IN TOUCH magazine — Baros Maldives. Welcome to this edition of IN TOUCH, our magazine created to keep you “in touch” with Baros Maldives. All of us at Baros Maldives look forward to being in touch with you every few months in this manner so we can provide you with valuable information on the Maldives and on our luxury boutique island resort. Imagine, we are even going to share some of our most delicious
Welcome to this issue of IN TOUCH bringing the latest news of Baros Maldives. At Baros we want to keep winning guests’ praise, providing exactly what you need on holiday, whether you come for romance, underwater diving, island exploring, gourmet cuisine, or simply to relax in our tropical hideaway. Although our resort began 40 years ago and we have won many top awards, we are not resting on our laurels but aim to improve the guest experience every year. All our guests use the seaside Restaurants, whether for breakfast, a snack or a leisurely lunch or dinner, so we are planning to offer an even better experience. This involves a complete renovation of Lime together with the introduction of a new menu focusing on top quality international food.
We are planning a new entrance to Lime and will create an open hot kitchen, where guests can observe how their food is prepared, creating great interaction between cook and guest. The deck of the restaurant will be extended too. We shall be making other changes to delight all guests, both old friends and newcomers, but they are secrets for now. In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy reading about Baros and will come here soon to experience the heartfelt hospitality that is the essence of Baros Maldives
Warm regardsShuhanResort Manager.
Dear IN TOUCH Reader,
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CONTENTS
The Formation of The Maldives—Useful Phrases
Bon Appetit!Lobster Bisque—
Let’s Cocktail Baros Veli
Spa SecretsLuxury Thai Massage
UnderwaterNight Snorkelling
Baros MaldivesElisa Special Cruise
Did you know that… —Get to knowSpa Manager Ron
Get in touch
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The islands developed out of volcanic mountains and highlands, which slowly sank back into the Indian Ocean. Coral reefs grew on top of them and calcareous sand and gravels accumulated. Due to rising and falling sea levels over time, it was not until after the last Ice Age, that the islands reached the dimensions known today. The Marine Centre Manager of Baros Maldives, Verena Wiesbauer Ali, reports that during diving or snorkelling excursions, one can see the evidence of the historical changes in reef structures while snorkelling along walls and overhangs not far from Baros. She states, “It is our duty to protect the fragile corals reefs. Take care when you are under water and avoid any contact with corals to give them a chance to grow.” She reminds snorkellers of the Native American quote: “We don’t inherit the world from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”
USEFUL PHRASES
Hello: Assalaam Alaikum
How are you?:Haalu Kihineh? Good: Rangalhu
Have a nice day: Baajjaveri dhuvahey
Stop!: Madu kurey
My name is…: Aharenge namakee…
How is the weather?: Moosun kihineh?
Sorry: Ma-aafu kurey
Please: Adhes kohfa
Thank you: Shukuriyaa
What are you doing?: Keeh kuranee?
The Formation of the MaldivesThe Republic of the Maldives is not the smallest nation in the world, in either size or population, but it is unique in having the sea forming more than 99% of its territory. The Maldives islands and atolls are actually part of the 2,000km long submarine volcanic Laccadives-Chagos Ridge. Today, the Maldives consists of 26 natural atolls divided into 20 administrative units. Some geographical atolls are split into more than one administrative unit, while other units embrace more than one atoll.
There are officially 1,192 coral islands but, with sandbanks that could also be called islands and are here today and gone tomorrow, there are probably around 1,200 islands. The Maldives developed with the moving of the Indian subcontinent towards the Eurasian plate 120 million years ago. On its way north, a huge volcanic eruption occurred and punched through the Indian plate. A string of volcanic islands and undersea plateaux developed and stayed, forming the foundation of the Maldives islands.
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LET’S COCkTAIL
There is a unique opportunity during your stay on Baros Maldives to try exotic non-alcoholic cocktails that you won’t find elsewhere. Our bar manager recommends this delicious concoction to try at Baros, or even make at home.
Baros VeliCreamy, fruity, sweet with delight-ful ginger notes with Strawberry and Grenadine Syrup, Ginger Ale, Ground Ginger and Cream
Glass: Highball
Ingredients:3 Fresh Strawberries100 ml Ginger Ale60 ml Fresh Cream20 ml Grenadine SyrupGarnish with Ground Ginger
Blend all the ingredients (but save a little ginger ale) together in a blender for just 30 seconds. Pour the mix into a Highball glass, top it with the remaining ginger ale and garnish with ground ginger.
Bon Appetit!One of the most popular items on the menu at The Lighthouse is Lobster Bisque. Here our Executive Chef Tobias Fetz shares the secret recipe
CHEF’S TIP
Dear IN TOUCH reader,Add at the end a little whipped cream and slightly whisk it into the Bisque. This makes thesoup much lighter as gets it more air.
1. Butcher and clean lobster, dicing meat into small pieces.
2. In a large pot sauté in small amount of olive oil, onion, celery, leek and lobster shell.
3. Add tomato and tomato paste and cook until soft.
4. Add herbs and cover with water 5 centimeters above everything. Bring to boil and simmer for 30 minutes, skimming off scum frequently.
5. Rest the stock for 30 minutes to infuse flavour, then strain.
6. Put stock back on stove and reduce by 70%.
7. Add cream and bring back to boil, taste and season. If you would like it thicker, let it simmer and reduce for a few minutes
8. Strain.
9. Into a saucepan place a small amount of olive oil and sauté a small amount of onion, garlic and lobster meat quickly.
10. Flame with Cognac.
11. Add bisque and bring to boil.
12. Serve and garnish with fresh cream and chopped chives.
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Spa Secrets •
Luxury Thai Massage
We are pleased to announce a new addition to The Spa of Baros: a very tranquil Thai Sala where guests can experience Thai therapies to revive, rejuvenate and re-energise the mind and body.
Unlike the popular Swedish massage, which focuses on the physical aspect of the body with the kneading of muscles, Thai Massage addresses and combines techniques usually ignored in Western physiotherapies, including Trigger Point Treatments, Myofascial Techniques, Neuro Muscular Therapy, and Manual Therapy.
The combination of energetic and physical aspects is what makes Thai Massage unique … and so effective. Traditional Thai massage is really a deep, full-body treatment, starting at the feet and progressing up to the head.
Using a sequence of gentle, flowing exercise movements, the joints and muscles are moved, loosened and stretched (some
YOGA
DoLPHIn PLank PoSE
Benefits
Dolphin Plank Pose is a challeng-ing core centred pose with several benefits:
• Strengthens the core, shoulders, arms and chest• Stretches the arches of the feet, calves and hamstrings• Tones the abdominals and glutes• Helps to relieve stress and depres-sion. Step by Step
Caution• Spinal injuries• Shoulder injuries
Steps
1. Start in Plank Pose. Lower down to your forearms, one arm at a time.
2. Place your elbows underneath your shoulders with your forearms and palms flat to the mat. Firm your shoulder blades onto your back.
3. Push your heels back and roll your inner thighs inwards and up to the sky. keep your core engaged and roll your tailbone in the direction of your heels. Your eye gaze is in between your hands.
4. Breathe here for up to one min-ute. Then lower your knees and hips to the ground.
stretch applications linked to Yoga). This unique type of massage influences the energetic side as well, restoring the flow of energy throughout the body with applied acupressure on the Zen energy lines of the body, aimed at harmonising and energising.
Physical Benefits of Thai Massage• Helps detoxification of the body and boosts immune system• Increases blood circulation, lowers blood pressure• Good for muscle relaxation, increasing flexibility in the muscles, increasing mobility• Improves breathing• Improves posture, balance; corrects body alignments and dissolves energy blockages• Improves athletic performance• Helps arthritis and back pain• Helps tone the body, strengthening joints and fighting diseases, including chronic joint problems• Prevents illnesses and alleviates degenerative diseases• Slows the ageing process
Mental Benefits of Thai Massage• Improves your outlook towards life; builds an emotional balance• Helps with concentration and creativity aiding mind and body concentration• Clears and calms your mind• Helps improve mental clarity
Psychological Effects of Thai Massage• Reduces and relieves stress and anxiety• Helps boost inner energy levels• Develops discipline and self-control• Achieves better health, increases health and vitality.• Raises the energy level and stamina• Builds internal power (and creates a natural confidence)
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UNDERWATER
THE “Dark SIDE oF BaroS”
Often you’ll see snorkellers trudging back up the shore as the last rays of the sun dip below the horizon, with a “I wanna play longer” look on their faces.
Luckily at Baros, snorkelling doesn’t have to end at sunset. Night snorkelling is just as rewarding and as much fun as snorkelling the daylight hours … and most times, it’s even better. Going out at night does require a little more planning and preparation than going during daylight hours. Our safety requirements are that participants need to be experienced snorkellers, and have been out on the house reef during the daylight.
After a safety briefing we equip each participant with an underwater flashlight, before heading for a guided tour into the “Dark side of Baros.” Many creatures not around during the day feed at night. Eels and octopus, lobsters and shrimp are all much more active at night.
Watch Parrotfish going to sleep, some in their own temporary mucous bubble, and Lionfish waking up and hovering above the reef. You may find Lobsters running around rocks at night or the Slipper Lobster, completely unknown during day snorkels. Some shrimps’ eyes are brightly reflective and you can see hundreds of them peering out at you from the reef.
Corals are closed up during the day and hardly resemble something alive, but at night they start feeding with their little tentacle bodies, some blooming out in stunning colours.
While it is very interesting to see the creatures you can find with your light, you may be in for a wonderful surprise if you turn your light off. There will be bioluminescent plankton present, emitting its own light. Move your arms and legs quickly through the water and watch hundreds of little balls of light suddenly appear, like magic.
Come join us for a dive on the dark side.
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LUXURY CRUISING AT BAROS MALDIVES
Enjoy a sunset cruise on our modern yacht, Elisa. With its svelte and elegant lines, this Pershing 43 luxury yacht has glass panels at the sides, a spacious cockpit, two air-conditioned cabins and two bathrooms, as well as TV and DVD player. The interior fittings and furnishings are carefully selected and well defined, modern and functional, ensuring a comfortable stay on board.
SUNSET CRUISE
This is a romantic experience for a couple, a fun treat for your family, or perhaps for a get-together with your friends. Cruise the clear Maldivian waters to reach the open sea, where the colours of the evening sky seem to dance on the waves as the sun sets. Sip champagne, nibble canapés as you witness the glorious Maldivian sunset from the comfort of our private yacht, reserved exclusively for you. Capture postcard-perfect photos, or simply relish the cruise, creating lifetime memories of an amazing experience. Duration: 1½ hoursAvailable daily (with prior reservations) from 17.00 hrs to 18.30 hrs HALF DAY CRUISE Leave Baros Maldives for a few hours for a unique experience by chartering our modern yacht, Elisa. Discover nature’s glory at sea as you enjoy the tranquil state of mind that only chartering a luxury yacht can inspire. Feel like Robinson Crusoe while relaxing on our deserted sandbank or dipping into the Indian Ocean to snorkel, before returning to Elisa for a delicious picnic served on board by your personal butler. Cruise North Male’ Atoll and be awed by the beautiful beaches and stunning views surrounding you… or just laze and let the sun spoil you while Elisa’s crew steers into open waters. Search for dolphins on the way back and be thrilled by their beauty and grace. There are breathtaking views when the sun touches the water creating colourful reflections all around. Quaff champagne, sample exotic canapés and feel totally at peace.
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Did you know that-There are two wrecks lying on the Baros house reef? One is at 6m depth, the other at 17m.
- Some palm trees on Baros are more than 50 years old? (The island was once a coconut plantation.)
- The size of Maldives is the same as Portugal but with 99% water?
- Baros hosts the first ever Eco-Dive resort in the Maldives?
GET To knoW
SPa ManaGEr – “ron”
Our Spa Manager at Baros Maldives is Ronald Allan L Mutuc, age 35, familiarly known by the simple sobriquet of “Ron.”Ron joined Baros in February 2014 bringing a wealth of experience as both a therapist and spa manager. Born in the Philippines, he completed a five year Bachelor of Science course in Physical Therapy before working as a Senior Thera-pist in a spa in Manila and then entering the hospitality indus-try with employment at the Aman Resort in the Philippines.
He gained global experience in Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean, and in Abu Dhabi as Senior Therapist at the Rotana Beach Hotel. He then moved to Bhutan as a Spa Trainer for five resorts of the Aman Group and became Spa Manager after two years in the property in Laos. He became Area Spa Manager in Indonesia for five properties and then went to Beijing as Spa Consultant and Manager before coming to Baros.
Ron enjoys the administrative side of being Spa Manager, while maintaining his interest in giving treatments to guests. He loves to share his knowledge with his staff and colleagues, to motivate and direct them.
Whenever he is on vacation or on a visit to another country, Ron tries therapies in different spas to assess how others give treatments, how they set up and operate their spas, and to learn all he can from the experience. He is looking forward to passing on his knowledge for the benefit of all guests at The Spa.
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Any questions, suggestions, comments? Get in touch with us on Baros Maldives, we are looking forward to hearing from you.
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