A great start to the year, Kuramathi Island is privileged to share with you its success in achieving the Travelers’ Choice Award, in two separate categories on TripAdvisor, a well-reputed website often used by travellers to write reviews and award ratings about their holidays. The accomplishment was awarded, thanks to the consistently positive ratings by our guests, who ranked us amongst the Top 25 Hotels in the Maldives, while also listing us under the Top 25 Hotels for Service in the Maldives categories.

But there’s more, as we have also received an additional hallmark to our belt of accomplishments – the HolidayCheck Award 2013, an award that is given to the 99 most popular hotels worldwide! The acclaim comes from our guests; whom we would like to sincerely thank, for taking precious time out of their busy schedules to review Kuramathi, and for providing the feedback that validates our standards of service and the quality of the experiences offered on the island. This award is given to Kuramathi in the category “Country’s No. 1.” which was one of the 7 categories the award was classified under. This is our third attainment from HolidayCheck, which had previously listed Kuramathi as one of 99 best hotels worldwide in 2011 in the category “Beach Holidays”, and as a Top Hotel 2012 the subsequent year.

We take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to our guests, for sharing their reviews, which has helped us create a better Kuramathi experience for future visitors and friends, who call this island their perfect getaway.

Last week, the team members of Kuramathi were stoked at the sight of their newest hangout – the K Club. Standing tall at 500 square metres and hosting a number of facilities that serves from recreational to training purposes the newly built K Club was much anticipated by the Kuramathi team.

Our team members have plenty of options to spend their much deserved leisure time by engaging either in a game of billiards, table tennis, fussball, carom board to catching their favourite game on the 72 inch HD flat screen! Food for thought is also available at the library with its expanse of books ranging from non-fiction to fiction. An important piece of item, the cyber café lets team members access internet free of charge. The conference/training room seats a maximum 50 people which is on the second floor of the K Club, which opens at 07:30 in the morning till midnight.

Chinese New Year was marked at Kuramathi, on February 10th, to celebrate the year of the snake. An exceptional Chinese Buffet was on offer at all our main restaurants (Haruge, Malaafaiy and Farivalhu) letting our guests indulge in the authentic eats of the Far East.

Gong Xi Fa Cai from Kuramathi!

Extra beverage options in the All Inclusive Packages
Starting from January 1st onwards, we have now included specialty coffees and herbal teas into the All Inclusive packages that would satiate both tea enthusiasts and coffee lovers. A very wide range of hot beverages are covered, namely espressos, lattes, cappuccinos or opt for a cup of green, chamomile, peppermint, lemon or Darjeeling tea. You could now, sit back and relax, leaving your worries behind.

Wi-Fi rates slashed to half 
Checking your mails or updating your Facebook status (and making your loved ones back home a tad envious) has become much more convenient now after slashing our Wi-Fi rates this February. Consisting of 3 codes now, the prices are at a very reasonable bargain.

2 hour code – $4.00
5 hour code – $8.00
10 hour code – $14.00

(NOTE: Please note that the aforementioned rates are subject to 8% GST)

Snorkelling friends
Eco Centre makes exploring the marine life an easy job, with the induction of Snorkelling Friends – a great way to get acquainted to snorkelling while pairing up with buddies. And that’s not all; the Eco Centre has also started giving complimentary information sessions by our Resident Marine Biologist to ease you into the art of observing fish in the water. The session occurs three times a week.

Pack your bags, tick off the days in your calendar and start planning your next holiday as Kuramathi reveals a list of tempting promotions this year. Book through the Kuramathi website to get hold of this extremely reasonable bargain with options for honeymooners to last minute holiday makers. And you get a bunch of freebies to complement your experience as well, so decide with haste and don’t let this chance go to waste.

The offers are as below:

Honeymoon Offer
This great offer is valid for honeymooners who travel within 6 months of their wedding day. Book your stay with us at least 90 days in advance and grab a 10% discount on the full board room rate along with a complimentary 4 course candlelit dinner! Please note that a copy of marriage certificate is required at the time of checking in.

Offer is valid throughout the year with a minimum stay of 4 nights, when booked 90 days in advance. Travel dates must be within 6 months on the wedding day.

Summer Free Night Offer
This great summer offer is valid for bookings made before 30 April 2013 for travel in May to July. Book 6 nights in Deluxe Beach Villa (or higher) and get one free night on full board basis! Grab this superb opportunity to make the best of your summer.

Offer is valid for travel dates from 11 May till 19 July 2013, when booked before 30 April 2013.

So for all those yearning to soak some sunshine and go all laidback, chose wisely and settle for a break in the Maldives, with us!

Hassan Fareed is an extremely friendly waiter who works at Malaafaiy Restaurant since 1st March 2010. He is known as a cheerful man who is willing to stretch an extra mile to ensure that his guests are well contented and happy, making him one of the most valuable team members of Kuramathi. Originally from the neighbouring island of Rasdhoo, Fareed aspires to offer his services to Kuramathi in the near future, citing this as his second home.

“Maldives is a beautiful country flaunting the best beaches, amazing aquatic life and the haven for peace and tranquillity. If you are a first timer to this string of islands, I would recommend to chose Kuramathi because we have one of the best beaches (the sandbank), lots of happening underwater life, and plenty of delicious food with the island’s 10 restaurants! Come soon, and you won’t be disappointed” Fareed said with a huge grin.

Fareed is a passionate footballer, playing during his spare time and is a devout fan of Liverpool.

Fast Facts
Name: Hassan Fareed
Birthday:  9th May 1979 (34 years)
Star Sign: Taurus
Favourite colour: Red

The national tree of the Maldives, Coconut Palm is a tree with a universal presence on nearly every Maldivian island while being a main feature of our ecosystem. Considered as the most important plant on the tiny islands of the Maldives, it has a long lifespan of more than 100 years and can grow up to 70 to 110 metres in mature height. The evergreen plant comprises of a single trunk, its bark smooth and grey, marked by ringed scars left by fallen leaf bases. The tree is also etched into the Maldivian national emblem and the coat of arms.

Coconut Palms bear fruit resembling a rather large nut, originally in bunches and each flaunting a size equivalent to a football. The fruit contains a thick yet edible flesh with a cavity filled with nutrient and tasty rich water. The Maldivians have discovered several uses for this plant, in its different stages, from making coir rope using the coconut husk to the distinguished custom of thatched roofs using coconut leaves that is often found in the present day resorts.

Quick Facts

• The coconut palm has been a life saver since the first settlers inhabited the Maldives about 5000 years ago, playing a vital role in the economy as well as in the food and nutrition security of the Maldivian people.
• The seed provides oil for frying, cooking, and making margarine, while acting as a moisturiser for body and hair.
• Desiccated coconut or coconut milk made from it is frequently added to curries and other savoury dishes.
• Coconut wood has proved to supply great value to the Maldivians in the areas of design and construction. The trunk of the wood is used for construction of houses, while the other wood is the well preferred element in the boat building industry.
• Virgin coconut oil extracted from scraped coconut is used in making soaps, lotion and balms.
• One of the most traditional foods produced from the coconut plant is the nectar (toddy) collected from the flower cluster while unopened via a small container. The toddy is also boiled into sugary syrup known as “Dhiya Hakuru”, and it is also fermented to yield vinegar.

Every Sunday, the Siam Garden gets busy in the evening, and it is not surprising, given that a sumptuous banquet is laid out with freshly prepared authentic Thai food, perfect to tantalise your taste buds. The buffet is titled “Discover Thai Cuisine”, so aptly named as once you set foot into the restaurant you begin a gastronomic adventure, savouring the many mouth-watering platters of food. A recommended soup is the Kwai Tiew Khoong, a rich and spice-infused soup with shrimp, wontons, and noodles concocted by a chef, who happily assists you to produce it to your liking. If you wish to give the hot experience a miss, why not try the luscious entrées laid out from Spring Rolls (Por-pia Tord), Fish fritters (Tord Man Pla) Fried Vegetables (Pak Tord) to Fried Chicken (Kai Tord).

Indulge in your main course, whether you chose Sweet and Sour Shrimps (Phad Priew wan Khoong) with Steamed Jasmine Rice (Khao Suey) or Noodles with Fish Curry (Khanom Jin Namya). The options are vast enough, making your discovery of Thai cuisine a culinary adventure. For a traditional touch while tasting the many flavours of Thailand, try the Sticky Rice (Khao Niao) with the Beef Massaman Curry (Khaeng Massaman Neua), with its roots stemming from the 16th Century Central Thailand. The Salad Bar is a host to a number of appetizing yet healthy salads with choices of fresh greens, meat, poultry and seafood ranging from the favourite Chicken Salad (Larb Kai) or Grilled Pork Salad (Nam Tok Mooh) to a more exotic treat of Mango Salad with Shrimps (Yam Manuang Khoong), a ‘must-try’ dish that offers you a taste of Thailand at its finest.

Cool off your sizzling taste buds as you indulge in Thai sweets (Khanom Thai), from Papaya Ice Cream (Malakorn ice cream) to Sticky Rice with Fresh Mango (Khao Niao Manuang), or feast on an array of exotic fruits to finish your culinary pursuit.

Take a gastronomic journey into Thailand. Reserve your experience at any of our receptions.

Mango Salad (Yam Manuang Khoong)

Serves: 4

16 medium size prawns, peeled and deveined

2 tablespoons fish sauce

3 tablespoons lime juice, about 1 large lime

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder, or one fresh Thai chili, minced

2 tablespoons chopped shallot

2 cups shredded green mango, from about 1 green mango

3 tablespoons dry shrimp powder

1/4 cup chopped dill, mint and cilantro

1 tomato, sliced for garnish

3 spring onions

To cook prawn, add 3 tablespoons water with prawn in a frying pan and bring to a boil on high heat. Stir on high heat until the prawns are pink and opaque. Strain and let it cool.

To make salad dressing, whisk fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and chili powder until sugar is dissolved. Mix in shallot, green mango, shrimp powder, cooked prawns, mixed chopped herbs. Mix well and serve. Garnish with sliced tomato and spring onions.

Thai Vegetarian Option: Use sea salt instead of fish sauce and ground roasted peanut instead of dry shrimp powder

The Whale Shark or the Rhincodon Typus is the largest living fish species that grows up to a gigantic size of 12 metres, easily recognised by its two-tone pattern of light spots and lines on a dark back. Albeit its mammoth stature, it is one of the most timid sharks, that feeds on small fish, squid, crustaceans, and other plankton organisms with its enormous mouth that also filters large amounts of water.

Little is known about this mysterious creature, which frequents the blue during plankton bloom. Sub adults live in small groups, but these are seen only rarely. Adults are usually solitary, but no details are known about the method these giants use to find locate each other, or how and where they mate.

Whale Sharks are generally encountered (with a little bit of luck!) during November to April, in the lagoon or on the house reef of Kuramathi. There have been quite a number of sightings here on Kuramathi in the past few years while guests were snorkelling and diving. They are very popular with divers and in spite of their random happenstances, they are guaranteed off the Seychelles, Thailand (Andaman Sea), Christmas Island, and tropical Western Australia (Ningaloo Reef), and the Maldives at certain times of the year. The big giant sports the biggest smile underwater, and is often accompanied by other fishes.

Did you know?

The mouth shape of the whale shark modifies itself, as the jaws widen and distend outward, to form an enormous funnel – sizeable enough to hold a beer barrel or two.

2012 has been a vibrant year at Kuramathi with lots of exciting events taking place. From the enticing marine life presentations at the Eco Centre to the remarkable images of the underwater photography contest, to Earth Week and Halloween, the Kuramathi calendar has brought a lot of enjoyable moments to our guests.