempura-coated and grilled), no less!
On a particularly beautiful and breezy day, we even went catamaran sailing. I felt on top of the world, with the wind and sun in my face, feeling brave even as I scrambled to maneuvre the sails.
Of course, no stay at a Banyan Tree property is complete without experiencing their world-famous award-winning spa treatments. My companion and I were decadent to a fault, making the pleasant stroll across to the spa a daily ritual. If you’ve never experienced a Banyan Tree or Angsana Spa, make this the only thing you do if you were allowed to only do one thing here. Having the good fortune to have been initiated, we knew what to expect, but am still blown away by the bliss the skilful and attentive therapists seem to effortlessly induce.
Needless to say, it was not easy to say goodbye to this paradise. As we waited at the lobby to take our leave, we took a departure photo, and I was pleased to see we were transformed from tense and tired, pale urbanites to relaxed, recharged and honey-skinned islanders. As the boat moved away from the jetty, the image of Serge and Jamal waving to us grew ever smaller, even as my heart grew ever wider as the open blue sea, which held a little less fear, and a little more hope for me.
The Green Imperative Fund
The Green Imperative Fund was established in all Banyan Tree Holdings properties in 2003 (please check) to widen the reach and effectiveness of the company’s pro-environment efforts. It aims to provide critical financial support to worthy environmental action and community-based projects in places where the company has a presence.
The fund gives Banyan Tree and Angsana guests an opportunity to participate in the company’s support of environmental protection and community help groups. For every night they spend in the resort, a US$1 contribution under an “opt out” arrangement is requested. The company matches the guest’s contribution, dollar for dollar, to develop the Fund.
Check out of Reality, and Into the InOcean Villa Experience at Angsana Velavaru
A whole new concept of a truly exclusive and luxurious island getaway was unveiled at the InOcean Villas at Angsana Velavaru in June 2009. It is the only standalone cluster of water villas in the Maldives that is not connected to an island, thus offering a unique castaway experience.
Each two-storey villa comes with an outdoor deck and its own infinity pool, along with a host of luxurious amenities and services. For more information, visit www.angsana.com
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