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OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli installs sculptures representing ‘Nakaiy’

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Sculptures at Oblu Helengeli

Maldives.net.mv – In line with the commitment from the OBLU Management to encourage local artisans and promote Maldivian architecture, OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli has just installed sculptures created by Maldivian artist, Umair Badheeu.

As per Mr. Rein van Zandvoort, General Manager – OBLU at Helengeli, the idea is to connect the foreign guests with the culture & traditions of Maldives. Mr.Rein said “Being creative is a way of life, at OBLU. We wish to showcase to our guests, the Maldivian way of life through arts & creativity”. He also added that “This platform offers the Maldivian artists a golden opportunity to express & showcase their creativity & designs to the foreign tourists. Unfortunately, there are not many forums available in the Maldives to showcase such creativity and we are proud to be part of this process.”

The sculpture installations at OBLU are based on the Maldivian weather calendar system, Nakaiy. The year is divided into 27 Nakaiys, wherein each Nakaiy is a 13-14 day period. Every Nakaiy has subtle changes in the weather. This system is derived from the Indian Nakshatra system.

For this series of installations, each sculpture derives qualities and designs based on the characteristics and meanings corresponding to the individual Nakaiy. For instance, the form of the first installation (Between 26.40°(in Mesha/Aries) and 10° (Vrishabha/Taurus)), is derived from the shape of the presiding deity according to Hindu astrology. The title refers to the space this Nakaiy takes in the sky.

3 Divers and coral

Most of the pre-fabrication and design elements for these pieces, were created whilst living on an uninhabited island and all the materials used are locally acquired. For the first piece, Vaa Dhiggaa (wood of a Sea Hibiscus), coconut husk and a synthetic rope was used. The wood was treated in the sea for 10 days, which is a traditional method that is usually employed for protection against insects. The husks were initially burnt as a mosquito repellent, but when half-way burnt, the husks stay without decaying for a longer time. Eventually these husks were used as a material for the first piece to represent the Fire and Agricultural activity during Kethi Nakaiy.

Once prepared, all the materials were transported to Helengeli Island, where the installation began for the first time based on a previously scaled model. Each installation is done on site and environmental conditions on site with changes in design, for the formalization of the work.

Helengeli Island, located in North Male Atoll, renowned for its exotic house reef, was re-launched in November 2015 as OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli. As part of the core philosophy of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, every resort within their portfolio, will always strive to create locally enriching experience whereby the discerning customer will always be able to enjoy & appreciate the Indian Ocean culture & artisanship.

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Grand Park Kodhipparu highlights manta ray conservation on World Manta Day

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Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives marked World Manta Day with a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about the importance of manta ray conservation and the threats these marine species face from international trade, overfishing, plastic pollution and habitat destruction.

The resort organised painting workshops where guests were invited to illustrate their impressions of manta rays and their underwater environment, fostering a connection with marine life through art. Using shimmering glitters, participants recreated the elegance and grace of manta rays, while others crafted large-scale designs on the beach, turning the shoreline into a visual tribute to the creatures.

As part of its commitment to environmental education, the resort released a special video highlighting the feeding habits, defence strategies and reproductive behaviours of manta rays. The video serves as an educational resource, reinforcing the significance of marine conservation through scientific understanding and community engagement.

Citra Suriah, Marketing Director of Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives, said the resort would continue to provide opportunities for guests to learn about and advocate for collective responsibility in protecting the ocean.

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The Nautilus Maldives’ unscripted dining: A revolution in ultra-luxury hospitality

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Luxury travel is moving beyond service—it’s moving toward liberation. The Nautilus Maldives pioneers culinary freedom and is the world’s first resort without meal times, where chefs co-create indulgence with guests, anything, anytime, anywhere.

A Pioneer of schedule-free, personality-driven dining

The Nautilus is not just another luxury resort in the Maldives; it is rewriting the rules of fine dining. Its “Unscripted Dining” concept makes it the most liberated, guest-centric culinary experience in the world.

The Nautilus’s Chefs Are Always In

Unlike traditional luxury resorts, dining at The Nautilus isn’t bound by restaurant hours, menus or venues. Chefs serve as co-creators of indulgence, working with guests to turn moods, whims, or even Instagram posts into one-of-a-kind culinary experiences. Haute cuisine at 2 a.m., ramen by the beach at sunset, or a Michelin-style degustation menu on a private sandbank — The Nautilus chefs deliver, as at The Nautilus, the kitchen never closes. For jet-lagged travellers, this means ultimate convenience and comfort: breakfast at dusk, dinner at dawn, or spontaneous midnight feasts.

Why Plan a Meal When You Can Invent It?

Culinary freedom defines The Nautilus. Guests aren’t simply dining – they are designing their own experience in real time. From lobster benedict in bed at midnight to cocktail-paired tasting menus under the stars, everything is on the table – literally. It’s a rejection of routine and predictability, elevating emotional dining as the new luxury. Guests are invited to experience food as emotional expression, with each dish crafted in the moment and shaped by imagination.

An Island Without Meal Times – Radical Hospitality for the Ultra-Individual

The Nautilus rebels against hospitality norms: no schedules, no restrictions, no compromises.

Its philosophy embodies the future of ultra-luxury hospitality: total guest freedom, spontaneity, and personalised indulgence.

A Shared Vision of Culinary Freedom

“True luxury is freedom,” says Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus. “Our Unscripted Dining concept is a direct reflection of that belief. By removing the limits of time and menus, we invite our guests to experience food not as routine, but as a deeply personal journey of indulgence and expression. Today’s ultra-luxury travellers seek authenticity and individuality above all else. The Nautilus leads this shift, offering a radical departure from scripted hospitality. Every meal becomes a story co-created with the guest, a promise of spontaneity and soulful connection.”

To find out more about The Nautilus visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com

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Halloween and Autumn celebrations at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is preparing to welcome guests to a week-long Autumn Festival with Halloween-themed celebrations running from 30 October to 5 November. The programme features a variety of activities designed for families, couples, and individual travellers, with events ranging from treasure hunts and creative workshops to wellness sessions and exclusive dining experiences.

The celebrations begin on 30 October with a beachside Tabata workout followed by a pumpkin carving workshop at La Locanda. Activities for children and teens include the Magic of Mantas virtual reality exploration, Haunted Brick Builders, and the Autumn Costume Fashion Show. Parents are invited to a cocktail gathering on the shore before the evening concludes with a Culinary Maestro dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Max Strohe, as part of the resort’s Masters of Crafts series.

On 31 October, guests may join a morning Dynamic Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden or take part in a turtle snorkelling excursion. Children between four and twelve are encouraged to join the Flying Fox Quest, a Halloween-themed nature walk, while older children embark on an Island Treasure Quest. Seasonal workshops such as wreath decoration and creative pumpkin carving are available, and the day concludes with a Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt across the island and a Halloween Feast at La Locanda.

As the week progresses, the festival highlights wellness and creativity. Under the Masters of Crafts programme, mobility coach Anthony Green will host sessions on posture, flexibility, and spinal health. Seasonal crafts for younger guests include galaxy-themed pumpkin art, Halloween decorations, wand-making, and mask workshops. Family activities extend to Autumn Carnival Stalls, Magic Hat bowling, and themed cooking sessions. Evening entertainment includes a magic show, a piñata party, and further culinary experiences led by Chef Max Strohe.

The festival concludes on 5 November with a Vinsaya Flow Yoga session in the Mystique Garden, an art class featuring batfish designs on tote bags, and a children’s treasure hunt. Families are invited to join the Boos and Brews Halloween Dhoni Cruise before the celebrations end with a Luxury Sunset Cruise.

Through this programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, combines seasonal festivities with wellness, creativity, and gastronomy, offering guests a diverse celebration of autumn and Halloween in the Maldives.

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