A young coconut tree in one hand, a bucket of water in another, and with soil under my fingernails, I planted a tree on the tropical island of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives, and left behind lifelong memories. How lovely to think it will remain a permanent sign of my stay and be enjoyed by future travelers for years to come.
A Green Gift
With today’s focus on helping the planet a hot topic in travel, planting a coconut tree was one small gift I could leave behind during my tropical island vacation. This was just a small part of Sun Siyam Resorts’ company-wide sustainability program, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi offers experiences and activities that engage guests in proactive yet culturally respective efforts that seek to deepen the understanding of the atoll’s people, culture and environmental fragility, including a popular tree planting ceremonies, available to islanders and guests.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi identified several species of trees that are native to the Maldives and have the ability to flourish within the island’s ecosystem. My tree planting ceremony came complete with a commemorative plaque carved with my name. I was assured that the tree will be watered and nurtured on my behalf over its life in this Indian Ocean utopia.
The decayed coral lying on the beach reminded me of the threat to the beauty and the fragility of this island and our planet today. Planting memories in the Maldives is one small but memorable way to leave a piece of yourself on in the Maldives while ensuring holiday experiences such mine can be repeated and cherished for years to come.
Planting a tree is just one of the many ways guests are invited to help care for the fragile planet
Island Time
The term laid back luxury gets thrown around a lot in travel, but its rightfully earned at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. Privileged on its own 52-acre island, the resort successfully reset my senses with its glittery sparkles that danced on turquoise water. I easily succumbed to the calming rhythm of the waves, and the warm humid air soothed my skin and soul.
As authentic as it is luxurious, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi lets nature to take the lead. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be surrounded by palm trees, flowers, lush greenery and impossible-to-believe spectrum of blues, turquoise and green from sea to sky.
A nature walk reveals the rich variety of vegetation on the island. Hanging roots form tunneled pathways from the old Banyan tree while the fragrances of the frangipani flowers fill the air. Splashes of pink and purple bougainvillea and hibiscus add depth to the turquoise and blue palette of sea and sky to form an unparalleled masterpiece of color.
There are 21 villas in 12 category styles. All are stylish with open-air bathrooms, plus modern with personal touches. The 81 dreamy over-water villas brag peek-a-boo glass floors and terrace stairs leading directly to the sea. There’s are even butlers to personalize your stay, be it a petal bath in your outdoor jacuzzi, a buggy ride to the mixology class, or a movie night under the stars.
With privacy when needed and activities galore, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi invites guests to get out and explore too.
White sand, turquoise seas, and blue skies are the palette of the Maldives
Spa & Wellness
The award-winning spa at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is like entering a sacred area. Candles flicker and scented flowers perfume the air. Water channels escort the pebbled paths to 20 Zen-like treatment rooms.
A unique Reflexology Path leads to the spa. This barefoot walk imparts an acupressure effect, with rocking exercises for the arches and written reminders to drink water and be mindful as you balance along its path. A metaphor for life if there ever was one!
With a menu of 160 treatments and a resident Ayurvedic consultant to prescribe, customize, guests will find a therapeutic solutions to what ails them, or simply succumb to the bliss of it all.
The ancient wisdom of local Divehi medicine, known as Dhivehi beys veteran, is integrated into the spa’s philosophy. Practiced by islanders over centuries, traditional herbalism and age-old bodywork techniques connect guests to the atoll way of life. And as an endearing touch, part of the proceeds from each Maldivian treatment helps support the resort’s community development initiatives.
The spa menu ranges from Maldivian treatments, which center on the local resources of coconut oil and milk for body scrubs, relaxing baths, and massages to traditional Ayurveda treatments such as Shirodhara which uses herbal medicinal oil poured onto the third eye.
The visionaries who practiced herbalism in the Maldives devised a treatment for the relief of body aches and joint discomforts from stress-related conditions. Named, Umbuliveyo Banun, it involves a personally prescribed herbal paste freshly picked from the island. This is applied to the affected areas and then enclosed in a wrap of banana leaves with hot stones placed on vital points. A stimulating head massage, a single stream of oil poured over the third eye and a full body massage using oil processed from local herbs complete the process.
Treat your feet on this reflexology path leading to the spa
Dining
With 14 restaurants and bars, variety is indeed the spice of your dining time at the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.
Please your palate with a casual bite by the Fluid Pool Bar, plan a special occasion dinner for two on the beach, or marvel at the dextrous display of Japanese cuisine at Teppanyaki. Plus many more options that ensure you’ll never have to eat the same meal twice, unless, of course, you want to.
You can enjoy sunset cocktails at the adults-only Reflections, organize a private wine tasting with the sommelier at The Cellar or cool down after a day in the sun with scoops of homemade ice cream at La Cremeria.
Go ahead and indulge. It’s your holiday after all.
Sunset in the Maldives
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BeSeeingYou In: The Maldives
Good to Know: A white sand beach surrounds the entire island resort.
Wow! Factor: The three-bedroom Celebrity Retreat has its own pool, billiards room, outdoor dining pavilion, private beach and 24/7 room service
Tip: The resort offers a scenic 45-minute seaplane flight and the views are other-worldly
Author bio: Jane Wilson
www.thewellnesstraveller.co.uk
