Back on land, the jet lag suddenly hit and I was in desperate need of a pick-me-up – spa to the rescue. My treatment took place at the resort’s Serenity Spa, in an open-air thatched hut built on water. The wraparound views of the ocean and sounds of crashing waves put me right at ease. There, a shea butter, lime and lavender product by TheraNaka was lathered onto my back and shoulders. The balm had a soothing, gorgeous smell, and also worked as an all-natural sunblock.
Maldivian coconut oil was then massaged into my hair, and the ritual ended with the crisp chimes of the African rain stick. I was pleasantly suprised to find that the therapist had also styled my fringe into a little braid and tucked a hibiscus flower under my ear.
Such little surprises – dubbed ‘Milaidhoo moments’ – were present throughout my stay. That’s because nearly 70 per cent of the staff are locals, enthusiastic about showing you the best of Maldivian hospitality. I came back to my villa one evening to a still-warm bath; my island host (Milaidhoo speak for butler) had arranged a ‘welcome home’ message for me on top of the bubbles with hibiscus flowers and palm leaves. After teaching us how to make a creamy local curry, our cooking class tutor (a Maldivian chef) went out of his way to prepare a packet of pandan leaves, chillies and curry leaves – all hand-picked from a garden on-site – for us to take home. He had overheard my remark about how difficult it can be to source these ingredients in London.
Source link : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/maldives/articles/snorkelling-manta-rays-milaidhoo-island-maldives/
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Publish date : 2020-03-01 03:00:00
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