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Award-winning photographer Double Dot to host ‘The White Fire’ interactive photography exhibition
Award-winning Maldivian photographer Mohamed ‘Double Dot’ Azmeel has announced an exclusive photography exhibition on the threats faced by our marine biodiversity.
The White Fire exhibition will kick off on October 20 at the National Art Gallery in capital Male with a private viewing, before opening to the public from October 21-24, from 10am to 10pm every day. The exhibition will then move to Jumeirah Vittaveli resort, which will display the photographs from December 20 to January 10.
“The five-day photo exhibition will provide enriching educational experiences that celebrate visual culture and artistic achievement through photography and interpretation. The gallery strives to provide an educational platform to give back to the bountiful nature that serves as its muse,” Azmeel said.
The five-day event comprises two components; the ‘Muraka Faaru’ or Coral Wall photo exhibition, and the ‘Muraka Vaahaka’ or the Coral Story educational sessions.
The ‘Muraka Faaru’ will showcase 10 carefully-selected masterpiece photographs that are inspired from corals and are based on the theme of coral bleaching. Each photograph, which incorporates a fashion style, will narrate a story about our beautiful marine life and the diversity.
“A walk through the beautifully designed coral walls would give the visitors an understanding of the fragile nature and would be bringing the human element to the concept,” Azmeel said.
The ‘Muraka Vaahaka’ component will tell the story of how coral bleaching affects marine life and our livelihoods. The sessions, conducted by professional marine biologists during the exhibition, will be targeted towards students during the day and the general public in the evenings.
Azmeel, known in the photography community as Double Dot, is an award-winning international photographer from the Maldives.
He began his journey in the early 2000s and has become one of the most sought-after photographers in the Maldives. What began as a hobby led to an obsession, and then to a profession. In addition to his out-of-the-box approach, his photos are immensely creative and his artistic touches distinguish him from his peers.
Over the past 15 years, Azmeel went onto specialise in fashion, wedding and commercial photography. He has now become one of the most prominent photographers in the country, and is the first Brand Ambassador for Canon in the Maldives.
Azmeel is a Photography Ambassador for Visit Maldives, and has been named amongst the Top 10 International Photographer 2018/19 by Asia’s largest photography community PPAC. His work has been widely published in several magazines through Asia, Europe and America.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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